CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Feb. 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Fire Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:UFCS)
| Consolidated Financial Results - Highlights: | ||||||||
| Quarter Ended December 31, 2015 | Year Ended December 31, 2015 | |||||||
| Operating income(1) per diluted share(2) | $ | 1.21 | Operating income(1) per diluted share(2) | $ | 3.46 | |||
| Net income per diluted share(2) | $ | 1.21 | Net income per diluted share(2) | $ | 3.53 | |||
| Net realized investment gains per share(2) | $ | — | Net realized investment gains per share(2) | $ | 0.07 | |||
| GAAP combined ratio | 86.8 | % | GAAP combined ratio | 92.0 | % | |||
| Book value per share | $ | 34.94 | ||||||
| Return on equity(3) | 10.5 | % | ||||||
United Fire Group, Inc. (the “Company”, or "UFG") (NASDAQ:UFCS) today reported consolidated net operating income(1) of $1.21 per diluted share for the three-month period ended December 31, 2015 (the "fourth quarter") compared to consolidated net operating income of $1.34 per diluted share for the same period in 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2015 (the "full year"), the Company reported consolidated net operating income of $3.46 per diluted share compared to consolidated net operating income of $2.13 per diluted share for 2014.
The Company reported consolidated net income, including investment gains and losses, of $30.9 million ($1.21 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter and $89.1 million ($3.53 per diluted share) for the full year, compared to consolidated net income, including investment gains and losses, of $34.8 million ($1.38 per diluted share) and $59.1 million ($2.32 per diluted share), respectively, for the fourth quarter and full year 2014.
Achieved $1 billion revenue milestone
"For the first time in UFG history, we earned over $1.0 billion in revenue in the year ended December 31, 2015," stated Randy A. Ramlo, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This milestone is the result of the hard work and dedication of our employees and agents and the loyalty of our customers. This achievement is in-line with our key objectives and demonstration of our execution against our 2020 Vision."
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(1) Operating income (loss) is a commonly used non-GAAP financial measure of net income (loss) excluding realized investment gains and losses and related federal income taxes. Management evaluates this measure and ratios derived from this measure because we believe it better represents the normal, ongoing performance of our business. See Supplemental Tables - Financial Highlights for a reconciliation of operating income to net income.
(2) Per share amounts are after tax.
(3) Return on equity is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average year-to-date equity.
Strong 2015 results with core margin expansion
“I'm pleased to report strong fourth quarter and full year results," continued Ramlo. "For the full year 2015, we improved our return on equity ("ROE") to 10.5 percent compared to 7.4 percent in 2014, increased our earned premium 12.4 percent compared with 2014, increased our book value $2.27 to $34.94 and experienced a decrease in our GAAP combined ratio of 5.8 points to 92.0 percent, which benefited from an improvement of 5.5 points in our core loss ratio and an improvement of 0.3 points in our expense ratio."
The Company recognized consolidated net realized investment gains of $0.2 million during the fourth quarter and $2.8 million for the full year 2015, compared to net realized investment gains of $1.5 million and $7.3 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter and full year 2014. With the recent turmoil in the energy and resource sector, our investment portfolio review determined one of our life segment fixed maturity securities was other-than-temporarily impaired. This other-than-temporary impairment charge totaled $1.3 million before tax.
Consolidated net investment income was $26.6 million for the fourth quarter 2015 and $100.8 million for the full year 2015 with decreases of 3.0 percent for the quarter and 3.7 percent for the full year, compared to net investment income of $27.4 million and $104.6 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter and full year 2014. The decreases are primarily due to lower interest income on fixed maturity securities due to a lower asset base, from a decline in deferred annuity deposits, and from lower reinvestment interest rates due to the current interest rate environment.
Consolidated net unrealized investment gains, net of tax, totaled $128.4 million as of December 31, 2015, a decrease of $21.3 million or 14.2 percent, compared to December 31, 2014, due primarily to a decrease in the fair value of our fixed maturity investment portfolio as a result of an increase in interest rates and also, to a lesser extent, from a decrease in the fair value of our equity securities portfolio.
Total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2015 were $3.9 billion, which included $3.1 billion of invested assets. The Company's book value was $34.94 per share, which is an increase of $2.27 per share or 6.9 percent from December 31, 2014. The increase is primarily attributed to net income of $89.1 million and the change in valuation of our postretirement benefit obligations of $10.5 million, both offset by, a decrease in net unrealized investment gains of $21.3 million, net of tax, the payment of stockholder dividends of $21.7 million and share repurchases of $2.4 million.
P&C Segment
Net income for the property and casualty insurance segment, including net realized investment gains and losses, totaled $30.9 million ($1.21 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter, compared to net income of $32.9 million ($1.30 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year, net income totaled $85.3 million ($3.38 per diluted share), compared to net income of $52.4 million ($2.05 per diluted share) for the full year 2014.
Net premiums earned increased 9.2 percent to $223.3 million for the fourth quarter, compared to $204.4 million in the fourth quarter 2014. For the full year, net premiums earned increased 11.1 percent to $851.7 million, compared to $766.9 million in 2014.
Rates and loss cost trends
"Competitive market conditions continued during the quarter for both renewals and new business," stated Ramlo. "Renewal pricing average percentage increases were in the very low single digits on smaller accounts, and decreases were in the flat to low single digits decreases on larger accounts. Albeit diminishing, this is the 17th consecutive quarter of commercial lines pricing increases on our overall book of business. Current rate increases continue to meet loss cost trends. We continue to believe loss cost trends will remain at low levels and the margin between loss costs and rate increases will narrow. We currently believe that loss costs are approximately 3.0 percent. Earned premium growth should continue to outpace loss cost trends during 2016 as rate increases achieved over the past several quarters earn out."
2015 catastrophe losses were less than expected
Catastrophe losses(4) totaled $5.0 million ($0.13 per share after tax) and $32.3 million ($0.83 per share after tax) for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $2.5 million ($0.06 per share after tax) and $49.7 million ($1.27 per share after tax) for the same periods in 2014.
"Catastrophe losses for the fourth quarter and the full year were less than we would normally expect," stated Ramlo. “For the fourth quarter and full year, catastrophe losses added 2.2 percentage points and 3.8 percentage points, respectively, to the combined ratio. Our expectations for catastrophe losses in any given year is six percentage points of the combined ratio."
The property and casualty insurance segment experienced $16.3 million and $40.4 million of favorable reserve development in our net reserves for prior accident years during the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $24.2 million and $56.7 million of favorable reserve development in the same periods of 2014. Development amounts can vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on a number of factors, including the number of claims settled and the settlement terms. At December 31, 2015, our total reserves were within our actuarial estimates.
"Our reserving philosophy is to set initial reserves at the higher end of our initial assessment and adjust reserves as additional claim information is received," stated Ramlo. "As a result, favorable reserve development is not unusual for us. During 2015, the favorable development primarily occurred in our commercial liability and workers' compensation lines of business. The favorable development is attributable to reductions in reserves for reported claims as well as reductions in required reserves for incurred but not reported claims combined with continued successful management of litigation expenses. These reserve decreases were more than sufficient to offset claim payments."
The GAAP combined ratio increased 3.2 percentage points to 86.8 percent for the fourth quarter 2015, compared to 83.6 percent for the fourth quarter of 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the combined ratio decreased by 5.8 percentage points to 92.0 percent as compared to 97.8 percent for the same period of 2014. The improvement in the combined ratio in the full year 2015 as compared to 2014 was primarily due an improvement of 5.5 points in our core loss ratio and an improvement of 0.3 points in our expense ratio.
Expense Levels
The expense ratio for the fourth quarter was 33.1 percentage points, compared to 31.3 percentage points for the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year, the expense ratio decreased to 31.0 percentage points, compared to 31.3 percentage points for 2014.
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(4) Catastrophe losses is a commonly used non-GAAP financial measure, which utilizes the designations of the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") and are reported with losses and loss settlement expenses amounts net of reinsurance recoverables.
"We had an increase in our expense ratio in the fourth quarter 2015 as compared to fourth quarter 2014 primarily due to an increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs, and an increase in employee related expenses," commented Ramlo. "However, our full year 2015 expense ratio was in line with the comparative full year 2014. We continue to make progress towards lowering our expense ratio, but with the lingering low interest rate environment our postretirement benefit plan obligations offset savings from other sources in 2015."
Life Segment
Net income (loss) for the life insurance segment totaled $(5.0) thousand ($0.00 per share) and $3.8 million ($0.15 per share) in the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $1.9 million ($0.08 per share) and $6.8 million ($0.27 per share), respectively, for the same periods of 2014.
"Our life segment continues to have strong sales of single premium whole life polices which was the primary driver of the 54.1 percent increase in premiums earned in the fourth quarter and 29.0 percent for the full year of 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014," stated Ramlo. "This correlated with our strategy to write more life products that are not interest rate sensitive. Our lapse ratios remained strong for the year at 4.27 percent and we were able to successfully execute on our geographical expansion strategy with sales growth of ten percent or more in ten states. The life segment earnings, however, were impacted by an other than temporary impairment of one energy and resource sector fixed maturity security in the fourth quarter of 2015. Also, we experienced a decrease in investment income due to the low interest rate environment and a lower asset base due to declining deferred annuity deposits. Our emphasis on deferred annuity products has been profitability rather than market share as, we were able to improve our spreads on deferred annuity products by 32 basis points in 2015.”
Net premiums earned increased 54.1 percent and 29.0 percent in the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the sale of single premium whole life policies.
Net investment income decreased 5.3 percent and 10.2 percent for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. The decreases were due to the low interest rate environment and a lower asset base due to declining deferred annuity deposits.
Loss and loss settlement expenses increased $0.7 million and $2.6 million for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. Fluctuations in the timing of death benefits occur from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year.
The increase in liability for future policy benefits increased $8.3 million and $14.3 million for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014 due to an increase in sales of single premium whole life insurance products.
Deferred annuity deposits decreased 70.2 percent and 55.7 percent in the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014, due to the gradual lowering of our credited rate offered on our deferred annuity products during the low interest rate environment.
Net cash outflow related to the Company's annuity business was $23.2 million in the fourth quarter and $129.7 million for the full year, compared to net cash outflows of $27.1 million and $77.7 million, respectively, in the same periods of 2014. This result is attributed to the activity described in the proceeding paragraphs of the life segment discussion.
Capital Management
During the fourth quarter, we declared and paid a $0.22 per share cash dividend to stockholders of record on December 1, 2015. We have paid a quarterly dividend every quarter since March 1968.
Under our share repurchase program, we may purchase United Fire common stock from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any purchases will be at management's discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, general economic and market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. We are authorized by the Board of Directors to purchase an additional 1,528,886 shares of common stock under our share repurchase program, which expires in August 2016. During the fourth quarter, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock due to strong performance of our share price and management's focus on using our excess capital to invest in organic growth of our business. In the year ended December 31, 2015, we purchased 79,396 shares of our common stock for $2.4 million, at an average cost of $30.51 per share.
Earnings Call Access Information
An earnings call will be held at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on February 18, 2016 to allow securities analysts, shareholders and other interested parties the opportunity to hear management discuss the Company's fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015 results.
Teleconference: Dial-in information for the call is toll-free 1-844-492-3723. The event will be archived and available for digital replay through March 3, 2016. The replay access information is toll-free 1-877-344-7529; conference ID no. 10079350.
Webcast: A webcast of the teleconference can be accessed at the Company's investor relations page at http://ir.unitedfiregroup.com/event or http://services.choruscall.com/links/ufcs160218. The archived audio webcast will be available until March 3, 2016.
Transcript: A transcript of the teleconference will be available on the Company's website soon after the completion of the teleconference.
About United Fire Group, Inc.
Founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc., through its insurance company subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of writing property and casualty insurance and life insurance and selling annuities.
Through our subsidiaries, we are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 46 states, plus the District of Columbia, and we are represented by approximately 1,200 independent agencies. The United Fire pooled group is rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.
Our subsidiary, United Life Insurance Company, is licensed in 37 states, represented by approximately 1,200 independent life agencies and rated "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.
For more information about United Fire Group, Inc. visit www.unitedfiregroup.com. or contact:
Randy Patten, Director of SEC Reporting and Investor Relations, 319-286-2537 or IR@unitedfiregroup.com
Disclosure of Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements about our operations, anticipated performance and other similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expected and/or projected. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our company, the industry in which we operate, and beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as "expect(s)," "anticipate(s)," "intends(s)," "plan(s)," "believe(s)" "continue(s)," "seek(s)," "estimate(s)," "goal(s)," "remain optimistic," "target(s)," "forecast(s)," "project(s)," "predict(s)," "should," "could," "may," "will," "might," "hope," "can" and other words and terms of similar meaning or expression in connection with a discussion of future operations, financial performance or financial condition, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements is contained in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the"SEC") on March 2, 2015 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC. The risks identified in our Form 10-K are representative of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release or as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Supplemental Tables
| Financial Highlights | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands Except Shares and Per Share Data) | 2015 | 2014 | Change % | 2015 | 2014 | Change % | |||||||||||||
| Revenue Highlights | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 249,073 | $ | 221,141 | 12.6 | % | $ | 930,890 | $ | 828,330 | 12.4 | % | |||||||
| Net investment income | 26,576 | 27,407 | (3.0 | )% | 100,781 | 104,609 | (3.7 | )% | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | 275,956 | 250,452 | 10.2 | % | 1,034,918 | 941,894 | 9.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Income Statement Data | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 30,749 | 33,838 | (9.1 | )% | 87,276 | 54,412 | 60.4 | % | |||||||||||
| After-tax net realized investment gains | 146 | 958 | (84.8 | )% | 1,850 | 4,725 | (60.8 | )% | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 30,895 | $ | 34,796 | (11.2 | )% | $ | 89,126 | $ | 59,137 | 50.7 | % | |||||||
| Diluted Earnings Per Share Data | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1.21 | $ | 1.34 | (9.7 | )% | $ | 3.46 | $ | 2.13 | 62.4 | % | |||||||
| After-tax net realized investment gains | — | 0.04 | (100.0 | )% | 0.07 | 0.19 | (63.2 | )% | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1.21 | $ | 1.38 | (12.3 | )% | $ | 3.53 | $ | 2.32 | 52.2 | % | |||||||
| Catastrophe Data | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax catastrophe losses | $ | 4,977 | $ | 2,519 | 97.6 | % | $ | 32,313 | $ | 49,679 | (35.0 | )% | |||||||
| Effect on after-tax earnings per share | 0.13 | 0.06 | 116.7 | % | 0.83 | 1.27 | (34.6 | )% | |||||||||||
| Effect on combined ratio | 2.2 | % | 1.2 | % | 83.3 | % | 3.8 | % | 6.5 | % | (41.5 | )% | |||||||
| Favorable reserve development experienced on prior accident years | 16,266 | 24,224 | (32.9 | )% | 40,395 | 56,744 | (28.8 | )% | |||||||||||
| GAAP combined ratio | 86.8 | % | 83.6 | % | 3.8 | % | 92.0 | % | 97.8 | % | (5.9 | )% | |||||||
| Return on equity | 10.5 | % | 7.4 | % | 41.9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared per share | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.20 | 10.0 | % | $ | 0.86 | $ | 0.78 | 10.3 | % | |||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 25,499,843 | 25,252,185 | 1.0 | % | 25,235,996 | 25,493,663 | (1.0 | )% | |||||||||||
| Consolidated Income Statement | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||
| Net premiums written(1) | $ | 235,416 | $ | 209,508 | $ | 967,064 | $ | 866,120 | |||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 249,073 | $ | 221,141 | $ | 930,890 | $ | 828,330 | |||||||
| Investment income, net of investment expenses | 26,576 | 27,407 | 100,781 | 104,609 | |||||||||||
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | |||||||||||||||
| Other-than-temporary impairment charges | (1,300 | ) | — | (1,300 | ) | — | |||||||||
| All other net realized gains | 1,524 | 1,474 | 4,146 | 7,270 | |||||||||||
| Net realized investment gains | 224 | 1,474 | 2,846 | 7,270 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 83 | 430 | 401 | 1,685 | |||||||||||
| Total Revenues | $ | 275,956 | $ | 250,452 | $ | 1,034,918 | $ | 941,894 | |||||||
| Benefits, Losses and Expenses | |||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss settlement expenses | $ | 127,791 | $ | 113,944 | $ | 549,088 | $ | 536,243 | |||||||
| Increase in liability for future policy benefits | 18,442 | 10,173 | 50,945 | 36,623 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 51,291 | 43,075 | 186,817 | 167,449 | |||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 29,696 | 26,002 | 102,937 | 94,871 | |||||||||||
| Interest on policyholders’ accounts | 5,473 | 6,903 | 23,680 | 30,245 | |||||||||||
| Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses | $ | 232,693 | $ | 200,097 | $ | 913,467 | $ | 865,431 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 43,263 | 50,355 | 121,451 | 76,463 | |||||||||||
| Federal income tax expense | 12,368 | 15,559 | 32,325 | 17,326 | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 30,895 | $ | 34,796 | $ | 89,126 | $ | 59,137 | |||||||
| (1) Data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP. | |||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheet | |||||||
| December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | ||||||
| (In Thousands) | |||||||
| Total invested assets: | |||||||
| Property and casualty segment | $ | 1,647,666 | $ | 1,554,637 | |||
| Life insurance segment | 1,495,094 | 1,616,324 | |||||
| Total cash and investments | 3,249,209 | 3,261,535 | |||||
| Total assets | 3,890,376 | 3,856,689 | |||||
| Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses | $ | 2,376,253 | $ | 2,417,201 | |||
| Total liabilities | 3,011,479 | 3,039,274 | |||||
| Net unrealized investment gains, after-tax | $ | 128,369 | $ | 149,623 | |||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 878,897 | 817,415 | |||||
| Property and casualty insurance statutory capital and surplus (1)(2) | $ | 722,404 | $ | 685,866 | |||
| Life insurance statutory capital and surplus(1) | 138,855 | 155,667 | |||||
| (1) Data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP. | |||||||
| (2) Because United Fire & Casualty Company owns United Life Insurance Company, property and casualty insurance statutory capital and surplus includes life insurance statutory capital and surplus and therefore represents our total consolidated statutory capital and surplus. | |||||||
| Property & Casualty Insurance Financial Results | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||
| Net premiums written(1) | $ | 209,632 | $ | 192,774 | $ | 887,874 | $ | 804,715 | |||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 223,299 | $ | 204,418 | $ | 851,695 | $ | 766,939 | |||||||
| Investment income, net of investment expenses | 12,977 | 13,045 | 46,559 | 44,236 | |||||||||||
| Net realized investment gains | 808 | 495 | 1,124 | 4,177 | |||||||||||
| Other income (loss) | (107 | ) | 218 | (107 | ) | 911 | |||||||||
| Total Revenues | $ | 236,977 | $ | 218,176 | $ | 899,271 | $ | 816,263 | |||||||
| Benefits, Losses and Expenses | |||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss settlement expenses | $ | 120,000 | $ | 106,847 | $ | 520,087 | $ | 509,811 | |||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 49,878 | 42,030 | 180,183 | 161,310 | |||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 24,006 | 21,910 | 83,631 | 79,117 | |||||||||||
| Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses | $ | 193,884 | $ | 170,787 | $ | 783,901 | $ | 750,238 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | $ | 43,093 | $ | 47,389 | $ | 115,370 | $ | 66,025 | |||||||
| Federal income tax expense | 12,193 | 14,484 | 30,050 | 13,649 | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 30,900 | $ | 32,905 | $ | 85,320 | $ | 52,376 | |||||||
| GAAP combined ratio: | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio - excluding catastrophes | 51.5 | % | 51.1 | % | 57.2 | % | 60.0 | % | |||||||
| Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio | 2.2 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 6.5 | |||||||||||
| Net loss ratio | 53.7 | % | 52.3 | % | 61.0 | % | 66.5 | % | |||||||
| Expense ratio | 33.1 | 31.3 | 31.0 | 31.3 | |||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 86.8 | % | 83.6 | % | 92.0 | % | 97.8 | % | |||||||
| Statutory combined ratio:(1) | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio - excluding catastrophes | 51.7 | % | 51.3 | % | 57.4 | % | 60.2 | % | |||||||
| Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio | 2.2 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 6.5 | |||||||||||
| Net loss ratio | 53.9 | % | 52.5 | % | 61.2 | % | 66.7 | % | |||||||
| Expense ratio | 35.4 | 31.8 | 32.2 | 31.4 | |||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 89.3 | % | 84.3 | % | 93.4 | % | 98.1 | % | |||||||
| (1) Data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP. | |||||||||||||||
| Life Insurance Financial Results | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||
| Net premiums written(1) | $ | 25,784 | $ | 16,734 | $ | 79,190 | $ | 61,405 | |||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 25,774 | $ | 16,723 | $ | 79,195 | $ | 61,391 | |||||||
| Investment income, net of investment expenses | 13,599 | 14,362 | 54,222 | 60,373 | |||||||||||
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | |||||||||||||||
| Other-than-temporary impairment charges | (1,300 | ) | — | (1,300 | ) | — | |||||||||
| All other net realized gains | 716 | 979 | 3,022 | 3,093 | |||||||||||
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | (584 | ) | 979 | 1,722 | 3,093 | ||||||||||
| Other income | 190 | 212 | 508 | 774 | |||||||||||
| Total Revenues | $ | 38,979 | $ | 32,276 | $ | 135,647 | $ | 125,631 | |||||||
| Benefits, Losses and Expenses | |||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss settlement expenses | $ | 7,791 | $ | 7,097 | $ | 29,001 | $ | 26,432 | |||||||
| Increase in liability for future policy benefits | 18,442 | 10,173 | 50,945 | 36,623 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 1,413 | 1,045 | 6,634 | 6,139 | |||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 5,690 | 4,092 | 19,306 | 15,754 | |||||||||||
| Interest on policyholders’ accounts | 5,473 | 6,903 | 23,680 | 30,245 | |||||||||||
| Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses | $ | 38,809 | $ | 29,310 | $ | 129,566 | $ | 115,193 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | $ | 170 | $ | 2,966 | $ | 6,081 | $ | 10,438 | |||||||
| Federal income tax expense | 175 | 1,075 | 2,275 | 3,677 | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (5 | ) | $ | 1,891 | $ | 3,806 | $ | 6,761 | ||||||
| (1) Net premiums written is a financial measure prepared in accordance with statutory practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP. | |||||||||||||||
| Net Premiums Written by Line of Business | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Net Premiums Written(1) | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines: | |||||||||||||||
| Other liability(2) | $ | 64,929 | $ | 58,069 | $ | 274,961 | $ | 243,275 | |||||||
| Fire and allied lines(3) | 49,554 | 45,292 | 211,095 | 191,081 | |||||||||||
| Automobile | 48,329 | 42,336 | 196,685 | 173,202 | |||||||||||
| Workers’ compensation | 21,819 | 19,994 | 97,965 | 91,796 | |||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 4,729 | 4,295 | 22,323 | 20,517 | |||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 425 | 631 | 1,708 | 2,761 | |||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | $ | 189,785 | $ | 170,617 | $ | 804,737 | $ | 722,632 | |||||||
| Personal lines: | |||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines(4) | $ | 10,368 | $ | 10,848 | $ | 43,727 | $ | 44,087 | |||||||
| Automobile | 5,914 | 5,737 | 24,796 | 23,811 | |||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 236 | 225 | 1,049 | 993 | |||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 16,518 | $ | 16,810 | $ | 69,572 | $ | 68,891 | |||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | 3,329 | 5,347 | 13,565 | 13,192 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 209,632 | $ | 192,774 | $ | 887,874 | $ | 804,715 | |||||||
| (1) Net premiums written is a financial measure prepared in accordance with statutory practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP. | |||||||||||||||
| (2) “Other liability” is business insurance covering bodily injury and property damage arising from general business operations, accidents on the insured’s premises and products manufactured or sold. | |||||||||||||||
| (3) “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, commercial multiple peril and inland marine. | |||||||||||||||
| (4) “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, homeowners and inland marine. | |||||||||||||||
| Net Premiums Earned, Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses and Loss Ratio by Line of Business | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Losses | Net Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| and Loss | and Loss | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net | Settlement | Net | Net | Settlement | Net | ||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | Premiums | Expenses | Loss | Premiums | Expenses | Loss | |||||||||||||||
| Unaudited | Earned | Incurred | Ratio | Earned | Incurred | Ratio | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability | $ | 69,578 | $ | 29,742 | 42.7 | % | $ | 60,575 | $ | 19,123 | 31.6 | % | |||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 52,643 | 29,877 | 56.8 | 47,908 | 22,238 | 46.4 | |||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 49,004 | 35,970 | 73.4 | 43,515 | 34,144 | 78.5 | |||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 24,448 | 10,642 | 43.5 | 23,541 | 16,848 | 71.6 | |||||||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 6,332 | (539 | ) | (8.5 | ) | 5,558 | 452 | 8.1 | |||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 423 | 247 | 58.4 | 702 | 171 | 24.4 | |||||||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | $ | 202,428 | $ | 105,939 | 52.3 | % | $ | 181,799 | $ | 92,976 | 51.1 | % | |||||||||
| Personal lines | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 11,085 | $ | 4,451 | 40.2 | % | $ | 11,123 | $ | 6,096 | 54.8 | % | |||||||||
| Automobile | 6,203 | 5,010 | 80.8 | 5,927 | 3,983 | 67.2 | |||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 262 | 68 | 26.0 | 252 | 262 | 104.0 | |||||||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 17,550 | $ | 9,529 | 54.3 | % | $ | 17,302 | $ | 10,341 | 59.8 | % | |||||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | $ | 3,321 | $ | 4,532 | 136.5 | % | $ | 5,317 | $ | 3,530 | 66.4 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 223,299 | $ | 120,000 | 53.7 | % | $ | 204,418 | $ | 106,847 | 52.3 | % | |||||||||
| Net Premiums Earned, Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses and Loss Ratio by Line of Business | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Years Ended December 31, | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Losses | Net Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| and Loss | and Loss | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net | Settlement | Net | Net | Settlement | Net | ||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | Premiums | Expenses | Loss | Premiums | Expenses | Loss | |||||||||||||||
| Unaudited | Earned | Incurred | Ratio | Earned | Incurred | Ratio | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability | $ | 261,303 | $ | 130,904 | 50.1 | % | $ | 228,426 | $ | 106,827 | 46.8 | % | |||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 202,375 | 128,479 | 63.5 | 181,710 | 148,856 | 81.9 | |||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 185,970 | 152,558 | 82.0 | 164,537 | 122,683 | 74.6 | |||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 95,672 | 47,106 | 49.2 | 88,522 | 63,425 | 71.6 | |||||||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 21,362 | 2,001 | 9.4 | 19,212 | 1,597 | 8.3 | |||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 2,158 | 428 | 19.8 | 2,741 | 153 | 5.6 | |||||||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | $ | 768,840 | $ | 461,476 | 60.0 | % | $ | 685,148 | $ | 443,541 | 64.7 | % | |||||||||
| Personal lines | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 44,075 | $ | 28,815 | 65.4 | % | $ | 44,376 | $ | 38,644 | 87.1 | % | |||||||||
| Automobile | 24,120 | 17,817 | 73.9 | 23,276 | 20,571 | 88.4 | |||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 1,021 | 296 | 29.0 | 994 | 1,972 | 198.4 | |||||||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 69,216 | $ | 46,928 | 67.8 | % | $ | 68,646 | $ | 61,187 | 89.1 | % | |||||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | $ | 13,639 | $ | 11,683 | 85.7 | % | $ | 13,145 | $ | 5,083 | 38.7 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 851,695 | $ | 520,087 | 61.0 | % | $ | 766,939 | $ | 509,811 | 66.5 | % | |||||||||