AM Best Assigns Preliminary Credit Assessment to American Sentinel Insurance Company

Business Wire

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AM Best has assigned a Preliminary Credit Assessment (PCA) to American Sentinel Insurance (ASIC) (Jefferson City, MO) with a Financial Strength Assessment of A- pca (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Assessment of “a-” pca (Excellent). The outlook assigned to this PCA is stable. This PCA has an effective date of Oct. 6, 2026.

The PCA reflects ASIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The PCA also reflects AM Best’s assessment that balance sheet strength will be supported by risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), scores at the 99.6% VaR, which is currently measured at the strongest level. ASIC’s balance sheet strength assessment also considers a capital contribution in the amount of $8.5 million from SUNZ Insurance Company (SUNZ), its immediate parent, in support of ASIC’s business plan.

The adequate operating performance assessment as well as the limited business profile assessment are based on ASIC’s business plan as presented to AM Best. The operating performance assessment anticipates ASIC achieving near-term profitability operating as a fronting company for SUNZ, which has demonstrated a history of profitably writing workers' compensation business. Projections also consider the performance of business to be assumed through quota share and low limit excess of loss reinsurance arrangements with other affiliated and non-affiliated insurers.

While ASIC’s management team is experienced within these market segments, the limited business profile assessment considers the execution risks associated with a start-up entity, as well as the challenges associated with gaining traction within a competitive market.

ASIC’s ERM program is embedded within the entity-wide approach implemented at SUNZ, and the capabilities are considered appropriate for the organization’s overall risk profile given its scale, scope and complexity.

ASIC’s PCA also reflects the benefits of shared resources derived under SUNZ’s ownership including the same management team, access to a common technology platform and participation within SUNZ's reinsurance program.

Additionally, ASIC’s PCA likewise reflects its strategic importance to SUNZ in terms of its broad licensure in 49 jurisdictions, including the states of New York, New Jersey, Oregon and Maine, in which SUNZ is not licensed. This licensing flexibility will permit ASIC to front workers' compensation risks for SUNZ, as needed.

This press release relates to Preliminary Credit Assessments that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all assessment information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual assessments 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 and Assessment opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.