AM Best


A.M. Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Ocean International Reinsurance Company Limited


CONTACTS:

Olga Rubo
Associate Financial Analyst
+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 134
olga.rubo@ambest.com

Alfonso Novelo
Senior Director, Analytics
+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107
alfonso.novelo@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEXICO CITY - SEPTEMBER 08, 2017 02:18 PM (EDT)
A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Ocean International Reinsurance Company Limited (Ocean Re) (Barbados). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) remains stable.

The affirmation of the ratings is based on the company’s strong risk-adjusted capital, geographic diversification, sound business strategy and good operating performance. Partially offsetting these positive rating factors is the susceptibility of its captive business to regulatory changes.

Ocean Re is a Barbados-based reinsurer, licensed as a Qualifying Insurance Company focused on reinsurance and offers a diversified product mix in several countries throughout Latin America. The company also offers facultative programs that are fully funded to the projected ultimate losses of the company’s clients. Its business development strategy clearly identifies an increase in the proportion of traditional reinsurance in its portfolio, as compared to its captive portfolio; however, regulatory changes remain a factor when evaluating the continuity of its fully funded programs, as legislative adjustments could potentially limit its premium growth.

Ocean Re’s regional geographic footprint has expanded since 2015. The company now conducts business in 24 countries throughout Latin America. Ocean Re foresees significant growth potential in Panama, Colombia and Mexico, as well as other countries such as Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru, which offer potential to diversify the portfolio.

The company’s risk-adjusted capitalization remains strong, and has benefited from its positive operating performance. In addition, a capital contribution took place in August 2016, which, along with a conservative dividend policy, continues to strengthen A.M. Best’s future view of the company’s development of capitalization and overall financial strength.

The operating performance of Ocean Re is good, with premium sufficiency derived from the nature of its captive business, as well as from an adequate retrocession program for its traditional reinsurance lines. Underwriting performance has maintained profitability, but was affected by a bad experience in one account, for which the company has made adjustments, and had a better experience with in 2016.

Positive rating actions may take place if the company is able to maintain a healthy traditional reinsurance portfolio and further diversify its revenue sources while sustaining a sound retrocession program and current risk-adjusted capitalization metrics. Negative rating actions could take place if there are significant business disruptions on its captive business or if traditional reinsurance underwriting shows poor operating performance to levels that affect the capital position of the company.

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Best’s Credit Rating Methodology can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

Key insurance criteria reports utilized:


  • Alternative Risk Transfer (ART) (Version Oct. 31, 2016)

  • Catastrophe Analysis in A.M. Best Ratings (Version Nov. 03, 2011)

  • Evaluating Country Risk (Version May 2, 2012)

  • Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies (Version April 2, 2013)

  • Understanding Universal BCAR (Version May 1, 2017)

View a general description of the policies and procedures used to determine credit ratings. For information on the meaning of ratings, structure, voting and the committee process for determining the ratings and monitoring activities, please refer to Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings.


  • Previous Rating Date: July 15, 2016

  • Date of Financial Data Used: June 30, 2017

This press release relates to rating(s) that have been published on A.M. Best’s website. For additional 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 A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page.

A.M. Best does not validate or certify the information provided by the client in order to issue a credit rating.

While the information obtained from the material source(s) is believed to be reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed. A.M. Best does not audit the company’s financial records or statements, or otherwise independently verify the accuracy and reliability of the information; therefore, A.M. Best cannot attest as to the accuracy of the information provided.

A.M. Best’s credit ratings are independent and objective opinions, not statements of fact. A.M. Best is not an Investment Advisor, does not offer investment advice of any kind, nor does the company or its Ratings Analysts offer any form of structuring or financial advice. A.M. Best’s credit opinions are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities, or to make any other investment decisions. View our entire notice for complete details.

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A.M. Best is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.


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AMB# Company Name
093077 Ocean International Reinsurance Co Ltd