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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK - JUNE 15, 2018 02:37 PM (EDT)
A.M. Best has removed from under review with negative implications and downgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “c” from “b-” of Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. (Atlas) [NASDAQ: AFH], the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to C (Weak) from B (Fair) and the Long-Term ICRs to “ccc” from “bb” of American Service Insurance Company Inc. (Schaumburg, IL), American Country Insurance Company (Elk Grove Village, IL) and Gateway Insurance Company (St. Louis, MO), collectively referred to as the American Service Pool. A.M. Best also has removed from under review with negative implications and downgraded the FSR to C++ (Marginal) from B+ (Good) and the Long-Term ICR to “b” from “bbb-” of Global Liberty Insurance Company of New York (Global Liberty) (Melville, NY), another wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is negative.
The ratings of American Service Pool reflect its balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as very weak, as well as its marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM).
The ratings of Global Liberty reflect its balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as adequate, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and marginal ERM. The ratings also consider significant drag from the lead rating unit, American Service Pool.
The rating downgrades reflect the significant reserve strengthening charge taken in the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily due to Michigan-related claims and non-New York Global Liberty business written prior to 2016. This reserve strengthening caused significant operating losses at both companies, year-over-year decreases in policyholder surplus of 35% at American Service Pool and 27% at Global Liberty, as well as significantly reduced risk-adjusted capitalization levels that no longer support the current ratings. American Service Pool has increased its quota share reinsurance cession effective April 1, 2018, to mitigate operating leverage on a going-forward basis.
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.
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