OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to C+ (Marginal) from B- (Fair) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “b-” from “bb-” of Affirmative Insurance Group and its members. A.M. Best also has downgraded the FSR to C (Weak) from B- (Fair) and the ICR to “ccc” from “bb-” of Affirmative Insurance Company of Michigan (AICMI) (Bingham Farms, MI). This company also has been removed from the group.
Concurrently, A.M. Best has downgraded the ICR to “cc” from “ccc+” of the parent company, Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. (Affirmative) (headquartered in Addison, TX) (NASDAQ: AFFM). The outlook for all ratings is negative. (See below for a detailed list of the companies.)
The downgrades are based on the group’s continued weakening capital position and unfavorable underwriting results. The group’s underwriting performance in recent years has been severely impacted by increased losses mainly from competitive pricing, higher than expected severity of automobile personal injury protection claims and adverse reserve development. In addition, internal controls over operations were lacking and greatly contributed to the decline in the group’s earnings and capital in recent years. Furthermore, financial leverage at Affirmative has increased due to loss of surplus through March 2011.
The concerns are partially offset by significant remedial actions that were taken beginning in 2010 (and that continue today), with the change in the group’s chief executive officer and chief actuary. Subsequently, initiatives to improve operations and earnings have begun, which includes discontinuing operations in Florida and Michigan, cancelling unprofitable agents, increasing premium rates, contributing capital to the group, improving underwriting and internal controls and reducing expenses.
A.M. Best has removed AICMI from the group due to its voluntary withdrawal from the Michigan non-standard auto market. As a result, it is A.M. Best’s opinion that AICMI no longer supports the group’s business strategy and will no longer be a material factor in the group’s overall earnings. AICMI’s ratings were downgraded due to its weak capitalization, poor gross underwriting performance and below average investment returns.
The ratings also consider the elevated financial leverage of Affirmative. Although non-regulated insurance subsidiaries currently generate adequate cash flows to service debt obligations, revenues generated from insurance premiums may be adversely impacted by the decline in the production of the regulated insurance subsidiaries. The holding company carries an above average risk of default on its debt, which puts pressure on the ratings of its insurance subsidiaries. However, the insurance subsidiaries may not pay dividends without prior regulatory approval due to their negative unassigned surplus positions.
The negative outlook reflects the organization’s continued negative trend in capitalization, operating performance and financial leverage and the challenges management faces to make significant lasting improvements given weak economic conditions and challenging underwriting and investment markets.
The FSR has been downgraded to C+ (Marginal) from B- (Fair) and the ICR to “b-” from “bb-” for Affirmative Insurance Group and its following members:
- Affirmative Insurance Company
- Insura Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Inc.
- USAgencies Casualty Insurance Company, Inc.
The principal methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology -- Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Edition, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and highlights the different rating criteria employed. Additional key criteria utilized include: “Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies”; “Understanding BCAR for Property/Casualty Insurers”; “Rating Members of Insurance Groups”; and “A.M. Best’s Ratings & the Treatment of Debt.” Methodologies can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.
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