AM Best Affirms QBE Ratings, Outlook Stable
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating [FSR] of A [Excellent] and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings [Long-Term ICRs] of “a+” [Excellent] of QBE Europe SA/NV [Belgium], QBE UK Limited [United Kingdom], QBE Capital [Global] Ltd. [Bermuda], QBE Capital Ltd. [Bermuda] and the pooled members of QBE North America Insurance Group.
These companies are key operating subsidiaries of QBE Insurance Group Limited [QBE] [Australia] the non-operating holding company of the QBE group of companies. The outlook of these Credit Ratings is stable.
The ratings agency said, “The ratings reflect QBE’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
“QBE’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level as of year-end 2025, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio [BCAR]. QBE receives partial equity credit in BCAR for subordinated debt it issues. Prospectively, AM Best expects QBE’s risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at least at the very strong level. QBE’s balance sheet strength assessment is supported by the group’s conservative investment portfolio and its appropriate reinsurance programme. In addition, as a regular capital markets participant, QBE benefits from strong financial flexibility and has demonstrated a trend of decreasing financial leverage in recent years. In AM Best’s view, the group had a positive adjusted financial leverage ratio of 13.2% at year-end 2025 and strong interest coverage. The group employs a prudent reserving approach, with a record of favourable prior-year reserve development in most years.
“The group’s strong operating performance assessment reflects its record of robust underwriting performance, supported by its diverse earnings profile. Ongoing underwriting portfolio management has supported improved technical performance in recent years. The group’s net/net combined ratio of 88.2% for 2025 represented a two-percentage point improvement compared with 2024, as calculated by AM Best on an IFRS 17 basis. QBE has excellent geographic diversification and strong competitive positions in its core markets, with an established focus on global commercial lines insurance.
“The FSR of A [Excellent] and the Long-Term ICRs of “a+” [Excellent] have been affirmed for the following pooled members of QBE North America Insurance Group:
- General Casualty Company of Wisconsin
- General Casualty Insurance Company
- NAU Country Insurance Company
- North Pointe Insurance Company
- Praetorian Insurance Company
- QBE Insurance Corporation
- QBE Reinsurance Corporation
- QBE Specialty Insurance Company
- Regent Insurance Company
- Southern Pilot Insurance Company
- Stonington Insurance Company
