A global ratings agency predicts a stable outlook for the U.S. property-casualty insurance sector in 2012 after this year’s weak profitability.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and Standard & Poor’s seem to have differing views on insurers’ risk since the U.S. government debt downgrade last week.

Insurers’ investments should not be affected by the decision of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service to lower the U.S. government’s credit rating, according to state insurance commissioners.

Life and health insurance companies may be in a safer place, at least in terms of their ratings, than they have been in the last two years, according to A.M. Best Co.

A merger of two property-casualty insurance companies in New York has led to the revising of ratings for several companies by A.M. Best Co.

The personal lines segment and reinsurance lines’ ratings are stable for this year, while commercial lines turned from stable to negative, A.M. Best reported.

Although the rating outlook on the U.S. life/annuity sector changed to stable from negative in 2010, A.M. Best says challenges remain for this year.

IFA Insurance Co.’s unprofitable operating performance in the last few years was blamed in part for its lowered ratings outlook from a key ratings service.

Consumers in New York won nearly half of the internal appeals they filed against health insurers in 2009, according to the New York State Insurance Department.

Brokerage Edward Jones says the stocks of the three health insurers it covers – Aetna, UnitedHealth Group and Wellpoint – warrant a “sell” rating, not the prior “hold” rating because of federal health reform.