2026 Home, Auto, and Specialty Insurance Carrier Ratings

Both agencies measure financial stability, but they often focus on different types of companies. A.M. Best is the global standard for large, national insurance companies. Demotech was the first to review regional and specialty carriers, often using a different model to assess how smaller companies manage local risks (like hurricanes or wildfires). Both provide a roadmap for assessing whether a carrier has the capital to pay claims.

Specialty and regional carriers often choose Demotech because its rating process is specifically tailored to their business models. Because these carriers may focus on a single state or a niche type of coverage, Demotech provides a more accurate reflection of their stability in those specific markets compared to the broader metrics used by A.M. Best.

Yes. Most major lenders, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, accept homeowners insurance from carriers with a "distinguished" rating from Demotech (typically an "A" or higher). If you are ever unsure, our licensed agents can help verify that your chosen carrier meets your lender’s specific requirements.

Typically, no. Standard homeowners policies explicitly exclude damage caused by floods or earth movement. To protect your home from these disasters, you need a separate specialty policy or an endorsement. We offer both private flood insurance and earthquake coverage to fill these dangerous protection gaps.

While the NFIP is a reliable government-backed option, private flood insurance often offers higher coverage limits, shorter waiting periods, and additional "loss of use" benefits that aren't available through the federal program. In many cases, specialty carriers can provide more competitive rates for modern homes in specific zones.

Yes. If you use your home as a hort-term rental (like an Airbnb or VRBO), a standard homeowners policy may deny claims that occur during a rental period. A specialty landlord or short-term rental policy is designed to cover the unique liability and property risks associated with hosting guests.

Yes. ASI is now fully integrated into the Progressive family. While you may see "Progressive" on your billing statements and digital ID cards, the underlying expertise and specialized home insurance products originally developed by ASI continue to power their property offerings.

To simplify the customer experience, Liberty Mutual is moving toward a unified brand identity. By bringing Safeco under the Liberty Mutual name, the company aims to offer a more seamless experience for customers who bundle their home, auto, and life insurance across the enterprise.

A merger doesn't automatically trigger a rate hike. In fact, mergers can sometimes lead to better discounts and improved technology for policyholders. However, because every carrier re-evaluates its risk math annually, we recommend that you have a SelectQuote agent review your policy during your renewal period to ensure you’re still getting the best value in the new market landscape.