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8-K - 8-K - UNITED FIRE GROUP INCq42013form8k.htm


Exhibit 99.1

United Fire Group, Inc. Reports 2013 Earnings Per Share of $2.98 and Other Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - United Fire Group, Inc. (NASDAQ OMX: UFCS), February 18, 2014 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Consolidated Financial Results - Highlights:
Quarter Ended December 31, 2013
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Operating income(1) per diluted share(2)
$
1.00

 
Operating income(1) per diluted share(2)
$
2.76

Net income per diluted share(2)
$
1.04

 
Net income per diluted share(2)
$
2.98

Net realized investment gains per share(2)
$
0.04

 
Net realized investment gains per share(2)
$
0.22

Catastrophe losses(3) per share(2)
$
0.08

 
Catastrophe losses(3) per share(2)
$
0.77

GAAP combined ratio
89.0
%
 
GAAP combined ratio
94.8
%
 
 
 
Book value per share
$
30.87

 
 
 
Return on equity(4)
10.1
%

United Fire Group, Inc. (the “Company”) today reported consolidated operating income(1) of $1.00 per diluted share for the three-month period ended December 31, 2013 (the "fourth quarter") compared to an operating loss(1) of $0.12 per diluted share for the same period in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company reported consolidated operating income of $2.76 per diluted share compared to net operating income of $1.44 per diluted share for the same period in 2012.

The Company reported consolidated net income, including investment gains and losses, of $26.5 million ($1.04 per diluted share) for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 and consolidated net income of $76.1 million ($2.98 per diluted share) for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to consolidated net losses of $2.4 million ($0.10 per diluted share) and consolidated net income of $40.2 million ($1.58 per diluted share), respectively, for the same periods in 2012.

"I am pleased with our 2013 results," stated Randy Ramlo, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have worked diligently to implement an aggressive strategic plan over the last few years and our current results are a direct reflection of the endeavors of our entire workforce to execute that strategic plan. We do attribute a portion of our successful year to a more normal catastrophe loss environment and a continuation of an improved premium rate environment, but I cannot stress enough the importance of a unified workforce in achieving financial success."

____________________
(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. Because our calculation may differ from similar measures used by other companies, investors should be careful when comparing our measure of operating income to that of other companies. 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) Catastrophe losses is a commonly used non-GAAP financial measure that uses the designations of the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and is reported with loss and loss settlement expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise.
(4) Return on equity is calculated by dividing annual/annualized net income by average year-to-date equity.




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"For the quarter," continued Ramlo, "consolidated net written premiums increased 5.5 percent due primarily to additional rate increases in our commercial lines of business; consolidated net premiums earned increased 5.7 percent due to a third consecutive rate increase on renewals; net investment income increased 18.5 percent primarily due to the change in value of our investments that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting; and a 7.3 percent increase in total revenues compared to fourth quarter 2012."

The Company recognized consolidated net realized investment gains of $1.4 million during the fourth quarter and $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to net realized investment gains of $0.8 million and $5.5 million for the same periods in 2012.

Consolidated net investment income was $30.0 million for the fourth quarter and $112.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 18.5 percent for the quarter and an increase of 0.8 percent for the year, compared to net investment income of $25.3 million and $111.9 million for the same periods in 2012.

Consolidated net unrealized investment gains, net of tax, totaled $116.6 million as of December 31, 2013, a decrease of $27.5 million or 19.1 percent, since December 31, 2012. The decrease in unrealized gains was driven by a decrease in the fair value of our fixed maturity investment portfolios due to rising interest rates, partially offset by an increase in the fair value of the equity portfolios.

"Our investment portfolios continue to perform as expected," stated Ramlo. "We continue to see a decline in the fair value of our bond portfolios due to increases in interest rates with a favorable offset due to equity portfolios that are currently performing consistently with the S&P 500." stated Ramlo. "Our investment portfolios are structured to perform well during periods of rising interest rates and in time, we expect to see improvement in net investment income as a result."

Total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2013 were $3.7 billion, which included $3.1 billion of invested assets. The Company's book value was $30.87 per share, which is an increase of $1.97 per share or 6.8 percent from December 31, 2012. The increase is primarily attributed to net income of $76.1 million, and an increase of $19.4 million in other comprehensive income related to the change in the liability of the defined benefits pension and welfare plans caused by asset appreciation and a favorable change in the discount rate used to value the plan liabilities. These increases to book value were offset by a decrease in unrealized investment gains of $27.5 million, net of tax, and the payment of stockholder dividends of $17.5 million.

The Company's return on equity was 10.1 percent for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 5.6 percent in 2012.

P&C Segment

Net income for the property and casualty insurance segment, including net realized investment gains and losses, totaled $23.2 million ($0.91 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter, compared to a net loss of $4.1 million ($0.16 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013, net income totaled $67.5 million ($2.64 per diluted share), compared to net income of $33.5 million ($1.31 per diluted share) for the same period in 2012.

Net premiums earned increased 8.9 percent to $182.4 million for the fourth quarter, compared to $167.5 million in the same period in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013, net premiums earned increased 10.3 percent to $694.2 million, compared to $629.4 million for the same period in 2012.

"Competitive market conditions were unchanged on most renewals; however, we are experiencing some increased competitiveness on large commercial accounts, and competitive market conditions persisted on new business during the quarter," stated Ramlo. "Commercial lines renewal pricing increased in all regions with average percentage increases in the upper-single digits on most small and mid-market accounts and double digit increases on accounts with under-performing experience. Personal lines pricing decelerated slightly due to a slight decline in the amount of increases in the homeowners line of business from high-single digit increases to mid-single digit increases. Overall, rate increases on renewals in the fourth quarter were greater than the previous quarter. We are optimistic about our ability to get rate increases for the next two or three quarters."


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"Premiums written from new business remained strong and up from the same quarter a year ago, but down from third quarter 2013," continued Ramlo. "Our success ratio on quoted accounts was up from the third quarter and remains strong as new business pricing held steady."

Catastrophe losses totaled $3.0 million ($0.08 per share after tax) and $30.2 million ($0.77 per share after tax) for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to $30.2 million ($0.77 per share after tax) and $64.7 million ($1.65 per share after tax) for the same periods in 2012.

"Fourth quarter catastrophe losses were well below catastrophe losses for fourth quarter of 2012 because there was no Super Storm Sandy in 2013," stated Ramlo. "Year-to-date catastrophe losses were significantly less than 2012 as well. Our expectations for catastrophe losses in any given year are approximately 6.0 percentage points of our combined ratio. In 2013, catastrophe losses have added 4.4 percentage points to the combined ratio, compared to 10.3 percentage points during 2012."

The property and casualty insurance segment experienced $8.5 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years during the fourth quarter and $57.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. 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, and are subject to reallocation between accident years and lines of business.

The GAAP combined ratio decreased 22.1 percentage points to 89.0 percent for the fourth quarter 2013, compared to 111.1 percent for the same period of 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the combined ratio decreased by 6.4 percentage points to 94.8 percent as compared to 101.2 percent for the same period of 2012.

"We are pleased that our rate increases and underwriting initiatives produced nearly one point of improvement in our net loss ratio (excluding catastrophes) for 2013 despite slightly less benefit from prior year reserve development," stated Ramlo.

Expense Levels

The expense ratio for the fourth quarter was 31.4 percentage points, compared to 29.5 percentage points for the fourth quarter of 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the expense ratio increased slightly to 31.8 percentage points, compared to 31.5 percentage points for the same period in 2012.

"As a rule, we would prefer our expense ratio to be slightly lower than experienced in 2013; however, the expense ratio is a direct reflection of additional agent profit sharing attributed to more profitable accounts being placed on our book of business, and employee benefits," stated Ramlo. "Even so, we continue to believe that there is some room for improvement as additional expense reductions are realized as we complete the integration of the Mercer Insurance Group acquisition. "

Life Segment

Net income for the life insurance segment totaled $3.3 million ($0.13 per share) and $8.7 million ($0.34 per share) in the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to $1.7 million ($0.07 per share) and $6.7 million ($0.26 per share), respectively, for the same periods of 2012.

Net premiums earned decreased 22.4 percent and 7.5 percent in the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2012.

“Our life subsidiary continues to experience growth in sales of its traditional life insurance products, with the exception of the single premium whole life product, and to grow its geographical footprint,” stated Ramlo. “Our focus remains on properly pricing products in the low interest rate environment. We have had good success in the latter half of 2013 as we


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increased renewals of our annuity products. We were also diligent in properly pricing our products. The end result has been a slowing of net cash outflow, improved margins, and an increase in net income.”

Net investment income increased 7.7 percent for fourth quarter, but decreased 5.1 percent for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013, compared to the same periods of 2012. The life segment investment portfolio did not perform as well in 2013 as the P&C portfolio due to the fact that the life portfolio is more heavily weighted in fixed maturity assets and therefore, more negatively impacted by the current low interest rate environment.

Loss and loss settlement expenses decreased 5.8 percent for the quarter and increased 4.3 percent for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the same periods of 2012.

The increase in liability for future policy benefits decreased in the fourth quarter and year-to-date, compared to the same periods in 2012 due to the increase in net withdrawals of annuity products and the decline in sales of our single premium whole life product.

Deferred annuity deposits more than doubled in the fourth quarter of 2013 due to crediting rate increases which occurred in the latter half of 2013 and increased 18.1 percent for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared with the same periods in 2012.
 
Net cash outflow related to the Company's annuity business was $14.5 million in the fourth quarter and $77.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a net cash outflows of $23.5 million and $42.3 million in the same periods of 2012. This result is attributed to the activity described previously.

Capital Management

During the fourth quarter, we declared and paid an $0.18 per share cash dividend to stockholders of record on December 2, 2013. 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. During the fourth quarter, we purchased 56,026 shares of our common stock for $1.5 million, at an average cost of $27.58 per share. In the year ended December 31, 2013, we purchased 59,603 shares of our common stock for $1.6 million, at an average cost of $27.58 per share. We are authorized by the Board of Directors to purchase an additional 1,070,117 shares of common stock under our share repurchase program, which expires in August 2014.

Other Disclosures

On February 1, 2014, the Company opened a new branch office in California ("UFG Specialty") to write excess and surplus contracts. For now, the branch will only write business in the states of California, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona and the first policies will be effective in first quarter 2014.

On December 16, 2013, the Company expanded its Cedar Rapids, Iowa campus by purchasing the American Building, which is located adjacent to existing campus properties. For now, the building will constitute property held for rental income as management explores potential opportunities.

Earnings Call Access Information

An earnings call will be held at 9:00 am Central Standard Time on February 18, 2014 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, 2013 results.

Teleconference: Dial-in information for the call is toll-free 1-877-407-8291. The event will be archived and available for digital replay through March 4, 2014. The replay access information is toll-free 1-877-660-6853; conference ID no. 13574619.

Webcast: An audio webcast of the teleconference can be accessed at the Company's investor relations page at http://ir.unitedfiregroup.com/events.cfm. The archived audio webcast will be available until March 4, 2014.

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.



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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 43 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 1,000 independent life agencies and rated an "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

For more information about United Fire Group, Inc. visit www.unitedfiregroup.com. or contact:

Anita Novak, Director of Investor Relations, 319-399-5251 or alnovak@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),” “target(s),” “forecast(s),” “project(s),” “predict(s),” “should,” “could,” “may,” “will continue,” “might,” “hope,” “can” and other words and terms of similar meaning or expression in connection with a discussion of future operating, 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, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the"SEC") on March 4, 2013 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, filed with the SEC on November 5, 2013. The risks identified in such reports 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.



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Supplemental Tables

Financial Highlights
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In Thousands Except Shares and Per Share Data)
2013
 
2012
Change %
 
2013
 
2012
Change %
Revenue Highlights
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums earned
$
197,443

 
$
186,870

5.7
 %
 
$
754,846

 
$
694,994

8.6
 %
Net investment income
30,038

 
25,345

18.5
 %
 
112,799

 
111,905

0.8
 %
Total revenues
228,994

 
213,317

7.3
 %
 
877,042

 
813,243

7.8
 %
Income Statement Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
25,587

 
(2,935
)
NM

 
70,488

 
36,668

92.2
 %
After-tax net realized investment gains
939

 
517

81.6
 %
 
5,652

 
3,544

59.5
 %
Net income (loss)
$
26,526

 
$
(2,418
)
NM

 
$
76,140

 
$
40,212

89.3
 %
Diluted Earnings Per Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
$
1.00

 
$
(0.12
)
NM

 
$
2.76

 
$
1.44

91.7
 %
After-tax net realized investment gains
0.04

 
0.02

100.0
 %
 
0.22

 
0.14

57.1
 %
Net income (loss)
$
1.04

 
$
(0.10
)
NM

 
$
2.98

 
$
1.58

88.6
 %
Catastrophe Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax catastrophe losses
$
3,030

 
$
30,176

(90.0
)%
 
$
30,216

 
$
64,722

(53.3
)%
Effect on after-tax earnings per share
0.08

 
0.77

(89.6
)%
 
0.77

 
1.65

(53.3
)%
Effect on combined ratio
1.7
%
 
18.0
%
(90.6
)%
 
4.4
%
 
10.3
%
(57.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP combined ratio
89.0
%
 
111.1
%
(19.9
)%
 
94.8
%
 
101.2
%
(6.3
)%
Return on equity
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
%
 
5.6
%
80.4
 %
Cash dividends declared per share
$
0.18

 
$
0.15

20.0
 %
 
$
0.69

 
$
0.60

15.0
 %
Diluted weighted average shares
 outstanding
25,585,989

 
25,387,237

0.8
 %
 
25,531,375

 
25,504,526

0.1
 %
NM = Not meaningful.





















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Consolidated Income Statement
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In Thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written(1)
$
184,050

 
$
174,381

 
$
783,463

 
$
720,881

Net premiums earned
$
197,443

 
$
186,870

 
$
754,846

 
$
694,994

Investment income, net of investment expenses
30,038

 
25,345

 
112,799

 
111,905

Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment charges

 

 
(139
)
 
(4
)
All other net realized gains
1,445

 
795

 
8,834

 
5,457

Net realized investment gains
1,445

 
795

 
8,695

 
5,453

Other income
68

 
307

 
702

 
891

Total Revenues
$
228,994

 
$
213,317

 
$
877,042

 
$
813,243

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss settlement expenses
$
109,741

 
$
141,700

 
$
458,814

 
$
459,706

Increase in liability for future policy benefits
11,105

 
14,786

 
37,625

 
43,095

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
40,121

 
36,937

 
153,677

 
141,834

Other underwriting expenses
22,551

 
18,094

 
89,861

 
81,125

Interest on policyholders’ accounts
8,137

 
9,799

 
35,163

 
41,409

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses
$
191,655

 
$
221,316

 
$
775,140

 
$
767,169

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
37,339

 
(7,999
)
 
101,902

 
46,074

Federal income tax expense (benefit)
10,813

 
(5,581
)
 
25,762

 
5,862

Net income (loss)
$
26,526

 
$
(2,418
)
 
$
76,140

 
$
40,212

(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, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
(In Thousands)
 
Total invested assets:
 
 
 
Property and casualty segment
$
1,446,287

 
$
1,343,295

Life insurance segment
1,603,850

 
1,701,068

Total cash and investments
3,142,330

 
3,151,829

Total assets
3,720,672

 
3,694,653

Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses
$
2,432,783

 
$
2,470,087

Total liabilities
2,937,839

 
2,965,476

Net unrealized investment gains, after-tax
$
116,601

 
$
144,096

Total stockholders’ equity
782,833

 
729,177

 
 
 
 
Property and casualty insurance statutory capital and surplus (1)(2)
$
665,772

 
$
585,986

Life insurance statutory capital and surplus(2)
157,974

 
158,720

(1) 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.
(2) Data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.


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Property & Casualty Insurance Financial Results
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In Thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written(1)
$
169,026

 
$
155,028

 
$
722,821

 
$
655,331

Net premiums earned
$
182,411

 
$
167,509

 
$
694,192

 
$
629,411

Investment income, net of investment expenses
11,868

 
8,470

 
46,332

 
41,879

Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment charges

 

 
(139
)
 

All other net realized gains (losses)
856

 
(89
)
 
6,400

 
1,676

Net realized investment gains (losses)
856

 
(89
)
 
6,261

 
1,676

Other income (loss)
(141
)
 
139

 
88

 
316

Total Revenues
$
194,994

 
$
176,029

 
$
746,873

 
$
673,282

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss settlement expenses
$
105,089

 
$
136,761

 
$
437,353

 
$
439,137

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
38,584

 
36,089

 
147,175

 
134,444

Other underwriting expenses
18,772

 
13,267

 
73,626

 
63,620

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses
$
162,445

 
$
186,117

 
$
658,154

 
$
637,201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
32,549

 
$
(10,088
)
 
$
88,719

 
$
36,081

Federal income tax expense (benefit)
9,300

 
(5,993
)
 
21,263

 
2,569

Net income (loss)
$
23,249

 
$
(4,095
)
 
$
67,456

 
$
33,512

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP combined ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss ratio - excluding catastrophes
55.9
%
 
63.6
%
 
58.6
%
 
59.4
%
Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio
1.7

 
18.0

 
4.4

 
10.3

Net loss ratio
57.6
%
 
81.6
%
 
63.0
%
 
69.7
%
Expense ratio
31.4

 
29.5

 
31.8

 
31.5

Combined ratio
89.0
%
 
111.1
%
 
94.8
%
 
101.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statutory combined ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss ratio - excluding catastrophes
56.2
%
 
64.3
%
 
58.9
%
 
60.2
%
Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio
1.7

 
18.0

 
4.4

 
10.3

Net loss ratio
57.9
%
 
82.3
%
 
63.3
%
 
70.5
%
Expense ratio
33.8

 
30.3

 
32.0

 
31.3

Combined ratio
91.7
%
 
112.6
%
 
95.3
%
 
101.8
%
(1) Data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.












8



Life Insurance Financial Results
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In Thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written(1)
$
15,024

 
$
19,353

 
$
60,642

 
$
65,550

Net premiums earned
$
15,032

 
$
19,361

 
$
60,654

 
$
65,583

Investment income, net of investment expenses
18,170

 
16,875

 
66,467

 
70,026

Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment charges

 

 

 
(4
)
All other net realized gains
589

 
884

 
2,434

 
3,781

Net realized investment gains
589

 
884

 
2,434

 
3,777

Other income
209

 
168

 
614

 
575

Total Revenues
$
34,000

 
$
37,288

 
$
130,169

 
$
139,961

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss settlement expenses
$
4,652

 
$
4,939

 
$
21,461

 
$
20,569

Increase in liability for future policy benefits
11,105

 
14,786

 
37,625

 
43,095

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
1,537

 
848

 
6,502

 
7,390

Other underwriting expenses
3,779

 
4,827

 
16,235

 
17,505

Interest on policyholders’ accounts
8,137

 
9,799

 
35,163

 
41,409

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses
$
29,210

 
$
35,199

 
$
116,986

 
$
129,968

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
$
4,790

 
$
2,089

 
$
13,183

 
$
9,993

Federal income tax expense
1,513

 
412

 
4,499

 
3,293

Net income
$
3,277

 
$
1,677

 
$
8,684

 
$
6,700

(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.


























9



Net Premiums Written by Line of Business
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
Net Premiums Written
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liability(1)
$
48,197

 
$
46,817

 
$
210,901

 
$
205,344

Fire and allied lines(2)
39,774

 
33,376

 
169,507

 
137,997

Automobile
37,018

 
34,298

 
152,986

 
140,065

Workers’ compensation
18,209

 
16,750

 
85,443

 
73,501

Fidelity and surety
4,149

 
3,753

 
19,184

 
18,166

Miscellaneous
639

 
187

 
2,518

 
1,003

Total commercial lines
$
147,986

 
$
135,181

 
$
640,539

 
$
576,076

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fire and allied lines(3)
$
10,574

 
$
10,992

 
$
43,988

 
$
42,279

Automobile
5,543

 
3,760

 
22,829

 
21,622

Miscellaneous
232

 
218

 
986

 
945

Total personal lines
$
16,349

 
$
14,970

 
$
67,803

 
$
64,846

Reinsurance assumed
4,691

 
4,877

 
14,479

 
14,409

Total
$
169,026

 
$
155,028

 
$
722,821

 
$
655,331

(1) “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.
(2) “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, commercial multiple peril and inland marine.
(3) “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, homeowners and inland marine.




10



Net Premiums Earned, Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses and Loss Ratio by Line of Business
Three Months Ended December 31,
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
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
$
52,793

 
$
20,292

 
38.4
 %
 
$
52,238

 
$
27,432

 
52.5
 %
Fire and allied lines
42,974

 
23,204

 
54.0

 
34,610

 
28,461

 
82.2

Automobile
38,397

 
29,264

 
76.2

 
35,897

 
27,343

 
76.2

Workers' compensation
20,830

 
21,815

 
104.7

 
18,575

 
21,757

 
117.1

Fidelity and surety
5,062

 
(1,358
)
 
(26.8
)
 
4,933

 
1,431

 
29.0

Miscellaneous
671

 
(429
)
 
(63.9
)
 
256

 
(13
)
 
(5.1
)
Total commercial lines
$
160,727

 
$
92,788

 
57.7
 %
 
$
146,509

 
$
106,411

 
72.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fire and allied lines
$
11,038

 
$
2,962

 
26.8
 %
 
$
10,795

 
$
16,686

 
154.6
 %
Automobile
5,700

 
5,695

 
99.9

 
4,994

 
4,373

 
87.6

Miscellaneous
246

 
668

 
271.5

 
237

 
(581
)
 
(245.1
)
Total personal lines
$
16,984

 
$
9,325

 
54.9
 %
 
$
16,026

 
$
20,478

 
127.8
 %
Reinsurance assumed
$
4,700

 
$
2,976

 
63.3
 %
 
$
4,974

 
$
9,872

 
198.5
 %
Total
$
182,411

 
$
105,089

 
57.6
 %
 
$
167,509

 
$
136,761

 
81.6
 %

Years Ended December 31,
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
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
$
199,548

 
$
98,013

 
49.1
 %
 
$
197,842

 
$
98,225

 
49.6
 %
Fire and allied lines
165,081

 
95,158

 
57.6

 
131,975

 
110,429

 
83.7

Automobile
147,026

 
120,354

 
81.9

 
134,682

 
103,234

 
76.7

Workers' compensation
81,616

 
73,179

 
89.7

 
68,643

 
52,017

 
75.8

Fidelity and surety
18,746

 
(2,201
)
 
(11.7
)
 
17,713

 
3,038

 
17.2

Miscellaneous
1,861

 
126

 
6.8

 
991

 
265

 
26.7

Total commercial lines
$
613,878

 
$
384,629

 
62.7
 %
 
$
551,846

 
$
367,208

 
66.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fire and allied lines
$
42,949

 
$
28,235

 
65.7
 %
 
$
41,274

 
$
39,319

 
95.3
 %
Automobile
22,185

 
16,872

 
76.1

 
20,890

 
15,372

 
73.6

Miscellaneous
774

 
2,637

 
NM

 
928

 
(423
)
 
(45.6
)
Total personal lines
$
65,908

 
$
47,744

 
72.4
 %
 
$
63,092

 
$
54,268

 
86.0
 %
Reinsurance assumed
$
14,406

 
$
4,980

 
34.6
 %
 
$
14,473

 
$
17,661

 
122.0
 %
Total
$
694,192

 
$
437,353

 
63.0
 %
 
$
629,411

 
$
439,137

 
69.8
 %
NM=Not meaningful




11