AM Best


A.M. Best Upgrades Credit Ratings of Wayne Cooperative Insurance Company


CONTACTS:

Kimberly Muccia
Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5731
kimberly.muccia@ambest.com

Janet Hernandez
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5767
janet.hernandez@ambest.com
Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
(908) 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
(908) 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLDWICK - SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 02:40 PM (EDT)
A.M. Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “a-” from “bbb+” of Wayne Cooperative Insurance Company (Wayne Cooperative) (Clyde, NY). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from positive.

The ratings reflect Wayne Cooperative’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The rating upgrades reflect Wayne Cooperative’s very strong balance sheet strength underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalization being at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy ratio (BCAR), as well as improved and less volatile underwriting performance in the most recent five-year period. Following management’s corrective actions to improve overall profitability, the underwriting performance has stabilized, as demonstrated by four consecutive years of a below break-even combined ratio.

Risk-adjusted capitalization is reflective of moderate underwriting leverage, a conservative investment portfolio comprised of 78% fixed income securities, and favorable calendar and accident year loss reserving trends. The capital position is further enhanced through consistent surplus growth, which averaged 8.0% through 2017 on a five-year compound average basis. Liquidity measures are strong and enhanced by positive operating cash flows year-over-year. However, Wayne Cooperative is limited in terms of financial flexibility and scale.

The operating performance has improved in the most recent five-year period. Solid and improved underwriting performance, owing to management’s strict underwriting standards and controlled growth into underutilized areas of New York state, is demonstrated by the five-year average combined ratio of 96.1%. The first six months of 2018 have been profitable, yielding sizeable surplus growth and the largest net underwriting income recorded for a single reporting period. Underwriting income, paired with steady net investment earnings, have produced favorable operating return measures that compare similarly to the personal property composite averages.

Wayne Cooperative is a single-state property writer in New York, which exposes results to severe weather-related events and to regulatory and judicial challenges. However, the company maintains a comprehensive reinsurance program, including property catastrophe coverage, to help mitigate such risks.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. 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 A.M. 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 A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.

A.M. Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry.


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AMB# Company Name
010531 Wayne Cooperative Insurance Company