A.M. Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Dubai Insurance Company (PSC)

Business Wire

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Dubai Insurance Company (PSC) (DIC) (United Arab Emirates). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect DIC’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorises as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

DIC’s balance sheet strength is assessed as very strong, underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, with Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) scores comfortably in excess of 50% at the 99.6% confidence level. The company’s ability to retain earnings, strong liquidity, and prudent reserving that incorporates buffers over the actuarial best estimate, further support the balance sheet strength. An offsetting rating factor is the heightened potential volatility in capital and surplus caused by movements in the fair value of DIC’s equity holdings, although the company maintains an adequate capital buffer to absorb these fluctuations. The balance sheet strength assessment also factors in DIC’s relatively high dependence on reinsurance, as evidenced by a retention ratio of approximately 29% in 2017. The associated elevated counter-party risk is, however, mitigated partially by the use of a strong reinsurance panel.

DIC has a track record of solid operating performance as demonstrated by an excellent five-year (2013-2017) weighted average combined operating ratio of 78.4%. The company reported a technical profit of AED 28.6 million (USD 7.8 million) in 2017, compared with AED 23.9 million (USD 6.5 million) in 2016.

DIC has successfully managed to enhance its market position in a highly competitive market without compromising technical profitability, mainly achieved through prudent risk selection and the improvements in claims management processes. A.M. Best expects prospective technical performance to remain stable, although exposure to equities could introduce some volatility in total comprehensive income.

DIC is a mid-tier insurer solely operating in the UAE with gross written premium having increased by 19% to AED 476.4 million (USD 129.7 million) in 2017 and net premiums reaching a modest AED 136 million (USD 37.0 million). DIC’s premium growth in 2017 was driven largely by price increases in its motor book of business, and increased demand for medical insurance in Dubai.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.

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

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A.M. Best

Jessica Botelho, CA

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 0310

jessica.botelho@ambest.com

or

Mahesh Mistry

Senior Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0325

mahesh.mistry@ambest.com

or

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

or

Jim Peavy

Director, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

james.peavy@ambest.com