A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Munich Reinsurance Company and Its Subsidiaries

OLDWICK, N.J. --(Business Wire)--

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "aa-" of Munich Reinsurance Company (Munich Re) (Germany) and its subsidiaries. Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed all debt ratings of Munich Re. The outlook for these ratings is stable.

Additionally, A.M. Best has upgraded the ICR and senior debt rating to "a-" from "bbb+" of Munich Re America Corporation (Princeton, NJ). The outlook for the ratings has been revised to stable from positive. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

Munich Re remains a leading global carrier in the reinsurance market with complementary primary and health insurance operations. The company has the ability to write and service reinsurance clients on a worldwide basis through an extensive distribution system. Over the past several years, Munich Re made several successful business acquisitions enabling it to complement its numerous products and expand into new markets.

Munich Re's risk-adjusted capitalization remains at levels appropriate for its FSR. Capital levels increased in 2011 despite several large catastrophic losses. Capital levels have been further strengthened through September 30, 2012 as operating results benefitted from a benign level of catastrophes during the year. Furthermore, A.M. Best expects Munich Re's risk-based capitalization to be maintained at year-end 2012 despite the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

The company's operating results through the first nine months of 2012 reflected the low level of catastrophes with a combined ratio of 93.6%. The primary insurance segment performed better than breakeven with a combined ratio of 96.9% during the first nine months of 2012. Likewise, the health segment performed slightly better than breakeven at 99.2% for the same period.

A.M. Best considers Munich Re's risk management program to be strong. Along with a formal risk management structure, the company dedicates a significant level of personnel to monitor risk in all operating segments throughout the world. The company also makes extensive use of its proprietary capital model to analyze various stress scenarios.

Munich Re maintains an appreciable level of sovereign risk from holdings in Italy, Spain and Ireland, albeit at lower levels than last year. Somewhat mitigating A.M. Best's concern with this risk is that a large portion of any losses emanating from investments in these countries relates to products, which allows Munich Re to pass the loss directly to the client reducing its net exposure to manageable levels. Munich Re also maintains some risk attributable to European banks. At present, these exposure levels also seem manageable.

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Positive rating actions could occur if over the next several years, Munich Re's operating performance and risk-adjusted capitalization significantly and consistently exceed its peer group of global reinsurers.

Negative rating actions could occur if Munich Re's operating performance and risk-adjusted capitalization consistently fall below A.M. Best's expectations for its current rating level by a significant margin for a prolonged period.

The FSR of A+ (Superior) and ICRs of "aa-" have been affirmed for Munich Reinsurance Company and its following core subsidiaries:

Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.
American Alternative Insurance Corporation
The Princeton Excess & Surplus Lines Insurance Company
Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC
New Reinsurance Company
Munich Reinsurance Company of Canada

Temple Insurance Company
Munich American Reassurance Company
American Modern Home Insurance Company
American Family Home Insurance Company
American Western Home Insurance Company
American Modern Surplus Lines Insurance Company
American Modern Select Insurance Company
American Southern Home Insurance Company
American Modern Insurance Company of Florida, Inc.
First Marine Insurance Company
American Modern Lloyds Insurance Company

The following debt ratings have been affirmed:

Munich Reinsurance Company-
-- "a+" on GBP 300 million 7.625% subordinated bonds, due 2028
-- "a+" on EUR 1.5 billion fixed/floating rate undated subordinated bonds
-- "a+" on EUR 3.0 billion 6.75% subordinated Eurobonds, due 2023
-- "a+" on EUR 1.0 billion 6.0% subordinated fixed to floating rate bonds, due 2041
-- "a+" on EUR 900 million 6.25% subordinated fixed to floating rate bonds, due 2042
-- "a+" on GBP 450 million 6.625% fixed rate subordinated bonds, due 2042

The following debt rating has been upgraded:

Munich Re America Corporation-
-- to "a-" from "bbb+" on USD 500 million 7.45% senior unsecured notes, due 2026

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best's Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best's rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Key criteria utilized include: "Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies"; "Understanding BCAR for Property/Casualty Insurers"; "Natural Catastrophe Stress Test Methodology"; "Understanding Universal BCAR"; "Rating Members of Insurance Groups"; " Understanding BCAR for Canadian Property/Casualty Insurers"; and "Equity Credit for Hybrid Securities." Best's Credit Rating Methodology can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.