U.S. life insurers, battling the effects of a bad economy, appear to be poised to beat banks and the general market in two areas.

Citing negative capital and surplus levels for two of its insurance companies in the third quarter 2009, A.M. Best has downgraded the ratings of MVP Health Care, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries.

Insurance companies are more bullish about 2010 than this year, according to a poll of company executives, who say they anticipate that underwriting profits will be hard to come by in the next one to three years.

Univest Corp. of Pennsylvania announced the completion of its public offering of 3.4 million shares of common stock, a sale it expects to generate $55.5 million.

The Souderton, Pa.-based company, whose …  Read →

Westminster American Insurance Co.’s financial strength rating was upgraded in response to the insurer’s favorable risk-adjusted capitalization and improved operating performance, according to a ratings service.

A.M. Best Co. upgraded the …  Read →

The recession and sagging stock market of the last 10 months has caused “significant deterioration” in investment results for U.S. life insurance companies, according to a new Fitch Ratings report.

The …  Read →

Pittsburgh, Pa.-based health insurer Highmark says it remains “financially strong,” in light of A.M. Best shifting its outlook to “negative” for the parent company and two of its health subsidiaries.

The …  Read →

The U.S. property-casualty industry is in a stronger capital position now than before any major catastrophic event, including the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and 2005′s Hurricane Katrina, over the …  Read →