AM Best Revises the Outlooks to Negative for Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of McCandless Township

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has revised the outlooks to negative from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb-” (Good) of Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of McCandless (Farmers) (Butler, PA).

These Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect Farmers’ balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management.

The change in outlook to negative from stable is primarily driven by the deterioration in 2025 operating results due to increased fire losses and weather-related events. Farmers’ has experienced increased frequency and severity of losses, and because of rising loss costs in recent years, the company’s incurred losses significantly increased in 2025. In addition, the company’s reinsurance retention increased resulting in additional costs that the company had to absorb during the year. Management has implemented rate increases and various underwriting initiatives to help offset volatility in operating results; however, the effectiveness of these initiatives remains uncertain at this time.

Farmers limited business profile reflects its high geographic concentration as a property writer in Western Pennsylvania exposing the company to localized weather events and severe fire, as well as judicial and regulatory challenges. The company's susceptibility to weather-related events is partially mitigated through a comprehensive reinsurance program; however, reinsurance costs and retentions have increased in recent years.

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