A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Good) from A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings to ‘bbb+’ from ‘a-’ of Oklahoma Farm Bureau Group and its members, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company and AgSecurity Insurance Company. The outlook for all ratings is stable.
The rating downgrades reflect Oklahoma Farm Bureau Group’s poor underwriting performance in 2008 and first quarter 2009, which has negatively impacted the group’s risk-adjusted capitalization.
The group posted a nearly $65 million net underwriting loss in 2008 due primarily to frequent and severe weather-related events.
Although this significant impact to policyholders’ surplus was partially offset by the issuance of a $15.8 million surplus note at year-end 2008, the decline in surplus of nearly $40 million in 2008 or approximately 27percent has resulted in significantly reduced risk-adjusted capitalization.
The personal auto and homeowners/farmowners segment, which represents the group’s core book of business, has underperformed relative to its industry peers. Furthermore, as a single state property writer, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Group’s overall earnings remain exposed to frequent and severe weather-related events.
The outlook reflects the group’s current risk-adjusted capitalization, which remains adequate for its current rating level.
Source: A.M. Best, www.ambest.com/ratings
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