OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best Co. is requesting comments from market participants in the insurance industry and other interested parties on the following draft criteria reports:

• “Understanding Universal BCAR” (updates version dated November 4, 2011)
• “Understanding BCAR for Canadian Property/Casualty Insurers” (updates version dated September 30, 2011)

Proposed edits to the draft criteria report, “Understanding Universal BCAR,” include describing the scope of use for the Universal BCAR, which can be used for insurance holding company level analysis and start-up insurer analysis. Other updates to the criteria include new items in the calculation of available capital and the use of an estimate of a casualty shock loss in the model when stress-testing a casualty insurer.

The draft criteria report, “Understanding BCAR for Canadian Property/Casualty Insurers,” includes a new section that describes A.M. Best’s current approach on stress testing and an explanation of source data for the Canadian BCAR model.

These updates are part of A.M. Best’s continual review of its rating methodology and are not considered material or expected to affect ratings.

Visit www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology to download a PDF copy of each report.

Written comments should be submitted by email to rating.methodology@ambest.com no later than August 23, 2012.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2012 by A.M. Best Company, Inc.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Duncan McColl, CFA
Manager, Rating Criteria
908-439-2200, ext. 5826
duncan.mccoll@ambest.com
or
Rachelle Morrow
Senior Manager, Public Relations
908-439-2200, ext. 5445
rachelle.morrow@ambest.com
or
Edward Easop
Group Vice President
908-439-2200, ext. 5781
edward.easop@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
908-439-2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source: A.M. Best Co.