Best's News


Best’s News & Research Service - October 16, 2020 02:12 PM (EDT)

AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Aseguradora Ancón, S.A.

  • October 16, 2020 02:12 PM (EDT)
    print icon

Mexico City //BestWire// - AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Aseguradora Ancón, S.A. (Ancón) (Panama). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Ancón’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Ancón´s balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalization at an assessed level of very strong, supported by a well-structured reinsurance program that covers the company’s different business lines and sound underwriting practices. Offsetting these positive rating factors is the slow dynamism of Panama’s insurance market in recent years and the strong competition Ancón faces in its main segments.

Ancón is the seventh-largest insurer in Panama, with a market share of 3.1% as of June 2020. Property/casualty insurance products comprise 63.2% of its business portfolio, with the remaining 36.8% made up of life products, including accident and health. The company’s main segments are auto and health, representing 43.4% and 30%, respectively, of its gross premiums written. The company has two subsidiaries in Puerto Rico: Multinational Insurance Company (Multinational), a property/casualty insurer, and Multinational Life Insurance Company (Multinational Life), a life insurance company.

Ancón’s risk-adjusted capitalization follows a positive trend, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). This trend has been driven by consistent profitability, the result of a prudent business strategy in terms of retention and growth, a comprehensive reinsurance program set with highly rated reinsurers and, finally, a shareholder commitment as reflected by a recent USD 9 million capital contribution from its holding company, Ancon Investment Corporation. This contribution stemmed from the holding company issuing a series of preferred shares in 3Q 2020. The result of capital contribution enhanced Ancón´s risk-adjusted capitalization level to strongest as of the end of 3Q 2020. In AM Best’s view, this parental support has provided Ancón with an optimized capital structure through a reduced level of financial leverage. Over the mid to long term, should Ancón be able to maintain this enhanced capital base without any deterioration, and along with a prudent dividend payout plan, AM Best anticipates that the company will be able to achieve a balance sheet strength assessment classification of strongest as well.

In 2018, improvements in auto underwriting, in conjunction with Ancón’s decision to optimize its catastrophic reinsurance coverage, allowed the company to maintain a combined ratio below 100% and consistent profitability. AM Best expects Ancón’s 2019 underwriting performance, partially undermined by deviations in public transportation claims, to take advantage of pricing adjustments, de-selection of unprofitable business , underwriting inspectors and current quarantine measures, in order to help it maintain a contained development in auto claims. These efforts should support a steady underwriting performance and profitability above a 2.2% return-on-equity ratio in the years to come. As of September 2020, Ancón has reported a combined ratio of 85.8%, well below the 101% combined ratio recorded at year-end 2019.

Positive movement in Ancón’s ratings or outlooks could take place if the company continues to implement its strategy in a profitable manner with continued support from its strong reinsurance program that will enable Ancón to consistently maintain risk-adjusted capitalization at a very strong level. Negative rating actions could occur if the company’s operating results show a negative trend of sustained losses that affect its capitalization or business profile.

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of AM 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.

Key insurance criteria reports utilized:


  • Available Capital & Holding Company Analysis (Oct. 13, 2017)

  • Catastrophe Analysis in AM Best Ratings (Version Oct. 13, 2017)

  • Evaluating Country Risk (Version Oct. 13, 2017)

  • Scoring and Assessing Innovation (Version March 5, 2020)

  • Understanding Universal BCAR (Version June 11, 2020)

View a general description of the policies and procedures used to determine credit ratings. For information on the meaning of ratings, structure, voting and the committee process for determining the ratings and monitoring activities, please refer to Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings.


  • Previous Rating Date: Oct. 18, 2019

  • Date Range of Financial Data Used: Dec. 31, 2014- Sept. 30, 2020

This press release relates to rating(s) that have been published on AM Best’s website. For additional 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.

AM Best does not validate or certify the information provided by the client in order to issue a credit rating.

While the information obtained from the material source(s) is believed to be reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed. AM Best does not audit the company’s financial records or statements, or otherwise independently verify the accuracy and reliability of the information; therefore, AM Best cannot attest as to the accuracy of the information provided.

AM Best’s credit ratings are independent and objective opinions, not statements of fact. AM Best is not an Investment Advisor, does not offer investment advice of any kind, nor does the company or its Ratings Analysts offer any form of structuring or financial advice. AM Best’s credit opinions are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities, or to make any other investment decisions. View our entire notice for complete details.

AM Best receives compensation for interactive rating services provided to organizations that it rates. AM Best may also receive compensation from rated entities for non-rating related services or products offered by AM Best. AM Best does not offer consulting or advisory services. For more information regarding AM Best’s rating process, including handling of confidential (non-public) information, independence, and avoidance of conflicts of interest, please read the AM Best Code of Conduct. 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 credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.



Panama Financial Strength Press Release A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. Insurance Issuer Credit Rating Best's Credit Rating Action Rating Event


Latest News

More from Best’s News


Trending

AM Best TV

More Related Company News

To Submit News go to - https://www.ambest.com/bestweek/submitnews.html