Financial stability and strength are important purchase considerations of policyholders and insurance agents and brokers. Because an insurance premium paid today purchases coverage for losses that might not be paid for many years, the financial viability of the insurer is of critical concern. Various independent rating agencies provide information and assign ratings to assist buyers in their search for financially sound insurers. Rating agencies periodically re-evaluate assigned ratings based upon changes in the insurer’s operating results, financial condition or other significant factors influencing the insurer’s business. Here is how we rate:

	A.M. Best	Fitch/Duff & Phelps
Essex Insurance Company	A (Excellent) g, XIII	A (High)
Evanston Insurance Company	A (Excellent) g, XIII	A (High)
Markel Insurance Company	A (Excellent) g, XIII	A (High)
Markel American Insurance Company	A (Excellent) g, XIII	A (High)
Associated International Insurance Company	A (Excellent) g, XIII	A (High)
Deerfield Insurance Company	A (Excellent) g, XIII	A (High)
Markel International Insurance Company	A (Excellent)	A (High)
Markel Syndicate 3000	A (Excellent)

The above financial strength ratings concern only the likelihood of timely payment of policyholder obligations and are not intended to refer to the ability of the either the rated company or its parent or subsidiary to pay non-policy obligations such as debt or commercial paper. Financial strength ratings are also not intended to refer to the suitability of the rated company or its parent or subsidiary as an investment.

A.M. Best Rating Modifier "g" = Group

A.M. Best Financial Size Category "XIII" = $1,250,000,000 to $1,500,000,000 of Reported capital, surplus and conditional reserve funds.

If you would like copies of A.M. Best or Duff & Phelps reports, please click here to contact us.