All four of the major rating agencies affirmed Guardian’s very high ratings in 2010. They cited our investment performance, capital position, risk management, and operating performance as reasons for their affirmation. Our company was the only major life insurer to be upgraded by two rating agencies in 2008, and our very high ratings also were affirmed in 2009, providing evidence of the stable view the ratings agencies have of Guardian.
| Agency | Rating |
| A.M. Best | A++ (Superior)1 |
| Standard & Poor's | AA+ (Very Strong)2 |
| Moody’s | Aa2 (Excellent)3 |
| Fitch | AA+ (Very Strong)4 |
| Weiss | A (Excellent)5 |
| Comdex | 986 |
1 Best's Ratings indicate the financial strength of insurance companies. The A++ and A+ ratings are assigned to companies that have, in Best's opinion, a superior ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders.
2 A Standard & Poor's Insurer Financial Strength Rating is a current opinion of the financial security characteristics of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. An insurer rated 'AA' has very strong financial security characteristics, differing only slightly from those rated higher.
3 Moody's Insurance Financial Strength Ratings are opinions of the ability of insurance companies to repay punctually senior policyholder claims and obligations. Insurance companies rated Aa offer excellent financial security and, together with Moody's Aaa group, constitute what are generally known as high-grade companies.
4 Fitch's Insurer Financial Strength Rating provides an assessment of the financial strength of an insurance organization, and its capacity to meet senior obligations to policyholders and contract holders on a timely basis. Insurers with an AA rating are viewed as possessing very strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. Risk factors are modest, and the impact of any adverse business and economic factors is expected to be very small.
5 The Weiss Safety Ratings represent a completely independent, unbiased opinion of an insurance company's financial safety - now, and in the future. According to Weiss, "The company offers excellent financial security. It has maintained a conservative stance in its investment strategies, business operations and underwriting commitments. While the financial position of any company is subject to change, Weiss believes that this company has the resources necessary to deal with severe economic conditions."
6 The Comdex gives the average percentile ranking of this company in relation to all other companies that have been rated by the rating services. The Comdex is the percentage of companies that are rated lower than this company.
2 A Standard & Poor's Insurer Financial Strength Rating is a current opinion of the financial security characteristics of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. An insurer rated 'AA' has very strong financial security characteristics, differing only slightly from those rated higher.
3 Moody's Insurance Financial Strength Ratings are opinions of the ability of insurance companies to repay punctually senior policyholder claims and obligations. Insurance companies rated Aa offer excellent financial security and, together with Moody's Aaa group, constitute what are generally known as high-grade companies.
4 Fitch's Insurer Financial Strength Rating provides an assessment of the financial strength of an insurance organization, and its capacity to meet senior obligations to policyholders and contract holders on a timely basis. Insurers with an AA rating are viewed as possessing very strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. Risk factors are modest, and the impact of any adverse business and economic factors is expected to be very small.
5 The Weiss Safety Ratings represent a completely independent, unbiased opinion of an insurance company's financial safety - now, and in the future. According to Weiss, "The company offers excellent financial security. It has maintained a conservative stance in its investment strategies, business operations and underwriting commitments. While the financial position of any company is subject to change, Weiss believes that this company has the resources necessary to deal with severe economic conditions."
6 The Comdex gives the average percentile ranking of this company in relation to all other companies that have been rated by the rating services. The Comdex is the percentage of companies that are rated lower than this company.
