Copyright:	Business Wire
Source:	Business Wire
Wordcount:

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Safety Group (Safety) and its inter-company pool members, Safety Insurance Company (Safety Insurance), Safety Indemnity Insurance Company (Safety Indemnity) and Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company (Safety P&C).

Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the ICR of “bbb” of Safety’s publicly traded holding company, Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (Delaware) [NASDAQ/GS: SAFT]. The outlook for all ratings is stable. All companies are domiciled in Boston, MA, except where specified.

The ratings of Safety reflect its strong capitalization, favorable operating performance and market position as a leading personal automobile writer in Massachusetts. The ratings also acknowledge the group’s favorable loss reserve development and low investment leverage.

Partially offsetting these positive rating factors is Safety’s concentration of business in the Massachusetts private passenger automobile market.

Based on 2007 direct premium writings, Safety was the second-largest writer of private passenger automobile premiums in Massachusetts with an 11.5% market share. In addition to its personal automobile product offering, Safety provides commercial automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, umbrella and business owners policies. Safety is licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.


For Best’s Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

The principal methodologies used in determining these ratings, including any additional methodologies and factors that may have been considered, can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

A.M. Best Co.

Analysts

David Fidecaro, 908-439-2200, ext. 5420

david.fidecaro@ambest.com

or

Rick Decker, 908-439-2200, ext. 5423

rick.decker@ambest.com

or

Public Relations

Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644

james.peavy@ambest.com

or

Rachelle Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378

rachelle.morrow@ambest.com

Source: A.M. Best Co.