AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Seguradora Internacional de Moçambique, S.A.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bb” to Seguradora Internacional de Moçambique, S.A. (SIM) (Mozambique). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect SIM’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorises as strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile, and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM).

SIM’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) at year-end 2018. Capital consumption is driven largely by asset risk arising from the company’s concentrated investment portfolio that is weighted toward domestic securities and local real estate. The balance sheet strength assessment also factors in the company’s strong liquidity and prudent reserving practices. A partially offsetting factor is SIM’s moderate dependence on reinsurance, although the associated risk is managed through the use of a stable reinsurance panel of solid credit quality.

SIM has a track record of solid and stable underwriting results, despite challenging market conditions, as highlighted by a five-year (2014-2018) weighted average combined ratio of 64.3%. The company’s main source of underwriting profit is from its motor portfolio, which in 2018 accounted for 31.5% of the overall technical margin. In 2018, SIM was the most profitable insurance company in Mozambique, reporting a profit before tax of MZN 1.1 billion (USD 18.0 million). Strong operating performance has been supported by a good balance of earnings between technical and investment income, contributing to a five-year (2014-2018) weighted average return on equity (ROE) of 27.9%.

SIM maintains a competitive position in its domestic market as the third-largest insurer in terms of gross written premium. However, the company’s profile is limited to Mozambique, which exposes it to very high levels of economic, political, and financial system risk. This presents a challenge for the company, although AM Best expects these risks to be mitigated partly by the company’s strong market position and evolving ERM practices.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM 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 AM 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 AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.

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Jessica Botelho -Young, CA

Senior Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 0310

[email protected]



Ghislain Le Cam, CFA, FRM

Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0268

[email protected]



Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

[email protected]



Jim Peavy

Director, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

[email protected]

Source: AM Best