AM Best affirms ratings of Nissan captive

The rating agency praised the insurer’s balance sheet and strength.

AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a” of Nissan Global Reinsurance (NGRe). The outlook of these ratings is stable. 

The rating agency said that the ratings reflect NGRe’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The neutral business profile considers NGRe’s strategic role as a captive insurer for its parent, Nissan Motor Co.     

The balance sheet strength assessment is supported by NGRe’s level of risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), at the strongest level. While the company continues to generate strong annual earnings, the captive’s total surplus has declined over the past five years as its dividends returned to the parent have exceeded its earnings. However, the company has ample liquidity with favourable cash flows for the captive’s selected risks and exposures. NGRe’s adequate operating performance assessment reflects consistently favourable annual combined and operating ratios compared with industry averages, excellent revenue returns, and double-digit equity returns. 

AM Best also pointed out that in its role as a single-parent captive for Nissan, one of the largest automakers in the world, NGRe provides Nissan with a host of insurance coverages in the United States and abroad, including, but not limited to, extended service contracts, product liability and inland marine. As a member of the Nissan family of companies, NGRe benefits from the group’s proprietary data warehouse, extensive risk management practices and loss control programs.

The stable outlooks reflect AM Best's expectation that the captive will maintain its very strong balance sheet strength supported by risk-adjusted capitalization at the strongest level, as measured by BCAR, through continued favourable operating results. AM Best said that it expects there will not be changes in the parent’s ability or willingness to support the captive even as it periodically returns excess capital to the parent.

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