AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of National Grid Insurance Company (Isle of Man) Limited

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 National Grid Insurance Company (Isle of Man) Limited (NGICL or the captive), a captive insurer of National Grid plc (NG). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

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

NGICL’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best expects the captive’s BCAR scores to remain comfortably above the minimum required for the strongest assessment, reflecting its strategy to maintain sufficient capital buffers to absorb potential volatility stemming from its exposure to low frequency, high severity losses. A partially offsetting balance sheet strength factor is the captive’s reinsurance dependence, driven by the large policy limits needed by NG. Counterparty credit risk is mitigated partly by the good credit quality of NGICL’s reinsurance panel.

NGICL has a track record of adequate operating performance, generating positive net results in seven of the past 10 years (2014-2023), underpinned by good underwriting performance over the cycle. However, the captive reported significant losses on its property damage business interruption (PDBI) book in financial years 2021 and 2022, which is reflected by the deteriorated five-year (2019-2023) weighted average combined ratio of 106%. Prospectively, AM Best expects the captive’s underwriting performance to be robust over the longer-term, albeit subject to potential volatility given its high net line sizes relative to its premium base, supported by corrective actions taken by management following recent losses.

NGICL’s business profile assessment reflects its core role in NG’s risk management strategy as its principal captive. The company is well-integrated into the group’s overall risk management framework, providing a broad range of primarily PDBI, casualty and cyber cover to meet NG’s insurance needs.

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.

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