October 4, 2019 - 9:02 AM EDT
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AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Stellar Insurance, Ltd.

LONDON

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” of Stellar Insurance, Ltd. (Stellar) (Bermuda), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), the state-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) remains stable.

The ratings reflect Stellar’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorises as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

Stellar’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best expects Stellar’s risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at the strongest level, supported by low underwriting leverage and full earnings retention.

Saudi Aramco has strengthened Stellar’s capital position by allowing the captive to retain all profits generated since its incorporation in 2001. This has enabled Stellar to increase its net underwriting capacity gradually. An offsetting rating factor remains the captive’s reliance on reinsurance to provide high limit energy cover. However, the credit risk to sizeable exposure is mitigated by Stellar’s use of a diversified panel of financially strong reinsurers.

Stellar has reported strong operating results over the past five years, mainly driven by robust underwriting profits in the absence of large losses. Prospective performance is subject to volatility due to the captive’s exposure to high severity, low frequency losses in its energy programme.

Stellar’s business profile and ERM capabilities reflect the key role it plays in Saudi Aramco’s overall risk management framework. As a single parent captive, its purpose is to provide financial risk transfer solutions for risks emanating from Saudi Aramco’s operations. Stellar’s business mix consists of energy onshore and offshore property, general liability risks and associated business interruption cover. The company has indicated that under the terms and conditions of its property programme, it presently considers there to be no exposure to the damage sustained at the Saudi Aramco facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais in September 2019.

AM Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated throughout the world. For current Best’s Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive.

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 an exclusive focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.

Copyright © 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Luca Patron
Financial Analyst
+44 20 7397 6264
luca.patron@ambest.com

Mahesh Mistry
Senior Director, Analytics
+44 20 7397 6264
mahesh.mistry@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: Business Wire (October 4, 2019 - 9:02 AM EDT)

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