A.M. Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Ratings of Atain Specialty Insurance Company and Atain Insurance Company

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) of Atain Specialty Insurance Company (Farmington Hills, MI) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Atain Insurance Company (Arlington, TX) both of which operate under an intercompany pooling agreement. The outlook for the ICRs has been revised to stable from positive, while the outlook for the FSR is stable.

The upgrading of the ICRs reflects both companies’ sustained underwriting and operating profitability, excellent risk-adjusted capitalization, adequate liquidity measures and management’s adherence to conservative reserving and investing practices. These actions also take into consideration the future benefits to be derived from both companies’ access to business produced by an affiliated wholesaler, Burns & Wilcox (B&W), and the future profits and continued expense synergies to be garnered from this relationship.

Although the outlook for all ratings is stable, potential rating triggers for positive rating movement exists over the long-term if both companies’ can continue to sustain better than average operating results, further utilize B&W to access profitable business opportunities and maintain strong levels of risk-adjusted capital. The potential triggers for downward ratings pressure could occur if both companies’ risk-adjusted capital and/or operating performance fall markedly short of A.M. Best’s expectations, including a significant deterioration in loss trends and/or any material changes to its present business strategy or distribution model.

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Key criteria utilized include: “Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies”; “Understanding BCAR for Property/Casualty Insurers”; and “Rating Members of Insurance Groups.” Best’s Credit Rating Methodology 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 © 2012 by A.M. Best Company, Inc.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A.M. Best Co.
Greg Williams
Managing Senior Financial Analyst
908-439-2200, ext. 5815
greg.williams@ambest.com
or
Rachelle Morrow

908-439-2200, ext. 5378
rachelle.morrow@ambest.com
or
Joseph Roethel
Assistant Vice President
908-439-2200, ext. 5630
joseph.roethel@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
908-439-2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source: A.M. Best Co.