AM Best Revises Outlooks to Positive for Wayne Mutual Insurance Company

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Wayne Mutual Insurance Company (Wayne Mutual) (Wooster, OH).

The Credit Ratings (ratings) of Wayne Mutual reflect its balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as very strong, strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The positive outlooks reflect the company’s improving balance sheet strength as demonstrated by consistent surplus growth that is driven by strong underwriting income and augmented by a steady stream of net investment and other income. As a result, surplus growth has been reported for five consecutive years with this trend continuing in 2018. The company’s balance sheet is very strong with sound liquidity measures, favorable underwriting leverage ratios and historically redundant reserve development. Partially offsetting these positive balance sheet factors is the company’s moderately elevated common stock leverage, which exposes policyholder surplus to stock market volatility. A continuation of these favorable balance sheet trends and characteristics could result in positive rating action in future rating cycles.

The company’s operating performance is strong as reflected by five-year average pre-tax and total returns on revenue and equity that compare favorably with the composite. In addition, the company’s five-year average combined and operating ratios outperform the composite. As a single state writer in Ohio, the company is exposed to frequent and severe weather-related events, as well as judicial economic and regulatory concerns. As a result, its business profile is deemed limited. However, the company adheres to a formalized comprehensive ERM program that identifies major risks to the organization while correlating mitigation strategies to offset these risks. In addition, the company maintains sufficient reinsurance to insulate policyholder surplus from frequent weather events and shock losses.

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.

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

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181218005455/en/

Kevin Dorsey

Senior Financial Analyst

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5041

kevin.dorsey@ambest.com



Joseph Burtone

Director

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5125

joseph.burtone@ambest.com



Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com



Jim Peavy

Director, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

james.peavy@ambest.com

Source: AM Best