AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Stellar Insurance, Ltd.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of Stellar Insurance, Ltd. (Stellar) (Bermuda), an indirect wholly owned 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 assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

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 its low underwriting leverage, full earnings retention and comprehensive reinsurance programme. Stellar’s capital position has strengthened in recent years, supported by the full retention of profits generated since its incorporation in 2001. This has enabled the company to increase its underwriting capacity gradually. Stellar’s capital requirements within the BCAR model are driven largely by investment risk, stemming from large fixed income and mutual fund holdings. An offsetting balance sheet strength factor is the captive’s reliance on reinsurance to provide high limit energy cover. The credit risk associated with reinsurance is partially mitigated by Stellar’s use of a diversified panel of financially strong reinsurers.

Stellar has reported strong operating results over the past five years, mainly driven by robust underwriting profits in the absence of large losses as evidenced by a five-year (2016-2020) weighted average combined ratio of 12.2%. AM Best expects prospective performance to remain strong, albeit subject to potential volatility due to the captive’s exposure to high severity, low frequency losses in its energy programme.

Stellar’s business profile assessment reflects the key role it plays in SAOC’s overall risk management framework. As a single parent captive, Stellar’s purpose is to provide transfer solutions for risks emanating from SAOC’s and its affiliates’ 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 92% of 2020 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 use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

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