AM Best


AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Sompo Seguros Mexico, S.A. de C.V.


CONTACTS:

Inger Rodriguez
Associate Financial Analyst
+52 55 11027 2720, ext. 108
inger.rodriguez@ambest.com

Eli Sanchez
Associate Director, Analytics
+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 122
eli.sanchez@ambest.com
Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jeff Mango
Managing Director, Strategy & Communications
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5204
jeffrey.mango@ambest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEXICO CITY - SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 10:24 AM (EDT)
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa-” (Superior) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of “aaa.MX” (Exceptional) of Sompo Seguros Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Sompo Mexico) (Mexico City, Mexico). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

Sompo Mexico is a subsidiary of Sompo America Insurance Company (SAIC) and a member of Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (SJ), the core operating unit of SOMPO Holdings, Inc., (SOMPO Holdings), the ultimate parent and one of the largest non-life insurance groups in Japan. Sompo Mexico is well-integrated into the group, and reports to Sompo International Holdings Ltd.

The ratings reflect SJ’s balance sheet strength on a consolidated basis, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The ratings recognize Sompo Mexico’s integration and support from SJ through SAIC, which provides synergies and operating efficiencies to the Mexico subsidiary. Sompo Mexico maintains the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Partially offsetting these positive rating factors is the company’s small market share, even though its combined ratio and profitability levels compare well with the industry.

Sompo Mexico initiated business in 1998; the company underwrites property/casualty business and stands as a strategic hub from which SJ plans to continue expanding operations into other Latin America markets.

Sompo Mexico follows the group’s international strategy and underwrites mostly referred business from SJ, but with a growing interest in its domestic market.

Sompo Mexico’s risk-adjusted capitalization also is supported by the company’s solid reinsurance program and small retention profile, as well as historical positive bottom-line results reflected in good profitability metrics and conservative profit retention policies. Sompo Mexico’s strong underwriting results are mainly a consequence of underwriting referred business for the Mexico operations of SJ’s global clients, and commissions from a diversified reinsurance program with highly rated reinsurers, which includes SJ as the program leader. In addition, the company’s conservative investment policies provide a steady flow of revenues in support of net income.

In 2021, Sompo Mexico’s achieved positive bottom-line results through profitable underwriting, which were strengthened further by investment income, benefiting from the positive effect of a depreciating Mexico peso against the U.S. dollar in its premiums issued and also in its investment results; the company posted a return-on-equity ratio of 13.3%. The company still benefits from being integrated into SJ, gaining operational leverage through the same systems, procedures and ERM practices.

Rating actions taken on SJ will most likely result in equivalent rating actions for Sompo Mexico, unless AM Best determines that the strategic importance of the Mexico subsidiary to SJ has decreased. Negative rating actions could occur if there is material deterioration in SJ’s risk-adjusted capitalization caused by substantial investment losses or a large-scale natural catastrophe. Negative rating actions also could occur if there is significant deterioration in SOMPO Holdings’ credit profile, including its risk-adjusted capitalization, financial leverage or interest coverage levels.

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology (Version Nov. 13, 2020), 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:


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

  • AM Best Ratings on a National Scale (Version Oct. 13, 2017)

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

  • Understanding Global BCAR (Version June 30, 2022)

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

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

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: Sept. 2, 2021

  • Date Range of Financial Data Used: Dec. 31, 2016-March 31, 2022

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 use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

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 London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.


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AMB# Company Name
078086 Sompo Seguros Mexico, S.A. de C.V.