All states have what are referred to as state guarantee funds.  Operated by departments of insurance, guarantee funds are insurance funds that receive contributions from carriers that operate in the state.

Buying a house is undeniably a major financial decision.  As a result, most people will spend some time researching and understanding the basics of the process before making a purchase: what is the role of agents; what are the transaction costs; how do mortgages brokers and title companies fit into the picture; what type of mortgage makes sense; etc.  

All annuity sales require an insurance license, and some require both insurance and securities licenses.  Licensing is not a huge challenge, but there is time, effort and cost involved in the process.

Rating agency A.M. Best has recently issued a report indicating that three insurance companies have become financially impaired thus far in 2009.

A.M. Best considers an insurance company impaired once a state department of insurance has taken its first official regulatory action against the company.

The three carriers considered impaired are: