Best reported today that rating upgrades for the year totaled 59, while downgrades totaled 57, although some P/C carriers were hurt by the combined effects of catastrophe losses and the economic downturn. In 2007, Best reported 87 upgrades and 43 downgrades among property/casualty insurers.
Upgrades in commercial lines outpaced downgrades 33-32, Best reported, adding that reinsurers saw one downgrade and one upgrade for the year.
Overall, Best rating changes were down to 20% of all ratings actions in 2008 from about 25% over the preceding four years.