A.M. Best Affirms Rating for Rembrandt Insurance Co.

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and assigned an issuer credit rating of “a” to Rembrandt Insurance Company, Ltd. (Bermuda), a captive operation of Vitol Holding B.V (Rotterdam), a global oil trading company. The outlook for both ratings is stable.

The ratings reflect Rembrandt’s strong risk-adjusted capitalization and solid financial performance, as well as its business concentration on the Vitol group’s risks.

A.M. Best believes Rembrandt is likely to maintain strong risk-adjusted capitalization supported by low net exposure after taking account of its comprehensive reinsurance programme placed with secure-rated companies. Retained earnings are likely to increase at a lower rate of approximately 6% over the next two years (compared to 36% in 2004) as dividends are expected to be paid from 2005 onwards.

A.M. Best expects robust financial performance over the next two years as Rembrandt’s past excellent underwriting performance is likely to be maintained and will continue to be the main driver for pre-tax profits. The excellent combined ratio of 43.6% in 2004 is forecast to further improve to approximately 37% by 2006 due the increase in net claims reserves expected.

Rembrandt is likely to remain focused on underwriting the Vitol group’s risks, mainly insuring marine cargo and charterers’ liability risks. A.M. Best believes diversification into other lines of business or into third-party risks is unlikely to be significant in terms of premium volume over the next two years.