A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a+” of Blue Whale Re, based in Burlington, Vermont.
The outlook of these credit ratings remains stable.
A.M. Best suggested that these ratings reflect Blue Whale’s balance sheet strength, which is categorised as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
The ratings also reflect Blue Whale’s strategic position as the captive insurer for Pfizer.
A.M. Best stated that as Blue Whale insures/re-insures Pfizer’s global property exposures, it plays an important role in Pfizer’s overall ERM and assumes a critical role in protecting the Pfizer enterprise’s assets.
The rating company noted that Blue Whale’s capitalisation is very strong, albeit reliant on its parent. It operates at conservative underwriting leverage levels; however, it provides coverages with extremely large limits, and its gross exposures per loss occurrence are elevated.
“Although Blue Whale benefits from reinsurance protection, it is heavily dependent on reinsurance, with very substantial net retention. Its reinsurance is provided by a large panel of reinsurers that provide significant capacity”, A.M. Best said.
Additionally, A.M. Best said it recognises the quality of the reinsurers, and the substantial financial resources and support available to the captive as part of the Pfizer group.
“Due to the nature of the relationship between Blue Whale and Pfizer, changes in Pfizer’s credit risk can impact Blue Whale’s ratings, as it is dependent on Pfizer’s ability to support its credit risk profile, competitiveness and risk management,” the rating company explained.
According to A.M. Best, the third-party credit ratings and Pfizer’s market-based credit risk measures indicate general strength, despite short-term uncertainty as Pfizer refocuses its strategy toward newer pharmaceuticals, divests its over-the-counter pharmaceutical business and contributes its mature pharmaceuticals going off patent to a joint venture.
However, it was noted that the captive continues to be an integral component of Pfizer’s risk management platform.
Blue Whale’s operating results and reserve levels reverted to historical levels in 2019, following the final resolution of claims related to Hurricane Maria. The company said it anticipates lower property insurance requirements through 2020 as the parent evaluates its Caribbean production and warehouse insurance requirements.
A.M. Best concluded: "Based on the parent’s refocused corporate strategy described above, as well as Blue Whale’s current reinsurance programme, Blue Whale appears well-positioned to address Pfizer’s insurance needs."
