Capital: Florida regulators believe insurers need at least $10 million set aside for emergencies. Less than that pushes a company into the red zone.

(Score determined by state regulators)
This measurement weighs a company's capital against its risk - how much money it stands to loose from investments and insurance policies written. The more risk, the more capital is needed to offset it. The higher the score, the better.

(in dollars per $100,000 insured)
Some experts frown on companies that have less than $100 set aside for every $100,000 in property they insure. The less they are leveraged, the less likely they are to run into cash-flow problems.

(percentage of policies in South Florida)
Having too many policies in one place is dangerous, especially if they are in hurricane-heavy South Florida.

FOREMOST PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY has 30180 policies, including 21 in Sarasota County. The 46th-largest property insurer in Florida, it is based in Michigan and has surplus of $16 million. From October through December 2010 it dropped 942 policies and wrote 1 new customers. Homeowner insurance products are underwritten by non-21st Century affiliated insurance underwriting companies of Homesite Group, Inc. or through Foremost Insurance Company, an affiliate of 21st Century

Number of Policies: 30180

Writing new policies: Not writing

A.M. Best financial rating: A EXCELLENT

Demotech financial rating: unrated

Weiss financial rating: