Safest Insurance Stock: MetLife Tops Poll

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Insurance companies have been in the spotlight lately, the recipients of a spate of unwelcome publicity from proposed healthcare reforms, looming government regulation and a continued exposure to risky assets.

On top of these ongoing pressures, Morgan Stanley downgraded life insurers earlier this week, saying the sector remains fundamentally sound but is unlikely to extend a recent surge in stock prices.

So what is a risk-averse investory to do? Which insurer is the most, well, insured? According to 30.2% of TheStreet users who took our weekly poll, it's MetLife(MET Quote).

Likewise, Morgan Stanley analyst Nigel Dally rates MetLife overweight, and says it's one of his favorites in the sector. Still, favorite though it might be, shares of the company ended the week down 6% to $36.92.

The second-place finisher in the poll was Aflac(AFL Quote), which garnered 26.5% of the vote. Regardless, Jim Cramer said that since the stock has already had a good run he can't get behind it.

Aflac shares rook a 4% hit ending the week at $40.69.

Somewhat surprisingly, American International Group(AIG Quote) finished third, tallying 19.3% of the vote. While the flailing insurer has been rallying of late, most would conisder it to be anything but safe.

Apparently, 19.3% beg to differ.