A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of AMERISAFE, Inc. and Its Operating Subsidiaries; Maintains Positive Outlook
April 29 2010 - 2:54PM
Business Wire
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating
of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of
Amerisafe Insurance Group (Amerisafe) and its members.
Amerisafe includes American Interstate Insurance Company,
Silver Oak Casualty, Inc. and American Interstate
Insurance Company of Texas (Austin, TX), all operating
subsidiaries of AMERISAFE, Inc. [NASDAQ: AMSF].
Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the ICR of “bbb-” and debt
ratings of AMERISAFE, Inc. The outlook for all ratings is positive.
All companies are domiciled in DeRidder, LA, unless otherwise
specified. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and
ratings.)
The ratings reflect Amerisafe’s excellent capitalization, strong
operating profitability, which outperforms the group’s peer
composite over the long term, its established market presence and
experience operating as a workers’ compensation market for high
hazard risks. The group’s solid operating performance has been
driven by its strong underwriting results given management’s
adherence to prudent underwriting and pricing discipline, focused
loss control and safety programs and active claims management,
which have allowed for favorable reserve development trends in
recent years.
These positive factors are somewhat offset by Amerisafe’s
product concentration and historical adverse loss reserve
development, which caused earnings volatility in earlier years. The
positive rating outlook reflects A.M. Best’s expectation that
strong underwriting and operating results will be sustained over
the near term, and capitalization will remain well supportive of
Amerisafe’s ratings.
The following debt ratings have been affirmed:
AMERISAFE, Inc.—
--"bb" on $25.8 million subordinated trust preferred securities,
due 2033
--"bb" on $10.3 million subordinated trust preferred securities,
due 2034
For Best’s Credit Ratings, an overview of the rating process and
rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.
The principal methodologies used in determining these ratings,
including any additional methodologies and factors that may have
been considered, can be found at
www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.
Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service
credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and
health care service industries, including insurance companies,
banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more
information, visit www.ambest.com.
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