AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Members of MedPro Group
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of "aa+" (Superior) of the members of MedPro Group (MedPro). These Credit Ratings (ratings) apply to The Medical Protective Company (Fort Wayne, IN) and its affiliates: Princeton Insurance Company (Princeton, NJ); PLICO, Inc. (Oklahoma City, OK); Wellfleet Insurance Company (Fort Wayne, IN); and Wellfleet New York Insurance Company (Flushing, NY); as well as MedPro's two reinsured affiliates, MedPro RRG Risk Retention Group and AttPro RRG Reciprocal Risk Retention Group (both domiciled in the District of Columbia). The outlook of these ratings is stable.
The ratings reflect MedPro's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
The ratings acknowledge MedPro's risk-adjusted capitalization being at the strongest level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), as well as the group's long-term profitable operating performance and the leading market position it maintains in the medical professional liability (MPL) sector, proving the group's ability to underwrite profitably through market cycles. Additionally, the ratings consider the group's substantial distribution capabilities, prudent claims-handling philosophy and culture of holistic risk management. The group consistently outperforms peers by most metrics, illustrated by substantial historical returns on equity, low operating ratios and solid net underwriting income. Furthermore, the ratings benefit from the explicit and implicit financial support provided by its affiliate, National Indemnity Company, and MedPro's ultimate parent, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK), which includes reinsurance programs, investment opportunities and capital support.
Partially offsetting these positive rating factors are the inherent challenges associated with the MPL line of business, particularly as it relates to price competition, changing market dynamics, potential changes in legislation (i.e., tort reform), increasing loss cost trends and regulatory risk. At the same time, AM Best recognizes the organization's strong management team, diversified premium base and jurisdictional diversity, which have contributed to MedPro outperforming its peers over the longer term.
The group's large allocation to common stocks exposes it to significant volatility during periods when the equity markets experience sharp declines. The group has demonstrated its ability to absorb this volatility historically and maintain the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR, due to its low underwriting leverage, driven by its affiliated reinsurance agreement with National Indemnity Company and MedPro's substantial capital position, and the investment managers' historical trend of success in turbulent markets.
This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM 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 AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. 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.
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