A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of The Farmers Automobile Insurance Association and Its Subsidiaries
10 Junio 2014 - 1:35PM
Business Wire
A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating
(FSR) of A (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a”
of The Farmers Automobile Insurance Association and its
wholly owned subsidiary, Pekin Insurance Company (together
known as Pekin). A.M. Best also has affirmed the FSR of A-
(Excellent) and the ICR of “a-” of Pekin Life Insurance
Company (Pekin Life) [PKIN.OTC]. Pekin Life is a publicly
traded, over-the-counter company, although the majority of its
shares are owned by Pekin. The outlook for all ratings is stable.
All companies are domiciled in Pekin, IL.
The affirmation of the ratings for Pekin reflects its solid
risk-adjusted capitalization, conservative investment risk profile
and consistently favorable loss reserve development over the past
several years. Pekin’s increase in policyholders’ surplus over the
past five years was derived primarily from pre-tax earnings driven
by solid investment income, capital gains and other surplus gains,
which were partially offset by underwriting losses mostly
attributed to significant weather-related events. Considering the
group’s experienced management team, broad product offerings and
well-established regional market presence, continuation of its
trend of steady growth in surplus is expected in the near term.
These positive rating factors are partially offset by Pekin’s
geographic concentration in Midwestern states, which subjects its
operating performance to volatility from frequent and severe
weather-related events as observed in recent years amid challenging
market conditions. While the group’s underwriting performance lags
the private passenger standard automobile & homeowners
composite, its overall performance is consistent with other mutual
companies in its region as reflected by fairly consistent growth in
surplus over the past 10 years.
Based on recent corrective initiatives, it is management’s
expectation that Pekin will be positioned for sustained improvement
in operating profitability that is commensurate with its current
ratings. However, negative rating actions will occur if Pekin’s
operating performance does not meet A.M. Best’s expectations and/or
significant deterioration in operating results or risk-adjusted
capitalization were to occur.
The ratings of Pekin Life acknowledge its strong level of
risk-adjusted capitalization, diversified product portfolio and
steady premium growth within its ordinary life segment. A.M. Best
notes that capital and surplus has steadily increased over the past
five years despite $14 million of stockholder dividends during this
time. In addition, the company maintains a relatively conservative
investment portfolio with effective asset/liability management
practices.
Partially offsetting these positive rating factors is Pekin
Life’s continued fluctuating operating results, as evidenced by a
statutory net operating loss of $789,000 reported in 2013. Results
were driven by expense strains associated mainly with sales of
individual life and preneed products, declining net investment
income due to lower investment yields and high morbidity in the
company’s accident and health lines of business. While Pekin Life
has exited its individual major medical line of business in recent
periods and has implemented a number of initiatives to increase
product profitability, A.M. Best believes losses may continue in
these lines of business in the near to medium term.
Positive rating actions could occur for Pekin Life if A.M. Best
believes the company becomes more strategically important to Pekin.
Future negative rating actions could occur if Pekin Life
experiences further deterioration in its operating results, a
material decline in capitalization and/or any changes in its
strategic value to Pekin.
The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s
Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive
explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and contains the
different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Best’s
Credit Rating Methodology can be found at
www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.
A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most
authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more
information, visit www.ambest.com.
Copyright © 2014 by A.M. Best Company,
Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
A.M. Best CompanyMaurice Thomas—P/C, 908-439-2200,
ext. 5794Senior Financial
Analystmaurice.thomas@ambest.comorMike Adams—L/H,
908-439-2200, ext. 5133Senior Financial
Analystmichael.adams@ambest.comorJim Peavy,
908-439-2200, ext. 5644Assistant Vice President, Public
Relationsjames.peavy@ambest.com
Pekin Life Insurance (PK) (USOTC:PKIN)
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