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8-K - 8-K - UNITED INSURANCE HOLDINGS CORP.form8-k31dec12.htm


Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
UNITED INSURANCE HOLDINGS CORP. REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR ITS
FOURTH QUARTER AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
 
Company to Host Quarterly Conference Call at 10:00A.M. on February 28, 2013
 

St. Petersburg, FL - February 27, 2013: United Insurance Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: UIHC) (UPC Insurance or the Company), a property and casualty insurance holding company, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.

Financial and Operational Highlights
 
Fourth quarter 2012 net income was $1.0 million, or $0.09 per share
Full year 2012 net income was $9.7 million, or $0.91 per share
Fourth quarter 2012 gross premiums written increased 37% to $59.5 million
Full year gross premiums written increased 25% to 255 million
Cash and investment holdings of $223.4 million at December 31, 2012
Book value per share of $5.70 at December 31, 2012
Full year return on average equity of 16.1% and combined ratio of 94.8%
 
($ in thousands, except per share and ratios)
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
Gross premiums written
$
59,524

 
$
43,469

 
36.9
 %
 
$
254,909

 
$
203,806

 
25.1
%
Total revenues
$
37,895

 
$
26,462

 
43.2
 %
 
$
131,234

 
$
96,418

 
36.1
%
Earnings before income tax
$
1,846

 
$
5,192

 
(64.4
)%
 
$
15,714

 
$
13,016

 
20.7
%
Net income
$
983

 
$
3,225

 
(69.5
)%
 
$
9,705

 
$
8,088

 
20.0
%
Net income per diluted share
$
0.09

 
$
0.31

 
(71.0
)%
 
$
0.91

 
$
0.77

 
18.2
%
Book value per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
5.70

 
$
5.31

 
7.3
%
Return on average equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
16.1
 %
 
16.1
 %
 

Loss ratio, net1
55.5
 %
 
38.1
 %
 
17.4 pts

 
47.9
 %
 
43.1
 %
 
4.8 pts

Expense ratio2
51.8
 %
 
47.5
 %
 
4.3 pts

 
46.9
 %
 
48.6
 %
 
-1.7 pts

Combined ratio (CR)3
107.3
 %
 
85.6
 %
 
21.7 pts

 
94.8
 %
 
91.7
 %
 
3.1 pts

Effect of current year catastrophe losses on CR
(2.1
)%
 
(0.1
)%
 
-2.0 pts

 
(2.8
)%
 
(0.8
)%
 
-2.0 pts

Effect of prior year development on CR
(10.1
)%
 
7.7
 %
 
-17.8 pts

 
(0.6
)%
 
4.7
 %
 
-5.3 pts

Effect of FIGA assessment on CR
(4.8
)%
 
 %
 
-4.8 pts

 
(1.4
)%
 
 %
 
-1.4 pts

Underlying combined ratio4
90.3
 %
 
93.2
 %
 
-2.9 pts

 
90.0
 %
 
95.6
 %
 
-1.5 pts

1 Loss ratio, net is losses and loss adjustment expenses relative to net premiums earned.
2 Expense ratio is calculated as the sum of all operating expenses less interest expense relative to net premiums earned.
3 Combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio, net and the expense ratio.
4 Underlying combined ratio, a measure that is not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), is reconciled above to the combined ratio, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release is in the "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this document.





2012 Fourth Quarter
 
UPC Insurance reported total revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, of $37.9 million, a 43% increase from $26.5 million reported in the prior year period. The strong growth was primarily due to an increase in net premiums earned to $34.2 million, from $24.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. The growth in net premiums earned for the quarter was driven by continued growth in new business in Florida and other states as well as exceptional retention of renewal business. Net investment income, realized gains and other revenues increased to $3.7 million for the quarter compared to $1.6 million in the prior year quarter.

The Company realized gains from its investment portfolio of $2.0 million during the quarter as part of a repositioning of the portfolio towards shorter overall duration. UPC Insurance's overarching investment philosophy is focused on a fixed income portfolio that minimizes risk with low average durations, high credit quality and prudent asset allocation across highly liquid sectors.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) increased to $19.0 million for the quarter from $9.5 million during the same period of last year. The increase during the quarter was largely due to catastrophe losses incurred from super storm Sandy and re-estimation of reserves and development related to prior accident years as shown below:

($ in thousands except ratios)
Three months ended
December 31,
2012
 
2011
 
Change
Net Loss and LAE
$
19,008

 
$
9,462

 
 
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
Current year catastrophe losses
$
720

 
$
22

 
 
Prior year reserve development (favorable)
$
3,467

 
$
(1,908
)
 
 
Underlying Loss and LAE*
$
14,821

 
$
11,348

 
 
% of Gross earned premiums
23.7
%
 
23.1
%
 
0.6 pts
% of Net earned premiums
43.3
%
 
45.7
%
 
-2.4 pts
* Underlying Loss and LAE is a non-GAAP financial measure and is reconciled above to Net Loss and LAE, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release is in the "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this document.
  
During the fourth quarter, the Company implemented new loss reserving practices designed to strengthen UPC Insurance's approach to claim estimation and adjudication. An extensive review of all open and pending claim inventories by the Company's New V.P. of Claims included various upward and downward changes in estimates, but resulted in net case reserve strengthening of approximately $1.3 million during the quarter. The balance of the adverse development experienced for the quarter related primarily to new and re-opened claims in the 2010 and 2011 accident years.

Policy acquisition costs increased to $10.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 from $7.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. These costs vary directly with premiums earned and as a percentage of gross premiums earned, were up slightly from 15.8% in the prior year to 16.5% in the current quarter due to higher commissions paid on new and renewal business outside of Florida.

Operating expenses increased to $3.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, from $1.1 million during the same period of last year due to the non-recurring assessment levied by the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) of approximately $1.7 million. Rate filings have been approved and implemented that will allow UPC Insurance to fully recoup this amount from policyholders during 2013 and 2014.






General and administrative expenses increased to $3.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, from $2.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 as a result of the Company's efforts to strengthen its management team and expansion into new states. Overall, the Company's net expense ratio decreased for both the quarter and the year after backing out the effects of the FIGA assessment.

2012 Fiscal Year

Revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, increased 36%, to $131.2 million, compared to $96.4 million for the prior year period. The increase in revenues was primarily driven by a 35% increase in net premiums earned to $122.0 million, from $90.1 million during the same period of last year. Net investment income and other revenues increased to $9.3 million for the year-to-date period, from $6.3 million during the same period of last year driven primarily by $2.1 million in realized gains and increased policy fee income.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses increased to $58.4 million for the full year 2012, from $38.9 million for the same period last year. While prior year development did have a significant impact on the fourth quarter, the reserve development for the entire year ended December 31, 2012, was $0.7 million. UPC Insurance's net loss and loss adjustment expense ratio history along with the impact of reserve development and catastrophe losses is as follows:

Historical Reserve Development
($ in millions, except ratios)
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
Reserve development (unfavorable)
$
5.8

 
$
5.0

 
$
3.0

 
$
(1.0
)
 
$
4.2

 
$
(0.7
)
Development as a % of EBIT
12.1
%
 
12.0
 %
 
47.4
 %
 
71.0
 %
 
32.3
 %
 
4.3
 %
Consolidated Net Loss Ratio (LR)
30.1
%
 
34.6
 %
 
52.1
 %
 
63.6
 %
 
43.1
 %
 
47.9
 %
Reserve unfavorable (favorable) development on LR
6.8
%
 
6.2
 %
 
3.8
 %
 
(1.5
)%
 
4.7
 %
 
(0.6
)%
Current year catastrophe losses on LR
%
 
(4.0
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
 %
 
(0.8
)%
 
(2.8
)%
Underlying Loss Ratio
36.9
%
 
36.8
 %
 
55.7
 %
 
62.1
 %
 
47.0
 %
 
44.5
 %
* Underlying Loss Ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure and is reconciled above to the Consolidated Net Loss Ratio, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release is in the "Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures" section of this document.

Overall the Company's attritional loss experience by accident year excluding catastrophes has been stable or trending downwards for the past several years, as shown in the following table:

 
 
 
 
 
Expected
Expected
 
 
Case
 
Expected
Ultimate Gross
Ultimate
Accident
Paid
Loss & LAE
IBNR
Ultimate
Loss & LAE
Loss & LAE
Year
Loss & LAE
Reserves
Reserves
Loss & LAE
Ratio
per Exposure1
2004
$
25,335,227

$
58,058

$
6,300

$
25,399,585

33.1
%
$
667.69

2005
$
37,509,958

$
18,360

$
6,129

$
37,534,447

31.9
%
$
592.66

2006
$
30,035,142

$
126,728

$
35,009

$
30,196,879

22.2
%
$
400.37

2007
$
27,870,818

$
562,230

$
101,799

$
28,534,847

19.4
%
$
430.31

2008
$
29,407,048

$
367,474

$
166,852

$
29,941,374

22.3
%
$
421.54

2009
$
44,017,668

$
797,286

$
645,047

$
45,460,001

30.6
%
$
497.91

2010
$
38,667,923

$
2,163,505

$
1,061,862

$
41,893,290

28.6
%
$
478.80

2011
$
38,422,950

$
3,343,713

$
2,593,337

$
44,360,000

26.0
%
$
465.33

2012
$
34,567,144

$
10,000,002

$
9,080,854

$
53,648,000

24.9
%
$
460.57

1 Defined as the total sum we expect to pay for fully developed losses and loss adjusting expenses (i.e. paid losses, incurred losses and incurred but not reported losses) divided by earned house years.






Policy acquisition costs increased 7.8 million, or 27%, to $36.9 million for the year, compared to $29.1 million for the same period last year. These costs vary directly with premiums earned and as a percentage of gross premiums earned, were up slightly from 16.1% in 2011 to 16.3% in the current year due to higher commissions paid on new and renewal business outside of Florida.

Operating expenses increased to $8.6 million for the year-to-date period, from $5.1 million during the same period of last year. Excluding the non-recurring FIGA assessment expensed in the fourth quarter of 2012, operating expenses were unchanged from 2011 at 5.7% of net premiums earned.

General and administrative expenses increased 2.1 million to 11.7 million compared to 9.7 million a year ago due primarily to an increase in salaries and related expenses to support the Company's growth.
 
Reinsurance Costs

Excluding the Company's flood business, which it cedes 100% of the risk of loss, reinsurance costs in the fourth quarter of 2012 were 42% of gross premiums earned compared to 47% of gross premiums earned for the fourth quarter of 2011. Reinsurance costs for the year were 43% of gross premiums earned compared to 47% of gross premiums earned for the same period in 2011.

Balance Sheet Highlights
 
UPC Insurance's cash and investment holdings totaled $223.4 million at December 31, 2012, compared to $165.9 million at December 31, 2011. UPC Insurance's cash and investment holdings consist primarily of investments in high-quality money market instruments, U.S. Government and agency securities and high-quality corporate debt. Fixed maturities represented approximately 98% and 97% of total investments at December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Management Comments

John Forney, Chief Executive Officer of UPC Insurance, stated, “2012 was a momentous year for UPC Insurance. We grew policies in force and revenues by over 30%, increased net income 20%, delivered return on equity over 16% despite several cat events during the year, brought on board four new executives to round out a world-class management team, and completed a successful public offering that launched us onto the NASDAQ. That record speaks for itself. We are gratified at the strong support we have received from investors, the independent agent community, policyholders, regulators, and reinsurers during 2012, and we are singularly focused on executing our growth strategy and delivering results for each of these constituencies in 2013.”


Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures

We believe that investors' understanding of UPC Insurance's performance is enhanced by our disclosure of the following non-GAAP measures. Our methods for calculating these measures may differ from those used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited.

Combined ratio excluding the effects of current year catastrophe losses, reserve development and FIGA assessment (underlying combined ratio) is a non-GAAP ratio, which is computed as the difference between four GAAP operating ratios: the combined ratio, the effect of current year catastrophe losses on the combined ratio, the effect of prior year development on the combined ratio and the effect of the FIGA assessment on the combined ratio. We believe that this ratio is useful to investors and it is used by management to reveal the trends in our business that may be obscured by current year catastrophe losses, prior year development and assessments. Current year catastrophe losses cause our loss trends to vary significantly between periods as a result of their incidence of occurrence and magnitude, and can have a significant impact on the combined ratio. Prior year development is caused by unexpected loss development on historical reserves. FIGA assessments primarily relate to amounts paid to the Florida





Insurance Guaranty Association to cover claims paid by the association to policyholders from insolvent insurance companies. We believe it is useful for investors to evaluate these components separately and in the aggregate when reviewing our performance. The most direct comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio should not be considered as a substitute for the combined ratio and does not reflect the overall profitability of our business.

Net Loss and LAE excluding the effects of current year catastrophe losses and reserve development (underlying Loss and LAE) is a non-GAAP measure which is computed as the difference between loss and LAE, current year catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development. We use underlying loss and LAE figures to analyze our loss trends that may be impacted by current year catastrophe losses and prior year development on our reserves. As discussed previously, these two items can have a significant impact on our loss trend in a given period. The most direct comparable GAAP measure is net loss and LAE. The underlying loss and LAE measure should not be considered a substitute for net losses and LAE and does not reflect the overall profitability of our business.

Consolidated net loss ratio excluding the effects of current year catastrophe losses, reserve development (underlying loss ratio) is a non-GAAP ratio, which is computed as the difference between three GAAP operating ratios: the consolidated net loss ratio, the effect of current year catastrophe losses on the loss ratio, and the effect of prior year development on the loss ratio. We believe that this ratio is useful to investors and it is used by management to reveal the trends in our consolidated net loss ratio that may be obscured by current year catastrophe losses and prior year development. As discussed previously, these two items can have a significant impact on our consolidated net loss ratio in a given period. The most direct comparable GAAP ratio is our net consolidated Loss and LAE ratio. The underlying loss ratio should not be considered as a substitute for net consolidated loss ratio and does not reflect the overall profitability of our business.


Conference Call Details

Date and Time:    February 28, 2013 - 10:00 A.M. ET

Participant Dial-In:    (United States): 877-407-8829
(International): 201-493-6724

Webcast:
To listen to the live webcast, please go to www.upcinsurance.com (Events and Presentations) and click on the conference call link, or go to:
http://upcic.equisolvewebcast.com


About UPC Insurance

Founded in 1999, UPC Insurance is an insurance holding company that sources, writes and services residential property and casualty insurance policies using a network of independent agents and a group of wholly owned insurance subsidiaries. United Property & Casualty Insurance Company, the primary operating subsidiary of UPC Insurance, writes and services property and casualty insurance in Florida, South Carolina, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and was recently licensed to write in North Carolina. From its headquarters in St. Petersburg, UPC Insurance's team of dedicated professionals manages a completely integrated insurance company, including sales, underwriting, customer service and claims.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “or “continue” or the other negative variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding: the impact of our continued growth, and the expansion into other states. The risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed or implied herein include, without limitation, the success of the Company's marketing initiatives, inflation and other changes in economic conditions (including changes in interest rates and financial markets); the impact of new Federal and State regulations that affect the property and





casualty insurance market; the costs of reinsurance and the collectibility of reinsurance, assessments charged by various governmental agencies; pricing competition and other initiatives by competitors; our ability to obtain regulatory approval for requested rate changes, and the timing thereof; legislative and regulatory developments; the outcome of litigation pending against us, including the terms of any settlements; risks related to the nature of our business; dependence on investment income and the composition of our investment portfolio; the adequacy of our liability for losses and loss adjustment expense; insurance agents; claims experience; ratings by industry services; catastrophe losses; reliance on key personnel; weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and hail); changes in loss trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; court decisions and trends in litigation, and health care; and other matters described from time to time by us in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on January 31, 2013. In addition, investors should be aware that generally accepted accounting principles prescribe when a company may reserve for particular risks, including litigation exposures. Accordingly, results for a given reporting period could be significantly affected if and when a reserve is established for a major contingency. Reported results may therefore, appear to be volatile in certain accounting periods. The Company undertakes no obligations to update, change or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, additional or subsequent developments or otherwise.
 
 
### #### ###




CONTACT:
 
OR
 
INVESTOR RELATIONS:
United Insurance Holdings Corp.
 
 
 
The Equity Group
John Rohloff
 
 
 
Adam Prior
SEC Reporting Manager
 
 
 
Vice President
(727) 895-7737 / jrohloff@upcinsurance.com
 
 
 
(212) 836-9606 / aprior@equityny.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terry Downs
 
 
 
 
Account Executive
 
 
 
 
(212) 836-9615 / tdowns@equityny.com





Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
 
$
59,524

 
$
43,469

 
$
254,909

 
$
203,806

(Increase) decrease in gross unearned premiums
 
3,047

 
5,616

 
(28,655
)
 
(22,969
)
Gross premiums earned
 
62,571

 
49,085

 
226,254

 
180,837

Ceded premiums earned
 
(28,338
)
 
(24,272
)
 
(104,286
)
 
(90,757
)
Net premiums earned
 
$
34,233

 
$
24,813

 
$
121,968

 
$
90,080

Net investment income
 
752

 
782

 
3,083

 
2,823

Net realized gains
 
2,005

 
46

 
2,160

 
158

Other-than-temporary impairments
 

 
(31
)
 

 
(31
)
Other revenue
 
905

 
852

 
4,023

 
3,388

Total revenue
 
$
37,895

 
$
26,462

 
$
131,234

 
$
96,418

EXPENSES:
 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
19,008

 
9,462

 
58,409

 
38,861

Policy acquisition costs
 
10,342

 
7,761

 
36,877

 
29,054

Operating expenses
 
3,770

 
1,144

 
8,630

 
5,090

General and administrative expenses
 
3,610

 
2,889

 
11,734

 
9,674

Interest expense
 
72

 
95

 
355

 
548

Total expenses
 
$
36,802

 
$
21,351

 
$
116,005

 
$
83,227

Income before other income (expenses)
 
1,093

 
5,111

 
15,229

 
13,191

Other income (expenses)
 
753

 
81

 
485

 
(175
)
Income before income taxes
 
$
1,846

 
$
5,192

 
$
15,714

 
$
13,016

Provision for income taxes
 
863

 
1,967

 
6,009

 
4,928

Net income
 
$
983

 
$
3,225

 
$
9,705

 
$
8,088

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gain on investments
 
(440
)
 
821

 
2,602

 
4,291

Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains
 
(2,005
)
 
(46
)
 
(2,160
)
 
(158
)
Reclassification adjustment for note impairment
 

 
31

 

 
31

Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income
 
944

 
(312
)
 
(170
)
 
(1,607
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
(518
)
 
$
3,719

 
$
9,977

 
$
10,645

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
11,340,110

 
10,361,849

 
10,607,751

 
10,442,034

Diluted
 
11,427,100

 
10,361,849

 
10,655,524

 
10,442,034

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.91

 
$
0.77

Diluted
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.91

 
$
0.77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.08

 
$
0.05













Consolidated Balance Sheets
In thousands

(Unaudited)
 
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
ASSETS
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Investments available for sale, at fair value:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $145,089 and $116,863, respectively)
 
$
149,157

 
$
120,378

Equity securities (adjusted cost of $2,537 and $3,284, respectively)
 
2,723

 
3,581

Other long-term investments
 
300

 
300

Total investments
 
$
152,180

 
$
124,259

Cash and cash equivalents
 
71,205

 
41,639

Accrued investment income
 
760

 
986

Premiums receivable, net
 
17,154

 
11,205

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses
 
2,272

 
4,458

Prepaid reinsurance premiums
 
49,916

 
40,968

Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
16,978

 
12,324

Other assets
 
3,149

 
4,376

Total Assets
 
$
313,614

 
$
240,215

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
35,692

 
$
33,600

Unearned premiums
 
128,785

 
100,130

Reinsurance payable
 
26,063

 
16,571

Other liabilities
 
19,206

 
17,866

Notes payable
 
15,882

 
17,059

Total Liabilities
 
$
225,628

 
$
185,226

Commitments and contingencies
 


 


Stockholders' Equity:
 

 

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
 

 

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,660,922 and 10,573,932 issued; 15,448,839 and 10,361,849 outstanding for 2012 and 2011, respectively
 
2

 
1

Additional paid-in capital
 
24,076

 
75

Treasury shares, at cost; 212,083 shares
 
(431
)
 
(431
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
2,613

 
2,341

Retained earnings
 
61,726

 
53,003

Total Stockholders' Equity
 
$
87,986

 
$
54,989

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
$
313,614

 
$
240,215