AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Cathay Century Insurance Company Limited

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of Cathay Century Insurance Company Limited (Cathay Century) (Taiwan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Cathay Century’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.

Cathay Century’s consolidated adjusted capital and surplus recovered by 16% to TWD 15.7 billion at year-end 2023, driven by the retention of net profit derived from underwriting and investment results. Cathay Century’s risk-adjusted capitalisation remained at the very strong level at the end of 2023, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Other supportive factors of the balance sheet strength assessment include the company’s diversified investment portfolio that focuses on low-risk fixed-income securities, good liquidity, comprehensive reinsurance arrangements, and the strong financial flexibility afforded by the ultimate parent, Cathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd. (Cathay Financial Holding). Going forward, AM Best expects Cathay Century to maintain its robust level of risk-adjusted capitalisation supported by organic growth in retained earnings from controlled expansion in underwriting and investment risks.

Cathay Century reported a net loss of TWD 19.6 billion in 2022, predominantly attributed to pandemic insurance claims. The company has returned to the black, with a full-year net profit of TWD 1.2 billion in 2023, although the profitability has not yet recovered fully to pre-pandemic levels as there were still pandemic-related claims incurred in the first half of 2023. After the large pandemic losses in the prior year, Cathay Century’s net loss ratio significantly declined to 66.6% in 2023. Meanwhile, the expense ratio stood at 36.4% and was lower than the industry average, thanks to the sizeable underwriting book of business and better economies of scale. In particular, Cathay Century’s major business line of voluntary motor has contributed to a sustained underwriting margin, supported by its continued efforts to be risk-selective and gradually refine the composition of business, coupled with rate adjustments.

Cathay Century remains the second-largest insurer in Taiwan’s non-life sector, with a market share of 13.3% in terms of direct premiums written (DPW) in 2023. The company’s underwriting portfolio is diversified moderately with motor being a major line of business, accounting for over half of the company’s DPW in 2023, followed by fire, accident and health businesses. The portfolio is skewed toward personal lines insurance products. Cathay Century continues to leverage the comprehensive business network of its parent group and affiliated distribution channels to grow its underwriting portfolio. In addition, the company has refined and strengthened its risk management by reviewing product design and underwriting control, following the significant pandemic insurance claims. Cathay Financial Holding also has collaborated with Cathay Century to provide risk oversight support and resources.

Negative rating actions could occur if there is a substantial decline in Cathay Century’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, for example, due to unexpected large underwriting or investment losses, and without timely capital support from its ultimate parent, Cathay Financial Holding. A deterioration in the parent company’s credit profile, or a diminished level of parental support also may pose a negative impact on Cathay Century’s ratings.

Although the likelihood is relatively low, positive rating actions could occur if Cathay Century achieves sustained improvement and stability in its operating performance while maintaining a robust level of risk-adjusted capitalisation. An improvement in Cathay Financial Holding’s credit profile, or an enhanced level of parental support also may have a positive impact on Cathay Century’s ratings.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

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 specialising 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.

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