A.M. Best Affirms Credit Ratings of QBE Insurance Group Limited and Its Key Subsidiaries

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a+” of QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited (United Kingdom), QBE Re (Europe) Limited (United Kingdom), and the pooled members of QBE North America Insurance Group. These companies are key operating subsidiaries of QBE Insurance Group Limited (QBE) (Australia), the non-operating holding company of the QBE group of companies. At the same time, A.M. Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “bbb+” of QBE. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) remains stable.

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

QBE’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by consolidated risk-adjusted capitalisation, which remained at the very strong level as at year-end 2017, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), despite the impact of catastrophe losses, poor experience on the emerging market portfolios and a one-off write-down of the deferred tax asset on capital. The group’s write-down of goodwill of USD 700 million in 2017 does not impact A.M. Best’s assessment of risk-adjusted capitalisation as goodwill is excluded from available capital in the calculation. A.M. Best expects consolidated risk-adjusted capitalisation to improve in 2018 due primarily to a reduction in claims reserves as catastrophe losses are paid down, as well as the sale of the group’s Latin America business, which is expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2018. A.M. Best’s assessment takes into account QBE’s commitment to its three-year scheme to buy back up to AUD 1 billion of shares.

QBE’s adjusted financial leverage deteriorated in 2017, but remains supportive of the very strong balance sheet strength assessment. The group is actively managing down financial leverage through the early redemption and buyback of selected outstanding notes.

The operating performance assessment of strong takes into account QBE’s strong and stable long-term performance track record. Over the past 15 years, QBE has reported underwriting profits in all years with the exception of 2017. The group’s five-year (2013-2017) average combined ratio is 97.5%, which includes 2017’s elevated combined ratio of approximately 104%. The group’s prospective underwriting performance, assuming normalised catastrophe experience, is expected to improve compared with 2017. The group is focusing on simplifying and remediating its portfolio, which includes exiting unprofitable segments such as its Latin American business.

The business profile assessment reflects QBE’s favourable position as a global top 20 general insurance and reinsurance group with operations across the key insurance markets and a focus on commercial specialty lines of business.

The FSR of A (Excellent) and Long-Term ICRs of “a+” have been affirmed, both with a stable outlook, for the following pooled members of QBE North America Insurance Group:

• General Casualty Company of Wisconsin

• General Casualty Insurance Company

• Hoosier Insurance Company

• National Farmers Union Property and Casualty Company

• NAU Country Insurance Company

• North Pointe Insurance Company

• Praetorian Insurance Company

• QBE Insurance Corporation

• QBE Reinsurance Corporation

• QBE Specialty Insurance Company

• Regent Insurance Company

• Southern Fire & Casualty Company

• Southern Pilot Insurance Company

• Stonington Insurance Company

• Unigard Indemnity Company

• Unigard Insurance Company

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.

Copyright © 2018 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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A.M. Best

Jalpa Thanky, FIA, +44 20 7397 0277

Senior Financial Analyst

[email protected]

or

Dan Teclaw, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5394

Senior Financial Analyst

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or

Christopher Sharkey, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5159

Manager, Public Relations

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or

Jim Peavy, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5644

Director, Public Relations

[email protected]

Source: A.M. Best