Dubai Insurance Company’s financial strength rating upgraded to A2 by Moody’s

Investing.com -- Moody’s Ratings has upgraded the insurance financial strength rating (IFSR) of Dubai Insurance Company (P.S.C.) (DIN), a top-five insurer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. The IFSR has been upgraded to A2 from A3, and the outlook has been changed to stable from positive, as announced on March 25, 2025.

The upgrade is a reflection of DIN’s strengthened market position and increased business diversification, largely due to its role as the lead insurer for the UAE government’s mandatory employment-based insurance programs. The company’s growth in medical and motor insurance lines, along with its successful management of government programs, has contributed to strong and stable underwriting profits, positioning the insurer for future growth as the UAE’s economy expands and diversifies.

DIN’s A2 IFSR also reflects its strong capital adequacy, with a gross underwriting leverage (GUL) of 2.9x at the end of 2024 and strong regulatory capital. The company also shows very strong profitability, with a five-year average return on capital (ROC) of 14.5% as of 2024, and a moderate reserve risk due to its focus on short-tail insurance lines.

However, these strengths are balanced by limited geographic diversification, with concentrated exposure to the UAE. There’s also a growing dependence on mandatory insurance programs, which exposes the insurer to government policy and actions. Additionally, the company’s high level of equity investments and dependence on reinsurance to support its underwriting capacity are also factors to consider.

DIN’s market position and brand have been strengthened by its effective administration of the UAE’s mandated Workers Protection Program (WPP (LON:WPP)) and Involuntary Loss of Employment program (ILoE), as the lead insurer and servicer. Expected premium growth from these programs is anticipated to result in continued improvement in profitability.

Despite an elevated exposure to equity investments, DIN has consistently maintained good liquidity buffers, which support its ability to hold its equity investments for the long term and absorb short-term market volatility. The majority of its equity exposures are to high-quality UAE-based institutions, which further limits the risk associated with these holdings.

The stable rating outlook is based on the expectation that DIN will maintain good underwriting discipline and profitability despite expected growth in its premiums, while at the same time keeping strong capital adequacy and liquidity buffers.

There is limited upward pressure on DIN’s ratings at present. However, upward pressure may arise in the event of a significant increase in the insurer’s business and geographic diversification, whilst maintaining its current strong financial and operating profile. Conversely, factors such as weakened profitability, a significant weakening of its market position, a deterioration in asset quality, or a weakening of capital adequacy could result in negative pressure on the rating.

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