
Frequently Asked Questions
Financial Stability Ratings® (FSRs)
What is a Financial Stability Rating® (FSR)?
An FSR summarizes Demotech, Inc.’s opinion as to the financial stability of a risk-bearing entity. It is assigned after an extensive process of financial analysis. FSRs are primarily based upon an insurer’s financial information and also consider certain qualitative information.
Where can I find definitions of each Financial Stability Rating® (FSR)?
The definitions of FSRs can be accessed by clicking here. Also, when viewing a company’s information page, simply click on the FSR Seal and you will be linked to the definition of that FSR.
How current is a company’s Financial Stability Rating® (FSR)?
Only current and accurate FSRs are posted on our website. These FSRs reflect ongoing review and analysis of up to date company information. Due to reporting, submission and processing lags, the posted financial information is not necessarily reflective of the information used in our analysis.
To whom does Demotech assign Financial Stability Ratings® (FSRs)?
Generally, Demotech provides Preliminary Financial Stability Ratings® (PFSR) to nearly all Property & Casualty insurers and Title underwriters that file annual and quarterly statements with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Demotech presents the insurers with their PFSR. Insurers are provided an opportunity to finalize the PFSR by engaging in our rating process and submitting any required additional information. The FSRs on our website are displayed only for those companies that choose to finalize their rating. The company information listed on our website, which is presented for all companies, is public information.
What is the process to finalize a Financial Stability Rating® (FSR)?
Demotech will obtain and review certain information about the insurance company. Our Preliminary Data Request requirements vary based on a number of factors, including the type of insurance company (e.g. P&C, Title underwriter, risk retention group, public entity insurance pool, etc.) and years in business (e.g. newly capitalized insurer or established insurer). In addition to evaluating established insurers, Demotech has an established and proven process to evaluate newly capitalized insurance companies.
Typical information reviewed by Demotech for an established insurer may include:
- Quarterly and annual statutory financial statements
- Management discussion and analysis
- Statement of actuarial opinion
- Actuarial opinion summary
- Audit report
- Reinsurance information
Typical information reviewed by Demotech for a newly capitalized insurer may include:
- Biographical information on principals, key employees or service providers
- Administrative agreements with principals and third parties
- Job descriptions or summaries of the duties of key personnel
- Pro forma financial statements and business plans submitted to the State of domicile
- Proposed underwriting guidelines and application
- Initial rate, rule and form filings and underlying information
- Claims department procedures and practices manual
- Investment guidelines
- Reinsurance information
- Proposed marketing and sales materials
- Producer contracts including commission structure and contingency commission criteria
- Catastrophe modeling report and analysis of base rates, rating territories, when applicable
- Other information to familiarize us with the company and its operations.
After Demotech’s review and analysis process is completed, the company will be presented with the opportunity to finalize the assigned Financial Stability Rating®.
Where can I find the Financial Stability Rating® (FSR) for a particular company?
You can search our site to view our companies here
How do I contact a company listed on Demotech’s website?
We cannot provide contact information for insurers that do not finalize their FSR. All of the information we have available is published on our website.
For those companies that have finalized their FSR, we provide a link to their website.
Comparative Financial Observations™ (CFOs)
What is a Comparative Financial Observation™ (CFO)?
Comparative Financial Observations™ (CFOs) represent Demotech’s assessment of insurance companies based on publicly available financial information and summarize our opinion of certain fundamental financial metrics. CFOs are not a replacement, substitute, or approximation of a Financial Stability Rating®. You can learn more about the CFO definitions here.
Which companies have CFOs assigned to them?
Demotech assigns CFOs to property and liability companies that have not finalized their Preliminary Financial Stability Rating® (PFSR).
Relevant Terms
Admitted Assets
Assumed Reinsurance Premium
Ceded Reinsurance Premium
Direct Premium Written
Gross Premium Written
Group
Jurisdictions
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
NAIC Company Number
Net Premium Written
Nonadmitted Assets
Policyholders’ Surplus
Premiums Earned
Unearned Premiums
Written Premium
Negative Net Premium Written