OREANDA-NEWS. February 04, 2011. Moody's has affirmed its global scale insurer financial strength rating on Kommesk-Omir Insurance at B3. The outlook is stable. At the same time Moody's also affirmed its B3.kz Kazakhstan local scale insurer financial strength rating, reported the press-centre of KASE.

The affirmation reflects Kommesk-Omir's growing franchise in Kazakhstan as it demonstrated strong premium growth in 2009 and 2010. Offsetting this is the slight deterioration in underwriting profitability which needs to be monitored in future years. Kommesk-Omir is a Kazakhstan based insurance company primarily focused on retail and small corporate risks in Kazakhstan. Kommesk-Omir is the 12th largest non-life insurer in Kazakhstan with gross written premiums of KZT 2,406mn as of October 2010 (USD 16mn) and total assets of KZT 4,468mn (USD 30mn). During 2010 the ownership structure of Kommesk-Omir was solidified when majority owner Centras Capital purchased the 60% stake held by Centras' private equity fund. Centras now holds approximately 75% of Kommesk-Omir directly.

The B3 financial strength rating is based on Kommesk-Omir's adequate position within the Kazakhstan insurance market supported by its relatively low risk investment strategy - with limited exposure to equities, its long history of insurance provision in Kazakhstan and its ownership by Centras group, which could provide risk management expertise. These positives are offset by the company's exposure to a relatively weak economy (Kazakhstan, rated Baa2/Sta), the competitive pressures it is under within compulsory insurance lines in Kazakhstan, and the company's low market share.

Moody's said that upward rating pressure for Kommesk-Omir may evolve over time from 1) further improvements in the market position of Kommesk-Omir, as indicated by sustained market share improvements, 2) through a improved investment portfolio, with greater exposure to more diversified and higher rated bonds and deposits, 3) improved product diversification by balanced split achieving GPW higher than 10 % for three/four different lines of business or 4) improvement in the Kazakhstan economic and Sovereign environment, evidenced by an upgrade in the Government rating.

On the other hand, the rating may experience downward pressure from 1) a deterioration in the Sovereign environment or reductions in premium levels and market position, 2) protracted poor claims environment resulting in continued significant losses and gross underwriting leverage rising above 5.0x or 3) an increased investment risk such as investments in illiquid assets or volatile equities.

The last rating action on Kommesk Omir was on 16th November 2009 when the rating was assigned at B3 with a stable outlook.

The principal methodology used in this rating was Moody's Global Rating Methodology for Property and Casualty Insurers published in May 2010.