DEARBORN, MICHIGAN: The American Road Insurance Company (TARIC) is part of an insurance holding company system wholly owned by Ford Motor Credit Company. It operates as a property and casualty insurance company.
Global insurance rating agency, AM Best affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of The American Road Insurance Company (TARIC).
The ratings reflect stable outlook, and TARIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
Although The American Road Insurance Company (TARIC) holds a general business license, it operates much like a captive, providing a variety of coverages directly to Ford or Ford Credit, primarily collateral protection automobile floorplan, inland marine, contractual liability insurance for extended service contracts, direct commercial auto liability, direct general liability and surety bonds.
In addition to these operational synergies, TARIC also benefits from the efficiencies gained by its immediate access to business and low acquisition costs.
The stable outlooks reflect AM Best’s expectation that TARIC’s rating fundamentals will remain unchanged over the intermediate term despite some expected business contraction from COVID-19. Risk-adjusted capitalization is expected to remain at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), due to the company’s conservative capital management.
While the outlooks also consider some of the more pronounced pandemic-related challenges, such as semiconductor supply shortages and a continued interruption of unit production throughout the remainder of the year and into early 2022, operating performance is projected to remain profitable.
Additionally, innovation in all operational phases and the company’s risk management are aligned with the business objectives of Ford, which will continue to benefit TARIC.