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.

AMERICAN MERCURY INSURANCE COMPANY has 8245 policies, including 110 in Sarasota County. The 72nd-largest property insurer in Florida, it is based in Oklahoma and has surplus of $107 million. From October through December 2010 it dropped 403 policies and wrote 1 new customers.

Number of Policies: 8245

Writing new policies: Not writing

A.M. Best financial rating: A- EXCELLENT

Demotech financial rating: unrated

Weiss financial rating: