Cayman Islands News

Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Facility Receives $2.4 Million from Ireland

The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) announced that the Irish government has approved a $2.4 million contribution to the Caribbean risk pooling fund. “The contribution is the latest addition to the donor fund supporting the CCRIF, which was launched …

IRS Tax Code Change Called Threat to Captive Insurance States

U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., is asking the U.S. Treasury to block a pending tax code change seen by some as a threat to Vermont’s captive insurance industry. Welch and three Democratic colleagues from states that also have captive insurance …

Caribbean Cat Risk Facility Announces Changes for Renewals

The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) announced the approval of several new measures to be implemented for the 2008 renewal period. “The changes are all meant to further satisfy the objective of the CCRIF member governments, which is to …

Ratings Recap: Stoneheath Re, JRG Re

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the debt rating to “bb+” from “bbb” on the $350 million non-cumulative perpetual preferred securities (issuer preferred securities) issued by Stoneheath Re (issuer), a Cayman Islands exempted company. The rating outlook is stable. Best explained: …

Best Lowers XL’s Ratings; S&P Sees No Change

A.M. Best Co. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services have been reexamining their ratings on the Bermuda-based XL Capital. and its subsidiaries in light of recent announcements (See IJ web site https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2008/01/24/86670.htm). Their main concerns are the current financial difficulties …

Ratings Roundup: New Castle Re, Capital Region, Legal & General

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a-” of Bermuda-based New Castle Reinsurance Company Ltd., as well as the ICR of “bbb-” of New Castle Reinsurance Holdings …

Best Revises Stoneheath, FLAC Outlooks to Negative on SCA/XL Concerns

A.M. Best Co. has revised the rating outlook to negative from stable for the debt rating of “bbb” on $350 million non-cumulative perpetual preferred securities (issuer preferred securities) issued by Stoneheath Re, a Cayman Islands exempted company. Best also revised …

Ratings Recap: General (India), SCA, Successor Hurricane, Wing Lung, Dao Heng, Sovereign Assurance

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a-” of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) and has revised its outlook on both ratings to stable from negative. “The …

Ratings Recap: Green Valley (Swiss Re), Aviva Canada, CSOB Pojistovna, Harbor Point Re, Hiscox

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned its ‘BB+’ debt ratings to the €200 million ($292 million) Class A Series 1 Principal At-Risk variable-rate notes due Jan. 10, 2011 issued by Green Valley Ltd. The transaction closed on Dec. 27, …

Best Revises XL’s Rating Outlook to Negative

A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable on the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-“of Bermuda’s XL Capital Group and its members. Best also revised the outlook …