Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - UNITED FIRE GROUP INCq42015form8k.htm


Exhibit 99.1
United Fire Group, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2015 Results

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - United Fire Group, Inc. (NASDAQ OMX: UFCS), February 18, 2016 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Consolidated Financial Results - Highlights:
Quarter Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Operating income(1) per diluted share(2)
$
1.21

 
Operating income(1) per diluted share(2)
$
3.46

Net income per diluted share(2)
$
1.21

 
Net income per diluted share(2)
$
3.53

Net realized investment gains per share(2)
$

 
Net realized investment gains per share(2)
$
0.07

GAAP combined ratio
86.8
%
 
GAAP combined ratio
92.0
%
 
 
 
Book value per share
$
34.94

 
 
 
Return on equity(3)
10.5
%

United Fire Group, Inc. (the “Company”, or "UFG") (NASDAQ OMX: UFCS) today reported consolidated net operating income(1) of $1.21 per diluted share for the three-month period ended December 31, 2015 (the "fourth quarter") compared to consolidated net operating income of $1.34 per diluted share for the same period in 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2015 (the "full year"), the Company reported consolidated net operating income of $3.46 per diluted share compared to consolidated net operating income of $2.13 per diluted share for 2014.

The Company reported consolidated net income, including investment gains and losses, of $30.9 million ($1.21 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter and $89.1 million ($3.53 per diluted share) for the full year, compared to consolidated net income, including investment gains and losses, of $34.8 million ($1.38 per diluted share) and $59.1 million ($2.32 per diluted share), respectively, for the fourth quarter and full year 2014.

Achieved $1 billion revenue milestone

"For the first time in UFG history, we earned over $1.0 billion in revenue in the year ended December 31, 2015," stated Randy A. Ramlo, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This milestone is the result of the hard work and dedication of our employees and agents and the loyalty of our customers. This achievement is in-line with our key objectives and demonstration of our execution against our 2020 Vision."

Strong 2015 results with core margin expansion

“I'm pleased to report strong fourth quarter and full year results," continued Ramlo. "For the full year 2015, we improved our return on equity ("ROE") to 10.5 percent compared to 7.4 percent in 2014, increased our earned premium 12.4 percent compared with 2014, increased our book value $2.27 to $34.94 and experienced a decrease in our GAAP combined ratio of 5.8 points to 92.0 percent, which benefited from an improvement of 5.5 points in our core loss ratio and an improvement of 0.3 points in our expense ratio."
____________________
(1) Operating income (loss) is a commonly used non-GAAP financial measure of net income (loss) excluding realized investment gains and losses and related federal income taxes. Management evaluates this measure and ratios derived from this measure because we believe it better represents the normal, ongoing performance of our business. See Supplemental Tables - Financial Highlights for a reconciliation of operating income to net income.
(2) Per share amounts are after tax.
(3) Return on equity is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average year-to-date equity.


1



The Company recognized consolidated net realized investment gains of $0.2 million during the fourth quarter and $2.8 million for the full year 2015, compared to net realized investment gains of $1.5 million and $7.3 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter and full year 2014. With the recent turmoil in the energy and resource sector, our investment portfolio review determined one of our life segment fixed maturity securities was other-than-temporarily impaired. This other-than-temporary impairment charge totaled $1.3 million before tax.

Consolidated net investment income was $26.6 million for the fourth quarter 2015 and $100.8 million for the full year 2015 with decreases of 3.0 percent for the quarter and 3.7 percent for the full year, compared to net investment income of $27.4 million and $104.6 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter and full year 2014. The decreases are primarily due to lower interest income on fixed maturity securities due to a lower asset base, from a decline in deferred annuity deposits, and from lower reinvestment interest rates due to the current interest rate environment.

Consolidated net unrealized investment gains, net of tax, totaled $128.4 million as of December 31, 2015, a decrease of $21.3 million or 14.2 percent, compared to December 31, 2014, due primarily to a decrease in the fair value of our fixed maturity investment portfolio as a result of an increase in interest rates and also, to a lesser extent, from a decrease in the fair value of our equity securities portfolio.

Total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2015 were $3.9 billion, which included $3.1 billion of invested assets. The Company's book value was $34.94 per share, which is an increase of $2.27 per share or 6.9 percent from December 31, 2014. The increase is primarily attributed to net income of $89.1 million and the change in valuation of our post retirement benefit obligations of $10.5 million, both offset by, a decrease in net unrealized investment gains of $21.3 million, net of tax, the payment of stockholder dividends of $21.7 million and share repurchases of $2.4 million.

P&C Segment

Net income for the property and casualty insurance segment, including net realized investment gains and losses, totaled $30.9 million ($1.21 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter, compared to net income of $32.9 million ($1.30 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year, net income totaled $85.3 million ($3.38 per diluted share), compared to net income of $52.4 million ($2.05 per diluted share) for the full year 2014.

Net premiums earned increased 9.2 percent to $223.3 million for the fourth quarter, compared to $204.4 million in the fourth quarter 2014. For the full year, net premiums earned increased 11.1 percent to $851.7 million, compared to $766.9 million in 2014.

Rates and loss cost trends

"Competitive market conditions continued during the quarter for both renewals and new business," stated Ramlo. "Renewal pricing average percentage increases were in the very low single digits on smaller accounts, and decreases were in the flat to low single digits decreases on larger accounts. Albeit diminishing, this is the 17th consecutive quarter of commercial lines pricing increases on our overall book of business. Current rate increases continue to meet loss cost trends. We continue to believe loss cost trends will remain at low levels and the margin between loss costs and rate increases will narrow. We currently believe that loss costs are approximately 3.0 percent. Earned premium growth should continue to out pace loss cost trends during 2016 as rate increases achieved over the past several quarters earn out."
2015 catastrophe losses were less than expected

Catastrophe losses(4) totaled $5.0 million ($0.13 per share after tax) and $32.3 million ($0.83 per share after tax) for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $2.5 million ($0.06 per share after tax) and $49.7 million ($1.27 per share after tax) for the same periods in 2014.



_____________
(4) Catastrophe losses is a commonly used non-GAAP financial measure, which utilizes the designations of the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") and are reported with losses and loss settlement expenses amounts net of reinsurance recoverables.


2



"Catastrophe losses for the fourth quarter and the full year were less than we would normally expect," stated Ramlo."For the fourth quarter and full year, catastrophe losses added 2.2 percentage points and 3.8 percentage points, respectively, to the combined ratio. Our expectations for catastrophe losses in any given year is six percentage points of the combined ratio."

The property and casualty insurance segment experienced $16.3 million and $40.4 million of favorable reserve development in our net reserves for prior accident years during the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $24.2 million and $56.7 million of favorable reserve development in the same periods of 2014. Development amounts can vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on a number of factors, including the number of claims settled and the settlement terms. At December 31, 2015, our total reserves were within our actuarial estimates.

"Our reserving philosophy is to set initial reserves at the higher end of our initial assessment and adjust reserves as additional claim information is received," stated Ramlo. "As a result, favorable reserve development is not unusual for us. During 2015, the favorable development primarily occurred in our commercial liability and workers' compensation lines of business. The favorable development is attributable to reductions in reserves for reported claims as well as reductions in required reserves for incurred but not reported claims combined with continued successful management of litigation expenses. These reserve decreases were more than sufficient to offset claim payments."

The GAAP combined ratio increased 3.2 percentage points to 86.8 percent for the fourth quarter 2015, compared to 83.6 percent for the fourth quarter of 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the combined ratio decreased by 5.8 percentage points to 92.0 percent as compared to 97.8 percent for the same period of 2014. The improvement in the combined ratio in the full year 2015 as compared to 2014 was primarily due an improvement of 5.5 points in our core loss ratio and an improvement of 0.3 points in our expense ratio.

Expense Levels

The expense ratio for the fourth quarter was 33.1 percentage points, compared to 31.3 percentage points for the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year, the expense ratio decreased to 31.0 percentage points, compared to 31.3 percentage points for 2014.

"We had an increase in our expense ratio in the fourth quarter 2015 as compared to fourth quarter 2014 primarily due to an increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs, and an increase in employee related expenses," commented Ramlo. "However, our full year 2015 expense ratio was in line with the comparative full year 2014. We continue to make progress towards lowering our expense ratio, but with the lingering low interest rate environment our post retirement benefit plan obligations offset savings from other sources in 2015."

Life Segment

Net income (loss) for the life insurance segment totaled $(5.0) thousand ($0.00 per share) and $3.8 million ($0.15 per share) in the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $1.9 million ($0.08 per share) and $6.8 million ($0.27 per share), respectively, for the same periods of 2014.

"Our life segment continues to have strong sales of single premium whole life polices which was the primary driver of the 54.1 percent increase in premiums earned in the fourth quarter and 29.0 percent for the full year of 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014," stated Ramlo. "This correlated with our strategy to write more life products that are not interest rate sensitive. Our lapse ratios remained strong for the year at 4.27 percent and we were able to successfully execute on our geographical expansion strategy with sales growth of ten percent or more in ten states. The life segment earnings, however, were impacted by an other than temporary impairment of one energy and resource sector fixed maturity security in the fourth quarter of 2015. Also, we experienced a decrease in investment income due to the low interest rate environment and a lower asset base due to declining deferred annuity deposits. Our emphasis on deferred annuity products has been profitability rather than market share as, we were able to improve our spreads on deferred annuity products by 32 basis points in 2015.”



3



Net premiums earned increased 54.1 percent and 29.0 percent in the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the sale of single premium whole life policies.

Net investment income decreased 5.3 percent and 10.2 percent for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. The decreases were due to the low interest rate environment and a lower asset base due to declining deferred annuity deposits.

Loss and loss settlement expenses increased $0.7 million and $2.6 million for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. Fluctuations in the timing of death benefits occur from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year.

The increase in liability for future policy benefits increased $8.3 million and $14.3 million for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014 due to an increase in sales of single premium whole life insurance products.

Deferred annuity deposits decreased 70.2 percent and 55.7 percent in the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014, due to the gradual lowering of our credited rate offered on our deferred annuity products during the low interest rate environment.
 
Net cash outflow related to the Company's annuity business was $23.2 million in the fourth quarter and $129.7 million for the full year, compared to net cash outflows of $27.1 million and $77.7 million, respectively, in the same periods of 2014. This result is attributed to the activity described in the proceeding paragraphs of the life segment discussion.

Capital Management

During the fourth quarter, we declared and paid a $0.22 per share cash dividend to stockholders of record on December 1, 2015. We have paid a quarterly dividend every quarter since March 1968.

Under our share repurchase program, we may purchase United Fire common stock from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any purchases will be at management's discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, general economic and market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. We are authorized by the Board of Directors to purchase an additional 1,528,886 shares of common stock under our share repurchase program, which expires in August 2016. During the fourth quarter, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock due to strong performance of our share price and management's focus on using our excess capital to invest in organic growth of our business. In the year ended December 31, 2015, we purchased 79,396 shares of our common stock for $2.4 million, at an average cost of $30.51 per share.

Earnings Call Access Information

An earnings call will be held at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on February 18, 2016 to allow securities analysts, shareholders and other interested parties the opportunity to hear management discuss the Company's fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015 results.

Teleconference: Dial-in information for the call is toll-free 1-844-492-3723. The event will be archived and available for digital replay through March 3, 2016. The replay access information is toll-free 1-877-344-7529; conference ID no. 10079350.

Webcast: An audio webcast of the teleconference can be accessed at the Company's investor relations page at
http://ir.unitedfiregroup.com/event or http://services.choruscall.com/links/ufcs160218. The archived audio webcast will be available until March 3, 2016.

Transcript: A transcript of the teleconference will be available on the Company's website soon after the completion of the teleconference.



4



About United Fire Group, Inc.

Founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc., through its insurance company subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of writing property and casualty insurance and life insurance and selling annuities.

Through our subsidiaries, we are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 46 states, plus the District of Columbia, and we are represented by approximately 1,200 independent agencies. The United Fire pooled group is rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

Our subsidiary, United Life Insurance Company, is licensed in 37 states, represented by approximately 1,200 independent life agencies and rated "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

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

Randy Patten, Director of SEC Reporting and Investor Relations, 319-286-2537 or IR@unitedfiregroup.com


Disclosure of Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements about our operations, anticipated performance and other similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expected and/or projected. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our company, the industry in which we operate, and beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as "expect(s)," "anticipate(s)," "intends(s)," "plan(s)," "believe(s)" "continue(s)," "seek(s)," "estimate(s)," "goal(s)," "remain optimistic," "target(s)," "forecast(s)," "project(s)," "predict(s)," "should," "could," "may," "will," "might," "hope," "can" and other words and terms of similar meaning or expression in connection with a discussion of future operations, financial performance or financial condition, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements is contained in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the"SEC") on March 2, 2015 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC. The risks identified in our Form 10-K are representative of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release or as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.



5



Supplemental Tables

Financial Highlights
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In Thousands Except Shares and Per Share Data)
2015
 
2014
Change %
 
2015
 
2014
Change %
Revenue Highlights
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums earned
$
249,073

 
$
221,141

12.6
 %
 
$
930,890

 
$
828,330

12.4
 %
Net investment income
26,576

 
27,407

(3.0
)%
 
100,781

 
104,609

(3.7
)%
Total revenues
275,956

 
250,452

10.2
 %
 
1,034,918

 
941,894

9.9
 %
Income Statement Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
30,749

 
33,838

(9.1
)%
 
87,276

 
54,412

60.4
 %
After-tax net realized investment gains
146

 
958

(84.8
)%
 
1,850

 
4,725

(60.8
)%
Net income
$
30,895

 
$
34,796

(11.2
)%
 
$
89,126

 
$
59,137

50.7
 %
Diluted Earnings Per Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
$
1.21

 
$
1.34

(9.7
)%
 
$
3.46

 
$
2.13

62.4
 %
After-tax net realized investment gains

 
0.04

(100.0
)%
 
0.07

 
0.19

(63.2
)%
Net income
$
1.21

 
$
1.38

(12.3
)%
 
$
3.53

 
$
2.32

52.2
 %
Catastrophe Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax catastrophe losses
$
4,977

 
$
2,519

97.6
 %
 
$
32,313

 
$
49,679

(35.0
)%
Effect on after-tax earnings per share
0.13

 
0.06

116.7
 %
 
0.83

 
1.27

(34.6
)%
Effect on combined ratio
2.2
%
 
1.2
%
83.3
 %
 
3.8
%
 
6.5
%
(41.5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Favorable reserve development experienced on prior accident years
16,266

 
24,224

(32.9
)%
 
40,395

 
56,744

(28.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP combined ratio
86.8
%
 
83.6
%
3.8
 %
 
92.0
%
 
97.8
%
(5.9
)%
Return on equity
 
 
 
 
 
10.5
%
 
7.4
%
41.9
 %
Cash dividends declared per share
$
0.22

 
$
0.20

10.0
 %
 
$
0.86

 
$
0.78

10.3
 %
Diluted weighted average shares
 outstanding
25,499,843

 
25,252,185

1.0
 %
 
25,235,996

 
25,493,663

(1.0
)%




















6




Consolidated Income Statement
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In Thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written(1)
$
235,416

 
$
209,508

 
$
967,064

 
$
866,120

Net premiums earned
$
249,073

 
$
221,141

 
$
930,890

 
$
828,330

Investment income, net of investment expenses
26,576

 
27,407

 
100,781

 
104,609

Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment charges
(1,300
)
 

 
(1,300
)
 

All other net realized gains
1,524

 
1,474

 
4,146

 
7,270

Net realized investment gains
224

 
1,474

 
2,846

 
7,270

Other income
83

 
430

 
401

 
1,685

Total Revenues
$
275,956

 
$
250,452

 
$
1,034,918

 
$
941,894

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss settlement expenses
$
127,791

 
$
113,944

 
$
549,088

 
$
536,243

Increase in liability for future policy benefits
18,442

 
10,173

 
50,945

 
36,623

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
51,291

 
43,075

 
186,817

 
167,449

Other underwriting expenses
29,696

 
26,002

 
102,937

 
94,871

Interest on policyholders’ accounts
5,473

 
6,903

 
23,680

 
30,245

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses
$
232,693

 
$
200,097

 
$
913,467

 
$
865,431

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
43,263

 
50,355

 
121,451

 
76,463

Federal income tax expense
12,368

 
15,559

 
32,325

 
17,326

Net income
$
30,895

 
$
34,796

 
$
89,126

 
$
59,137

(1) Data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
(In Thousands)
 
Total invested assets:
 
 
 
Property and casualty segment
$
1,647,666

 
$
1,554,637

Life insurance segment
1,495,094

 
1,616,324

Total cash and investments
3,249,209

 
3,261,535

Total assets
3,890,376

 
3,856,689

Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses
$
2,376,253

 
$
2,417,201

Total liabilities
3,011,479

 
3,039,274

Net unrealized investment gains, after-tax
$
128,369

 
$
149,623

Total stockholders’ equity
878,897

 
817,415

 
 
 
 
Property and casualty insurance statutory capital and surplus (1)(2)
$
722,404

 
$
685,866

Life insurance statutory capital and surplus(1)
138,855

 
155,667

(1) Data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.
(2) Because United Fire & Casualty Company owns United Life Insurance Company, property and casualty insurance statutory capital and surplus includes life insurance statutory capital and surplus and therefore represents our total consolidated statutory capital and surplus.



7



Property & Casualty Insurance Financial Results
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In Thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written(1)
$
209,632

 
$
192,774

 
$
887,874

 
$
804,715

Net premiums earned
$
223,299

 
$
204,418

 
$
851,695

 
$
766,939

Investment income, net of investment expenses
12,977

 
13,045

 
46,559

 
44,236

Net realized investment gains
808

 
495

 
1,124

 
4,177

Other income (loss)
(107
)
 
218

 
(107
)
 
911

Total Revenues
$
236,977

 
$
218,176

 
$
899,271

 
$
816,263

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss settlement expenses
$
120,000

 
$
106,847

 
$
520,087

 
$
509,811

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
49,878

 
42,030

 
180,183

 
161,310

Other underwriting expenses
24,006

 
21,910

 
83,631

 
79,117

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses
$
193,884

 
$
170,787

 
$
783,901

 
$
750,238

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
$
43,093

 
$
47,389

 
$
115,370

 
$
66,025

Federal income tax expense
12,193

 
14,484

 
30,050

 
13,649

Net income
$
30,900

 
$
32,905

 
$
85,320

 
$
52,376

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP combined ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss ratio - excluding catastrophes
51.5
%
 
51.1
%
 
57.2
%
 
60.0
%
Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio
2.2

 
1.2

 
3.8

 
6.5

Net loss ratio
53.7
%
 
52.3
%
 
61.0
%
 
66.5
%
Expense ratio
33.1

 
31.3

 
31.0

 
31.3

Combined ratio
86.8
%
 
83.6
%
 
92.0
%
 
97.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statutory combined ratio:(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss ratio - excluding catastrophes
51.7
%
 
51.3
%
 
57.4
%
 
60.2
%
Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio
2.2

 
1.2

 
3.8

 
6.5

Net loss ratio
53.9
%
 
52.5
%
 
61.2
%
 
66.7
%
Expense ratio
35.4

 
31.8

 
32.2

 
31.4

Combined ratio
89.3
%
 
84.3
%
 
93.4
%
 
98.1
%
(1) Data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.












8



Life Insurance Financial Results
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In Thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written(1)
$
25,784

 
$
16,734

 
$
79,190

 
$
61,405

Net premiums earned
$
25,774

 
$
16,723

 
$
79,195

 
$
61,391

Investment income, net of investment expenses
13,599

 
14,362

 
54,222

 
60,373

Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment charges
(1,300
)
 

 
(1,300
)
 

All other net realized gains
716

 
979

 
3,022

 
3,093

Net realized investment gains (losses)
(584
)
 
979

 
1,722

 
3,093

Other income
190

 
212

 
508

 
774

Total Revenues
$
38,979

 
$
32,276

 
$
135,647

 
$
125,631

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss settlement expenses
$
7,791

 
$
7,097

 
$
29,001

 
$
26,432

Increase in liability for future policy benefits
18,442

 
10,173

 
50,945

 
36,623

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
1,413

 
1,045

 
6,634

 
6,139

Other underwriting expenses
5,690

 
4,092

 
19,306

 
15,754

Interest on policyholders’ accounts
5,473

 
6,903

 
23,680

 
30,245

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses
$
38,809

 
$
29,310

 
$
129,566

 
$
115,193

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
$
170

 
$
2,966

 
$
6,081

 
$
10,438

Federal income tax expense
175

 
1,075

 
2,275

 
3,677

Net income (loss)
$
(5
)
 
$
1,891

 
$
3,806

 
$
6,761

(1) Net premiums written is a financial measure prepared in accordance with statutory practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.


























9



Net Premiums Written by Line of Business
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
Net Premiums Written(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liability(2)
$
64,929

 
$
58,069

 
$
274,961

 
$
243,275

Fire and allied lines(3)
49,554

 
45,292

 
211,095

 
191,081

Automobile
48,329

 
42,336

 
196,685

 
173,202

Workers’ compensation
21,819

 
19,994

 
97,965

 
91,796

Fidelity and surety
4,729

 
4,295

 
22,323

 
20,517

Miscellaneous
425

 
631

 
1,708

 
2,761

Total commercial lines
$
189,785

 
$
170,617

 
$
804,737

 
$
722,632

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fire and allied lines(4)
$
10,368

 
$
10,848

 
$
43,727

 
$
44,087

Automobile
5,914

 
5,737

 
24,796

 
23,811

Miscellaneous
236

 
225

 
1,049

 
993

Total personal lines
$
16,518

 
$
16,810

 
$
69,572

 
$
68,891

Reinsurance assumed
3,329

 
5,347

 
13,565

 
13,192

Total
$
209,632

 
$
192,774

 
$
887,874

 
$
804,715

(1) Net premiums written is a financial measure prepared in accordance with statutory practices, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.
(2) “Other liability” is business insurance covering bodily injury and property damage arising from general business operations, accidents on the insured’s premises and products manufactured or sold.
(3) “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, commercial multiple peril and inland marine.
(4) “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, homeowners and inland marine.




10



Net Premiums Earned, Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses and Loss Ratio by Line of Business
Three Months Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
Net Losses
 
 
 
 
 
Net Losses
 
 
 
 
 
and Loss
 
 
 
 
 
and Loss
 
 
 
Net
 
Settlement
 
Net
 
Net
 
Settlement
 
Net
(In Thousands)
Premiums
 
Expenses
 
Loss
 
Premiums
 
Expenses
 
Loss
Unaudited
Earned
 
Incurred
 
Ratio
 
Earned
 
Incurred
 
Ratio
Commercial lines
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liability
$
69,578

 
$
29,742

 
42.7
 %
 
$
60,575

 
$
19,123

 
31.6
%
Fire and allied lines
52,643

 
29,877

 
56.8

 
47,908

 
22,238

 
46.4

Automobile
49,004

 
35,970

 
73.4

 
43,515

 
34,144

 
78.5

Workers' compensation
24,448

 
10,642

 
43.5

 
23,541

 
16,848

 
71.6

Fidelity and surety
6,332

 
(539
)
 
(8.5
)
 
5,558

 
452

 
8.1

Miscellaneous
423

 
247

 
58.4

 
702

 
171

 
24.4

Total commercial lines
$
202,428

 
$
105,939

 
52.3
 %
 
$
181,799

 
$
92,976

 
51.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fire and allied lines
$
11,085

 
$
4,451

 
40.2
 %
 
$
11,123

 
$
6,096

 
54.8
%
Automobile
6,203

 
5,010

 
80.8

 
5,927

 
3,983

 
67.2

Miscellaneous
262

 
68

 
26.0

 
252

 
262

 
104.0

Total personal lines
$
17,550

 
$
9,529

 
54.3
 %
 
$
17,302

 
$
10,341

 
59.8
%
Reinsurance assumed
$
3,321

 
$
4,532

 
136.5
 %
 
$
5,317

 
$
3,530

 
66.4
%
Total
$
223,299

 
$
120,000

 
53.7
 %
 
$
204,418

 
$
106,847

 
52.3
%

Net Premiums Earned, Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses and Loss Ratio by Line of Business
Years Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
Net Losses
 
 
 
 
 
Net Losses
 
 
 
 
 
and Loss
 
 
 
 
 
and Loss
 
 
 
Net
 
Settlement
 
Net
 
Net
 
Settlement
 
Net
(In Thousands)
Premiums
 
Expenses
 
Loss
 
Premiums
 
Expenses
 
Loss
Unaudited
Earned
 
Incurred
 
Ratio
 
Earned
 
Incurred
 
Ratio
Commercial lines
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liability
$
261,303

 
$
130,904

 
50.1
%
 
$
228,426

 
$
106,827

 
46.8
%
Fire and allied lines
202,375

 
128,479

 
63.5

 
181,710

 
148,856

 
81.9

Automobile
185,970

 
152,558

 
82.0

 
164,537

 
122,683

 
74.6

Workers' compensation
95,672

 
47,106

 
49.2

 
88,522

 
63,425

 
71.6

Fidelity and surety
21,362

 
2,001

 
9.4

 
19,212

 
1,597

 
8.3

Miscellaneous
2,158

 
428

 
19.8

 
2,741

 
153

 
5.6

Total commercial lines
$
768,840

 
$
461,476

 
60.0
%
 
$
685,148

 
$
443,541

 
64.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fire and allied lines
$
44,075

 
$
28,815

 
65.4
%
 
$
44,376

 
$
38,644

 
87.1
%
Automobile
24,120

 
17,817

 
73.9

 
23,276

 
20,571

 
88.4

Miscellaneous
1,021

 
296

 
29.0

 
994

 
1,972

 
198.4

Total personal lines
$
69,216

 
$
46,928

 
67.8
%
 
$
68,646

 
$
61,187

 
89.1
%
Reinsurance assumed
$
13,639

 
$
11,683

 
85.7
%
 
$
13,145

 
$
5,083

 
38.7
%
Total
$
851,695

 
$
520,087

 
61.0
%
 
$
766,939

 
$
509,811

 
66.5
%




11