A.M. Best Removes From Under Review With Developing Implications and Upgrades Credit Ratings of Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company and Blackboard Insurance Company

OLDWICK, N.J.--()--A.M. Best has removed from under review with developing implications and upgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “a” from “a-” of Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company (BSIC) (formerly known as Hamilton Specialty Insurance Company) and Blackboard Insurance Company (BIC) (formerly known as Hamilton Insurance Company). BSIC and BIC are domiciled in Wilmington, DE. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings of the members of the AIG Property Casualty US Insurance Group (AIG PC US) have been extended to BSIC and BIC due to the significant level of reinsurance support provided to BSIC and BIC by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., the lead member of the group. This position is further enhanced by the companies’ support of AIG PC US’s business strategy with a focus on the nonadmitted and admitted middle market commercial insurance space.

The ratings of BSIC and BIC reflect the balance sheet strength of the members of AIG PC US, which A.M. Best categorizes as strongest, as well as the group members’ marginal operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. 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 A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.

A.M. Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.

Copyright © 2018 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

A.M. Best
Darian Ryan, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5449
Senior Financial Analyst
darian.ryan@ambest.com
or
Michael Lagomarsino, CFA, FRM, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5810
Senior Director
michael.lagomarsino@ambest.com
or
Christopher Sharkey, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5159
Manager, Public Relations
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5644
Director, Public Relations
james.peavy@ambest.com

Contacts

A.M. Best
Darian Ryan, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5449
Senior Financial Analyst
darian.ryan@ambest.com
or
Michael Lagomarsino, CFA, FRM, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5810
Senior Director
michael.lagomarsino@ambest.com
or
Christopher Sharkey, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5159
Manager, Public Relations
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5644
Director, Public Relations
james.peavy@ambest.com