MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#insurance--AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from positive and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb-” (Good) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of “aa-.MX” (Superior) of Quálitas Compañía de Seguros S.A. de C.V. (Quálitas) (Mexico City, Mexico).
The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect Quálitas’ balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as adequate, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
The stable outlooks point to the company’s ability to maintain profitable results while implementing its internalization strategy.
Quálitas’ operation is characterized by its strong risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), sustained premium sufficiency and profitability metrics, the company’s consistent leading position in Mexico’s auto insurance segment and its strong distribution network.
Quálitas has established a strong distribution capability across Mexico through its network of local agents, financial institutions and service offices. This has enabled the company to maintain its leading market position in Mexico’s auto insurance segment and achieve a market share of approximately 30% in a highly competitive market. Quálitas differentiates from its competitors in the auto insurance sector through strong name-brand recognition and its ability to adjust pricing and fees successfully, which helped the company surpass its premium growth targets in 2022. The company expects premium growth to be stable in the near to medium term, underpinned by a rebound in auto sales and tourism, among other sectors, as economic activity resumes in the country.
While Quálitas’ risk-adjusted capitalization has strengthened over time due to its sound net results and reduced exposure to equities in its investment portfolio, it is still susceptible to variations driven by significant dividend payments. AM Best will continue to monitor the effects on the company’s balance sheet. At the same time the shift in the company’s risk profile, in addition to the short tenor of its investments and a proper matching in currencies, affords Quálitas financial flexibility to react in the best interest of its capital position.
The strong assessment of Quálitas’ operating performance is supported by its capacity to maintain premium sufficiency levels over the past six years, even in the wake of a sharp decline in auto sales and significant increase in auto-related claims amid a challenging period for Mexico’s economy. Quálitas’ claim management and market presence, in addition with controlled administrative expenses and underwriting, provide the company with the necessary tools to maintain a profitable profile.
Positive rating actions could take place if Quálitas is able to maintain a stable trend of improved risk-adjusted capitalization and sustained profitable results. Negative rating actions also could take place should risk-adjusted capitalization deteriorate below current levels, due to capital outflows or lower available capital to face risks.
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.
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. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.
Copyright © 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Contacts
Inger Rodriguez
Financial Analyst
+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 108
inger.rodriguez@ambest.com
Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
Elí Sánchez
Director, Analytics
+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 122
eli.sanchez@ambest.com
Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
al.slavin@ambest.com