2008-08-12 23:00:04 -

www.ambest.com - A.M. Best Co. has released video and a transcript of the July 31 webinar presented by A.M. Best analysts on the state of the U.S. and world captive insurance industry.

John Andre and Steven Chirico of A.M. Best's property/casualty rating division led the one-hour webinar and were joined by Chris Mancini of Captive.com. Andre and Chirico also

addressed many questions and comments posed by webinar participants. The analysts also touch on trends in reinsurance and commercial coverage.

Access to the webinar video and transcript is free; visitors are required to provide an email address to access the presentations.

A captive insurance organization insures some or all of the risks of its parent organization. Captives are a significant part of the growing Alternative Risk Transfer (ART) insurance sector in many nations and U.S. states. Despite softening commercial market conditions, captives remain integral to a comprehensive insurance solution for scores of both single parent and group owners. A.M. Best rates many captives throughout the world. The special report that was the focus of this webinar examines trends in premium volume, loss reserves and admitted assets for A.M. Best-rated, U.S.-based captive organizations.

To access the webinar video and transcript, visit www.ambest.com/multimedia/captivewebinar08.html.

In August, Best's Review magazine published a special section: Issues & Answers: Captive Domiciles and Services. That edition is available at www.bestreview.com/captives08.html.

Updated methodologies and other information on A.M. Best's coverage of the captive insurance industry are available at A.M. Best's online captive center, at www.ambest.com/captive/.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

A.M. Best Co.
Lee Mc Donald, 908-439-2200, ext. 5561
lee.mcdonald@ambest.com