When you place business with Markel, you're working with one of the most reliable, financially sound companies in the insurance industry.

"Excellent historical operating performance derived from proven underwriting expertise and strong, conservative reserving practices have built these businesses into a well regarded franchise."

(Source: A.M. Best News Release)

Syndicate Ratings
As a Lloyd's Syndicate, Markel Syndicate 3000 attracts the ratings of the Lloyd's market as a whole and its policyholders benefit from the additional security of the Lloyd's central fund. As of August 2007, the ratings applicable to the Lloyd's market were as follows:

A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
Moody’s B+ (Above Average)

When A.M. Best assigned a Best's syndicate rating of A(Excellent) to Markel Syndicate 3000. They stated:

"The rating reflects the syndicate's excellent prospective operating performance and business profile, in addition to the financial strength of the Lloyd's market."

Moody's also publishes performance ratings of individual Lloyd's syndicates. It has assigned a rating of B+ (Above Average) to Syndicate 3000; this is in line with Moody's ratings of the predecessor syndicates and with their belief that Syndicate 3000 will perform in line with the Lloyd's market as a whole over the cycle.

Insurance Company Ratings
As of August 2007, the ratings of Markel International Insurance Company Limited (MIICL) were as follows:

A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
Fitch Ratings: A- (High)

AM Best upgraded the financial strength rating of the company. In their News Release, they commented:

"This rating action reflects A.M. Best's revised view of MIICL as strategically important to Markel North America Insurance Group (Markel). Historically the financial strength rating has not benefited from any implicit support. Other rating factors include MIICL's prospective excellent risk-adjusted capitalisation and improving underwriting performance."

 Markel North America
The leading agencies have awarded the following ratings to Markel Corporation's US operating subsidiaries:

A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
Fitch Ratings: A-(High)
Moody’s: A (3)