AM Best Upgrades Credit Ratings of Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “a” (Excellent) from “a-” (Excellent) of Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company (SMCIC) (Columbia, SC). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from positive.

The ratings reflect SMCIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The rating upgrades reflect improvement in SMCIC’s balance sheet strength fundamentals. The company has generated strong operating performance in most years, driving substantial surplus growth. Key drivers of these results include increased rates and deductibles, as well as extensive loss control initiatives. In addition, the reinsurance program has been enhanced to provide greater protection from more frequent and severe catastrophe events. Strong earnings have been consistently generated in recent years despite considerable weather-related losses. Commensurately, SMCIC’s risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), has improved significantly under baseline and stress scenarios. The modelled net probable maximum loss for a 1-in-250 all perils combined event remains moderately high at approximately 30% of surplus. SMCIC’s business profile continues to be limited, primarily due to a concentration of property risk for churches of various denominations in the Southeast United States, a region of the U.S. prone to severe weather events. However, diversification efforts are in effect to reduce the overall exposure.

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 London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.