A.M. Best Upgrades Credit Ratings of Builders Insurance (A Mutual Captive Company) and Its Subsidiaries

Business Wire

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings to “a” from “a-” of Builders Insurance (A Mutual Captive Company) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, American Builders Insurance Company and National Builders Insurance Company, collectively referred to as Builders. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from positive. All companies are headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

The rating upgrades reflect Builders’ strong risk-adjusted capitalization, profitable operating performance, generally favorable loss reserve development trends and established market presence providing workers’ compensation and general liability coverage, primarily to the home-building industry in Georgia and other states from the Mid-Atlantic through the South, Midwest and West. Additionally, the ratings reflect the group’s prudent risk selection process, effective loss control practices and proactive claims management, which contribute to historically strong business retention. These positive rating factors are partially offset by Builders’ relatively limited product line spread and concentration of business in the building industry, particularly in states where the home building downturn was most pronounced during the last recession.

The outlooks are based on the group’s strong capitalization and the expectation of organic surplus growth through profitable operations over the near term. Future positive rating actions could occur if continued strength in operating earnings and return measures are sustained over a period of time. However, negative rating actions could result if there is a sustained weakening of operating performance relative to peers.

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

Robert Valenta, +1-908-439-2200, ext. 5291

Senior Financial Analyst

robert.valenta@ambest.com

or

Raymond Thomson, CPCU, ARe, ARM, +1-908-439-2200, ext. 5621

Associate Director

raymond.thomson@ambest.com

or

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

Manager, Public Relations

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

or

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

Director, Public Relations

james.peavy@ambest.com