S&P Rpt Examines 2003 US Insurer Failures

"The number of U.S. insurance failures fell to its lowest five-year level in 2003 due in part to the continued hard pricing environment enjoyed by the property/casualty and health insurance lines and the improvement in the economy, particularly in the equity markets," said Standard & Poor‘s credit analyst Steven J. Dreyer. "In total, 28 insurance companies were put under regulatory supervision in 2003 compared with 39 in 2002 and 35 in 2001."