Louisiana
AM Best downgrades Louisiana Farm Bureau with negative outlook – Reinsurance News
AM Best has downgraded Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company credit ratings and assigned them a negative outlook, a move that reflects the company’s deterioration of its key balance sheet strength.
Louisiana Farm Bureau Financial Strength Rating has been downgraded to B++ (Good) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating was downgraded to “bbb” (Good) from “a-” (Excellent).
According to the agency, these ratings reflect the company’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
Yet, the downgrades reflect deterioration in Louisiana Farm Bureau’s key balance sheet strength and operating return metrics, which AM Best notes, “have come in the form of policyholder’s surplus erosion and declining levels of risk-adjusted capitalization.”
It continued: “In addition, operating performance has trended downward over the past few years and was adverse particularly in 2023. The volatility has stemmed predominately from much higher reinsurance costs over the past several years following catastrophe loss activity from Hurricanes Ida, Laura and Delta. Also, inflationary pressures on loss costs and convective storm activity over the past few years has contributed further to the deterioration.
“As a result, the company’s five-year average operating return metrics have fallen materially relative to the personal property industry composite. Surplus has also fallen in four out of the past five years, with the largest decline occurring in 2023.”
Louisiana Farm Bureau has been able to address the adverse trends through stricter underwriting guidelines, and sizable rate increases, which should somewhat offset the material increase in reinsurance costs, according to the agency.
“In an effort to stabilise its operating performance and balance sheet strength metrics, Louisiana Farm Bureau also continues to focus diligently on managing its coastal exposures, property inspections, and refining its underwriting standards,” AM stated.
Concluding: “However, given the severity of loss over the past several years, it remains to be seen whether these initiatives will be proven effective. As a result, there is a negative outlook for the ratings, which encompasses pressure on the company’s ERM building block assessment. If these trends continue, there could be a downward revision in the company’s ERM assessment.”
The news of Louisiana Farm Bureau credit ratings follow AM Best announcement regarding the downgrade of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas (FBMICA) credit ratings.
According to the agency, these downgrades were driven by ongoing severe weather-related losses, which have significantly weakened FBMICA’s policyholder surplus and overall risk-adjusted capitalisation.
Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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