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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

/X/   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

OR

/  /   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number 022316

PENN-AMERICA GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

420 S. York Road, Hatboro, PA 19040
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (215) 443-3600

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x     No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  x     No

As of July 30, 2004, the registrant had 14,775,679 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

Penn-America Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents

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See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Penn-America Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

Note 1 Organization and Basis of Presentation

Penn-America Group, Inc. (“PAGI”) is an insurance holding company. Penn Independent Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, PIC Holdings, Inc. (“PIC Holdings”) owned approximately 31% of the outstanding common stock of PAGI at June 30, 2004. On May 19, 2004, Penn-Independent Corporation transferred all of its shares of PAGI’s common stock to PIC Holdings. The accompanying condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of PAGI and its wholly owned subsidiary, Penn-America Insurance Company (“Penn-America”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, Penn-Star Insurance Company (“Penn-Star”) (collectively the “Company”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods have been included. The Company’s results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. It is suggested that these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

PAGI’s wholly-owned business trust subsidiaries, Penn-America Statutory Trust I and Penn-America Statutory Trust II, are not consolidated pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. The Company’s business trust subsidiaries have issued $30.0 million in floating rate capital securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”). PAGI guarantees all obligations of these business trust subsidiaries with respect to distributions and payments of the Trust Preferred Securities. The sole assets of the Company’s business trust subsidiaries are junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company, which have the same terms with respect to maturity, payments and distributions as the Trust Preferred Securities.

Note 2 Reinsurance

Premiums earned are presented net of amounts ceded to reinsurers of $8,491,000 and $6,706,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are presented net of amounts ceded to reinsurers of $5,110,000 and $4,445,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Premiums earned are presented net of amounts ceded to reinsurers of $17,120,000 and $12,906,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are presented net of amounts ceded to reinsurers of $13,227,000 and $8,314,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

As of June 30, 2004, the Company had a remaining reinsurance recoverable of $1,100,000 relating to a claim for an insured involving multiple policies written over multiple years beginning in 1998. The Company settled this claim in February 2004, but has not yet finalized the reinsurance recoverable with its reinsurer. The Company believes that resolution of this reinsurance recoverable will not have a material adverse impact on its results of operations.

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Note 3 Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the three months ended June 30, 2004, comprehensive loss was $1,434,000, which consisted of net income of $4,900,000 and other comprehensive loss of $6,334,000 related to net unrealized loss on investments and a cash flow hedging instrument. For the three months ended June 30, 2003, comprehensive income was $6,051,000, which consisted of net income of $3,999,000 and other comprehensive gain of $2,052,000 related to net unrealized gain on investments and an unrealized loss on a cash flow hedging instrument.

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, comprehensive income was $4,410,000, which consisted of net income of $9,558,000 and other comprehensive loss of $5,148,000 related to net unrealized loss on investments and a cash flow hedging instrument. For the six months ended June 30, 2003, comprehensive income was $9,423,000, which consisted of net income of $7,573,000 and other comprehensive gain of $1,850,000 related to net unrealized gain on investments and an unrealized loss on a cash flow hedging instrument.

Note 4 Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per share includes the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding contracts to issue common stock were exercised and converted to common stock. The following is a reconciliation of the basic and diluted net income per share computations:

Note 5 Segment Information

The Company has one reportable segment that consists of its commercial property and casualty lines of business. In 1999, the Company exited the non-standard personal automobile line of business and announced that it would run-off its remaining portfolio of such business. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, amounts relating to the non-standard personal automobile business were not material to the financial statements presented, and therefore, are not presented separately.

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Note 6 Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses represents the Company’s best estimate of the ultimate amounts needed to pay both reported and unreported claims. These estimates are based on certain actuarial and other assumptions. The Company continually reviews these estimates and, based on new developments and information, the Company includes adjustments of the probable ultimate liability in the operating results for the periods in which the adjustments are made.

During the first six months of 2004, the Company increased incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years by $1,500,000. This increase consisted of an increase in the Company’s estimate for the commercial casualty lines of business by $4,000,000 relating primarily to accident years 1997 through 2000, partially offset by a decrease in the Company’s estimate for the commercial property lines of business by $2,500,000 relating primarily to the 2003 accident year.

In 2003, the Company received an unexpected increase in the number of new claims reported relating to four policies issued to a single insured between January 1, 1980 and April 1, 1983. The insured was a manufacturer of safety equipment including industrial masks and the new claims reported allege existing and potential bodily injury due to a medical condition called silicosis. The original policies covered products and completed operations only and were issued with a $500,000 indemnity policy aggregate limit of liability. At June 30, 2004, the Company’s loss and loss adjustment expense reserves included its best estimate for its ultimate obligations for these claims based on current information.

Note 7 Commitments and Contingencies

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to routine legal proceedings in connection with their property and casualty business. The Company is involved in no other pending or threatened legal or administrative proceedings which management believes might have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Note 8 Officers’ Stock Loans

In May 2004, the Company’s board of directors forgave officers’ stock loans in consideration of the Company’s strong financial results and in recognition that no long-term equity compensation plan was in place over the last two fiscal years. The Company recorded compensation expense of $1,200,000, which is included in other underwriting expenses in the consolidated statements of operation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004. This compensation expense consisted of $569,000 for the principal amounts of the loans, $140,000 for the accrued interest on the loans and $491,000 for cash bonuses granted to these officers’ to compensate them for their federal, state and local tax obligations.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of Penn-America Group, Inc. (“PAGI”) and subsidiaries (collectively “Penn-America” or the “Company”) should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in Item 1, “Financial Information”, of this report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. This discussion and analysis may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are not statements of historical fact, and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those in the section entitled “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Overview

Business. PAGI is a specialty property and casualty insurance holding company that markets and underwrites general liability, commercial property and multi-peril insurance for small businesses with average annual premiums of about $2,000. These small businesses are located primarily in small towns and rural areas in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. The small businesses Penn-America insures, such as restaurants, service contractors, retail stores and apartments, often cannot obtain insurance because of their rural locations, small premium size or non-standard risk characteristics. As a result, these small businesses must turn to companies like Penn-America, which operate in a small business niche of the secondary or residual market called the “excess and surplus lines” or “E&S” market. By operating in the E&S market, Penn-America is rewarded with higher prices than the standard lines market, more flexibility in excluding coverage for specific loss exposures and lower premium taxes and state guarantee fund assessments.

Penn-America distributes its insurance products through a small network of sixty-five (65) high-quality wholesale general agents who serve the needs of the more than 30,000 retail insurance brokers who work directly with Penn-America insureds. Penn-America has about one-half the number of general agents as its nearest competitor. By maintaining strong relationships with a small, select group of agents, a relationship with Penn-America offers true “franchise value” to each general agent by providing relative market exclusivity and a high level of service and support. The Company’s distribution strategy has resulted in strong and consistent growth. From 1992 to 2003, the Company’s commercial gross written premiums grew from $22.6 million to $209.4 million (a 22% annual compounded growth rate). Most of the growth was due to an increase in gross written premiums per agent from $590,000 in 1992 to $3.9 million in 2003.

Key Financial Measures. The Company utilizes a number of financial measures to evaluate its operating performance and financial condition. The Company’s overall financial goal is to produce a 12 to 15 percent return on equity (“ROE”) over the long-term. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2004, ROE was 14.3 percent. The Company calculates ROE by dividing net income by average stockholders’ equity. The following table summarizes ROE for each year in the ten-year period ended December 31, 2003:

The Company’s philosophy has been to distribute a portion of the ROE it generates through cash dividends to stockholders. Cash dividend per share increased to $0.12 for the six months ended June 30,

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2004, compared with $0.0875 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Through June 30, 2004, the Company has paid cash dividends to stockholders in 37 consecutive quarters totaling over $15.6 million. The remainder of the ROE generated by the Company is invested in growing the book value per share of the Company. Book value per share increased 2.6 % in the first six months of 2004 to $9.10 from $8.87 at December 31, 2003. Book value per share is calculated by dividing stockholders’ equity by outstanding common shares.

The Company utilizes other financial measures to evaluate its operating performance, such as gross written premiums, operating income, GAAP underwriting income, GAAP combined ratio, net income and cash flows provided by operations. These additional financial measures are more fully described in Results of Operations and Liquidity and Capital Resources in this discussion and analysis.

This discussion and analysis consists of the following components:

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared With Three Months Ended June 30, 2003

Premiums earned increased 39.5% to $50.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $36.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003 due to the growth in net written premiums over the last 12 months.

Gross written premiums, which represent the amount received or to be received for insurance policies written without reduction for acquisition costs, reinsurance costs or other deductions, increased 19.2% to $64.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $54.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase was attributable to growth in new business and premium rate increases.

Ceded written premiums, the portion of gross written premiums reinsured by unaffiliated insurers, decreased 7.3% to $7.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $8.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The decline in ceded written premiums was due primarily to lower reinsurance rates on the Company’s multiple-line excess of loss reinsurance treaty, partially offset by growth in gross written premiums. These lower reinsurance rates were due primarily to an increase in the Company’s reinsurance retention on its property lines of business from $300,000 per risk in 2003 to $500,000 per risk in 2004.

Net written premiums, which are gross written premiums less ceded written premiums, increased 24.2% to $57.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $45.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in net written premiums was higher than the increase in gross written premiums due to lower reinsurance costs.

Net investment income increased to $3.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003, due primarily to the growth in average invested assets, partially offset by a decrease in average yield on fixed-maturity investments.

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Net realized investment gain was $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The net realized investment gain for the 2004 period was primarily attributable to the sale of certain of the Company’s investments in equity securities. The net realized investment gain for the 2003 period was primarily attributable to the sale of certain of the Company’s fixed-maturity investments.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses increased 32.0% to $29.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $22.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase was due primarily to growth in premiums earned, as the loss ratio improved to 57.8 for the 2004 period from 61.1 for the 2003 period. The loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses and loss adjustment expenses by premiums earned. The improvement in the loss ratio was primarily attributable to rate increases implemented in 2003 and 2004 and a reduction in catastrophe-related losses to $0.6 million for the 2004 period from $1.1 million for the 2003 period, partially offset by an increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years to $1.5 million for the 2004 period from $0.6 million for the 2003 period. For more information regarding the $1.5 million in losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years, see the section entitled “Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies” of this discussion and analysis beginning on page 14.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“ADAC”) increased 42.3% to $12.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $9.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003, due primarily to the growth in premiums earned.

Other underwriting expenses increased 83.8% to $4.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003, due primarily to expenses related to the forgiveness of officers’ stock loans totaling $1.2 million. For more information regarding the forgiveness of officers’ stock loans, see the section entitled “Executive Loans” in Item 5, “Other Information”, of Part II of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

The overall GAAP combined ratio, which is the sum of the loss and expense ratios, improved to 91.7 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from 92.5 for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The loss ratio improved to 57.8 for 2004 period from 61.1 for the 2003 period. The expense ratio, which is calculated by dividing the sum of ADAC and other underwriting expenses by premiums earned, increased to 33.9 for the 2004 period from 31.4 for the 2003 period, due primarily to expenses related to the forgiveness of officers’ stock loans totaling $1.2 million. The GAAP combined ratio is a standard measure of underwriting profitability used throughout the property and casualty insurance industry. A ratio below 100.0 generally indicates underwriting profitability.

Underwriting income increased to $4.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure used by the Company, among other measures, to evaluate the performance of its underwriting operations. Underwriting income is equal to premiums earned less losses and loss adjustment expenses, ADAC and other underwriting expenses. The improvement in underwriting income for the 2004 period was due to growth in earned premiums and improvement in the GAAP combined ratio.

Interest expense increased to $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003, due primarily to interest expense on the Company’s junior subordinated debentures issued in May 2003.

Income tax expense increased to $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. This increase was due primarily to improved underwriting profitability.

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Operating income increased to $4.8 million or $0.32 per share (basic and diluted) for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $3.7 million or $0.25 per share (basic and diluted) for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Operating income is calculated by subtracting net realized investment gain, after taxes, from net income. Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure used by the Company, among other measures, to evaluate its performance because the realization of net realized investment gains or losses in a given period is largely discretionary as to timing and could distort the comparability of results. The increase in operating income for the 2004 period was due to the improvement in underwriting income, after taxes, and growth of investment income, after taxes.

The factors described above resulted in net income of $4.9 million or $0.33 per share (basic and diluted) for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $4.0 million or $0.27 per share (basic and diluted) for the three months ended June 30, 2003.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared With Six Months Ended June 20, 2003

Premiums earned increased 38.8% to $98.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $70.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 due to the growth in net written premiums over the last 12 months.

Gross written premiums increased 36.0% to $129.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $94.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase was attributable to growth in new business and premium rate increases.

Ceded written premiums increased 10.5% to $16.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $14.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in ceded written premiums was due primarily to growth in gross written premiums, partially offset by lower reinsurance rates on the Company’s multiple-line excess of loss reinsurance treaty. These lower reinsurance rates were primarily due to an increase in Company’s reinsurance retention on its property lines of business from $300,000 per risk in 2003 to $500,000 per risk in 2004.

Net written premiums increased 40.8% to $112.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $79.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in net written premiums was higher than the increase in gross written premiums due to lower reinsurance costs.

Net investment income increased to $7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003, due primarily to the growth in average invested assets, partially offset by a decrease in average yield on fixed-maturity investments.

Net realized investment gain was $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The net realized investment gain for the 2004 period was primarily attributable to the sale of certain of the Company’s fixed-maturity investments and investments in equity securities. The net realized investment gain for the 2003 period was primarily attributable to the sale of certain of the Company’s fixed-maturity investments and all of the Company’s then existing common stock investments.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses increased 34.7% to $59.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $44.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase was due primarily to growth in premiums earned, as the loss ratio improved to 60.7 for the 2004 period from 62.5 for the 2003 period. The improvement in the loss ratio was primarily attributable to rate increases implemented in 2003 and 2004 and a reduction in catastrophe-related losses to $1.1 million for the 2004 period from $1.7 million for the 2003 period, partially offset by an increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years to $1.5 million for the 2004 period from $0.9 million for the 2003 period. For more information regarding the $1.5 million in losses and loss adjustment

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expenses attributable to insured events of prior years, see the section entitled “Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies” of this discussion and analysis.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs increased 39.0% to $24.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $17.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003, due primarily to the growth in premiums earned.

Other underwriting expenses increased 45.2% to $6.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003, due primarily to expenses related to the forgiveness of officers’ stock loans totaling $1.2 million. For more information regarding the forgiveness of officers’ stock loans, see the section entitled “Executive Loans” in Item 5, “Other Information”, of Part II of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

The overall GAAP combined ratio improved to 92.2 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from 93.7 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The loss ratio improved to 60.7 for the 2004 period from 62.5 for the 2003 period. The GAAP expense ratio increased slightly to 31.5 for the 2004 period from 31.2 for the 2003 period.

Underwriting income increased to $7.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The improvement in underwriting income for the 2004 period was due to growth in earned premiums and improvement in the GAAP combined ratio.

Interest expense increased to $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003, due primarily to interest expense on the Company’s junior subordinated debentures issued in May, 2003.

Income tax expense increased to $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. This increase was due primarily to improved underwriting profitability.

Operating income increased to $9.1 million or $0.62 per basic share and $0.61 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $6.8 million or $0.47 per basic share and $0.46 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in operating income for the 2004 period was due to the improvement in underwriting income, after taxes, and growth of investment income, after taxes.

The factors described above resulted in net income of $9.6 million or $0.65 per basic share and $0.64 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $7.6 million or $0.52 per basic share and $0.51 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company has identified that the establishment of reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and the valuation of certain investments are critical accounting estimates because they involve a high degree of judgment. Although variability is inherent in these estimates, the Company believes the amounts provided in its financial statements are appropriate based upon the facts available at the time. For information related to the valuation of investments, see the section entitled “Investments” in this discussion and analysis beginning on page 18.

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The Company is directly liable for losses and loss adjustment expenses under the terms of the insurance policies that it writes. In many cases, several years may lapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting of the loss to the Company and the Company’s payment of that loss. The Company reflects its liability for the ultimate payment of all incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses by establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves as balance sheet liabilities for both reported and unreported claims.

When a claim involving a probable loss is reported, the Company establishes a case reserve for the estimated amount of the Company’s ultimate loss. The estimate of the amount of the ultimate loss is based upon such factors as:

The Company determines loss adjustment expenses as a percentage of expected indemnity losses based on historical patterns adjusted to reflect current experience.

In addition to case reserves, management establishes reserves on an aggregate basis to provide for incurred but not reported losses and loss adjustment expenses, commonly referred to as “IBNR.” To establish reserves for IBNR the Company must estimate the ultimate liability based primarily on past experience. The Company applies a variety of traditional actuarial techniques to determine its estimate of ultimate liability. The techniques recognize, among other factors:

The Company continually reviews these estimates and, based on new developments and information, the Company includes adjustments of the probable ultimate liability in the operating results for the periods in which the adjustments are made. In general, initial reserves are based upon the actuarial and underwriting data utilized to set pricing levels and are reviewed as additional information, including claims experience, becomes available.

The establishment of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves makes no provision for the broadening of coverage by legislative action or judicial interpretation, or the emergence of new types of losses not sufficiently represented in the Company’s historical experience or that cannot yet be quantified. The Company regularly analyzes its reserves and reviews pricing and reserving methodologies so that future adjustments to prior year reserves can be minimized. However, given the complexity of this process, reserves will require continual updates and the ultimate liability may be higher or lower than previously indicated. Changes in estimates for loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises, are recorded in the period that the change in these estimates is made. The Company does not discount its loss reserves.

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Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses increased 14.4% to $200.1 million at June 30, 2004 from $174.9 million at December 31, 2003. During the first six months of 2004, the Company increased incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years by $1.5 million. This increase consisted of an increase in the Company’s estimate for the commercial casualty lines of business by $4.0 million relating primarily to accident year’s 1997 through 2000, partially offset by an decrease in the Company’s estimate for the commercial property lines of business of $2.5 million relating primarily to the 2003 accident year.

In 2003, the Company received an unexpected increase in the number of new claims reported relating to four policies issued to a single insured between January 1, 1980 and April 1, 1983. The insured was a manufacturer of safety equipment including industrial masks and the new claims reported allege existing and potential bodily injury due to a medical condition called silicosis. The original policies covered products and completed operations only and were issued with a $500,000 indemnity policy aggregate limit of liability. At June 30, 2004, the Company’s loss and loss adjustment expense reserves included its best estimate for its ultimate obligations for these claims based on current information.

Reinsurance

Overview. To reduce its exposure to liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses, the Company purchases reinsurance through contracts called “treaties” or on a facultative basis. Reinsurance involves an insurance company transferring or “ceding” a portion of its exposure on a risk to another insurer (the “reinsurer”). The reinsurer assumes the exposure in return for a portion of the premium. The ceding of liability to a reinsurer does not legally discharge the primary insurer from its liability for the full amount of the policies on which it obtains reinsurance. The primary insurer will be required to pay the entire loss if the reinsurer fails to meet its obligations under the reinsurance agreement.

In formulating its reinsurance programs, the Company is selective in its choice of reinsurers and considers numerous factors, the most important of which are the financial stability of the reinsurer, its history of responding to claims and its overall reputation. In an effort to minimize its exposure to the insolvency of its reinsurers, the Company evaluates the acceptability and reviews the financial condition of each reinsurer annually. The Company’s policy is to use only reinsurers that have an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) or better and that have at least $500 million in statutory surplus.

The Company’s principal reinsurance treaties include multiple-line excess of loss, umbrella quota share and property catastrophic loss.

Multiple-Line Excess of Loss. The Company’s multiple-line excess of loss reinsurance treaty is placed with American Reinsurance Company (“American Re”), part of the Munich Re Group. American Re has an A.M. Best rating of “A+” (Superior). The following is a summary of the Company’s multiple-line excess of loss reinsurance treaty for 2004:

The Company’s combined retention for any one loss resulting from a common occurrence involving both the commercial property and commercial general liability coverage on a single risk is $500,000. The Company’s multiple-line excess of loss treaty reinsurer also provides reinsurance coverage of $10,000,000 per occurrence/aggregate for extra-contractual obligations, losses in excess of policy limits,

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loss adjustment expenses and liability resulting from two or more of the Company’s insureds from the same occurrence.

Umbrella Quota Share. The Company offers umbrella liability policies up to $5.0 million per occurrence. For policies where the Company writes the primary general liability, 90% of policy limits up to $1.0 million per occurrence and 100% of policy limits up to $4.0 million in excess of $1.0 million per occurrence are reinsured with American Re. For policies where another insurer writes the primary general liability, 85% of policy limits up to $1.0 million per occurrence, 90% of policy limits up to $1 million in excess of $1.0 million per occurrence and 100% of policy limits up to $3.0 million in excess of $2.0 million per occurrence are reinsured with American Re.

Property Catastrophic Loss. The Company maintains a catastrophic loss reinsurance program. As of January 1, 2004, the terms of this program provide for 100% retention of the first $1.0 million per occurrence and reinsurance of 100% of $29.0 million per occurrence in excess of $1.0 million per occurrence.

For 2004, the Company’s catastrophic loss reinsurance program includes: American Agricultural Insurance Company, Converium Reinsurance (North America) Inc., Converium (UK), Everest Reinsurance Company, Hannover Re (Bermuda) Ltd., PXRE Reinsurance Company, Shelter Reinsurance Company, Sirius International Insurance Corporation and XL Re Ltd. All of these reinsurers have statutory surplus greater than $500 million and an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) or higher, with the exception of Converium Reinsurance (North America) Inc. and Converium (UK) which were rated “A-” (Excellent) by A.M.Best.

Reinsurance Recoverable. The Company’s reinsurance recoverable increased to $39.5 million as of June 30, 2004 compared with $38.0 million as of December 31, 2003. This increase was due primarily to the growth in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, which increased 14.4% to $200.1 million as of June 30, 2004 from $174.9 million at December 31, 2003. The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding reinsurance recoverable, net of a $700,000 allowance for doubtful accounts, as of June 30, 2004, by reinsurer:

As of June 30, 2004, the Company had a remaining reinsurance recoverable of $1.1 million relating to a claim for an insured involving multiple policies written over multiple years beginning in 1998. The Company settled this claim in February 2004, but has not yet finalized the reinsurance recoverable with its reinsurer. The Company believes that resolution of this reinsurance recoverable will not have a material adverse impact on its results of operations.

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Investments

The Company’s investment strategy emphasizes quality, liquidity and diversification, as well as total return. With respect to liquidity, the Company considers liability durations, specifically related to loss reserves, when determining desired investment maturities. In addition, maturities have been staggered to produce cash flows for loss payments and reinvestment opportunities. The Company outsources the management of its investment portfolio to Gen Re New England Asset Management Inc. (“NEAMS”). In accordance with the asset management agreement between the Company and NEAMS, all investment transactions are approved by the Investment Committee of the Company within 60 days of their initiation by NEAMS.

Total cash and investments increased 7.3% to $370.9 million at June 30, 2004 from $345.7 million at December 31, 2003. This increase resulted primarily from net cash provided by operating activities of $33.3 million, partially offset by net unrealized loss on investments, before taxes, of $7.9 million for the first six months of 2004. Total cash and investments of $370.9 million at June 30, 2004 consisted of $331.8 million in fixed-maturity securities, $26.5 million in equity securities, consisting of preferred stocks, common stocks and a mutual fund invested in adjustable rate mortgages, and $12.6 million in cash.

The following summarizes the classifications of the Company’s cash and investments at June 30, 2004:

The Company’s fixed-maturity portfolio of $331.8 million was 89.5% of the total cash and investments as of June 30, 2004. Of the fixed-maturity portfolio, 95.0% of the securities were rated “A” or better by Standard & Poor’s. Standard & Poor’s rates publicly traded securities in 20 categories ranging from AAA to CC. Securities with ratings from AAA to BBB- (the top ten categories) are commonly referred to as having an investment grade rating.

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The quality of the fixed-maturity portfolio at June 30, 2004 was as follows:

As of June 30, 2004, the investment portfolio contained $109.8 million of mortgage-backed, asset-backed and collateralized mortgage obligations. These securities are publicly traded, and have market values obtained from an independent pricing service. Changes in estimated cash flows due to changes in prepayment assumptions from the original purchase assumptions are revised based on current interest rates and the economic environment. The Company had no investments in real estate or mortgage loans in its investment portfolio as of June 30, 2004.

As of June 30, 2004, the Company’s investment portfolio contained corporate fixed-maturities, common stocks and preferred stocks with a market value of $126.8 million. A summary of these securities by industry segment was as follows:

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The Company regularly evaluates its investment portfolio to identify other-than-temporary impairments of individual securities. The Company considers many factors in determining if an other-than-temporary impairment exists, including the length of time and extent to which the market value of the security has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer of the security and the Company’s ability and willingness to hold the security until the market value is expected to recover. The following table contains an analysis of the Company’s securities with gross unrealized losses, categorized by the period that the securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2004:

As of June 30, 2004, the Company’s fixed-maturity investment portfolio had eleven (11) securities with $0.4 million of gross unrealized losses that were in a continuous gross unrealized loss position for over one year. The Company believes that the gross unrealized loss positions of these securities are due to changes in market interest rates. All of these securities were rated “A” or better by Standard & Poor’s. Currently, the Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities until maturity and expects that the contractual obligations of these securities will be satisfied.

As of June 30, 2004, the Company held twenty-four (24) equity securities in a gross unrealized loss position, consisting primarily of common stocks purchased by the Company in the first six months of 2004.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Capital Resources. PAGI is a holding company, the principal asset of which is the common stock of Penn-America Insurance Company. At June 30, 2004, PAGI’s capital structure consisted of common stockholders’ equity of $134.5 million and junior subordinated debentures of $30.0 million. The following table summarizes the capital resources:

Stockholders’ equity increased 2.8% to $134.5 million at June 30, 2004, compared with $130.8 million at December 31, 2003 due primarily to net income of $9.6 million for the first six months of 2004, partially offset by a net unrealized loss on investments, after taxes, of $5.1 million in the first six months of 2004.

The Company continually evaluates the adequacy and mix of its capital resources. The Company’s strategy is to maintain capital at an adequate level to support its insurance operations, while achieving its 12% to 15% ROE financial goal over the long-term.

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Liquidity. PAGI’s principal source of cash to meet short-term and long-term liquidity needs, including the payment of dividends to stockholders, corporate expenses and interest on its junior subordinated debentures, is dividends from Penn-America Insurance Company. PAGI has no planned capital expenditures that could have an impact on its long-term liquidity needs.

Penn-America Insurance Company’s principal sources of funds are underwriting operations, investment income and proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments. Funds are used by Penn-America Insurance Company and Penn-Star Insurance Company principally to pay claims and operating expenses, to purchase investments and to make dividend payments to PAGI. PAGI’s future liquidity is dependent on the ability of Penn-America Insurance Company to pay dividends to PAGI.

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are restricted by statute as to the amount of dividends that they may pay without the prior approval of regulatory authorities. Penn-America Insurance Company may pay dividends to PAGI without advance regulatory approval only from unassigned surplus and only to the extent that all dividends in the past twelve months do not exceed the greater of 10% of total statutory surplus, or statutory net income for the prior year. Using these criteria, the available ordinary dividend for 2004 is $12,196,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, there were no dividends paid by Penn-America Insurance Company to PAGI. Penn-America Insurance Company’s ability to pay future dividends to PAGI without advance regulatory approval is dependent upon maintaining a positive level of unassigned and statutory surplus, which in turn, is dependent upon Penn-America Insurance Company and Penn-Star Insurance Company generating net income in excess of dividends to PAGI. As of June 30, 2004, Penn-America Insurance Company’s statutory surplus was $129,575,000 and included unassigned surplus of $44,035,000.

Penn-America Insurance Company and Penn-Star Insurance Company are required by law to maintain a certain minimum level of statutory surplus. Statutory surplus is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners adopted risk-based capital standards designed to identify property and casualty insurers that may be inadequately capitalized based on inherent risks of each insurer’s assets and liabilities and its mix of net written premiums. Insurers falling below a calculated threshold may be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action. As of December 31, 2003, the statutory surplus of Penn-America Insurance Company and Penn-Star Insurance Company was in excess of the prescribed risk-based capital requirements. Penn-America Insurance Company’s statutory surplus at December 31, 2003 was $121,960,000 and its regulatory action level was $30,034,000. Penn-Star Insurance Company’s statutory surplus at December 31, 2003 was $42,232,000 and its regulatory action level was $11,256,000.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $33.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $15.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. This growth was due primarily to the increase of cash received from collections of premiums for the first six months of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003.

Net cash used by financing activities was $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $14.3 million provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was due primarily to the junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company, which resulted in net proceeds of $14.5 million.

As a result of cash provided by operating activities, cash used by investing activities was $31.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $24.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

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The Company continually evaluates its short and long-term liquidity. The Company has generated positive cash flows from operations and acquired capital resources to support its liquidity. The Company believes that cash flows from operations and strategy of matching its investment maturities with liability durations will continue to support its short-term and long-term liquidity.

Contractual Obligations. The Company's contractual obligations have not materially changed from that identified at December 31, 2003.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk

Market risk is the potential economic loss principally arising from adverse changes in the market value of financial instruments. The major component of market risk affecting the Company is interest rate risk related to its investment portfolio.

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the Company’s underlying exposure to an economic loss from changes in market interest rates. The Company’s investment portfolio included fixed-maturity securities, preferred stocks and a mutual fund invested in adjustable rate mortgages with a market value of $339.3 million at June 30, 2004 that is subject to interest rate risk. The Company manages its exposure to interest rate risk on investments through a disciplined asset/liability matching and capital management process. In the management of this risk, the characteristics of duration, credit and variability of cash flows are critical elements. These risks constantly are assessed and balanced within the context of the Company’s liability and capital position.

The Company’s market risk associated with exposure to interest rate risk has not materially changed from that identified at December 31, 2003.

Equity Price Risk. As of June 30, 2004, the Company’s investments in equity securities consist of common stocks of $19.0 million, preferred stocks of $3.4 million and a mutual fund invested in adjustable rate mortgages of $4.1 million. The market value of the Company’s investments in preferred stocks and a mutual fund invested in adjustable rate mortgages totaling $7.5 million are primarily affected by changes in interest rates. The Company’s exposure to equity price risk is primarily attributable to its investments in common stocks of $19.0 million, which were acquired in the first six months of 2004.

The table below illustrates the sensitivity of the market value of the Company’s investments in common stocks to selected hypothetical changes in market prices as of June 30, 2004. The selected scenarios are not predictions of future events, but rather illustrative of the effect that such events may have on the market value of the Company’s investments in common stocks and stockholders’ equity.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the President and CEO and Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the President and CEO and Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

During the last fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings — None

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds — None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities — None

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote by Security Holders

On May 13, 2004, Penn-America Group, Inc. held its annual meeting of stockholders. Seven board nominees for director were elected for terms expiring at the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders, as follows:

In addition, an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the aggregate number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 was approved, as follows:

Item 5. Other Information — None

Officers’ Stock Loans

In 2000 and 2001, the Company’s board of directors and the board of directors of Penn-America Insurance Company authorized the grant of several loans to the Company’s then officers to purchase common stock of Penn-America Group. Under the terms of the loans, those employees were required to repay principal, brokerage commissions, transaction costs and interest, calculated semi-annually, within five years from the date of the loan. On default, Penn-America Insurance Company had recourse against the defaulting officer. This program was formally terminated by resolution of the Company’s board of directors on August 21, 2002. No loans were granted to officers after May 2001.

In consideration of the Company's strong financial results and in recognition that no long-term equity compensation plan was in place over the last two fiscal years, on May 21, 2004, the Company's board of directors forgave the loans to Jon S. Saltzman, Joseph F. Morris, J. Ransley Lennon, Garland P. Pezzuolo and Thomas J. Cannon.

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As of May 21, 2004, the outstanding principal amount of loans to these employees, accrued interest on the loans and the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock acquired with the proceeds of the loans were as follows:

The Company’s board of directors also granted cash bonuses to these employees, with a total value of $491,000, to compensate them for their individual federal, state and local tax obligations resulting from forgiveness of the loans.

Compensation of Directors

In February 2004, the Company’s board of directors authorized for payment annually to the independent directors commencing in May 2004: (1) an annual retainer of $30,000 for serving on the Company’s board of directors and at least one committee and (2) an award of 2,000 shares of restricted common stock, which vest over two years.

In May 2004, the Company’s management informed its board of directors that the Company’s 2002 Stock Incentive Plan would not permit the Company to make restricted stock awards to the independent directors as authorized by the Company’s board of directors unless and until the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan is amended to permit such awards and that amendment is presented to, and approved by the requisite vote of, the Company’s stockholders. Therefore, these shares of restricted common stock were not granted to the independent directors.

Additionally, in May 2004, the Company’s management informed its board of directors that under the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan the independent directors were automatically granted non-qualified options to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on May 13, 2004. These non-qualified stock options were issued at an exercise price equal to fair market value on the date of grant, become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and are exercisable for five years from the first anniversary of the date of grant.

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Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

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Exhibit Index

E-1

E-2