The first issue of "Inside View", a series of guides on insurance ratings, has been published by Standard & Poor's.
The guide examines the influence that different markets and sectors have on ratings, Standard & Poor's default statistics and the terminology of ratings.
Standard & Poor's director Peter Hughes said: "With global insurance markets still depressed and widespread pressure on market participants, the relative financial strength characteristics of insurers have come to the fore.
"Inside View aims to bring clarity to financial strength ratings, and therefore confidence to the insured party regarding its chosen insurance carrier."
