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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONDON - MARCH 08, 2018 11:03 AM (EST)
A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” of Qatar Islamic Insurance Company Q.S.C. (QIIC) (Qatar). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings reflect QIIC’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorises as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
QIIC adopts a hybrid takaful model, whereby the shareholders’ fund (SHF) charges the policyholders’ fund (PHF) a Wakala fee based on gross written contributions (GWC) and a Muderaba fee based on investment income. QIIC’s ability to accumulate surpluses within the PHF whilst regularly distributing surplus back to policyholders supports the sustainability of the takaful model.
On a combined basis, incorporating the PHF and SHF, capital requirements are heavily weighted towards asset risk due to the company’s high risk and concentrated investment composition. Despite this, the company’s level of risk-adjusted capitalisation remains at the strongest level as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) model. Offsetting factors include the company’s moderate reliance on reinsurers and a weak reserving process. The PHF is considered to be sufficiently capitalised on a standalone basis, supported by QAR 119 million in accumulated surplus at year-end 2017.
QIIC has a track record of strong operating and technical profitability, highlighted by a five-year average (2013 - 2017) combined ratio of 79% that has remained very stable over recent years. While there has generally been a good balance of earnings between technical and investment income, a volatile investment environment in Qatar has meant investment returns have declined over the past four years. During 2017, the company reported net profit of QAR 62 million, equivalent to a sound return on equity of 13%.
Although the company is concentrated to its domestic market of Qatar, the company maintains a niche market position as an established provider of Shari’a compliant products and a strong reputation that is partially attributable to the company’s track record of distributing surpluses back to its policyholders. Moreover, the company benefits from being a member of the National Insurance Consortium, which provides QIIC access to sizable government infrastructure contracts. QIIC reported modest premium growth in 2017, as the company reported a 1% increase in GWC to QAR 317 million, compared with 2016.
Whilst, QIIC’s ERM framework is considered appropriate, A.M. Best has concerns over the company’s approach to managing its investments operations.
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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