IMO, don't take the person's rating TOO seriously. While you would trust an answer from someone who has a reasonably high rating more that from someone with a low rating, that's not an absolute rule. But, OTOH, if someone has a rating of close to 100%, beware that they're just telling people what they want to hear and/or are experts at being "politically correct." Take me for example, I currently have an A- (92%) rating. That's because I've recently had some answers voted down by: - someone who didn't like the joke I interjected into one of my anwers, - or when my explanation how chromosomes determine one's gender didn't align with the political agenda of a homosexual, - or when a socialist didn't like my explanation of how socialism thwarts the balance of supply and demand and so can't be the basis of a prosperous economy in the long run, - or when a bigot didn't like my answer to a black girl who asked how to meet and date a white guy, - or when a group of religious fanatics didn't like it when I quoted the First Amendment defending someone's right to produce and sell a pornographic film and they all joined forces to rate my answer incorrect. - etc., etc.

Well - to coin a phrase - "somewhat useful"!! It can be well worth checking the persons profile. For a start it may give you some background info (If they work as a Scientist you might expect their scientific answers to be of good quality- although bear in mind that the internet is ultimately an unreliable medium). The main thing I would recommend is checking out their other answers to various questions, particularly those in the category you're interested in- you can often judge from the answers themselves, and their ratings comments how knowledgable a person is in any one particular area. It also shows you where their good and bad ratings have come from. For example- a person with a 98% rating mostly gained from the Hindu Beliefs category doesn't necessarily know a lot about auto mechanics. And never take an answer on faith where its important- use Answerbag as a starting point, but always consult another source to confirm information.