Maiden Insurance has been awarded an A- financial strength rating for its excellent capitalisation achieved through its parent Maiden Holdings Ltd.

A.M. Best also assigned an issuer credit rating (ICR) of "a-" to the company. And it also presented an ICR of "bbb-" to Maiden Holdings, Ltd (Holdings).

Both companies are based in Bermuda and the ratings outlook is stable.

The ratings reflect Maiden's capitalisation gained through contributions from its parent, which infused the net proceeds of a private placement offering; the benefits derived as a 40 percent quota share partner from inception of operations for AmTrust Group's profitable business; and the benefits of AmTrust's management team.

These positive factors are partly offset by Maiden's limited risk-taking experience, the risk faced by management in achieving its business plans and the risk in profitably growing its business amidst softening market conditions.

Despite these concerns, the rating outlook is supported by the financial commitment of Holdings and the close working relationship that Maiden shares with AmTrust Group.