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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONDON - OCTOBER 15, 2020 11:09 AM (EDT)
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” of Stellar Insurance, Ltd. (Stellar) (Bermuda), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (SAOC). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings reflect Stellar’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorises as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
Stellar’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best expects Stellar’s risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at the strongest level, supported by low underwriting leverage, full earnings retention and a comprehensive reinsurance programme. SAOC has strengthened Stellar’s capital position by allowing the captive to retain all profits generated since its incorporation in 2001. This has enabled Stellar to increase its underwriting capacity gradually. Its capital requirements through the BCAR are driven largely by investment risk, as Stellar holds a significant proportion of assets in mutual funds that have varying liquidity and duration. An offsetting balance sheet strength factor remains the captive’s reliance on reinsurance to provide high limit energy cover. However, the associated credit risk is mitigated by Stellar’s use of a diversified panel of financially strong reinsurers.
Stellar has reported strong operating results over the past five years (2015-2019), mainly driven by robust underwriting profits in the absence of large losses. AM Best expects prospective performance to remain strong, but it is subject to volatility due to the captive’s exposure to high severity, low frequency losses in its energy programme.
Stellar’s business profile and ERM assessment reflect the key role it plays in SAOC’s overall risk management framework. As a single parent captive, its purpose is to provide financial risk transfer solutions for risks emanating from SAOC’s operations. Stellar’s portfolio of business is concentrated by line of business, with the majority of premiums represented by energy onshore and offshore property risks, as well as by geography with approximately 96% of 2019 premiums associated with risks located in Saudi Arabia.
AM Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated throughout the world. For current Best’s Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive.
This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.
AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.