A.M. Best has also placed the B (Fair) financial strength rating of the life insurance subsidiary, American Founders Life Insurance Company, under review with negative implications.
These rating actions reflect Vesta's significant deterioration in capital and on-going uncertainty regarding management's capital enhancement initiatives. The reduction in capital was driven primarily by charges associated with an unfavorable arbitration decision along with the write down of a deferred tax asset. Accordingly, statutory surplus for the property/casualty operating companies declined dramatically. In addition, the holding company recorded a considerable loss of more than 50% of stockholders equity.
As previously announced, Vesta intends to sell a portion of its non-standard agency and underwriting business through an initial public offering. While the public offering of the non-standard auto business may facilitate a more efficient allocation of capital, considerable execution risk remains regarding the ultimate success of these initiatives.
The ratings will remain under review pending A.M. Best meeting with management as well as execution of the group's capital enhancement initiatives. In the absence of capital improvement, the ratings will likely be downgraded.
Vesta also announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell American Founders Financial Corporation, which owns American Founders Life Insurance Company. This rating will remain under review with negative implications, pending A.M. Best meeting with Vesta management as well as the management team of the new owners of American Founders.
The B (Fair) financial strength rating has been placed under review with negative implications for the following Vesta Insurance Group property/casualty and life affiliates:
-- Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation
-- Affirmative Insurance Company
-- Florida Select Insurance Company
-- Hawaiian Insurance & Guarantee Company Ltd.
-- Insura Property and Casualty Insurance Company Inc.
-- Shelby Casualty Insurance Company
-- Shelby Insurance Company
-- Texas Select Lloyds Insurance Company
-- Vesta Insurance Corporation
-- American Founders Life Insurance Company
The following debt ratings have been placed under review with negative implications:
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.--
-- "b-" on $100 million 8.75% senior unsecured debentures due 2025
Vesta Capital Trust I--
-- "ccc" on $100 million 8.525% Deferrable Capital Securities due 2027
A.M. Best Co., established in 1899, is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit A.M. Best's Web site at www.ambest.com.
Contacts
A.M. Best Co.
Public Relations
Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644
jim.peavy@ambest.com
or
Rachelle Striegel, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378
rachelle.striegel@ambest.com
or
Analyst
Richard Attanasio - P/C, 908-439-2200, ext. 5432
richard.attanasio@ambest.com
or