A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. and Its Subsidiaries

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Odyssey Reinsurance Group (Odyssey Re) (Wilmington, DE) and its members. Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the ICR of “bbb” and debt ratings of the parent holding company, Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. (Odyssey Re Holdings) (Wilmington, DE). The outlook for all ratings is stable. (See below for a detailed list of the companies and ratings.)

The ratings reflect Odyssey Re’s excellent risk-adjusted capitalization, strong financial performance in recent years and sound business position. Odyssey Re is a global underwriter of reinsurance and specialty primary insurance products and ranks among the top 15 global reinsurance groups in terms of premium volume. Odyssey Re’s competitive position benefits from its diversified market presence with regard to business mix and geographic reach. These positive attributes are further supported by Odyssey Re’s diversified geographic client base, combined with its large line capacity, broad product capability and an opportunistic business strategy.

An astute investment management philosophy emphasizing a total return strategy has augmented Odyssey Re’s earnings to the extent that on a total return basis the group has outperformed its reinsurance peers. The ratings also recognize Odyssey Re’s strong liquidity and the benefits derived from its ultimate parent company, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) (Ontario, Canada), and Fairfax’s access to public markets.

Somewhat offsetting these strengths are the challenging underwriting conditions reflective of price softening in major lines of business and Odyssey Re’s historical reliance on both realized and unrealized capital gains to bolster its overall financial performance. A.M. Best views this source of earnings as more variable and less predictable than earnings sourced from underwriting.

Odyssey Re maintains a manageable exposure to natural catastrophes as measured by its one in 250 year probable maximum loss estimates relative to statutory surplus. In A.M. Best’s opinion, Odyssey Re has made significant progress in building a holistic enterprise risk management framework.

Additionally, A.M. Best has downgraded the FSR to B++ (Good) from A- (Excellent) and ICR to “bbb+” from “a-” of Clearwater Insurance Company(headquartered in Stamford, CT). The outlook for the ICR is negative, while the outlook for the FSR has been revised to stable from negative, following the company’s sale in January 2011 to a Fairfax affiliate.

The FSR of A (Excellent) and ICRs of “a” have been affirmed for Odyssey Reinsurance Groupand its following members:

• Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation
• Hudson Insurance Company
• Hudson Specialty Insurance Company
• Newline Insurance Company Limited

				The following debt ratings have been affirmed:
				Odyssey Re Holdings Corp.—
				-- “bbb” on $225 million 7.65% senior unsecured notes, due 2013
				-- “bbb” on $125 million 6.875% senior unsecured notes, due 2015

The principal methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology -- Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Edition, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and highlights the different rating criteria employed. Additional key criteria utilized include: “Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies”; “Understanding BCAR for Property/Casualty Insurers”; “Understanding Universal BCAR”; “Rating Members of Insurance Groups”; “Natural Catastrophe Stress Test Methodology”; and “A.M. Best’s Ratings & the Treatment of Debt.” Methodologies can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2011 by A.M. Best Company, Inc.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A.M. Best Co.Gale Guerra, 908-439-2200, ext. 5069
Senior Financial Analyst
[email protected]
orPeter Dickey, 908-439-2200, ext. 5053
Assistant Vice President
[email protected]
orRachelle Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378
Senior Manager, Public Relations
[email protected]
orJim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
[email protected]

Source: A.M. Best Co.