AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of ‘a+’ (Excellent) for Sooner Insurance Company, the Vermont-based captive insurer of ConocoPhillips.
The outlook for both ratings is ‘stable’.
The affirmation reflects Sooner’s very strong balance sheet, strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM), says the agency.
Sooner’s balance sheet strength is supported by risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), as well as low underwriting leverage and favourable reserve development.
The captive’s largest asset is a loan to its parent, ConocoPhillips, which AM Best considers low risk due to the parent’s robust financial position and consistent earnings record.
Sooner has delivered solid underwriting profits over time, with return metrics exceeding those of the industry composite. Its loss history has been favourable for more than a decade, driven by ConocoPhillips’ strong risk management practices.
As a core part of ConocoPhillips’ ERM programme, the captive provides the group with flexibility in managing infrequent and significant losses.
Sooner’s neutral business profile reflects its role as the primary insurer for ConocoPhillips, offering property damage and excess liability cover to the parent and its global affiliates.
The ratings also acknowledge Sooner’s strategic importance to ConocoPhillips and the continued implicit and explicit support it receives from the parent company.
