OLDWICK: AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of M&C General Insurance Company Limited (M&C General) (Castries, St. Lucia).

The outlook of these Credit Ratings is stable.

The ratings reflect M&C General’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

M&C General’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalization being assessed at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). However, the company is relatively small, with less than USD 10 million in equity, and like its regional peers, relies heavily on the strength of its reinsurers to manage its catastrophe exposure, minimize earnings volatility and protect surplus.

The ratings benefit from the company’s operating performance, which historically has been better than average when compared with other Caribbean-based insurers with similar product suites. Despite a concentration of risk in property and auto segments in St. Lucia, M&C General’s operating performance has not been impacted by severe weather events over the past five years; hurricanes have followed a more northerly track, sparing the islands in the southern Caribbean.

M&C General is well-established in its domestic market, which is considered a mature market with little potential for organic growth. The company’s ERM program has identified underwriting, investment and operational risks effectively, and has addressed the regulatory and legal environment, as well as reserving, marketing and reputational risks.

Moreover, M&C General’s affiliation with its ultimate parent, Goddard Enterprises Limited, one of the largest Barbados-domiciled conglomerates, affords the company access to financial and investment management and information technology.