AM Best Revises Outlooks to Positive for Lebanon Valley Insurance Company, Affirms Credit Ratings of Tuscarora Wayne Insurance Company and Its Affiliate

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “bbb+” (Good) of Lebanon Valley Insurance Company (Lebanon Valley). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a+” (Excellent) of Tuscarora Wayne Insurance Company and its affiliate, Keystone National Insurance Company. Together these companies are collectively referred to as Tuscarora Wayne Companies. The outlook of the FSR is stable, while the outlook of the Long-Term ICRs is negative. All companies are domiciled in Wyalusing, PA.

The Credit Ratings (ratings) of Lebanon Valley reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings also reflect rating enhancement via the explicit and implicit support provided as an affiliate of Tuscarora Wayne Companies.

The revised outlooks to positive from stable for Lebanon Valley reflect its consistent surplus growth, with growth reported in each of the past nine years, generally favorable loss reserve development and low underwriting leverage metrics that compare favorably with the composite’s average. The strong balance sheet strength is supported further by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The adequate operating performance reflects a modest amount of volatility in recent years, with underwriting losses in 2021 and 2023; however, Lebanon Valley has reported net income in each of the past nine years. The limited business profile reflects the company’s geographic concentration in Pennsylvania and focus on commercial business. The company is a part of the ERM program employed by Tuscarora Wayne Companies and is considered appropriate for the company’s risk profile.

The ratings of Tuscarora Wayne Companies reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM.

The negative outlook of the Long Term ICRs of Tuscarora Wayne Companies reflects recent volatility that deviates from historical norms. On a long-term basis, the book of business had performed strongly for a number of years; however, results have not reported the same level of strength in more recent periods, in part owing to greater weather activity, as well as the impact of fire losses, both experiencing elevated severity amid inflationary conditions. Nonetheless, there is an observed level of improvement in the most current year. The group’s very strong balance sheet strength assessment continues to be supported by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR, solid liquidity and generally consistent and favorable loss reserve development, partially offset by dividends to its parent, which has limited surplus growth somewhat. The neutral business profile continues to focus on underserved commercial business exposures with moderate geographic diversification. AM Best considers Tuscarora Wayne Companies’ ERM program to be appropriate for the group’s risk profile and includes prudent reinsurance protection and comprehensive risk management.

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 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.

Copyright © 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Daniel Mangano, CPCU

Senior Financial Analyst

+1 908 882 1907

daniel.mangano@ambest.com

Christopher Draghi, CPCU, ARe

Director

+1 908 882 1749

chris.draghi@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

al.slavin@ambest.com

Source: AM Best