Unum, Hodge Lifetime, Bupa and Abbey for Intermediaries were the repeat offenders, scoring the second-lowest rating for service.
Demotions including Suffolk Life, last year a three-star winner, and Aegon UK, also appearing in the category above last year.
Now: Pensions is a new entrant at the inauspicious level of two-star.
One-star providers: Scottish Widows in dramatic plunge
Only three providers made it into the lowest service rating, compared with seven last year.
The most dramatic was a plunge from five stars to one star for Scottish Widows last year. It has been a consistent top performer over the last 10 years, with seven five star awards out of the previous 11 years.
Hornbuckle Mitchell and Phoenix are the repeat offenders from last year.
Hornbuckle has achieved five one-star ratings five years in a row, and before that gained two two-star ratings.
Phoenix has achieved 11 one stars over the last 12 years, and before that gained mainly two stars.
The other entrants in this category did not qualify this time around so have not made an appearance in this year’s awards.
