UNITED FIRE GROUP INC (UFCS)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Insurance Carriers > SIC 6331 Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=101199. Latest filing source: 0000101199-26-000015.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read UFCS's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read UFCS's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,386,412,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
| Net income | 118,191,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
| Assets | 3,840,789,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-26. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000101199.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 996,362,000 | 1,052,737,000 | 1,070,166,000 | 1,201,165,000 | 1,068,627,000 | 1,066,191,000 | 980,286,000 | 1,095,467,000 | 1,253,307,000 | 1,386,412,000 | |
| Net income | 49,904,000 | 51,023,000 | 27,650,000 | 14,820,000 | -112,706,000 | 80,594,000 | 15,031,000 | -29,700,000 | 61,957,000 | 118,191,000 | |
| Diluted EPS | 3.53 | 1.93 | 1.99 | 1.08 | 0.58 | -4.50 | 0.59 | -1.18 | 2.39 | 4.48 | |
| Operating cash flow | 214,384,000 | 170,094,000 | 110,104,000 | 93,752,000 | 41,435,000 | 29,917,000 | -1,251,000 | 171,736,000 | 340,304,000 | 269,743,000 | |
| Dividends paid | 24,591,000 | 27,337,000 | 105,408,000 | 32,662,000 | 28,526,000 | 15,064,000 | 15,860,000 | 16,164,000 | 16,212,000 | 16,306,000 | |
| Assets | 4,054,758,000 | 4,183,431,000 | 2,816,698,000 | 3,013,472,000 | 3,069,678,000 | 3,012,721,000 | 2,882,286,000 | 3,144,190,000 | 3,488,469,000 | 3,840,789,000 | |
| Liabilities | 3,112,874,000 | 3,210,058,000 | 1,928,323,000 | 2,103,000,000 | 2,244,529,000 | 2,133,600,000 | 2,142,172,000 | 2,410,445,000 | 2,706,938,000 | 2,899,619,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 941,884,000 | 973,373,000 | 888,375,000 | 910,472,000 | 825,149,000 | 879,121,000 | 740,114,000 | 733,745,000 | 781,531,000 | 941,170,000 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 89,194,000 | 95,562,000 | 64,454,000 | 120,722,000 | 87,948,000 | 132,104,000 | 96,650,000 | 102,046,000 | 200,949,000 | 156,332,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 5.01% | 4.85% | 2.58% | 1.23% | -10.55% | 7.56% | 1.53% | -2.71% | 4.94% | 8.52% | |
| Return on equity | 5.30% | 5.24% | 3.11% | 1.63% | -13.66% | 9.17% | 2.03% | -4.05% | 7.93% | 12.56% | |
| Return on assets | 1.23% | 1.22% | 0.98% | 0.49% | -3.67% | 2.68% | 0.52% | -0.94% | 1.78% | 3.08% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 3.30 | 3.30 | 2.17 | 2.31 | 2.72 | 2.43 | 2.89 | 3.29 | 3.46 | 3.08 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000101199-26-000015; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000101199-26-000015; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000101199-26-000015; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000101199-26-000015; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000101199-26-000015; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000101199-26-000015; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000101199-26-000015; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000101199-26-000015; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000101199-26-000015; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-06. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000101199.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | -0.42 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | -0.91 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.03 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-03-31 | 694,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 267,089,000 | -2.23 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-06-30 | -56,382,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 273,955,000 | 0.25 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 287,319,000 | 19,608,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 295,999,000 | 13,502,000 | 0.52 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-03-31 | 13,502,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 301,169,000 | -0.11 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-06-30 | -2,735,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 322,964,000 | 0.76 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 333,175,000 | 31,442,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 331,115,000 | 17,700,000 | 0.67 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 335,473,000 | 22,947,000 | 0.87 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 354,018,000 | 39,190,000 | 1.49 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 365,806,000 | 38,354,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 369,442,000 | 30,052,000 | 1.15 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000101199-26-000031; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000101199-26-000031; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000101199-26-000031; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0000101199-26-000031.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 1 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are representative of significant judgments and uncertainties and that may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We base our discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations on the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we have prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). As we prepare these Consolidated Financial Statements, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting policies are more fully described in our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations presented in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed on February 26, 2026. There have been no changes in our critical accounting policies from December 31, 2025.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Management's Discussion and Analysis is to provide an understanding of our results of operations and consolidated financial condition. Our Management's Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes, including those in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. We also prepare financial statements for each of our insurance company subsidiaries based on statutory accounting principles and file them with insurance regulatory authorities in the states where they do business.
When we provide information on a statutory or other basis, we label it as such, otherwise all other data is presented in accordance with GAAP.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Originally founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc. ("UFG," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our") and its consolidated insurance subsidiaries provide insurance protection for individuals and businesses through several regional companies. Our property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries are licensed in 50 states and the District of Columbia and are represented by approximately 850 independent property and casualty agencies, along with contract surety and commercial surety bonds offered through approximately 160 surety agencies.
Reportable Segments
Our property and casualty insurance business operates and reports as one business segment. For more information, refer to Note 13 "Segment Information" in Part I, Item 1.
26
Table of Contents
Products and Lines of Business
Our business consists primarily of commercial lines property and casualty insurance, including surety bonds. Our core commercial products support a wide variety of customers including small business owners and middle market businesses operating in industries such as construction, services, retail trade, financial and manufacturing, along with contract surety and commercial surety bonds offered through approximately 850 independent property and casualty agencies. We also provide specialty and surplus lines coverage written exclusively through wholesale brokers on an admitted and non-admitted basis. The Company also participates as a member of Lloyd's of London syndicates through our insurance subsidiary, McIntyre Cedar Corporate Member LLP. Additionally, the Company offers reinsurance coverage for property and casualty insurance through traditional treaty reinsurance channels. The reinsurance operation supports primarily commercial lines of business but also assumes risk in professional, financial and personal lines of insurance. We also partner with Management General Agents ("MGAs") to offer delegated underwriting programs providing niche products including marine specialty, professional liability and earthquake coverages.
We review and report our results using lines of business. The following table shows the principal types of property and casualty insurance policies we write and issue, and in which lines of business they are reported:
| Direct Writer | Treaty Reinsurance(1) | Lloyd's of London | MGAs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Lines | ||||
| Other Liability | x | P | x | |
| Fire and allied lines | x | P | x | |
| Automobile | x | P | ||
| Workers' compensation | x | P | ||
| Surety(2) | x | P | ||
| Miscellaneous | x | x | ||
| Personal Lines | ||||
| Fire and allied lines | P | |||
| Automobile | P | |||
| Miscellaneous | P | |||
| Reinsurance Assumed | NP | x |
(1) Treaty Reinsurance is split between proportional reinsurance (P) and non-proportional reinsurance (NP).
(2) Commercial lines "Surety" previously referred to as "Fidelity and surety."
Commercial other liability - primarily business insurance covering bodily injury and property damage including construction defect, excess and surplus lines excess casualty, and standard umbrella. Proportional assumed reinsurance on these lines and professional liability coverage managed by an MGA partner.
Commercial fire and allied lines - primarily multi-peril non-liability property coverage and inland marine. Proportional assumed reinsurance on these lines and earthquake coverage managed by an MGA partner.
Commercial automobile - physical damage to an insured's vehicle, as well as liabilities to third parties. Automobile physical damage insurance covers loss or damage to vehicles from collision, vandalism, fire, theft, flood or other causes. Automobile liability insurance covers bodily injury, damage to property resulting from automobile accidents caused by the insured, uninsured or under-insured motorists and the legal costs of defending the insured against lawsuits. Proportional reinsurance on these lines is also included.
Workers' compensation - business coverage for employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job, including proportional assumed reinsurance for this coverage. Our workers' compensation insurance covers primarily small- to mid-sized accounts.
27
Table of Contents
Surety - contract and commercial surety bond coverage which guarantees performance and payment by our bonded principals, protects owners from failure to perform on the part of our principals, and protects material suppliers and subcontractors from nonpayment by our contractors. Proportional reinsurance on these lines is also included.
Commercial miscellaneous - commercial theft coverage, boiler and machinery and ocean marine business managed by an MGA partner.
Personal fire and allied lines - proportional assumed reinsurance for homeowners multi-peril coverage.
Reinsurance assumed - primarily non-proportional assumed reinsurance and Funds at Lloyd's property and casualty syndicates.
Lloyd's of London ("Lloyds") Syndicates
The Company is a member of Lloyd's through its insurance subsidiary, McIntyre Cedar Corporate Member LLP. Lloyd's operates as an insurance marketplace whereby members join syndicates to underwrite property and casualty and reinsurance business through a managing agent in return for receiving premiums. The Company participates in 13 syndicates as of March 31, 2026. The Company is required to maintain capital at Lloyd's, referred to as Funds at Lloyd's ("FAL"), to support participation in these syndicates.
Pooling Arrangement
All of our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries belong to an intercompany reinsurance pooling arrangement. Pooling arrangements permit the participating companies to rely on the capacity of the entire pool's capital and surplus, rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with each participant's own surplus level. Under such arrangements, the members share substantially all of the insurance business that is written and allocate the combined premiums, losses and expenses based on percentages defined in the arrangement.
Geographic Concentration
For the three-month period ended March 31, 2026, approximately 50 percent of our property and casualty premiums were written in Texas, California, New Jersey, Iowa, and Missouri.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We evaluate profit or loss based upon operating and investment results. Profit or loss described in the following sections of this Management's Discussion and Analysis is reported on a pre-tax basis. Our primary sources of revenue are premiums and investment income. Major categories of expenses include losses and loss settlement expenses, underwriting and other operating expenses. Management uses metrics to provide financial statement users with a better understanding of results of operations, including adjusted operating income and three components of the loss ratio: underlying loss ratio, impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development.
Adjusted operating income is calculated by excluding net investment gains and losses, after applicable federal and state income taxes from net income (loss). Management believes adjusted operating income is a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company performance and a useful supplement to GAAP information because it better represents the normal, ongoing performance of our business. Investors and equity analysts who invest in and report on the insurance industry and the Company generally focus on this metric in their analyses.
Underlying loss ratio represents the net loss ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The underlying combined ratio represents the combined ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The Company believes that the underlying loss ratio and underlying combined ratio are meaningful measures to understand the underlying trends in the core business in the current accident year, removing the volatility of catastrophes and prior period impacts. Management believes separate discussions on catastrophe losses and prior period reserve development are important to understanding how the Company is managing catastrophe risk and in identifying developments in longer-tailed business.
28
Table of Contents
Catastrophe losses is an operational measure that utilizes the designations of the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") and is reported with losses and loss adjustment expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. In addition to ISO catastrophes, we also include as catastrophes those events which may include U.S. or international losses, that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Catastrophes are not predictable and are unique in terms of timing and financial impact. While management estimates catastrophe losses as incurred, due to the inherently unique nature of catastrophe losses, the impact in a reporting period is inclusive of catastrophes that occurred in the reporting period, as well as development on catastrophes that may have occurred in prior periods.
Prior period reserve development is the increase (unfavorable) or decrease (favorable) in incurred loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at the valuation dates for losses which occurred in previous cal
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Amounts (except per share amounts) are presented in thousands, unless otherwise noted.
| MD&A Index | Page |
|---|---|
| Forward-Looking Statements | 25 |
| Business Overview | 27 |
| Critical Accounting Estimates | 29 |
| Non-GAAP Financial Measures | 37 |
| Results of Operations | 38 |
| Investments | 46 |
| Reinsurance | 49 |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 53 |
| Recently Issued Accounting Standards | 56 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report 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, as amended (the "Securities Act") and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), 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 United Fire Group, Inc. ("UFG," the "Registrant," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our"), the industry in which we operate, and beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as "expect(s)," "anticipate(s)," "intend(s)," "plan(s)," "believe(s)," "continue(s)," "seek(s)," "estimate(s)," "goal(s)," "remain(s) 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. See Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of this report for more information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual financial condition and results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:
•The success of our strategy may be adversely impacted by various internal and external factors;
•Our core insurance business is dependent on strong and beneficial relationships with a large network of independent insurance agents. A strain in these relationships could result in loss of sufficient business opportunities within our expertise and stated risk appetite;
•We will be at a competitive disadvantage if, over time, our competitors are more effective in pricing their products, development of new product offering, implementation of technology or data analytics;
•Our strategy's success could be affected by our timely ability to recognize and adapt to our position in the insurance cycle;
•Changing weather patterns and climate change add to the unpredictability, frequency and severity of catastrophe losses and may adversely affect the results of our operations, liquidity and financial condition;
25
Table of Contents
•Our success depends primarily on our ability to underwrite risks effectively and adequately price the risks we insure;
•We may be unable to predict the rising cost of insurance claims resulting from changing societal expectations that lead to increasing litigation, broader definitions of liability, broader contract interpretations, more plaintiff-friendly legal decisions and larger compensatory jury awards;
•Our reserves for property and casualty insurance losses and loss settlement expenses are based on estimates and may be inadequate, adversely impacting our financial results;
•We insure property that is exposed to various natural perils that can give rise to significant claims costs;
•We are subject to certain risks related to our investment portfolio that could negatively affect our profitability;
•A downgrade in our financial strength or issuer credit ratings could result in a loss of business and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity;
•We may be unable to secure reinsurance capacity that provides necessary risk protection at a reasonable cost;
•We may be unable to attract, retain or effectively manage the succession of key personnel;
•Unauthorized data access, cyber attacks and other security breaches could have an adverse impact on our business and reputation;
•We are subject to comprehensive laws and regulations, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations;
•Macroeconomic conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, results of our operations, financial condition, and growth;
•Our stock price could become more volatile, and your investment could lose value;
•Efforts to disrupt the structure, management or ownership of the Company could diminish the value of our common stock; and
•The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends may affect our liquidity and ability to meet our obligations.
These are representative of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed in 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 report or as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("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.
26
Table of Contents
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Reportable Segments
We operate as one operating segment. Our revenues are primarily derived from premiums earned for property and casualty insurance products issued to customers. For additional information, see Note 10, Segment Information, in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
We review and report our results using lines of business. The following table shows the principal types of property and casualty insurance policies we write and issue, and in which lines of business they are reported:
| Direct Writer | Treaty Reinsurance(1) | Lloyd's of London | MGAs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Lines | ||||
| Other liability | x | P | x | |
| Fire and allied lines | x | P | x | |
| Automobile | x | P | ||
| Workers' compensation | x | P | ||
| Surety(2) | x | P | ||
| Miscellaneous | x | x | ||
| Personal Lines | ||||
| Fire and allied lines | * | P | ||
| Automobile | * | P | ||
| Miscellaneous | * | P | ||
| Reinsurance assumed | NP | x |
* Personal lines direct business was discontinued in 2020 and no exposure to direct personal lines of business remains as of December 31, 2025.
(1) Treaty Reinsurance is split between proportional reinsurance (P) and non-proportional reinsurance (NP).
(2) Commercial lines "Surety" previously referred to as "Fidelity and surety."
Commercial other liability - primarily business insurance covering bodily injury and property damage including construction defect, excess and surplus lines excess casualty, and standard umbrella. Proportional assumed reinsurance on these lines and professional liability coverage managed by an MGA partner.
Commercial fire and allied lines - primarily multi-peril non-liability property coverage, inland marine. Proportional assumed reinsurance on these lines and earthquake coverage managed by an MGA partner.
Commercial automobile - physical damage to an insured's vehicle, as well as liabilities to third parties. Automobile physical damage insurance covers loss or damage to vehicles from collision, vandalism, fire, theft, flood or other causes. Automobile liability insurance covers bodily injury, damage to property resulting from automobile accidents caused by the insured, uninsured or under-insured motorists and the legal costs of defending the insured against lawsuits. Proportional reinsurance on these lines is also included.
Workers' compensation - business coverage for employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job, including proportional assumed reinsurance for this coverage. Our workers' compensation insurance covers primarily small- to mid-sized accounts.
Surety - contract and commercial surety bond coverage which guarantees performance and payment by our bonded principals, protects owners from failure to perform on the part of our principals, and protects material suppliers and subcontractors from nonpayment by our contractors. Proportional reinsurance on these lines is also included.
Commercial miscellaneous - commercial theft coverage, boiler and machinery and ocean marine business managed by an MGA partner.
27
Table of Contents
Personal - primarily proportional assumed reinsurance for personal lines.
Reinsurance assumed - primarily non-proportional assumed reinsurance and Lloyd's of London property and casualty syndicates.
Lloyd's of London ("Lloyds") Syndicates
The Company is a member of Lloyd's through its insurance subsidiary McIntyre Cedar Corporate Member LLP. Lloyd’s operates as an insurance marketplace whereby members join syndicates to underwrite property and casualty and reinsurance business through a managing agent in return for receiving premiums. The Company participates in Syndicate 1492, Syndicate 1729, Syndicate 1969, Syndicate 1971, Syndicate 4747, Syndicate 2988, Syndicate 1699, Syndicate 5623, Syndicate 2358, Syndicate 1955 and Syndicate 1609. The Company is required to maintain capital at Lloyd's, referred to as Funds at Lloyd's ("FAL"), to support the participation in these syndicates.
Pooling Arrangement
All of our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries belong to an intercompany reinsurance pooling arrangement. Pooling arrangements permit the participating companies to rely on the capacity of the entire pool's capital and surplus, rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with each participant's own surplus level. Under such arrangements, the members share substantially all of the insurance business that is written and allocate the combined premiums, losses and expenses based on percentages defined in the arrangement.
Geographic Concentration
For the year ended December 31, 2025, 48.5 percent of our property and casualty premiums were written in Texas, California, Iowa, New Jersey, and Missouri.
Direct statutory written premium by our property and casualty insurance operations were distributed as follows for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023:
| Years Ended December 31, | % of Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Texas | $ | 240,158 | $ | 200,593 | $ | 176,287 | 19.7 | % | 18.4 | % | 17.4 | % | |||
| California | 174,914 | 136,840 | 126,262 | 14.3 | 12.5 | 12.4 | |||||||||
| Iowa | 69,438 | 70,935 | 71,975 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 7.1 | |||||||||
| New Jersey | 55,401 | 47,909 | 42,369 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.2 | |||||||||
| Missouri | 51,943 | 53,575 | 59,094 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.8 | |||||||||
| Louisiana | 51,150 | 52,795 | 43,769 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 4.3 | |||||||||
| Illinois | 48,126 | 40,728 | 37,158 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 3.7 | |||||||||
| Colorado | 41,796 | 38,285 | 36,900 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 | |||||||||
| Florida | 40,974 | 30,402 | 27,866 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 2.7 | |||||||||
| Minnesota | 34,940 | 33,230 | 35,718 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.5 | |||||||||
| All Other States | 410,464 | 386,525 | 356,879 | 33.7 | 35.4 | 35.2 | |||||||||
| Direct Statutory Written Premium | $ | 1,219,304 | $ | 1,091,817 | $ | 1,014,277 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
28
Table of Contents
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Management's discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements. These statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following critical accounting estimates are those we believe affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. Additional information about other significant accounting policies and estimates may be found in Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Investment Valuation
Upon acquisition, we classify investments in marketable securities as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. We record investments in fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale and equity securities at fair value. Other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. We record mortgage loans at their amortized cost less any valuation allowance.
In general, investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market volatility risk. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair value of our investment securities that are reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, it is reasonably possible that changes in the value of our investments in limited liability partnerships could occur in the future and such changes could materially affect our results of operations as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Measurement
Information specific to the fair value measurement of our financial instruments and disclosures is incorporated by reference from Note 3 "Fair Value of Financial Instruments" contained in Part II, Item 8.
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
Reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses are reported using our best estimate of the ultimate liability for claims that occurred prior to the end of any given reporting period but have not yet been paid. Before credit for reinsurance recoverables, these reserves were $1.9 billion and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. We purchase reinsurance to mitigate the impact of large losses and catastrophic events. Loss and loss settlement expense reserves ceded to reinsurers were $213.6 million and $198.1 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
29
Table of Contents
Our reserves, before credit for reinsurance recoverables, by line of business as of December 31, 2025, were as follows:
| (In Thousands) | Case Basis | IBNR | Loss Settlement Expense | Total Reserves | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 68,387 | $ | 60,699 | $ | 28,408 | $ | 157,494 | ||||||
| Other liability | 259,142 | 546,936 | 166,215 | 972,293 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | 147,419 | 93,791 | 29,539 | 270,749 | ||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 77,398 | 16,694 | 14,682 | 108,774 | ||||||||||
| Surety(1) | 18,530 | 20,363 | 4,471 | 43,364 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 3,250 | 21,535 | 3,505 | 28,290 | ||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | $ | 574,126 | $ | 760,018 | $ | 246,820 | $ | 1,580,964 | ||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||
| Automobile | $ | 548 | $ | 516 | $ | 195 | $ | 1,259 | ||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 2,667 | 5,934 | 400 | 9,001 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 30 | 2 | (2) | 30 | ||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 3,245 | $ | 6,452 | $ | 593 | $ | 10,290 | ||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | 134,354 | 195,930 | 3,288 | 333,572 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 711,725 | $ | 962,400 | $ | 250,701 | $ | 1,924,826 |
(1) Commercial lines "Surety" previously referred to as "Fidelity and surety."
Case-Basis Reserves
For each of our lines of business, our experienced claims personnel estimate case-basis reserves for reported claims. Establishing the case reserve for an individual claim is subjective and complex, requiring us to estimate future payments and values sufficient to settle the claim. Setting a reserve for an individual claim is an inherently uncertain process. When we establish and adjust individual claim reserves, we do so based on our knowledge of the circumstances and facts of the claim at a point in time. Upon notice of a claim, we establish a preliminary (average claim cost) reserve based on the limited claim information initially reported. Subsequently, we conduct an investigation of each reported claim, which allows us to more fully understand the factors contributing to the loss and our potential exposure. This investigation may extend over a long period of time. As our claim investigation progresses, and as our claims personnel identify trends in claims activity, we may refine and adjust our estimates of case-basis reserves. To evaluate and refine our overall reserving process, we track and monitor all claims until they are settled and paid in full, with all salvage, subrogation claims, and liability deductible recoveries being resolved.
Our loss reserves include amounts related to both short-tail and long-tail lines of business. A short-tail insurance product is one where claim settlement values are known comparatively quickly. Final settlement values for long-tail insurance products are sometimes not known for many years. The longer the time span between the incidence of a loss and the settlement of the claim, the more the final settlement can vary from the reserves initially established. Accordingly, long-tail insurance products can have significant implications on the reserving process.
Our short-tail lines of business include fire and allied lines, commercial property, automobile physical damage and inland marine. The amounts of the case-based reserves that we establish for claims in these lines depend upon various factors, such as individual claim facts (including type of coverage and severity of loss), our historical loss experience and trends in general economic conditions (including changes in replacement costs, medical costs and inflation).
Our long-tail lines of business include workers' compensation and other liability. In addition, certain product lines such as commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril and surety include both long-tail coverages and short-tail coverages. For many long-tail liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years, may elapse
30
Table of Contents
between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement of the claim. As a result, loss experience in the more recent accident years for the long-tail liability coverages has limited statistical credibility in our reserving process because a relatively small proportion of losses in these accident years are reported claims and an even smaller proportion are paid losses. In addition, long-tail liability claims are more susceptible to litigation and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment. Consequently, the estimation of loss reserves for long-tail coverages is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability than for short-tail coverages.
The amounts of the case-basis loss reserves that we establish for claims in long-tail lines of business depend upon various factors, including individual claim facts (including type of coverage, severity of loss and underlying policy limits), company historical loss experience, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages, experience with alternative dispute resolution, changes in political attitudes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. As with our short-tail lines of business, we review and make changes to long-tail case-based reserves based on our review of continually evolving facts as they become available to us during the claims settlement process. Our adjustments to case-based reserves are reported in the financial statements in the period that new information arises about the claim. Examples of facts that become known that could cause us to change our case-based reserves include, but are not limited to: evidence that loss severity is different than previously assessed; new claimants who have presented claims; and the assessment that no coverage exists.
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves ("IBNR")
Most of our insurance policies are written on an occurrence basis that provides coverage if a loss occurs during the policy period, even if the insured reports the loss many years later. On a quarterly basis, the Company performs a detailed analysis of IBNR reserves. This analysis uses various projection methods to provide several estimates of ultimate loss or loss adjustment expense ("LAE") for each individual accident year and line of business. The projection methods include, but are not limited to, paid development; reported development; expected loss ratio methods; and Bornhuetter Ferguson methods on both a paid and reported basis. These methods may need to be adjusted for anomalies or outliers in the data, unusual internal or external trends, or other factors impacting the reliability/credibility of the historical company experience. Results of the projection methods are compared, and a point estimate of ultimate loss or LAE is established for each individual accident year and line of business. The specific projection methods used to establish point estimates vary depending on what is deemed most appropriate for a particular line of business and accident year. IBNR estimates are derived by subtracting reported loss from the final point estimates.
Senior management meets with our actuarial team and controller on a quarterly basis to review the adequacy of carried IBNR reserves based on the results of this actuarial analysis. Adjustments for changes in business and other factors not completely captured by the data within the actuarial analysis are made as deemed necessary. This method of establishing our IBNR reserves has consistently resulted in aggregate reserve levels that management believes are reasonable in comparison to the reserve estimates indicated by the actuarial analysis.
For our short-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a small portion of the overall reserves. These claims are generally reported and settled shortly after the loss occurs. In our long-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a relatively higher proportion of total reserves, because, for many liability claims, significant periods of time may elapse between the initial occurrence of the losses, the reporting of the losses to us, and the ultimate settlement of the losses.
Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
Loss settlement expense reserves include amounts ultimately allocable to individual claims, as well as amounts required for the general overhead of the claims handling operation that are not specifically allocable to individual claims. We do not establish case reserves for these expenses. Instead, on a quarterly basis, management performs a statistical analysis to estimate the required reserve for unpaid loss settlement expenses using historical data.
31
Table of Contents
LAE is composed of two distinct kinds of expenses which are defense and cost containment ("DCC") and adjusting and other ("A&O"). These two expense types have different purposes and characteristics which necessitates different estimation methods in order to provide a quarterly estimate of the required reserve for unpaid expense which is generally referred to as an LAE IBNR reserve.
Reserves for unpaid DCC are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using three methods: (1) Paid development, (2) Expected emergence of DCC, and (3) Bornhuetter Ferguson. Each of the three methods produces an estimate of the ultimate DCC cost for an individual accident year and the final estimate is generally a weighted average of the various methods. Inception to date paid DCC is subtracted from the final ultimate DCC estimate to provide the estimated DCC unpaid reserve for each individual accident year.
Reserves for unpaid A&O are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using a single method. This method consists of applying a percentage factor to unpaid loss reserves. The percentage factor used differs by line of business and is established on an annual basis using year-end data. The percentage factor is evaluated and selected after reviewing the ratio of paid A&O to paid loss using calendar year data for the most recent five years.
Reinsurance Reserves
There are three distinct types of reserves for expected recoveries: (1) reported claim reserves, (2) loss IBNR, and (3) allocated LAE IBNR. Ceded reserves for reported claims are calculated by subtracting the primary retention from the claim value established by our claim adjuster. Ceded IBNR comes from multiple treaties and is reviewed quarterly by our reserving actuaries in conjunction with the direct IBNR. Multiple methods are utilized in the ceded IBNR which vary by line of business. These include estimates based on the relationship of ceded premium to direct premium, Bornhuetter Ferguson methods, and methods based on industry excess of loss factors. Some of our business is 100 percent ceded or based on a set quota share percentage. In those cases, ceded loss IBNR is typically formulaic based on direct loss IBNR. We will cede some allocated LAE expenses when we cede loss. Our ceded allocated LAE IBNR is estimated based on our ceded unpaid loss reserves and the general relation, by line of business, between LAE and loss.
Key Assumptions
The Company uses a number of key assumptions in establishing an estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, including but not limited to the following: the Company's case-basis reserves reflect the most up-to-date information available about the unique circumstances of each individual known claim; judicial decisions or regulatory actions have been considered to the extent of our knowledge; new, emerging claim reporting and payment patterns will continue into the future consistent with the observable past; adjustments have been made for significant unique and unusual known claim events; and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no new, unidentified latent trends that would impact our overall reserves. These assumptions about future circumstances and expectations are inherently uncertain and subject to many risk factors including but not limited to heightened levels of inflation, increased litigation activity, changing weather patterns, and changing driver behaviors.
Therefore, our key assumptions are subject to change as actual claims occur and as we gain additional information about the variables that underlie our assumptions. Accordingly, management reviews and updates these assumptions periodically to ensure that the assumptions remain relevant and consistent with our current understanding of the environment. If necessary, management makes changes not only in the estimates derived from the use of these assumptions, but also in the assumptions themselves. Due to the inherent uncertainty in the loss reserving process, management believes that there is a reasonable chance that modification to key assumptions could individually, or in aggregate, result in reserve levels above or below the actual amount for which the related claims will eventually settle.
Adjustments to the reserves could be recorded in one year or multiple years, depending on when they are identified. This would also affect our financial position as our equity would be adjusted by an amount equal to the net income impact. Any deficiency that would be recognized in our loss and loss settlement expense reserves usually does not
32
Table of Contents
have a material effect on our liquidity because the claims have not been paid. Conversely, if our estimates of ultimate unpaid loss and loss settlement expense reserves prove to be redundant, our future earnings and financial position would be improved. We believe our approach produces recorded reserves that are reasonable as to their relative position within a range of reasonable reserves from year-to-year.
Historical experience suggests reserve levels can vary considerably for an individual year before ultimate settlement values are known, but variation for the aggregate ultimate loss typically would fall in the range of 2.5% to 5%. The table below provides some scenarios for the impact of this development volatility on our reported net loss and loss adjustment reserves of $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2025.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Impact from updated assumptions | 2.5% | 5.0% | ||||
| Impact on total net reported Loss and LAE reserves | $ | 42,780 | $ | 85,560 |
The reserves related to expenses not associated with individual claims (adjusting and other) are reviewed using a projected claim count model. The methodologies relied upon for the remainder of the reserves were not altered but additional considerations were added to our models to aid in selecting key assumptions. In estimating our 2025 loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we did not anticipate future events or conditions that were inconsistent with past development patterns.
Certain of our lines of business are subject to the potential for greater loss and loss settlement expense development than others, which are discussed below:
Other Liability Reserves
Other liability is considered a long-tail line of business, as it can take a relatively long period of time to settle claims from prior accident years. This is partly due to the lag time between the date a loss or event occurs that triggers coverage and the date when the claim is actually reported. Defense costs are also a part of the insured expenses covered by liability policies and can be significant, sometimes greater than the cost of the actual paid claims. For the majority of our products, defense costs are outside of the policy limit, meaning that the amounts paid for defense costs are not subtracted from the available policy limit.
Factors that can cause uncertainty in estimating reserves in this line include: reporting time lags; the number of parties involved in the underlying tort action; whether the "event" triggering coverage is confined to only one time period or is spread over multiple time periods; the potential dollars involved in the individual claim actions; whether such claims were reasonably foreseeable and intended to be covered at the time the contracts were written (i.e., coverage disputes); and the potential for mass claim actions.
Claims with longer reporting time lags may result in greater inherent risk. This is especially true for alleged claims with a latency feature, particularly where courts have ruled that coverage is spread over multiple policy years, hence involving multiple defendants (and their insurers and reinsurers) and multiple policies (thereby increasing the potential dollars involved and the underlying settlement complexity). Claims with long latencies also increase the potential time lag between writing a policy in a certain market and the recognition that such policy has potential mass tort and/or latent claim exposure.
Our reserve for other liability claims at December 31, 2025 was $972.3 million and consisted of 3,528 claims, compared with $912.7 million, consisting of 3,862 claims at December 31, 2024. Of the $972.3 million total reserve for other liability claims, $113.8 million is identified as DCC and $52.0 million is identified as A&O required in the settlement of claims.
Included in the other liability line of business are gross reserves for construction defect losses and loss settlement expenses. Construction defect exposure is unique because of its very long tail as claims can often take over six years to be reported to us and another four years to settle, on average. This exposure relates to a deficiency in the design or construction of a building or structure resulting from a failure to design or construct in a reasonably workmanlike
33
Table of Contents
manner, and/or in accordance with a buyer's reasonable expectation. In the cases involving latent defects, the determination of when a loss occurred is often unclear and governed by various theories that vary by state. Further, each state has a unique Statute of Repose that determines the length of time an insured has to report a claim generally from the date of substantial completion of a project.
In addition to these issues, other variables contribute to a high degree of uncertainty in establishing reserves for construction defect claims. These variables include: whether coverage exists; when losses occur; the size of each loss; expectations for future interpretive rulings concerning contract provisions; and the extent to which the assertion of these claims will expand geographically. In recent years, we have implemented various underwriting measures that we anticipate will mitigate the amount of construction defect losses experienced, including further consideration of insured endorsements; stricter underwriting guidelines on the writing of residential contractors; and increased utilization of loss control.
Asbestos and Environmental Reserves
Included in the commercial other liability and assumed reinsurance lines of business are reserves for asbestos and other environmental loss and loss settlement expenses. We record our best estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, but the ultimate amounts paid upon settlement of such claims may be more or less than the amount of the reserves given the inherent uncertainties surrounding such claims and the likelihood these uncertainties will not be resolved for many years. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in direct and assumed asbestos and other environmental loss and loss settlement expense reserves.
Catastrophe Event Reserves
Catastrophe losses are inherent risks of the property and casualty insurance business. Catastrophic events include, without limitation, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, hailstorms, wildfires, high winds, winter storms and other natural disasters, along with man-made exposures to losses resulting from acts of terrorism and political instability. Some types of catastrophes are more likely to occur at certain times within the year than others, which adds an element of seasonality to our property and casualty insurance claims. The frequency and severity of catastrophic events are difficult to accurately predict in any year. However, some geographic locations are more susceptible to these events than others.
We control our direct insurance exposures in regions that are prone to naturally occurring catastrophic events through a combination of geographic diversification, restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in such regions, and reinsurance. We regularly assess our concentration of risk in natural catastrophe exposed areas and consider the impacts of climate change and the unpredictability of future trends in adjusting our geographic concentrations. We have strategies and underwriting standards to manage these exposures through individual risk selection, subject to regulatory constraints, and through the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance coverage. We use catastrophe modeling and a risk concentration management tool to monitor and control our potential losses in natural catastrophe exposed areas, such as the Gulf Coast and East Coast, as well as in areas of exposure in other countries where we are exposed to a portion of an insurer's underwriting risk under our assumed reinsurance contracts. Despite our efforts to manage our catastrophe exposure, the extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in an area affected by the event and the severity of the event. The occurrence of one or more severe natural catastrophic events in heavily populated areas could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
The process of estimating and establishing reserves for losses incurred from catastrophic events is inherently uncertain and the actual ultimate cost of a claim, net of reinsurance recoveries, may vary materially from the estimated amount reserved. Catastrophe modeling generally relies on multiple inputs based on experience, science, engineering and history, and the selection of those inputs requires a significant amount of judgment. The modeling results may also fail to account for risks that are outside the range of normal probability or are otherwise unforeseen. Because of this, actual results may differ materially from those derived from our modeling assumptions.
34
Table of Contents
Commercial Automobile Reserves
Commercial automobile claim reserves are established at exposure based on information either known and provided or obtained through the claims investigation. The perspective and experience of the claims staff, which may include assumptions as to how the claim will develop over time, is incorporated in the investigation. Exposures are identified and reserves established within 30 to 60 days depending on the complexity of the case.
Workers' Compensation Reserves
Like the other liability line of business, workers' compensation losses and loss settlement expense reserves are based upon variables that create uncertainty in estimating the ultimate reserve. Estimates for workers' compensation are particularly sensitive to assumptions about medical cost inflation. Other variables we consider and that contribute to the uncertainty in establishing reserves for workers' compensation claims include: state legislative and regulatory environments; trends in jury awards; and mortality rates. Because of these variables, the process of reserving for the ultimate loss and loss settlement expense to be incurred requires the use of informed judgment and is inherently uncertain. Consequently, actual loss and loss settlement expense reserves may deviate from our estimates and such deviations may be significant. Our reserve for workers' compensation claims at December 31, 2025 was $108.8 million and consisted of 1,273 claims, compared with $115.6 million, consisting of 1,042 claims, at December 31, 2024.
Reserve Development
We recognized favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years totaling $14.1 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and adverse development of $67.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The following table details the pre-tax impact on our financial results and financial condition of reasonably likely reserve development. Our lines of business that have historically been most susceptible to significant volatility in reserve development have been shown separately and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 5.0 percent and 10.0 percent. Our other, less volatile, lines of business have been aggregated and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 3.0 percent and 5.0 percent.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -10% | -5% | +5% | +10% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Other liability | $ | (97,229) | $ | (48,615) | $ | 48,615 | $ | 97,229 | ||||||
| Workers' compensation | (10,877) | (5,439) | 5,439 | 10,877 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | (27,201) | (13,600) | 13,600 | 27,201 | ||||||||||
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -5% | -3% | +3% | +5% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| All other lines | $ | (28,588) | $ | (17,153) | $ | 17,153 | $ | 28,588 |
Reserve development is discussed in more detail under the heading "Losses and Loss Settlement Expense" in the "Results of Operations" section in this Item 7.
Appointed Actuary
The Company terminated the engagement with Regnier Consulting Group, Inc. ("Regnier") as its appointed actuary for the year ended December 31, 2024. Beginning with the 2024 reporting period, the Company's Vice President of Actuarial Reserving serves as the appointed actuary, approved by the Board of Directors. The Company has engaged a third party firm to provide an independent and unbiased assessment of the Company's reserves. We do not rely on the external consulting actuary's assessment to determine our recorded reserves; however, we review and
35
Table of Contents
discuss its observations on trends, key assumptions, and actuarial methodologies, and consider these items when determining our recorded reserves.
Pension Benefit Obligation
The process of estimating our pension benefit obligation and related benefit expense is inherently uncertain, and the actual cost of benefits may vary materially from the estimates recorded. These liabilities are particularly volatile due to their long-term nature and are based on several assumptions. The main assumptions used in the valuation of our pension benefit obligation are estimates related to: mortality of the employees and retirees eligible for benefits; expected long-term rates of return on investments; compensation increases; employee turnover; and liability discount rate. We have engaged an independent firm to assist in evaluating and establishing assumptions used in the valuation of our pension benefit obligations.
A change in any one or more of these assumptions is likely to result in an ultimate liability different from the original actuarial estimate. Such changes in estimates may be material. For example, a 100 basis point decrease in our estimated discount rate would increase the pension benefit obligation at December 31, 2025 by $20.9 million while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease the pension benefit obligation by $17.3 million, for the same period.
A 100 basis point decrease in our estimated long-term rate of return on pension plan assets would increase the benefit expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 by $2.3 million, while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease benefit expense by $2.3 million, for the same period. Corresponding with the impact on benefit expense, there would be an offsetting impact to pension plan assets.
In an effort to limit the impacts of interest rate exposure, in September 2023, we made a shift in our pension plan asset investment strategy to a liability driven investment ("LDI") approach to better match the timing of cash flows between payouts from the plan with cash flows from the asset portfolio as well as hedge interest rate risk between assets and liabilities.
36
Table of Contents
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We evaluate profit or loss based upon operating and investment results. Profit or loss described in the following sections of this Management's Discussion and Analysis is reported on a pre-tax basis. Our primary sources of revenue are premiums and investment income. Major categories of expenses include losses and loss settlement expenses, underwriting and other operating expenses. Management uses metrics to provide financial statement users with a better understanding of results of operations, including adjusted operating income and three components of the loss ratio: underlying loss ratio, impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development.
Adjusted operating income is calculated by excluding net investment gains and losses, after applicable federal and state income taxes from net income (loss). Management believes adjusted operating income is a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company performance and a useful supplement to GAAP information because it better represents the normal, ongoing performance of our business. Investors and equity analysts who invest in and report on the insurance industry and the Company generally focus on this metric in their analyses.
Underlying loss ratio represents the net loss ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The underlying combined ratio represents the combined ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The Company believes that the underlying loss ratio and underlying combined ratio are meaningful measures to understand the underlying trends in the core business in the current accident year, removing the volatility of catastrophes and prior period impacts. Management believes separate discussions on catastrophe losses and prior period reserve development are important to understanding how the Company is managing catastrophe risk and in identifying developments in longer-tailed business.
Catastrophe losses is an operational measure that utilizes the designations of the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") and is reported with losses and loss adjustment expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. In addition to ISO catastrophes, we also include as catastrophes those events which may include U.S. or international losses, that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Catastrophes are not predictable and are unique in terms of timing and financial impact. While management estimates catastrophe losses as incurred, due to the inherently unique nature of catastrophe losses, the impact in a reporting period is inclusive of catastrophes that occurred in the reporting period, as well as development on catastrophes that may have occurred in prior periods.
Prior period reserve development is the increase (unfavorable) or decrease (favorable) in incurred loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at the valuation dates for losses which occurred in previous calendar years. This measure excludes development on catastrophe losses.
37
Table of Contents
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table includes the consolidated results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, with more detailed components and discussion in the sections that follow. Discussions of the components of net income are presented on a pre-tax basis, unless otherwise noted.
Financial Highlights
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Revenues | ||||||||
| Net earned premium | $ | 1,292,696 | $ | 1,176,750 | $ | 1,034,587 | ||
| Net investment income | 97,538 | 81,986 | 59,606 | |||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (3,822) | (5,429) | 1,274 | |||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,386,412 | $ | 1,253,307 | $ | 1,095,467 | ||
| Benefits, losses and expenses | ||||||||
| Losses and loss settlement expenses | $ | 764,402 | $ | 744,605 | $ | 769,414 | ||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 315,323 | 281,338 | 244,991 | |||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 146,609 | 140,942 | 115,800 | |||||
| Interest expense | 11,267 | 7,281 | 3,260 | |||||
| Other non-underwriting expenses | 875 | 2,107 | 1,723 | |||||
| Total benefits, losses and expenses | $ | 1,238,476 | $ | 1,176,273 | $ | 1,135,188 | ||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 147,936 | $ | 77,034 | (39,721) | |||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 29,745 | 15,077 | (10,021) | |||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 118,191 | $ | 61,957 | $ | (29,700) | ||
| Combined ratio: | ||||||||
| Net loss ratio | 59.1 | % | 63.3 | % | 74.4 | % | ||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 35.7 | % | 35.9 | % | 34.9 | % | ||
| Combined ratio | 94.8 | % | 99.2 | % | 109.3 | % | ||
| Additional ratios(1): | ||||||||
| Net loss ratio | 59.1 | % | 63.3 | % | 74.4 | % | ||
| Catastrophes | 3.2 | % | 5.4 | % | 6.2 | % | ||
| Reserve development (favorable) unfavorable | (0.4) | % | — | % | 6.0 | % | ||
| Underlying loss ratio (non-GAAP) | 56.3 | % | 57.9 | % | 62.2 | % | ||
| Underwriting expense ratio | 35.7 | % | 35.9 | % | 34.9 | % | ||
| Underlying combined ratio (non-GAAP) | 92.0 | % | 93.8 | % | 97.1 | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) Underlying loss ratio and underlying combined ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in Part II, Item 7 for additional information.
38
Table of Contents
Net Written Premium
Net written premium is the amount charged for insurance policy contracts issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. Net written premium is frequently used by industry analysts and other recognized reporting sources to facilitate comparisons of the performance of insurance companies. Management believes net written premium is a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company sales performance and geographical expansion efforts. Net written premium for an insurance company consists of direct written premium and assumed premium, less ceded premium. The following shows our written premium for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023:
| (In Thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | vs. 2024 | vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Direct written premium | $ | 1,308,916 | $ | 1,177,511 | $ | 1,061,358 | 11.2 | % | 10.9 | % | |||||||
| Assumed written premium | 199,942 | 217,904 | 159,335 | (8.2) | 36.8 | ||||||||||||
| Ceded written premium | (162,639) | (163,945) | (153,792) | (0.8) | 6.6 | ||||||||||||
| Net written premium | $ | 1,346,219 | $ | 1,231,470 | $ | 1,066,901 | 9.3 | % | 15.4 | % |
See 'Premiums' below for a description of the changes in premiums for the years presented.
Revenues
Premiums
Net earned premium is calculated on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the respective policies. Unearned premium reserves are established for the portion of written premium applicable to the unexpired terms of the insurance policies in force. The difference between net earned premium and net written premium is the change in unearned premium and the change in prepaid reinsurance premium. Direct earned premium is recognized ratably over the life of a policy and differs from direct written premium, which is recognized on the effective date of the policy. The following shows our earned premium for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023:
| (In Thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | vs. 2024 | vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Direct earned premium | 1,259,966 | 1,109,903 | 1,017,917 | 13.5 | % | 9.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Assumed earned premium | 206,708 | 214,043 | 161,628 | (3.4) | % | 32.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Ceded earned premium | (173,978) | (147,196) | (144,958) | 18.2 | % | 1.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Net earned premium | $ | 1,292,696 | $ | 1,176,750 | $ | 1,034,587 | 9.9 | % | 13.7 | % |
Direct Premium
Direct premium is the total policy premium, net of cancellations, associated with policies issued and underwritten by our property and casualty insurance business. Direct premium increased $150.1 million in 2025 as compared to 2024 and increased $92.0 million in 2024 as compared to 2023 primarily due to growth in our core commercial lines resulting from improved retention, increased pricing and substantial new business production.
Assumed Premium
Assumed premium is the total premium associated with the insurance risk transferred to us by other insurance and reinsurance companies pursuant to reinsurance contracts. Assumed premium decreased $7.3 million in 2025 as compared to 2024 due to targeted management actions of exiting certain reinsurance programs, while assumed premium increased $52.4 million in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to the addition of new programs and cedant growth.
39
Table of Contents
Ceded Premium
Ceded premium is the portion of direct premium that we cede to our reinsurers under our reinsurance contracts. Ceded premium increased $26.8 million in 2025 due to growth in the subject premium base and ceded reinsurance premium adjustments. For 2024, the ratio of ceded premium to direct premium remained flat as compared to 2023, due to rate decreases in property offsetting rate increases in casualty.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income was $97.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $15.6 million or 19.0% from the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily from our fixed income portfolio increase of $17.9 million or 25.7%, as a result of portfolio management actions, including investing at higher rates, and portfolio growth, offset by lower income on other long-term investments.
Net investment income was $82.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $22.4 million or 37.5% from the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily from our fixed income portfolio increase of $13.5 million or 23.9%, as a result of portfolio management actions, including investing at higher rates and the strategic re-allocation of equity securities into fixed maturity securities.
The following table details our net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023:
| (In thousands, except average yields) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment income: | |||||||||||
| Interest on fixed maturities | $ | 87,642 | $ | 69,703 | $ | 56,243 | |||||
| Dividends on equity securities | — | 341 | 3,548 | ||||||||
| Income (loss) on other long-term investments | 6,944 | 7,939 | (31) | ||||||||
| Other | 15,123 | 14,951 | 9,324 | ||||||||
| Total investment income | $ | 109,709 | $ | 92,934 | $ | 69,084 | |||||
| Less investment expenses | 12,171 | 10,948 | 9,478 | ||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 97,538 | $ | 81,986 | $ | 59,606 | |||||
| Average yield on fixed income securities pre-tax(1) | 4.29 | % | 3.73 | % | 3.28 | % | |||||
| Average yield on investment portfolio pre-tax | 3.91 | % | 3.67 | % | 3.02 | % |
(1) Fixed income securities yield excluding net unrealized investment gains/losses and expenses.
Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on net investment income.
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Net investment losses were $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to net investment losses of $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The primary reason for the change relates to management actions within the Company's fixed income portfolio to reinvest at higher rates for the year ended December 31, 2024 and an impairment loss recognized on a commercial mortgage loan for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Net investment losses were $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to net investment gains of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The primary reason for the change relates to management actions within the Company's fixed income portfolio to reinvest at higher rates.
Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on investment gains and losses.
40
Table of Contents
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
The following shows losses and loss settlement expenses for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss and loss settlement expenses, excluding catastrophes and prior year reserve development | $ | 728,502 | $ | 681,604 | $ | 642,915 | ||||
| Impact of catastrophes, including prior year reserve development | 41,090 | 63,154 | 64,152 | |||||||
| Prior year (favorable) unfavorable reserve development on non-catastrophe losses | (5,190) | (153) | 62,347 | |||||||
| Loss and loss settlement expenses | $ | 764,402 | $ | 744,605 | $ | 769,414 | ||||
| Net loss ratio | 59.1 | % | 63.3 | % | 74.4 | % |
For the year ended December 31, 2025, our loss and loss settlement expenses were $19.8 million, or 2.7%, higher than 2024 and our net loss ratio improved 4.2 points. This was driven by the overall increase and growth in company business, improvement in the underlying loss ratio, favorable prior year development, and a favorable year for catastrophe losses. The underlying loss ratio improvement was driven in part by higher pricing, continued favorable frequency in most major lines, and favorable large loss experience in property lines.
The Company experienced $5.2 million of favorable development, excluding catastrophe losses, in our net reserves for prior accident years for the year ended December 31, 2025. Favorable development in commercial automobile and fire and allied lines was largely offset by adverse development in commercial other liability. The commercial automobile favorable development of $22.3 million is a function of favorable experience as well as case-basis and IBNR reserve strengthening in recent years. Favorable development in fire and allied lines of $10.0 million is driven in part by reactions to favorable large loss experience in recent accident years. Adverse development in commercial other liability reflects the company's continued response to increased loss settlements resulting from the impact of economic and social inflation, including increased litigation activity.
In 2025, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $41.1 million, a decrease of $22.1 million compared to $63.2 million in 2024. In 2025, our catastrophe losses included 62 events. Catastrophe losses in 2025 added 3.2 points to the combined ratio, which is below our historical 10-year average. The Company continues to evaluate and limit our exposure in regions prone to naturally occurring catastrophic events through a combination of geographic diversification and restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in such regions. We intend to continue with targeted underwriting and rate initiatives in some regions and/or purchase additional reinsurance as necessary to reduce our exposure.
2024 Results
For the year ended December 31, 2024, our loss and loss settlement expenses were $24.8 million, or 3.2%, lower than 2023 and our net loss ratio improved 11.1 points. This was driven by improvement in the underlying loss ratio, no prior year development, and a favorable year for catastrophe losses. The underlying loss ratio improvement was driven in part by higher pricing, continued favorable frequency in most major lines, and favorable large loss experience in property and surety. Favorable results are partially offset by an increase in current and prior accident year loss estimates for other liability reflecting continued efforts to strengthen liability reserves subject to increasing economic and social inflation influences.
The Company experienced $0.2 million of favorable development, excluding catastrophe losses, in our net reserves for prior accident years for the year ended December 31, 2024. For non-catastrophe losses, favorable development in commercial automobile and fire and allied lines was offset by adverse development in commercial other liability. The commercial automobile favorable development of $34.5 million is a function of favorable experience as well as case-basis and IBNR reserve strengthening in recent years. Favorable development in fire and allied lines of $10.5
41
Table of Contents
million is driven in part by reactions to favorable large loss experience in recent accident years. Adverse development in commercial other liability reflects the company's continued response to increased loss settlements resulting from the impact of economic and social inflation, including increased litigation activity.
In 2024, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $63.2 million, a decrease of $1.0 million compared to $64.2 million in 2023. In 2024, our catastrophe losses included 74 events. Catastrophe losses in 2024 added 5.4 points to the combined ratio, which is below our historical 10-year average. The Company continues to evaluate and limit our exposure in regions prone to naturally occurring catastrophic events through a combination of geographic diversification and restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in such regions. We intend to continue with targeted underwriting and rate initiatives in some regions and/or purchase additional reinsurance as necessary to reduce our exposure.
2023 Results
For the year ended December 31, 2023, our loss and loss settlement expenses were $132.3 million, or 20.7%, higher than 2022 and our net loss ratio increased 7.4 points. The primary drivers were an increase in loss and loss settlement expenses of $80.4 million in commercial lines and $48.0 million in reinsurance assumed, partially offset by $64.2 million of catastrophe losses in 2023 for our direct and assumed reinsurance business as compared to $73.5 million in 2022.
The Company experienced $62.3 million of adverse development, excluding catastrophe losses, in our net reserves for prior accident years for the year ended December 31, 2023. Commercial other liability lines experienced adverse development of $52.9 million primarily in our excess and surplus lines excess casualty book along with some adverse development in standard umbrella and construction defect due to increasing severity pressures. The increases in these longer tail lines, especially in accident years 2016-2019, related to social and economic inflation, and prompted a re-evaluation of trend assumptions for more recent accident years. The commercial automobile line of business also experienced adverse development of $9.0 million related to increasing severity largely in post-COVID-19 accident years. Commercial fire and allied lines experienced adverse development of $4.4 million largely due to development on both catastrophe and non-catastrophe losses, primarily from accident year 2022. The assumed reinsurance line of business contributed an additional $3.5 million of adverse development largely driven by catastrophe losses.
In 2023, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $64.2 million, a decrease of $9.3 million compared to $73.5 million in 2022. In 2023, our catastrophe losses included 61 events. Catastrophe losses in 2023 added 6.2 points to the combined ratio, which is below our historical 10-year average.
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")
The following is a summary of the components of DAC, including amortization:
| (In Thousands)Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning balance | $ | 147,224 | $ | 126,532 | $ | 104,225 | ||||
| Acquisition costs deferred | 325,392 | 302,017 | 267,298 | |||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs(1) | (314,432) | (281,325) | (244,991) | |||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 158,184 | $ | 147,224 | $ | 126,532 |
(1) Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs includes impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the Lloyd's of London business, which is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
DAC is amortized over the period the related premium is earned. Amortization increased for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, primarily reflecting an increase in deferred underwriting costs associated with the growth of the business.
42
Table of Contents
Net Loss Ratios by Line
The following table provides our net loss ratio for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023:
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands, except ratios) | Net Earned Premium | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Earned Premium | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Earned Premium | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability | 389,154 | 283,599 | 72.9 | % | $ | 343,027 | $ | 283,034 | 82.5 | % | $ | 320,762 | $ | 249,106 | 77.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 259,005 | 109,972 | 42.5 | 252,142 | 125,807 | 49.9 | 244,674 | 183,533 | 75.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 287,996 | 166,028 | 57.6 | 239,964 | 138,517 | 57.7 | 208,874 | 176,667 | 84.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 65,040 | 43,291 | 66.6 | 54,815 | 37,524 | 68.5 | 53,039 | 33,224 | 62.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Surety(1) | 64,096 | 24,522 | 38.3 | 60,285 | 14,812 | 24.6 | 39,922 | 22,259 | 55.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 10,004 | 5,614 | 56.1 | 9,802 | 5,742 | 58.6 | 2,702 | 940 | 34.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | 1,075,295 | 633,026 | 58.9 | % | $ | 960,035 | $ | 605,436 | 63.1 | % | $ | 869,973 | $ | 665,729 | 76.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 14,690 | 6,146 | 41.8 | % | 14,237 | 8,325 | 58.5 | % | 4,733 | 3,402 | 71.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 1,752 | 1,116 | 63.7 | 1,214 | 732 | 60.3 | — | (837) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 2 | (54) | NM | 10 | 197 | NM | 22 | (82) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total personal lines | 16,444 | 7,208 | 43.8 | % | 15,461 | 9,254 | 59.9 | % | 4,755 | 2,483 | 52.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance assumed(2) | 200,957 | 124,168 | 61.8 | % | 201,254 | 129,915 | 64.6 | % | 159,859 | 101,202 | 63.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,292,696 | 764,402 | 59.1 | % | 1,176,750 | 744,605 | 63.3 | % | $ | 1,034,587 | $ | 769,414 | 74.4 | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) Commercial lines "Surety" previously referred to as "Fidelity and surety."
(2) Reinsurance assumed includes Lloyd's of London
43
Table of Contents
Commercial Lines
The net loss ratio in our commercial lines of business was 58.9 percent in 2025 compared to 63.1 percent in 2024 and 76.5 percent in 2023. This result was driven by improvement in the underlying loss ratio, favorable prior year development, and a favorable year for catastrophe losses.
Commercial Other Liability
We write numerous types of risk that are exposed to liability losses in our direct and assumed books of business. This includes, but is not limited to, bodily injury, property damage, standard umbrella, excess liability, and product liability (including construction defect) loss and loss adjustment expenses.
The net loss ratio improved 9.6 points in 2025 compared to 2024. The improved loss ratio was driven by the underlying and prior period development. The Company has been strengthening reserves across our portfolio in response to increased loss settlements resulting from the impact of economic and social inflation, including increased litigation activity. Additional reserve strengthening took place in 2025 but to a lesser extent than 2024.
Commercial Fire and Allied Lines
The net loss ratio improved 7.4 points in 2025 compared to 2024. Drivers include favorable large loss experience compared to earlier years and favorable catastrophe experience in 2025.
Commercial Automobile
The net loss ratio improved 0.1 points in 2025 compared to 2024. The underlying result was favorable in 2025 compared to 2024 driven by consistent pricing increases and continued favorable frequency trends associated with more restrictive underwriting guidelines and exposure appetite. This was offset by prior year development which was favorable in 2025 but to a lesser extent than 2024.
Workers' Compensation
The net loss ratio improved 1.9 points in 2025 compared to 2024. The overall improvement was driven by favorable prior year development partially offset by some large loss experience in the current accident year.
Surety
The net loss ratio deteriorated 13.7 points in 2025 compared to 2024. When surety losses occur, our loss is determined by estimating the cost to complete the remaining work and to pay the contractor's unpaid bills, offset by contract funds due to the contractor, reinsurance, and the value of any collateral to which we may have access. 2025 was a return to longer term profitability levels and disciplined underwriting, while 2024 benefited from unusually early favorable large loss results.
Personal Lines
The net loss ratio improved 16.1 points in 2025 compared to 2024, due to proportional assumed reinsurance for homeowners multi-peril coverage included in personal fire and allied lines.
Reinsurance Assumed
The net loss ratio improved 2.8 points in 2025 compared to 2024. Our assumed reinsurance portfolio is comprised of contracts that provide reinsurance protection to unaffiliated insurance companies. We only reinsure companies with attractive expected profitability, relevant materiality, and strong reputation. Our reinsurance business focuses on long-term relationships. The 2025 non-catastrophe result was relatively consistent with 2024. The business is benefiting from increased pricing and tightly managed loss exposure. Some adverse prior year development was recognized in 2025 driven by worse than expected losses on a few accounts. The overall improvement in 2025 was driven by favorable catastrophe results.
44
Table of Contents
Underwriting Expenses
The following is a summary of underwriting expenses, including the underwriting expense ratio:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | $ | 315,323 | $ | 281,338 | $ | 244,991 | ||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 146,609 | 140,942 | 115,800 | |||||||
| Underwriting expenses | $ | 461,932 | $ | 422,280 | $ | 360,791 | ||||
| Net earned premium | 1,292,696 | 1,176,750 | 1,034,587 | |||||||
| Expense ratio(1) | 35.7 | % | 35.9 | % | 34.9 | % |
(1) Expense ratio is calculated by dividing non-deferred underwriting expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs by net earned premium. The expense ratio measures a company's operational efficiency in producing, underwriting and administering its insurance
business.
The decrease in expense ratio in 2025 as compared to 2024 is driven by expense management actions and growth, partially offset by accelerated development of our new policy administration system implemented in 2025, and increased performance-based compensation for employees and agents due to current year achievements.
The increase in expense ratio in 2024 as compared to 2023 is due primarily to investments in talent to deepen expertise across the Company; accelerated development of the new policy administration system (implemented in 2025); and increased performance-based compensation for employees and agents due to current year achievements.
Interest Expenses
The following is a summary of interest expense:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest paid | $ | 11,267 | $ | 7,281 | $ | 3,260 |
Our long term debt obligations are $50.0 million of private placement notes issued in December 2020, and $70.0 million and $30.0 million of senior unsecured notes issued in May 2024 and July 2025, respectively. Interest expense increased in 2025 due to the issuance of the senior unsecured notes. Refer to Note 13 "Debt" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on long term debt.
Income Taxes
The following is a summary of income tax expense (benefit), including the effective tax rate:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 147,936 | $ | 77,034 | $ | (39,721) | ||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 29,745 | 15,077 | (10,021) | |||||
| Effective tax rate(1) | 20.1 | % | 19.6 | % | 25.2 | % |
(1)The effective tax rate is calculated by dividing 'Income tax expense (benefit)' by 'Income (loss) before income taxes'
The consolidated effective tax rate for 2025 was 20.1 percent, compared with 19.6 percent in 2024 and 25.2 percent in 2023. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2025 differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the net effect of tax-exempt municipal bond interest, state income taxes and interest on a federal tax refund.
Refer to Note 7 "Income Tax" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on income taxes, including deferred tax assets and liabilities.
45
Table of Contents
Adjusted Operating Income (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures")
The table below shows the adjustments made to reconcile Net income (loss) to Adjusted operating earnings:
| Net Income Reconciliation | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Income statement data | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 118,191 | $ | 61,957 | $ | (29,700) | ||||||
| Less: Net investment gains (losses), after-tax | (3,019) | (4,289) | 1,006 | |||||||||
| Adjusted operating income (loss) | $ | 121,210 | $ | 66,246 | $ | (30,706) |
Adjusted operating income reported in 2025 was primarily due to an increase in net earned premium of $115.9 million combined with a decrease in the underlying loss ratio by 1.6 points to 56.3%, a decrease in the catastrophe loss ratio of 2.2 points to 3.2%, and favorable prior year reserve development of 0.4 points in 2025. In addition, net investment income increased by $15.6 million. The underwriting expense ratio improved 0.2 points to 35.7%.
Adjusted operating income reported in 2024 was primarily due to an increase in net earned premium of $142.2 million combined with a decrease in the underlying loss ratio by 4.3 points to 57.9%, a decrease in the catastrophe loss ratio of 0.8 points to 5.4%, and no prior year reserve development. In addition, net investment income increased by $23.2 million. The underwriting expense ratio increased 1.0 point to 35.9%
Adjusted operating loss reported in 2023 was primarily due to an increase in losses and loss settlement expenses of $132.1 million attributable to adverse reserve development of $67.8 million which added 6.0 points to the loss ratio. In addition, an increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs of $32.0 million contributed to the operating loss. These were partially offset with an increase in net earned premium of $83.0 million and higher investment income of $15.0 million.
INVESTMENTS
Investment Philosophy
The Company's assets are invested to preserve capital and maximize total return while maintaining an appropriate balance of risk. The risk-adjusted return on our portfolio is an important component of overall financial results, but quality and safety of principal is the highest priority of our investment program. We administer our investment portfolio based on investment guidelines approved by management and the Investment Committee of our Board of Directors that comply with applicable statutory regulations. The portfolio is structured to be compliant with state insurance laws that prescribe the quality, concentration and type of investments that may be made by insurance companies.
We monitor our portfolio to appropriately manage risk, achieve portfolio objectives and maximize investment income as market conditions change. Our overall investment strategy is to stay fully invested (i.e., minimize cash balances). If additional cash is needed, we have the ability to take advances through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines ("FHLB Des Moines") facility. The Company entered into an investment management agreement with NEAM effective as of February 1, 2024, pursuant to which NEAM will provide investment management services.
Investment Portfolio
Our invested assets at December 31, 2025 totaled $2.5 billion as compared to $2.1 billion at December 31, 2024. We utilize a conservative investment philosophy, investing in a diversified portfolio of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable corporate bonds, taxable U.S. government and government agency bonds and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds.
46
Table of Contents
The composition of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2025 is presented at carrying value in the following table:
| Percent | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands, except ratios) | Carrying Value | of Total | |||
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale(1) | |||||
| US Treasury and government agencies | $ | 104,104 | 4.0 | % | |
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 261,734 | 11.0 | |||
| Corporate | 783,154 | 32.0 | |||
| Residential mortgage-backed | 715,597 | 29.0 | |||
| Commercial mortgage-backed | 145,407 | 6.0 | |||
| Other asset-backed | 195,354 | 8.0 | |||
| Total Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | 2,205,350 | 90.0 | |||
| Mortgage loans | 30,830 | 1.0 | |||
| Other long-term investments(2) | 228,507 | 9.0 | |||
| Total | $ | 2,464,687 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are carried at fair value.
(2) As a member of Lloyd’s, the Company participates in the Syndicate results which include the fair value of the investments. Starting in Q4 2024, these investments are included in other long-term investments. The fair value of Lloyd's syndicate investments included in other long-term investments was $127.9 million as of December 31, 2025. Also included in our "Other long-term investments" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is our interest in limited liability partnerships with a current fair value of $99.2 million at December 31, 2025.
Credit Quality
The following table shows the composition of fixed maturity securities by credit rating at December 31, 2025 and 2024. Information contained in the table is generally based upon issuer credit ratings provided by external rating agencies.
| (In Thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | Carrying Value | % of Total | Carrying Value | % of Total | |||||||||
| AAA | $ | 574,379 | 26.0 | % | $ | 1,013,702 | 54.3 | % | |||||
| AA | 894,246 | 40.6 | 243,353 | 13.0 | |||||||||
| A | 481,633 | 21.8 | 373,208 | 20.0 | |||||||||
| Baa/BBB | 207,649 | 9.4 | 233,523 | 12.5 | |||||||||
| Other/Not Rated | 47,443 | 2.2 | 4,545 | 0.2 | |||||||||
| $ | 2,205,350 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,868,331 | 100.0 | % |
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we did not have direct exposure to investments in subprime mortgages or other credit enhancement vehicles.
Duration
Our investment portfolio is invested primarily in fixed maturity securities whose fair value is susceptible to market risk, specifically interest rate changes. Duration is a measurement used to quantify our inherent interest rate risk and analyze our ability to match our invested assets to our reserve liabilities. Invested assets and reserve liability accounts with similar durations will have an offsetting effect of any change in interest rates. The primary purpose for matching invested assets and reserve liabilities is liquidity, and with appropriate matching, our investments will mature when cash is needed, preventing the need to liquidate other assets prematurely. Mismatches in the duration of assets and liabilities can cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations.
We analyze potential changes in the value of our investment portfolio due to the market risk factors noted above within the overall context of asset and liability management. A technique we use in the management of our investment portfolio specifically related to interest rate risk is the calculation of duration. Our actuaries estimate the payout pattern of our reserve liabilities to determine their duration, which is the present value of the weighted average payments expressed in years. We then establish a target duration for our investment portfolio so that at any
47
Table of Contents
given time the estimated cash generated by the investment portfolio will closely match the estimated cash required for the payment of the related reserves. We structure the investment portfolio to meet the target duration to achieve the required cash flow, based on liquidity and market risk factors.
The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was 4.3 years at December 31, 2025 compared to 4.2 years at December 31, 2024.
Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on investment maturities.
Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
Net unrealized investment losses, after tax, totaled $25.3 million, $72.2 million and $67.0 million as of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The unrealized investment loss position improved from December 31, 2024 due to the decrease in the bond market interest rates during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2025. The net unrealized investment losses in 2024 and 2023 were a result of continued elevated interest rates that resulted in a change in unrealized gains and losses.
Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on net unrealized investment gains and losses.
Expected Credit Losses and Watch List
We prepare a watch list to identify securities to evaluate for expected credit losses. Factors used in preparing the watch list include fair values relative to amortized cost, ratings, negative ratings actions and other factors. Detailed analysis is performed for each security on the watch list to further assess the presence of credit impairment loss indicators and, where present, calculate an allowance for expected credit loss or direct write-down of a security’s amortized cost.
At December 31, 2025, our watch list included five fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position with an amortized cost of $13.4 million, no allowance for expected credit losses, unrealized losses of $0.6 million and a fair value of $12.5 million.
At December 31, 2024, our watch list included 10 fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position with an amortized cost of $21.8 million, no allowance for expected credit losses, unrealized losses of $2.2 million and a fair value of $24.0 million.
Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on our investments.
48
Table of Contents
REINSURANCE
Reinsurance is a contract by which one insurer, called the reinsurer, agrees to cover, under certain defined circumstances, a portion of the losses incurred by a primary insurer if a claim is made under a policy issued by the primary insurer. Our property and casualty insurance companies follow the industry practice of reinsuring a portion of their exposure to reduce the net liability on individual risks to predetermined limits and to protect us against catastrophic losses, such as a hurricane or tornado.
Ceded Reinsurance
Our reinsurance allows us to manage our risk, increase our underwriting capacity and protect us from large loss events. A summary of our key reinsurance programs are as follows:
Property & Casualty Core Excess of Loss ("XOL") Treaty
Our property and casualty working program, which we refer to as the core treaty, includes a multi-line layer which applies in excess of our retention, as well as property-only and casualty-only towers above the multi-line exhaustion point. Our core treaty incepts January 1, 2026, and each layer is fully placed with the exception of the new 5th Casualty that is 50% placed. The core treaty structure has changed from the 2025 treaty year including raising the multi-line retention and eliminating the annual aggregate deductible. The layer changes are summarized in the table below. Each layer includes provisions providing for extra-contractual and excess of policy limit losses and terrorism coverage. However, included coverage varies based on individual reinsurer participation of each layer. The multi-line treaty includes a provision that limits the per occurrence maximum limit to $12 million. Reinstatement is free and unlimited. This treaty provides coverage to the majority of the commercial property and casualty business that we write. The multi-line treaty combined with the property per risk provides for a combined limit of $46 million coverage excess of the $4 million retention, as compared to $3.0 million retention for the years 2022 through 2025, $2.5 million retention for the years 2021 through 2016, and $2.0 million for the years 2015 through 2012. The 1st Property Per Risk includes six free reinstatements of the full limit. The 2nd and 3rd Property Per Risk layers include one reinstatement to the full amount at the same premium. A semi-automatic property facultative treaty is in place providing coverage for a limit of $25 million excess of $50 million, which brings the combined treaty coverage limit available for an eligible risk to $71 million excess of $4 million. If we have a property risk that requires limits in excess of our reinsured limit, facultative reinsurance is obtained. The multi-line treaty combined with the casualty tower provides for a combined limit of $76 million excess of the $4 million retention, including the 5th layer co-participation. This treaty protects from a loss to an individual policyholder or clash event where an occurrence involves multiple policyholders. The 1st Casualty includes six free reinstatements of the full limit, while the Casualty 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th include a single reinstatement of the full limit at the same premium. The casualty layers include a provision that limits the maximum amount of any one life for workers' compensation losses. At times we may obtain separate casualty facultative reinsurance to cover specific exposures or policies, based on particular exposures presented by a policyholder.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Line | 3,000 | 4,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Property Per Risk 1st | 4,000 | 7,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Property Per Risk 2nd | 14,000 | 11,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Property Per Risk 3rd | 25,000 | 25,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 1st | 4,000 | 7,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 2nd | 10,000 | 11,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 3rd | 19,000 | 21,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 4th | 20,000 | 40,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 5th | 20,000 | 60,000 | 50 | % |
49
Table of Contents
Property Catastrophe XOL
Effective January 1, 2026, the Company continued the pillar occurrence in addition to the property catastrophe XOL ceded reinsurance programs. No substantive structural changes were made to the property catastrophe XOL or pillar occurrence. With respect to the pillar occurrence, the event retention for Named Storm and Earthquake remains at $5.0 million while the event retention for All Other Perils remains at $4.0 million. The property catastrophe XOL remains fully placed, while the pillar occurrence placement was increased to 85%. We did not experience any property catastrophe events that produced a ceded loss to either program in 2023, 2024 or 2025. Our corporate property catastrophe reinsurance program, effective January 1, 2026, is an XOL treaty. The program consists of $130.0 million in coverage for losses in excess of $20.0 million. The treaty protects from catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hail, windstorms, and fires. The treaty consists of three layers and is fully placed. It includes provisions providing for extra-contractual and excess of policy limit losses and contains exclusions for communicable diseases and cyber loss. The property casualty XOL treaty includes a terrorism exclusion. Additionally, each layer can be reinstated once to its full amount at the same premium. The property catastrophe treaty limit was increased as of January 1, 2026 and retention remained the same as the prior year.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | $ | 15,000 | $ | 20,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Second | $ | 35,000 | $ | 35,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Third | $ | 80,000 | $ | 70,000 | 100 | % |
Earthquake and Flood XOL Treaty
We delegate underwriting authority to write a portfolio of Pacific Coast earthquake business. This arrangement began in 2019. An XOL treaty, effective January 1, 2026, is in place to specifically and exclusively reinsure business written through this arrangement. This program consists of $190.0 million for losses in excess of $10.0 million and is fully placed. Each layer can be reinstated once to its full amount at the same premium.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 25,000 | 10,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Second | 35,000 | 35,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Third | 70,000 | 70,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Fourth | 60,000 | 140,000 | 100 | % |
Surety Per Principal XOL Treaty
Our surety treaty incepts on January 1, 2026 and is an XOL treaty. The program consists of $60.0 million in coverage for losses in excess of $5.0 million per principal. The first layer includes three paid reinstatements, while the second and third include one paid reinstatement. Losses are considered discovered to the treaty year in accordance with the contract terms and conditions. A new fourth layer was placed in 2026 to address business unit objectives and meet risk management priorities.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 5,000 | 5,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Second | 15,000 | 10,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Third | 25,000 | 25,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Fourth | 15,000 | 50,000 | 100 | % |
Terrorism Coverage
Our principal terrorism reinsurance protection is the coverage provided through the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 ("TRIPRA"), effective through December 31, 2027. TRIPRA coverage includes most direct commercial lines of business, including coverage for losses from nuclear, biological and chemical exposures if coverage was afforded by an insurer, with exclusions for commercial automobile insurance, burglary and theft insurance, surety, professional liability insurance and farm owners' multiple peril insurance. For calendar year 2025, the aggregate losses exceeding a threshold of $200.0 million industry-wide would be covered
50
Table of Contents
under this protection. Our TRIPRA deductible was $138.5 million for 2025 and our TRIPRA deductible is expected to be $159.2 million for 2026. Our catastrophe and non-catastrophe reinsurance programs provide limited coverage for terrorism exposure excluding nuclear, biological and chemical-related claims.
Assumed Reinsurance
The Company offers reinsurance coverage for property and casualty insurance through traditional treaty reinsurance channels and participates in the Lloyd's market through its corporate member at Lloyd's. We target diversifying risks that complement our direct portfolio. The following provides more detail on the type of assumed reinsurance business we target.
•Treaty reinsurance with regional property and casualty carriers, including casualty XOL, property per risk, and property catastrophe XOL.
•Treaty reinsurance with professional reinsurers and Lloyd's syndicates.
•Mortgage reinsurance with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, private mortgage insurers and surety carriers.
•Treaty reinsurance on risks underwritten by managing general agents.
•Treaty reinsurance underwritten on our behalf through reinsurance intermediary management agreements (RIMA) that define underwriting boundaries by product, class and type.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we made strategic changes in the assumed portfolio to protect margins. Some of the casualty quota share agreements were not seeing rates keep up with loss trends and we elected to non-renew certain agreements. Partially offsetting the reduction in premiums due to these underwriting decisions, we continued to grow our mortgage reinsurance and financial lines reinsurance portfolio. We are also seeing successful, profitable growth with select managing general agents whom we reinsure, and we are growing our business in the Lloyd's market as the opportunities in that market are among the best available currently.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we broadened the scope of our assumed portfolio by growing our client base and building around the renewal business. We grew our standard property and casualty treaty business while holding our property catastrophe retrocessional and Lloyd's businesses to only modest change. We engaged in the mortgage reinsurance market where conditions were favorable. We also incepted a few new managing general agent programs in the cyber liability and transactional liability markets.
For the year ended December 31, 2023 we continued to grow our assumed programs by renewing the programs added in 2022 and continuing to diversify our risks. We reduced exposure in property catastrophe retrocessional treaty and managing general agent treaty, while significantly growing our standard property and casualty treaty and Lloyd's businesses.
Reinsurer Credit Quality
We use many reinsurers, both domestic and foreign, which helps us to avoid concentrations of credit risk associated with our reinsurance. Our criteria for selecting reinsurance markets is to generally require capital and surplus of at least $500.0 million and an A.M. Best rating or an S&P rating of at least "A-." If a reinsurer is rated by both rating agencies, then both ratings must be at least an "A-." Our key reinsurance programs are placed with reinsurers holding a rating of A- or better as of December 31, 2025. For the small amount of reinsurance capacity we utilize that doesn't meet our criteria, markets are required to collateralize the risk.
51
Table of Contents
The following table represents the primary reinsurers we utilize and their financial strength ratings as of December 31, 2025:
| Name of Reinsurer | A.M. Best | S&P Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Reinsurance American Corporation(1) | A+ | AA- |
| Hannover Ruck SE(1)(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Certain Underwriting Members of Lloyd's of London(1)(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Arch Reinsurance Company(1) | A+ | A+ |
| Berkely Reinsurance Company(1) | A+ | A+ |
| Partner Reinsurance Company of the US(1)(2) | A+ | A+ |
| R&V Versicherung AG(1) | NR | A+ |
| MS Amlin AG(1)(2) | A+ | A+ |
| Renaissance Reinsurance US Inc(1) | A+ | A+ |
| SCOR Reinsurance Company(2) | A | A+ |
| Axis Reinsurance Company(2) | A | A+ |
(1) Primary reinsurers participating in the property and casualty excess of loss programs.
(2) Primary reinsurers participating in the surety excess of loss program.
Refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 4 "Reinsurance" for further discussion of our reinsurance programs.
52
Table of Contents
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity measures our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short-term cash obligations and long-term cash obligations. Our cash inflows are primarily a result of the receipt of premiums, reinsurance recoveries, sales or maturities of investments, and investment income. Cash provided from these sources is used to fund the payment of losses and loss settlement expenses, the purchase of investments, operating expenses, dividends and interest payments and common stock repurchase, as well as pension plan contributions, as necessary. When considering our liquidity and cash flow, it is important to distinguish between the needs of our insurance subsidiaries and the needs of the holding company, United Fire Group, Inc. As an insurance holding company with no significant independent operations of our own, United Fire Group, Inc. derives its cash primarily from its insurance subsidiaries.
The sources of liquidity of the holding company are principally comprised of dividends from subsidiaries, existing surplus notes, investment income on holding company assets and the ability to raise long-term public financing under an SEC-filed registration statement or private placement offering. These sources of liquidity and cash flow support the general corporate needs of the holding company, interest and debt service, and investment in core businesses.
We monitor our capital adequacy to support our business on a regular basis. The future capital requirements of our business will depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. Our ability to underwrite is largely dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. In particular, we require (1) sufficient capital to maintain our financial strength ratings, as issued by various rating agencies, at a level considered necessary by management to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to compete and (2) sufficient capital to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to meet the capital adequacy tests performed by regulatory agencies in the United States.
Cash outflows may be variable because of the uncertainty regarding settlement dates for losses. In addition, the timing and amount of individual catastrophe losses are inherently unpredictable and could increase our liquidity requirements. The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and reinsurance coverage disputes.
The following table displays a summary of cash sources and uses in 2025, 2024 and 2023:
| Cash Flow Summary | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 269,743 | $ | 340,304 | $ | 171,736 | ||||
| Investing activities | (325,963) | (292,487) | (149,886) | |||||||
| Financing activities | 11,603 | 51,086 | (16,454) | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (44,617) | $ | 98,903 | $ | 5,396 |
At December 31, 2025, our cash and cash equivalents included $44.8 million related to money market accounts, compared to $23.1 million at December 31, 2024.
Operating Activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $269.7 million, $340.3 million and $171.7 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The primary cash inflows from operating activities include insurance premiums and net investment income. The primary cash outflows from operating activities are comprised of payment of losses and loss settlement expenses, taxes and operating expenses. Our cash flows from operating activities were sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
53
Table of Contents
Investing Activities
Cash in excess of operating requirements is generally invested in fixed maturity securities. Fixed maturity securities provide regular interest payments and allow us to match the duration of our liabilities. For further discussion of our investments, including our philosophy and portfolio, see the Investment heading subcategory "Investment Portfolio" section contained in Part II, Item 7 of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Sales of investments and proceeds from calls or maturities of fixed maturity securities also can provide liquidity. During the next five years, $420.2 million, or 18.8 percent of our fixed maturity security portfolio will mature.
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $326.0 million, $292.5 million and $149.9 million in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. In 2025, we had cash inflows from scheduled and unscheduled investment maturities, redemptions, prepayments, and sales of investments that totaled $394.5 million compared to $680.0 million and $162.1 million for the same period in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our cash outflows for investment purchases totaled $714.0 million in 2025, compared to $960.6 million and $301.1 million for the same period in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $11.6 million and $51.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, due to the successful placement of $30.0 million and $70.0 million of senior unsecured notes in July 2025 and May 2024, respectively. Net cash flows used in financing activities totaled $16.5 million in 2023. The net cash flows used in financing activities are primarily the payment of cash dividends of $16.3 million, $16.2 million and $16.2 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
As of December 31, 2025, our required annual payments relating to contractual and other obligations were as follows:
| (In Thousands) | Payments Due By Period | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations | Total | Less Than One Year | One to Three Years | Three to Five Years | More Than Five Years | |||||||||||||
| Loss and loss settlement expense reserves | $ | 1,924,826 | $ | 562,036 | $ | 745,458 | $ | 325,062 | $ | 292,270 | ||||||||
| Long term debt | 277,313 | 12,438 | 24,875 | 24,875 | 215,125 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 13,971 | 7,612 | 5,513 | 812 | 34 | |||||||||||||
| Profit-sharing commissions | 30,300 | 30,300 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,246,410 | $ | 612,386 | $ | 775,846 | $ | 350,749 | $ | 507,429 |
Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
The amounts presented are estimates of the dollar amounts and time periods in which we expect to pay out our gross loss and loss settlement expense reserves. Because the timing of future payments may vary from the stated contractual obligation, these amounts are estimates based upon historical payment patterns and may not represent actual future payments. Refer to "Critical Accounting Estimates — Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses" in this section for further discussion.
Long term debt
Our long term debt obligations are $50.0 million of private placement notes issued in December 2020, $70.0 million of senior unsecured notes issued in May 2024 and $30.0 million of senior unsecured notes issued in July 2025. For further discussion of our long term debt, refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 13 "Debt."
54
Table of Contents
Operating Leases
Our operating lease obligations are for the rental of office space, vehicles, computer equipment and office equipment. For further discussion of our operating leases, refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 12 "Lease Commitments."
Profit-Sharing Commissions
We offer our agents a profit-sharing plan as an incentive for them to place high-quality property and casualty insurance business with us. Based on business produced by the agencies in 2025, property and casualty agencies expect to receive profit-sharing payments of $30.3 million in 2026.
Funding Commitments
Pursuant to agreements with our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed through 2030 to make capital contributions upon request of the partnerships. The timing of these additional contributions is unknown and based upon the timing of when investments and agreements are executed or signed compared to when the actual commitments are funded or closed. Our remaining potential contractual obligation was $15.9 million at December 31, 2025.
Guaranty Fund Assessments
The Company is subject to guaranty fund and other assessments by the states in which it writes business. At December 31, 2025 the accrued liability for guaranty fund assessments was $0 and the premium tax benefit asset was $1.9 million. Guaranty fund assets are typically realized over the next five to 10 years. No discount is applied to the liability for assessments.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is a party to various claims and litigation incidental to its business, which, based on the facts and circumstances currently known, are not material to the Company's results of operations or financial position as of December 31, 2025.
Commitments for Capital Expenditures
Dividends
Dividends paid to shareholders totaled $16.3 million, $16.2 million and $16.2 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Payment of any future dividends and the amounts of such dividends depends upon factors such as net income, financial condition, capital requirements, and general business conditions. We will only pay dividends if declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds.
As an insurance holding company with no significant independent operations of its own, United Fire Group, Inc. relies on dividends received from its insurance company subsidiaries in order to pay dividends to its common shareholders. Dividends payable by our insurance subsidiaries are governed by the laws in the states in which they are domiciled. In all cases, these state laws permit the payment of dividends only from earned surplus arising from business operations. For example, under Iowa law, the maximum dividend or distribution that may be paid within a 12-month period without prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner is generally restricted to the greater of 10 percent of statutory surplus as of the preceding December 31 less any dividends paid in the previous 12 months, or net income of the preceding calendar year on a statutory basis less any dividends paid in the previous 12 months, not greater than earned statutory surplus. Other states in which our insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled may impose similar restrictions on dividends and distributions. Based on these restrictions, at December 31, 2025 UF&C is able to make a maximum of $50.6 million in dividend payments without prior regulatory approval. These restrictions are not expected to have a material impact in meeting our cash obligations.
55
Table of Contents
Share Repurchases
Under our share repurchase program, we may purchase our common stock on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any purchases will be at our discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, economic and general market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. Our share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time. The Board of Directors reauthorized the share repurchase program in August 2024 and extended the program through August 2026.
The Company did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023. At December 31, 2025, we remain authorized to purchase up to one million shares of our common stock.
Credit Facilities
In December 2023, the Company became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines ("FHLB Des Moines"). Membership allows access to loans or advances. As of December 31, 2025, there were no advances outstanding under the FHLB Des Moines agreement. Refer to Note 13 "Debt" in Part II, Item 8 for further information regarding the agreement with FHLB Des Moines.
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity increased 20.4 percent to $941.2 million at December 31, 2025, from $781.5 million at December 31, 2024. The increase is primarily attributed to net income of $118.2 million and a decrease in net unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities, net of tax, of $47.0 million, partially offset with shareholder dividends of $16.3 million. As of December 31, 2025, the book value per share of our common stock was $36.88, compared to $30.80 at December 31, 2024.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Information specific to accounting standards we adopted for the year ended December 31, 2025 or pending accounting standards we expect to adopt in the future is incorporated by reference from Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" contained in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000101199-25-000012.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Amounts (except per share amounts) are presented in thousands, unless otherwise noted.
| MD&A Index | Page |
|---|---|
| Forward-Looking Statements | 26 |
| Business Overview | 28 |
| Critical Accounting Estimates | 30 |
| Non-GAAP Financial Measures | 37 |
| Results of Operations | 38 |
| Investments | 46 |
| Reinsurance | 49 |
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | 52 |
| Recently Issued Accounting Standards | 55 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report 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, as amended (the "Securities Act") and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), 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 United Fire Group, Inc. ("UFG," the "Registrant," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our"), the industry in which we operate, and beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as "expect(s)," "anticipate(s)," "intend(s)," "plan(s)," "believe(s)," "continue(s)," "seek(s)," "estimate(s)," "goal(s)," "remain(s) 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. See Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of this report for more information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual financial condition and results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:
•The success of our strategy may be adversely impacted by various internal and external factors;
•Core insurance business is dependent on strong and beneficial relationships with a large network of independent insurance agents and not maintaining these relationships could result in loss of sufficient business opportunities within our expertise and stated risk appetite;
•Geographic concentration ties our performance to the business, economic and regulatory conditions of certain states;
•We will be at a competitive disadvantage if, over time, our competitors are more effective in pricing their products, development of new product offering, implementation of technology and data analytics;
•Our strategy's success could be affected by our timely ability to recognize and adapt to our position in the insurance cycle;
26
Table of Contents
•Our success depends primarily on our ability to underwrite risks effectively and adequately price the risks we insure;
•We may be unable to predict the rising cost of insurance claims resulting from changing societal expectations that lead to increasing litigation, broader definitions of liability, broader contract interpretations, more plaintiff-friendly legal decisions and larger compensatory jury awards;
•Reserves for property and casualty insurance losses and loss settlement expenses are based on estimates and may be inadequate, adversely impacting our financial results;
•We insure property that is exposed to various natural perils that can give rise to significant claims cost;
•We are subject to certain risks related to our investment portfolio that could negatively affect our profitability;
•A downgrade in our financial strength or issuer credit ratings could result in a loss of business and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity;
•We may be unable to secure reinsurance capacity that provides necessary risk protection at a reasonable cost;
•We may be unable to attract, retain or effectively manage the succession of key personnel;
•Changing weather patterns and climate change add to the unpredictability, frequency and severity of catastrophe losses and may adversely affect the results of our operations, liquidity and financial conditions;
•Unauthorized data access, cyber-attacks and other security breaches could have an adverse impact on our business and reputation;
•We are subject to comprehensive laws and regulations, changes to which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations;
•Macroeconomic conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, results of our operations, financial condition, and growth;
•Our stock price could become more volatile, and your investment could lose value;
•Efforts to disrupt the structure, management or ownership of the Company could diminish the value of our common stock; and
•The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to UFG may affect our liquidity and ability to pay dividends to shareholders.
These are representative of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed in 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 report or as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("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.
27
Table of Contents
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Reportable Segments
We operate as one operating segment. Our revenues are primarily derived from premiums earned for property and casualty insurance products issued to customers. For additional information, see Note 10, Segment Information, in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
The following table shows the principle types of property and casualty insurance policies we write and issue, and which lines of business they are reported in:
| Direct Writer | Treaty Reinsurance(1) | Lloyd's of London | MGAs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Lines | ||||
| Other Liability | x | P | x | |
| Fire and allied lines | x | P | x | |
| Automobile | x | P | ||
| Workers' compensation | x | P | ||
| Fidelity and surety | x | P | ||
| Other | x | x | ||
| Personal Lines | ||||
| Fire and allied lines | * | P | ||
| Automobile | * | |||
| Other | * | |||
| Reinsurance Assumed | NP | x |
* Personal lines direct business was discontinued in 2020 with an immaterial amount of exposure still in force due to certain regulatory non-renewal limitations. For more information, refer to Part I, Item 1 "Property and Casualty Insurance Business" under "Personal Lines Business."
(1) Treaty Reinsurance is split between proportional reinsurance (P) and non-proportional reinsurance (NP)
Commercial other liability - primarily business insurance covering bodily injury and property damage including construction defect, excess and surplus lines excess casualty, and standard umbrella. Proportional assumed reinsurance on these lines and professional liability coverage managed by an MGA partner.
Commercial fire and allied lines - primarily multi-peril non-liability property coverage, inland marine. Proportional assumed reinsurance on these lines and earthquake coverage managed by an MGA partner.
Commercial automobile - physical damage to an insured's vehicle, as well as liabilities to third parties. Automobile physical damage insurance covers loss or damage to vehicles from collision, vandalism, fire, theft, flood or other causes. Automobile liability insurance covers bodily injury, damage to property resulting from automobile accidents caused by the insured, uninsured or under-insured motorists and the legal costs of defending the insured against lawsuits. Proportional reinsurance on these lines is also included.
Workers' compensation - business coverage for employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job, including proportional assumed reinsurance for this coverage. Our workers' compensation insurance covers primarily small- to mid-sized accounts.
Fidelity and surety - contract and commercial surety bond coverage which guarantees performance and payment by our bonded principals, protects owners from failure to perform on the part of our principals, and protects material suppliers and subcontractors from nonpayment by our contractors.
Commercial other - commercial theft coverage, boiler and machinery and ocean marine business managed by an MGA partner.
28
Table of Contents
Personal - fire and allied lines includes proportional assumed reinsurance for homeowners multi-peril coverage.
Reinsurance assumed - primarily non-proportional assumed reinsurance and Lloyd's of London property and casualty syndicates.
Lloyd's of London ("Lloyds") Syndicates
The Company is a member of Lloyd's through its insurance subsidiary McIntyre Cedar Corporate Member LLP. Lloyd’s operates as an insurance marketplace whereby members join syndicates to underwrite property and casualty and reinsurance business through a managing agent in return for receiving premiums. The Company participates in Syndicate 1492, Syndicate 1729, Syndicate 1969, Syndicate 1971, Syndicate 4747, Syndicate 2988, Syndicate 1699, Syndicate 5623 and Syndicate 2358. The Company is required to maintain capital at Lloyd's, referred to as Funds at Lloyd's ("FAL"), to support the participation in these syndicates.
Pooling Arrangement
All of our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries belong to an intercompany reinsurance pooling arrangement. Pooling arrangements permit the participating companies to rely on the capacity of the entire pool's capital and surplus, rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with each participant's own surplus level. Under such arrangements, the members share substantially all of the insurance business that is written and allocate the combined premiums, losses and expenses based on percentages defined in the arrangement.
Geographic Concentration
For the year ended December 31, 2024, 47.1 percent of our property and casualty premiums were written in Texas, California, Iowa, Missouri, and Louisiana.
In 2024, 2023 and 2022 the direct statutory premiums written by our property and casualty insurance operations were distributed as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | % of Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Texas | $ | 200,593 | $ | 176,287 | $ | 148,207 | 18.4 | % | 17.4 | % | 16.6 | % | |||
| California | 136,840 | 126,262 | 111,037 | 12.5 | 12.4 | 12.4 | |||||||||
| Iowa | 70,935 | 71,975 | 70,128 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 7.8 | |||||||||
| Missouri | 53,575 | 59,094 | 54,090 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 6.1 | |||||||||
| Louisiana | 52,795 | 43,769 | 37,124 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.2 | |||||||||
| New Jersey | 47,909 | 42,369 | 41,030 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.6 | |||||||||
| Illinois | 40,728 | 37,157 | 28,538 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.2 | |||||||||
| Colorado | 38,284 | 36,900 | 34,480 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.9 | |||||||||
| Nebraska | 33,303 | 33,272 | 29,120 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 3.3 | |||||||||
| Minnesota | 33,230 | 35,718 | 32,659 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.7 | |||||||||
| All Other States | 383,625 | 351,474 | 307,328 | 35.1 | 34.7 | 34.4 | |||||||||
| Direct Statutory Premiums Written | $ | 1,091,817 | $ | 1,014,277 | $ | 893,741 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
29
Table of Contents
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Management's discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements. These statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following critical accounting estimates are those we believe affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. Additional information about other significant accounting policies and estimates may be found in Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Investment Valuation
Upon acquisition, we classify investments in marketable securities as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. We record investments in fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale and equity securities at fair value. Other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. We record mortgage loans at their amortized cost less any valuation allowance.
In general, investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market volatility risk. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair value of our investment securities that are reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, it is reasonably possible that changes in the value of our investments in limited liability partnerships could occur in the future and such changes could materially affect our results of operations as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Measurement
Information specific to the fair value measurement of our financial instruments and disclosures is incorporated by reference from Note 3 "Fair Value of Financial Instruments" contained in Part II, Item 8.
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
Reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses are reported using our best estimate of ultimate liability for claims that occurred prior to the end of any given reporting period but have not yet been paid. Before credit for reinsurance recoverables, these reserves were $1.8 billion and $1.6 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We purchase reinsurance to mitigate the impact of large losses and catastrophic events. Loss and loss settlement expense reserves ceded to reinsurers were $198.1 million and $191.6 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our reserves, before credit for reinsurance recoverables, by line of business as of December 31, 2024, were as follows:
30
Table of Contents
| (In Thousands) | Case Basis | IBNR | Loss Settlement Expense | Total Reserves | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 64,955 | $ | 67,011 | $ | 23,033 | $ | 154,999 | ||||||
| Other liability | 293,682 | 461,341 | 157,702 | 912,725 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | 153,418 | 86,054 | 27,282 | 266,754 | ||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 85,719 | 13,324 | 16,604 | 115,647 | ||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 28,507 | 13,382 | 2,852 | 44,741 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 1,375 | 13,073 | 1,966 | 16,414 | ||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | $ | 627,656 | $ | 654,185 | $ | 229,439 | $ | 1,511,280 | ||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||
| Automobile | $ | 1,192 | $ | 458 | $ | 240 | $ | 1,890 | ||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 1,825 | 6,549 | 333 | 8,707 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 30 | 15 | 51 | 96 | ||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 3,047 | $ | 7,022 | $ | 624 | $ | 10,693 | ||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | 110,619 | 161,362 | 2,828 | 274,809 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 741,322 | $ | 822,569 | $ | 232,891 | $ | 1,796,782 |
Case-Basis Reserves
For each of our lines of business, our experienced claims personnel estimate case-basis reserves for reported claims. Establishing the case reserve for an individual claim is subjective and complex, requiring us to estimate future payments and values sufficient to settle the claim. Setting a reserve for an individual claim is an inherently uncertain process. When we establish and adjust individual claim reserves, we do so based on our knowledge of the circumstances and facts of the claim at a point in time. Upon notice of a claim, we establish a preliminary (average claim cost) reserve based on the limited claim information initially reported. Subsequently, we conduct an investigation of each reported claim, which allows us to more fully understand the factors contributing to the loss and our potential exposure. This investigation may extend over a long period of time. As our claim investigation progresses, and as our claims personnel identify trends in claims activity, we may refine and adjust our estimates of case-basis reserves. To evaluate and refine our overall reserving process, we track and monitor all claims until they are settled and paid in full, with all salvage, subrogation claims, and liability deductible recoveries being resolved.
Our loss reserves include amounts related to both short-tail and long-tail lines of business. A short-tail insurance product is one where claim settlement values are known comparatively quickly. Final settlement values for long-tail insurance products are sometimes not known for many years. The longer the time span between the incidence of a loss and the settlement of the claim, the more the final settlement can vary from the reserves initially established. Accordingly, long-tail insurance products can have significant implications on the reserving process.
Our short-tail lines of business include fire and allied lines, commercial property, automobile physical damage and inland marine. The amounts of the case-based reserves that we establish for claims in these lines depend upon various factors, such as individual claim facts (including type of coverage and severity of loss), our historical loss experience and trends in general economic conditions (including changes in replacement costs, medical costs and inflation).
Our long-tail lines of business include workers' compensation and other liability. In addition, certain product lines such as commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril and surety include both long-tail coverages and short-tail coverages. For many long-tail liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years, may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement of the claim. As a result, loss experience in the more recent accident years for the long-tail liability coverages has limited statistical credibility in our reserving process because a relatively small proportion of losses in these accident years are reported claims and an even smaller proportion are paid losses. In addition, long-tail liability claims are more susceptible to litigation
31
Table of Contents
and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment. Consequently, the estimation of loss reserves for long-tail coverages is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability than for short-tail coverages.
The amounts of the case-basis loss reserves that we establish for claims in long-tail lines of business depend upon various factors, including individual claim facts (including type of coverage, severity of loss and underlying policy limits), company historical loss experience, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages, experience with alternative dispute resolution, changes in political attitudes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. As with our short-tail lines of business, we review and make changes to long-tail case-based reserves based on our review of continually evolving facts as they become available to us during the claims settlement process. Our adjustments to case-based reserves are reported in the financial statements in the period that new information arises about the claim. Examples of facts that become known that could cause us to change our case-based reserves include, but are not limited to: evidence that loss severity is different than previously assessed; new claimants who have presented claims; and the assessment that no coverage exists.
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves ("IBNR")
Most of our insurance policies are written on an occurrence basis that provides coverage if a loss occurs during the policy period, even if the insured reports the loss many years later. On a quarterly basis, the Company performs a detailed analysis of IBNR reserves. This analysis uses various projection methods to provide several estimates of ultimate loss or loss adjustment expense ("LAE") for each individual accident year and line of business. The projection methods include, but are not limited to, paid development; reported development; expected loss ratio methods; and Bornhuetter Ferguson methods on both a paid and reported basis. These methods may need to be adjusted for anomalies or outliers in the data, unusual internal or external trends, or other factors impacting the reliability/credibility of the historical company experience. Results of the projection methods are compared, and a point estimate of ultimate loss or LAE is established for each individual accident year and line of business. The specific projection methods used to establish point estimates vary depending on what is deemed most appropriate for a particular line of business and accident year. IBNR estimates are derived by subtracting reported loss from the final point estimates.
Senior management meets with our actuarial team and controller on a quarterly basis to review the adequacy of carried IBNR reserves based on the results of this actuarial analysis. Adjustments for changes in business and other factors not completely captured by the data within the actuarial analysis are made as deemed necessary. This method of establishing our IBNR reserves has consistently resulted in aggregate reserve levels that management believes are reasonable in comparison to the reserve estimates indicated by the actuarial analysis.
For our short-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a small portion of the overall reserves. These claims are generally reported and settled shortly after the loss occurs. In our long-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a relatively higher proportion of total reserves, because, for many liability claims, significant periods of time may elapse between the initial occurrence of the losses, the reporting of the losses to us, and the ultimate settlement of the losses.
Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
Loss settlement expense reserves include amounts ultimately allocable to individual claims, as well as amounts required for the general overhead of the claims handling operation that are not specifically allocable to individual claims. We do not establish case reserves for these expenses. Instead, on a quarterly basis, management performs a statistical analysis to estimate the required reserve for unpaid loss settlement expenses using historical data.
LAE is composed of two distinct kinds of expenses which are defense and cost containment ("DCC") and adjusting and other ("A&O"). These two expense types have different purposes and characteristics which necessitates different estimation methods in order to provide a quarterly estimate of the required reserve for unpaid expense which is generally referred to as an LAE IBNR reserve.
32
Table of Contents
Reserves for unpaid DCC are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using three methods: (1) Paid development, (2) Expected emergence of DCC, and (3) Bornhuetter Ferguson. Each of the three methods produces an estimate of the ultimate DCC cost for an individual accident year and the final estimate is generally a weighted average of the various methods. Inception to date paid DCC is subtracted from the final ultimate DCC estimate to provide the estimated DCC unpaid reserve for each individual accident year.
Reserves for unpaid A&O are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using a single method. This method consists of applying a percentage factor to unpaid loss reserves. The percentage factor used differs by line of business and is established on an annual basis using year-end data. The percentage factor is evaluated and selected after reviewing the ratio of paid A&O to paid loss using calendar year data for the most recent five years.
Reinsurance Reserves
There are three distinct types of reserves for expected recoveries: (1) reported claim reserves, (2) loss IBNR, and (3) allocated LAE IBNR. Ceded reserves for reported claims are calculated by subtracting the primary retention from the claim value established by our claim adjuster. Ceded IBNR comes from multiple treaties and is reviewed quarterly by our reserving actuaries in conjunction with the direct IBNR. Multiple methods are utilized in the ceded IBNR which vary by line of business. These include estimates based on the relationship of ceded premium to direct premium, Bornhuetter Ferguson methods, and methods based on industry excess of loss factors. Some of our business is 100 percent ceded or based on a set quota share percentage. In those cases, ceded loss IBNR is typically formulaic based on direct loss IBNR. We will cede some allocated LAE expenses when we cede loss. Our ceded allocated LAE IBNR is estimated based on our ceded unpaid loss reserves and the general relation, by line of business, between LAE and loss.
Key Assumptions
The Company uses a number of key assumptions in establishing an estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, including but not limited to the following: the Company's case-basis reserves reflect the most up-to-date information available about the unique circumstances of each individual known claim; judicial decisions or regulatory actions have been considered to the extent of our knowledge; new, emerging claim reporting and payment patterns will continue into the future consistent with the observable past; adjustments have been made for significant unique and unusual known claim events; and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no new, unidentified latent trends that would impact our overall reserves. These assumptions about future circumstances and expectations are inherently uncertain and subject to many risk factors including but not limited to heightened levels of inflation, increased litigation activity, changing weather patterns, and changing driver behaviors.
Therefore, our key assumptions are subject to change as actual claims occur and as we gain additional information about the variables that underlie our assumptions. Accordingly, management reviews and updates these assumptions periodically to ensure that the assumptions remain relevant and consistent with our current understanding of the environment. If necessary, management makes changes not only in the estimates derived from the use of these assumptions, but also in the assumptions themselves. Due to the inherent uncertainty in the loss reserving process, management believes that there is a reasonable chance that modification to key assumptions could individually, or in aggregate, result in reserve levels above or below the actual amount for which the related claims will eventually settle.
Adjustments to the reserves could be recorded in one year or multiple years, depending on when they are identified. This would also affect our financial position in that our equity would be adjusted by an amount equivalent to the net income impact. Any deficiency that would be recognized in our loss and loss settlement expense reserves usually does not have a material effect on our liquidity because the claims have not been paid. Conversely, if our estimates of ultimate unpaid loss and loss settlement expense reserves prove to be redundant, our future earnings and financial position would be improved. We believe our approach produces recorded reserves that are reasonable as to their relative position within a range of reasonable reserves from year-to-year.
Historical experience suggests reserve levels can vary considerably for an individual year before ultimate settlement values are known, but variation for the aggregate ultimate loss typically would fall in the range of 2.5% to 5%. The
33
Table of Contents
table below provides some scenarios for the impact of this development volatility on our reported net loss and loss adjustment reserves of $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2024.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Impact from updated assumptions | 2.5% | 5.0% | ||||
| Impact on total net reported Loss and LAE reserves | $ | 39,967 | $ | 79,935 |
In 2024, we changed the model used to review a portion of the LAE reserves. The reserves related to expenses not associated with individual claims (adjusting and other) are now reviewed using a projected claim count model. The methodologies relied upon for the remainder of the reserves were not altered but additional considerations were added to our models to aid in selecting key assumptions. In estimating our 2024 loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we did not anticipate future events or conditions that were inconsistent with past development patterns.
Certain of our lines of business are subject to the potential for greater loss and loss settlement expense development than others, which are discussed below:
Other Liability Reserves
Other liability is considered a long-tail line of business, as it can take a relatively long period of time to settle claims from prior accident years. This is partly due to the lag time between the date a loss or event occurs that triggers coverage and the date when the claim is actually reported. Defense costs are also a part of the insured expenses covered by liability policies and can be significant, sometimes greater than the cost of the actual paid claims. For the majority of our products, defense costs are outside of the policy limit, meaning that the amounts paid for defense costs are not subtracted from the available policy limit.
Factors that can cause uncertainty in estimating reserves in this line include: reporting time lags; the number of parties involved in the underlying tort action; whether the "event" triggering coverage is confined to only one time period or is spread over multiple time periods; the potential dollars involved in the individual claim actions; whether such claims were reasonably foreseeable and intended to be covered at the time the contracts were written (i.e., coverage disputes); and the potential for mass claim actions.
Claims with longer reporting time lags may result in greater inherent risk. This is especially true for alleged claims with a latency feature, particularly where courts have ruled that coverage is spread over multiple policy years, hence involving multiple defendants (and their insurers and reinsurers) and multiple policies (thereby increasing the potential dollars involved and the underlying settlement complexity). Claims with long latencies also increase the potential time lag between writing a policy in a certain market and the recognition that such policy has potential mass tort and/or latent claim exposure.
Our reserve for other liability claims at December 31, 2024 was $912.7 million and consisted of 3,862 claims, compared with $819.2 million, consisting of 4,351 claims at December 31, 2023. Of the $912.7 million total reserve for other liability claims, $101.4 million is identified as DCC and $56.0 million is identified as A&O required in the settlement of claims.
Included in the other liability line of business are gross reserves for construction defect losses and loss settlement expenses. Construction defect exposure is unique because of its very long tail as claims can often take over six years to be reported to us and another four years to settle, on average. This exposure relates to a deficiency in the design or construction of a building or structure resulting from a failure to design or construct in a reasonably workmanlike manner, and/or in accordance with a buyer's reasonable expectation. In the cases involving latent defects, the determination of when a loss occurred is often unclear and governed by various theories that vary by state. Further, each state has a unique Statute of Repose that determines the length of time an insured has to report a claim generally from the date of substantial completion of a project.
34
Table of Contents
In addition to these issues, other variables contribute to a high degree of uncertainty in establishing reserves for construction defect claims. These variables include: whether coverage exists; when losses occur; the size of each loss; expectations for future interpretive rulings concerning contract provisions; and the extent to which the assertion of these claims will expand geographically. In recent years, we have implemented various underwriting measures that we anticipate will mitigate the amount of construction defect losses experienced, including further consideration of insured endorsements; stricter underwriting guidelines on the writing of residential contractors; and increased utilization of loss control.
Asbestos and Environmental Reserves
Included in the other liability and assumed reinsurance lines of business are reserves for asbestos and other environmental losses and loss settlement expenses. The estimation of loss reserves for environmental claims and claims related to long-term exposure to asbestos and other substances is one of the most difficult aspects of establishing reserves, especially given the inherent uncertainties surrounding such claims and the likelihood that these uncertainties will not be resolved for many years. Although we record our best estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, the ultimate amounts paid upon settlement of such claims may be more or less than the amount of the reserves. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in direct and assumed asbestos and environmental loss reserves.
Catastrophe Event Reserves
Catastrophe losses are inherent risks of the property and casualty insurance business. Catastrophic events include, without limitation, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, hailstorms, wildfires, high winds, winter storms and other natural disasters, along with man-made exposures to losses resulting from, without limitation, acts of terrorism and political instability. Some types of catastrophes are more likely to occur at certain times within the year than others, which adds an element of seasonality to our property and casualty insurance claims. The frequency and severity of catastrophic events are difficult to accurately predict in any year. However, some geographic locations are more susceptible to these events than others.
We control our direct insurance exposures in regions that are prone to naturally occurring catastrophic events through a combination of geographic diversification, restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in such regions, and reinsurance. We regularly assess our concentration of risk in natural catastrophe exposed areas and consider the impacts of climate change and the unpredictability of future trends in adjusting our geographic concentrations. We have strategies and underwriting standards to manage these exposures through individual risk selection, subject to regulatory constraints, and through the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance coverage. We use catastrophe modeling and a risk concentration management tool to monitor and control our accumulations of potential losses in natural catastrophe exposed areas, such as the Gulf Coast and East Coast, as well as in areas of exposure in other countries where we are exposed to a portion of an insurer's underwriting risk under our assumed reinsurance contracts. Despite our efforts to manage our catastrophe exposure, the extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in an area affected by the event and the severity of the event. The occurrence of one or more severe natural catastrophic events in heavily populated areas could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
The process of estimating and establishing reserves for losses incurred from catastrophic events is inherently uncertain and the actual ultimate cost of a claim, net of reinsurance recoveries, may vary materially from the estimated amount reserved. Catastrophe modeling generally relies on multiple inputs based on experience, science, engineering and history, and the selection of those inputs requires a significant amount of judgment. The modeling results may also fail to account for risks that are outside the range of normal probability or are otherwise unforeseen. Because of this, actual results may differ materially from those derived from our modeling assumptions.
Commercial Automobile Reserves
Commercial automobile claim reserves are established at exposure based on information either known and provided or obtained through the claims investigation. The perspective and experience of the claims staff, which may include assumptions as to how the claim will develop over time, is incorporated in the investigation. Exposures are identified and reserves established within 30 to 60 days depending on the complexity of the case.
35
Table of Contents
Workers' Compensation Reserves
Like the other liability line of business, workers' compensation losses and loss settlement expense reserves are based upon variables that create uncertainty in estimating the ultimate reserve. Estimates for workers' compensation are particularly sensitive to assumptions about medical cost inflation. Other variables we consider and that contribute to the uncertainty in establishing reserves for workers' compensation claims include: state legislative and regulatory environments; trends in jury awards; and mortality rates. Because of these variables, the process of reserving for the ultimate loss and loss settlement expense to be incurred requires the use of informed judgment and is inherently uncertain. Consequently, actual loss and loss settlement expense reserves may deviate from our estimates and such deviations may be significant. Our reserve for workers' compensation claims at December 31, 2024 was $115.6 million and consisted of 1,042 claims, compared with $121.0 million, consisting of 1,077 claims, at December 31, 2023.
Reserve Development
We recognized a favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years totaling $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and adverse development of $67.8 million and $12.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table details the pre-tax impact on our property and casualty insurance business' financial results and financial condition of reasonably likely reserve development. Our lines of business that have historically been most susceptible to significant volatility in reserve development have been shown separately and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 5.0 percent and 10.0 percent. Our other, less volatile, lines of business have been aggregated and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 3.0 percent and 5.0 percent.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -10% | -5% | +5% | +10% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Other liability | $ | (91,273) | $ | (45,636) | $ | 45,636 | $ | 91,273 | ||||||
| Workers' compensation | (11,565) | (5,782) | 5,782 | 11,565 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | (26,864) | (13,432) | 13,432 | 26,864 | ||||||||||
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -5% | -3% | +3% | +5% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| All other lines | $ | (24,988) | $ | (14,993) | $ | 14,993 | $ | 24,988 |
Reserve development is discussed in more detail under the heading "Losses and Loss Settlement Expense" in the "Results of Operations" section in this Item 7.
Appointed Actuary
The Company terminated the engagement with Regnier Consulting Group, Inc. ("Regnier") as its appointed actuary for the year ended December 31, 2024. Beginning with the 2024 reporting period, the Company's Vice President of Actuarial Reserving will serve as the appointed actuary, approved by the Board of Directors. The Company has engaged a third party firm to provide an independent and unbiased assessment of the Company's reserves. We do not rely on the external consulting actuary's assessment to determine our recorded reserves; however, we review and discuss its observations on trends, key assumptions, and actuarial methodologies, and consider these items when determining our recorded reserves.
Pension Benefit Obligation
The process of estimating our pension benefit obligation and related benefit expense is inherently uncertain, and the actual cost of benefits may vary materially from the estimates recorded. These liabilities are particularly volatile due
36
Table of Contents
to their long-term nature and are based on several assumptions. The main assumptions used in the valuation of our pension benefit obligation are estimates related to: mortality of the employees and retirees eligible for benefits; expected long-term rates of return on investments; compensation increases; employee turnover; and liability discount rate. We have engaged an independent firm to assist in evaluating and establishing assumptions used in the valuation of our pension benefit obligations.
A change in any one or more of these assumptions is likely to result in an ultimate liability different from the original actuarial estimate. Such changes in estimates may be material. For example, a 100 basis point decrease in our estimated discount rate would increase the benefit obligation at December 31, 2024 by $22.1 million while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease the pension benefit obligation by $18.2 million, for the same period.
A 100 basis point decrease in our estimated long-term rate of return on pension plan assets would increase the benefit expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 by $2.3 million, while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease benefit expense by $2.3 million, for the same period. Corresponding with the impact on benefit expense, there would be an offsetting impact to pension plan assets.
In an effort to limit the impacts of interest rate exposure, in September 2023, we made a shift in our pension plan asset investment strategy to a liability driven investment ("LDI") approach to better match the timing of cash flows between payouts from the plan with cash flows from the asset portfolio as well as hedge interest rate risk between assets and liabilities.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We evaluate profit or loss based upon operating and investment results. Profit or loss described in the following sections of this Management's Discussion and Analysis is reported on a pre-tax basis. Our primary sources of revenue are premiums and investment income. Major categories of expenses include losses and loss settlement expenses, underwriting and other operating expenses. Management uses metrics to provide financial statement users with a better understanding of results of operations, including adjusted operating income and three components of the loss ratio: underlying loss ratio, impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development.
Adjusted operating income is calculated by excluding net investment gains and losses, after applicable federal and state income taxes from net income (loss). Management believes adjusted operating income is a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company performance and a useful supplement to GAAP information because it better represents the normal, ongoing performance of our business. Investors and equity analysts who invest in and report on the insurance industry and the Company generally focus on this metric in their analyses.
Underlying loss ratio represents the net loss ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The underlying combined ratio represents the combined ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The Company believes that the underlying loss ratio and underlying combined ratio are meaningful measures to understand the underlying trends in the core business in the current accident year, removing the volatility of catastrophes and prior period impacts. Management believes separate discussions on catastrophe losses and prior period reserve development are important to understanding how the Company is managing catastrophe risk and in identifying developments in longer-tailed business. Catastrophe losses is an operational measure that utilizes the designations of the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") and is reported with losses and loss adjustment expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. In addition to ISO catastrophes, we also include as catastrophes those events ("non-ISO catastrophes"), which may include U.S. or international losses, that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Catastrophes are not predictable and are unique in terms of timing and financial impact. While management estimates catastrophe losses as incurred, due to the inherently unique nature of catastrophe losses, the impact in a reporting period is inclusive of catastrophes that occurred in the reporting period, as well as development on catastrophes that may have occurred in prior periods. Prior period reserve development is the increase (unfavorable) or decrease (favorable) in incurred loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at the valuation dates for losses which occurred in previous calendar years. This measure excludes development on catastrophe losses.
37
Table of Contents
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table includes the consolidated results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, with more detailed components and discussion in the sections that follow. Discussions of the components of net income are presented on a pre-tax basis, unless otherwise noted.
Financial Highlights
| Years Ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | vs. 2023 | vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,176,750 | $ | 1,034,587 | $ | 951,541 | 13.7 | % | 8.7 | % | |||||||
| Net investment income | 81,986 | 59,606 | 44,932 | 37.5 | 32.7 | ||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (5,429) | 1,274 | (15,892) | NM | NM | ||||||||||||
| Other income (loss) | — | — | (295) | NM | (100.0) | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,253,307 | $ | 1,095,467 | $ | 980,286 | 14.4 | % | 11.7 | % | |||||||
| Benefits, losses and expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss settlement expenses | $ | 744,605 | $ | 769,414 | $ | 637,301 | (3.2) | % | 20.7 | % | |||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 281,338 | 244,991 | 213,075 | 14.8 | 15.0 | ||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 140,942 | 115,800 | 115,169 | 21.7 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 7,281 | 3,260 | 3,188 | 123.3 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||
| Other non-underwriting expenses | 2,107 | 1,723 | (524) | 22.3 | NM | ||||||||||||
| Total benefits, losses and expenses | $ | 1,176,273 | $ | 1,135,188 | $ | 968,209 | 3.6 | % | 17.2 | % | |||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 77,034 | $ | (39,721) | $ | 12,077 | NM | NM | |||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 15,077 | (10,021) | (2,954) | NM | NM | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 61,957 | $ | (29,700) | $ | 15,031 | NM | NM | |||||||||
| GAAP Ratios: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio (1) | 63.3 | % | 74.4 | % | 67.0 | % | (14.9) | % | 11.0 | % | |||||||
| Expense ratio (2) | 35.9 | % | 34.9 | % | 34.5 | % | 2.9 | % | 1.2 | % | |||||||
| Combined ratio (3) | 99.2 | % | 109.3 | % | 101.5 | % | (9.2) | % | 7.7 | % | |||||||
| Additional Loss Ratios: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio (1) | 63.3 | % | 74.4 | % | 67.0 | % | (14.9) | % | 11.0 | % | |||||||
| Catastrophes (4) | 5.4 | % | 6.2 | % | 7.7 | % | (12.9) | % | (19.5) | % | |||||||
| Reserve development (4) | — | % | 6.0 | % | 0.1 | % | NM | NM | |||||||||
| Underlying loss ratio (4) (Non-GAAP) | 57.9 | % | 62.2 | % | 59.2 | % | (6.9) | % | 5.1 | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) Net loss ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss settlement expenses by net earned premiums. We use the net loss ratio as a measure of the overall underwriting profitability of the insurance business we write and to assess the adequacy of our pricing. Our net loss ratio is meaningful in evaluating our financial results as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) Expense ratio is calculated by dividing non-deferred underwriting expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs by net earned premiums. The expense ratio measures a company's operational efficiency in producing, underwriting and administering its insurance
business.
(3) Combined ratio is a commonly used financial measure of property and casualty underwriting performance. A combined ratio below 100.0
percent generally indicates a profitable book of business. The combined ratio is the sum of the net loss ratio and the underwriting expense ratio.
(4) Underlying loss ratio is defined as the net loss ratio less impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior year reserve development.
38
Table of Contents
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums is the amount charged for insurance policy contracts issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. Net written premiums is frequently used by industry analysts and other recognized reporting sources to facilitate comparisons of the performance of insurance companies. Management believes net written premiums is a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company sales performance and geographical expansion efforts. Net written premiums for an insurance company consists of direct written premiums and assumed premiums, less ceded premiums. The following shows our written premiums for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| (In Thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | vs. 2023 | vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Direct written premiums | $ | 1,177,511 | $ | 1,061,358 | $ | 946,169 | 10.9 | % | 12.2 | % | |||||||
| Assumed written premiums | 217,904 | 159,335 | 137,786 | 36.8 | 15.6 | ||||||||||||
| Ceded written premiums | (163,945) | (153,792) | (99,732) | 6.6 | 54.2 | ||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | $ | 1,231,470 | $ | 1,066,901 | $ | 984,223 | 15.4 | % | 8.4 | % |
See 'Premiums' below for a description of the changes in premiums for the years presented.
Revenues
Premiums
Net earned premiums are calculated on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the respective policies. Unearned premium reserves are established for the portion of written premiums applicable to the unexpired terms of the insurance policies in force. The difference between net earned premiums and net written premiums is the change in unearned premiums and the change in prepaid reinsurance premiums. Direct earned premiums are recognized ratably over the life of a policy and differ from direct written premiums, which are recognized on the effective date of the policy. The following shows our earned premiums for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | vs. 2023 | vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Direct earned premiums | 1,109,903 | 1,017,917 | 941,998 | 9.0 | % | 8.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Assumed earned premiums | 214,043 | 161,628 | 111,283 | 32.4 | % | 45.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Ceded earned premiums | (147,196) | (144,958) | (101,740) | 1.5 | % | 42.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 1,176,750 | $ | 1,034,587 | $ | 951,541 | 13.7 | % | 8.7 | % |
Direct Premiums
Direct premiums are the total policy premiums, net of cancellations, associated with policies issued and underwritten by our property and casualty insurance business. Direct premiums increased $92.0 million in 2024 as compared to 2023 and increased $75.9 million in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to growth in our core commercial lines resulting from rate renewal increases, substantial new business production and stable retention.
Assumed Premiums
Assumed premiums are the total premiums associated with the insurance risk transferred to us by other insurance and reinsurance companies pursuant to reinsurance contracts. Assumed premiums increased $52.4 million in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to the addition of new programs and cedant growth, while assumed premiums increased $50.3 million in 2023 as compared to 2022 due primarily to increased reinsurance rates.
39
Table of Contents
Ceded Premiums
Ceded premiums is the portion of direct premiums that we cede to our reinsurers under our reinsurance contracts. The ratio of ceded premiums to direct premiums remained flat for 2024 as compared to 2023 due to rate decreases in property offsetting rate increases in casualty. Ceded premiums increased $2.2 million in 2024 due to growth in the subject premium base. For 2023, the ratio of ceded premiums to direct premiums increased as compared to 2022, due to significant reinsurance rate increases.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income was $82.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $22.4 million or 37.5% from the year ended December 31, 2023. Interest on fixed maturities increased $13.5 million or 23.9%, as a result of portfolio management actions, including investing at higher rates and the strategic re-allocation of equity securities into fixed maturity securities. This strategic re-allocation of equity securities resulted in a decrease in dividend income of $3.2 million. Income on other long-term investments was $8.0 million for 2024, compared to zero in 2023, as the valuation of the investments in limited liability partnerships varies from period to period due to the current market conditions. Interest on short-term investments, and cash and cash equivalents increased $4.8 million due primarily to an increase in money market funds resulting from the timing of investment sales and purchases.
Net investment income was $59.6 million in December 31, 2023, an increase of $14.7 million or 32.7% from the year ended December 31, 2022. Interest on fixed maturities was up $7.5 million or 15.5%, driven by higher interest rates. This was partially offset by a decrease in dividends on equity securities of $1.6 million, due to a strategic reallocation of equity securities into fixed maturity securities. Income on other long-term investments in limited liability partnerships increased $3.2 million, and other investment income increased by $5.6 million related to investment income received on FAL, short term investments, and cash and cash equivalents.
The following details our annualized yield on average invested assets for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | AverageInvested Assets (1) | Net Investment Income | Annualized Yield onAverage Invested Assets (2) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $ | 1,970,404 | $ | 81,986 | 4.2 | % | ||||
| 2023 | 1,891,504 | 59,606 | 3.2 | % | ||||||
| 2022 | 1,992,108 | 44,932 | 2.3 | % | ||||||
| (1) Average Invested Assets, includes investments in money market accounts and is calculated using a simple average of the beginning and ending balances for the period | ||||||||||
| (2) Annualized Yield on Average Invested Assets is calculated by dividing Net Investment Income by Average Invested Assets. |
Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on net investment income.
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Net investment losses were $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to net investment gains of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The primary reason for the change relates to management actions within the Company's fixed maturity portfolio to reinvest at higher rates.
Net investment gains were $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to net investment losses of $15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The primary reason for the change was attributable to the increase in market value of investments in equity securities throughout 2023 as compared to the decrease in market value of investments in equity securities through 2022.
Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on investment gains and losses.
40
Table of Contents
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
The following shows losses and loss settlement expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss and loss settlement expenses excluding catastrophes and prior year reserve development | $ | 680,243 | $ | 773,012 | $ | 576,725 | ||||
| Impact of catastrophes | 63,154 | 64,152 | 73,466 | |||||||
| Impact of prior year reserve development | 1,208 | (67,750) | (12,890) | |||||||
| Loss and loss settlement expenses | $ | 744,605 | $ | 769,414 | $ | 637,301 | ||||
| Net loss ratio | 63.3 | % | 74.4 | % | 67.0 | % |
For the year ended December 31, 2024, our loss and loss settlement expenses were $24.8 million, or 3.2%, lower than 2023 and our net loss ratio improved 11.1 points. This was driven by improvement in the underlying loss ratio, no prior year development, and a favorable year for catastrophe losses. The underlying loss ratio improvement was driven in part by higher pricing, continued favorable frequency in most major lines, and favorable large loss experience in property and surety. Favorable results are partially offset by an increase in current and prior accident year loss estimates for other liability reflecting continued efforts to strengthen liability reserves subject to increasing economic and social inflation influences.
The Company experienced $1.0 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the year ended December 31, 2024, which is the result of favorable development on catastrophe losses. For non-catastrophe losses, favorable development in commercial automobile and fire and allied lines was offset by adverse development in commercial other liability. The commercial automobile favorable development of $34.5 million is a function of case-basis and IBNR reserve strengthening efforts over the last several years. Favorable development in fire and allied lines of $10.5 million is driven in part by reactions to favorable large loss experience in recent accident years. Adverse development in commercial other liability reflects the company's continued response to increased loss settlements resulting from the impact of economic and social inflation, including increased litigation activity.
In 2024, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $63.2 million, a decrease of $1.0 million compared to $64.2 million in 2023. In 2024, our catastrophe losses included 74 events. Catastrophe losses in 2024 added 5.4 percentage points to the combined ratio, which is below our historical 10-year average of 7.2 percentage points. The Company continues to evaluate and limit our exposure in regions prone to naturally occurring catastrophic events through a combination of geographic diversification and restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in such regions. We intend to continue with targeted underwriting and rate initiatives in some regions and/or purchase additional reinsurance as necessary to reduce our exposure.
2023 Results
For the year ended December 31, 2023, our loss and loss settlement expenses were $132.3 million, or 20.7%, higher than 2022 and our net loss ratio increased 7.4 points. The primary drivers were an increase in loss and loss settlement expenses of $80.4 million in commercial lines and $48.0 million in reinsurance assumed, partially offset by $64.2 million of catastrophe losses in 2023 for our direct and assumed reinsurance business as compared to $73.5 million in 2022.
The Company experienced $67.8 million of adverse development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is comprised of $64.2 million on non-catastrophe losses and $3.6 million on catastrophe losses. Commercial other liability lines experienced adverse development of $52.9 million primarily in our excess and surplus lines excess casualty book along with some adverse development in standard umbrella and construction defect due to increasing severity pressures. The increases in these longer tailed lines, especially in
41
Table of Contents
accident years 2016-2019, related to social and economic inflation, and prompted a re-evaluation of trend assumptions for more recent accident years. The commercial automobile line of business also experienced adverse development of $9.0 million related to increasing severity largely in post-COVID-19 accident years. Commercial fire and allied lines experienced adverse development of $4.4 million largely due to development on both catastrophe and non-catastrophe losses, primarily from accident year 2022. The assumed reinsurance line of business contributed an additional $3.5 million of adverse development largely driven by catastrophe losses.
In 2023, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $64.2 million, a decrease of $9.3 million compared to $73.5 million in 2022, and a decrease of $25.2 million as compared to $98.6 million in 2021. In 2023, our catastrophe losses included 61 events. Catastrophe losses in 2023 added 6.2 percentage points to the combined ratio, which is below our historical 10-year average of 7.2 percentage points.
2022 Results
For the year ended December 31, 2022, our losses and loss settlement expenses were $14.8 million, or 2.3%, lower than 2021 and our net loss ratio decreased 0.7 points. The primary driver was a reduction in loss and loss settlement expenses of $27.0 million in personal lines related to our exit of that business. This was offset by an increase in reinsurance assumed related to our growth in that business from and a decrease in our commercial lines. In 2022, catastrophe losses were $73.5 million in our direct business and assumed reinsurance business as compared to $98.6 million in 2021.
The Company experienced $12.9 million of adverse development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2022. Most of the adverse development was in commercial other liability with $47.8 million and commercial fire and allied with $24.8 million adverse development. This was offset partially by favorable development on commercial automobile which contributed $56.7 million. The unfavorable development in commercial other liability and commercial fire and allied was due to paid loss and loss adjustment expense ("LAE") which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss and LAE. The favorable development for commercial automobile was from both loss and LAE where reductions of reserves for unpaid liabilities were more than sufficient to offset actual paid loss and paid LAE. Reductions in reserves for IBNR claims also contributed favorable development.
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")
The following is a summary of the components of DAC, including amortization:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded asset at beginning of year | $ | 126,532 | $ | 104,225 | $ | 91,446 | ||||
| Acquisition costs deferred | 302,017 | 267,298 | 225,854 | |||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | (281,325) | (244,991) | (213,075) | |||||||
| Recorded asset at end of year | $ | 147,224 | $ | 126,532 | $ | 104,225 |
DAC is amortized over the period the related premiums are earned. Amortization increased for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, primarily reflecting an increase in deferred underwriting costs associated with the growth of the business.
42
Table of Contents
Net Loss Ratios by Line
The following table provides our net loss ratio for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | Net Earned Premiums | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Earned Premiums | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Earned Premiums | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability | $ | 343,027 | $ | 283,034 | 82.5 | % | $ | 320,762 | $ | 249,106 | 77.7 | % | $ | 302,446 | $ | 231,587 | 76.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 252,142 | 125,807 | 49.9 | 244,674 | 183,533 | 75.0 | 232,156 | 204,278 | 88.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 239,964 | 138,517 | 57.7 | 208,874 | 176,667 | 84.6 | 208,398 | 114,296 | 54.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 54,815 | 37,524 | 68.5 | 53,039 | 33,224 | 62.6 | 56,015 | 27,545 | 49.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 60,285 | 14,812 | 24.6 | 39,922 | 22,259 | 55.8 | 37,975 | 6,790 | 17.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 9,802 | 5,742 | 58.6 | 2,702 | 940 | 34.8 | 1,081 | 821 | 75.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | 960,035 | $ | 605,436 | 63.1 | % | $ | 869,973 | $ | 665,729 | 76.5 | % | $ | 838,071 | $ | 585,317 | 69.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 14,237 | $ | 8,325 | 58.5 | % | $ | 4,733 | $ | 3,402 | 71.9 | % | $ | 4,957 | $ | 2,959 | 59.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 1,214 | 732 | 60.3 | — | (837) | NM | 1 | (3,123) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 10 | 197 | NM | 22 | (82) | NM | 50 | (1,009) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 15,461 | $ | 9,254 | 59.9 | % | $ | 4,755 | $ | 2,483 | 52.2 | % | $ | 5,008 | $ | (1,173) | (23.4) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance assumed(1) | $ | 201,254 | $ | 129,915 | 64.6 | % | $ | 159,859 | $ | 101,202 | 63.3 | % | $ | 108,462 | $ | 53,157 | 49.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,176,750 | $ | 744,605 | 63.3 | % | $ | 1,034,587 | $ | 769,414 | 74.4 | % | $ | 951,541 | $ | 637,301 | 67.0 | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) Reinsurance assumed includes Lloyd's of London
43
Table of Contents
Commercial Lines
The net loss ratio in our commercial lines of business was 63.1 percent in 2024 compared to 76.5 percent in 2023 and 69.8 percent in 2022. This result was driven by improvement in the underlying loss ratio, no prior year development compared to adverse development booked in 2023, and a favorable year for catastrophe losses.
Commercial Other Liability
We write numerous types of risk that are exposed to liability losses in our direct and assumed books of business. This includes, but is not limited to, bodily injury, property damage, standard umbrella, excess liability, and product liability (including construction defect) loss and loss adjustment expenses.
The net loss ratio increased 4.8 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023. The Company has been strengthening reserves across our portfolio in response to increased loss settlements resulting from the impact of economic and social inflation, including increased litigation activity.
Commercial Fire and Allied Lines
The net loss ratio improved 25.1 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023. This was driven by increased pricing and continued favorable frequency trends. In addition, large loss experience was very favorable in 2024 compared to earlier years and catastrophe experience was favorable in 2024.
Commercial Automobile
The net loss ratio improved 26.9 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023. This was driven in part by consistent pricing increases throughout 2024 and continued favorable frequency trends associated with more restrictive underwriting guidelines and exposure appetite. Favorable prior year development also contributed in 2024 compared to 2023, given case-basis and IBNR reserve strengthening efforts over the last several years were sufficient to account for recent claim activity.
Workers' Compensation
The net loss ratio deteriorated 5.9 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023. The Company continues to see favorable frequency trends offset by modest but positive severity pressure and medical inflation pressure. There was some prior year reserve increases in 2024 relative to 2023 due to the adjustment of ceded recovery expectations.
Fidelity and Surety
The net loss ratio improved 31.2 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023. When surety losses occur, our loss is determined by estimating the cost to complete the remaining work and to pay the contractor's unpaid bills, offset by contract funds due to the contractor, reinsurance, and the value of any collateral to which we may have access. Significant improvement was driven by a return to longer term profitability levels and disciplined underwriting after elevated large loss activity in 2023 and 2022.
Personal Lines
The net loss ratio deteriorated 7.7 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023, due to proportional assumed reinsurance for homeowners multi-peril coverage included in personal fire and allied lines. There is also an immaterial amount of personal lines business remaining, primarily in the state of New Jersey, with the last exposures due to certain regulatory, non-renewal limitations expected to lapse before December 31, 2025.
Reinsurance Assumed
The net loss ratio increased 1.3 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023. Our assumed reinsurance portfolio is comprised of contracts that provide reinsurance protection to unaffiliated insurance companies. We only reinsure companies with attractive expected profitability, relevant materiality, and strong reputation. Our reinsurance business focuses on long-term relationships.
The 2024 non-catastrophe result was relatively consistent with 2023. The business is benefiting from increased pricing and tightly managed loss exposure. 2024 experienced increased catastrophe losses from one account and adverse prior year development driven by worse than expected losses associated with a few accounts.
44
Table of Contents
Underwriting Expenses
The following is a summary of underwriting expenses, including the underwriting expense ratio:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | $ | 281,338 | $ | 244,991 | $ | 213,075 | ||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 140,942 | 115,800 | 115,169 | |||||||
| Underwriting expenses | $ | 422,280 | $ | 360,791 | $ | 328,244 | ||||
| Net earned premiums | 1,176,750 | 1,034,587 | 951,541 | |||||||
| Expense ratio(1) | 35.9 | % | 34.9 | % | 34.5 | % |
(1) Expense ratio is calculated by dividing non-deferred underwriting expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs by net earned premiums. The expense ratio measures a company's operational efficiency in producing, underwriting and administering its insurance
business.
The increase in expense ratio in 2024 as compared to 2023 is due primarily to investments in talent to deepen expertise across the Company; accelerated development of our new policy administration system that is now poised for implementation in 2025; and increased performance-based compensation for employees and agents due to current year achievements.
The increase in expense ratio in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily driven by prior year changes to our employee post-retirement benefit plans. These changes provided benefits to the underwriting expense ratio that concluded at the end of 2022. Additionally, the 2023 underwriting expense ratio increased due to reinsurance premiums which were offset by our ongoing actions to sustainably reduce expenses and direct premium growth.
Interest Expenses
The following is a summary of interest expense:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest paid | $ | 7,281 | $ | 3,260 | $ | 3,188 |
Our long term debt obligations are $50.0 million of private placement notes issued in December 2020 and $70.0 million of senior unsecured notes issued in May 2024. Interest expense increased in 2024 due to the issuance of the senior unsecured notes in May 2024. Refer to Note 13 "Debt" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on our long term debt.
Income Taxes
The following is a summary of income tax expense (benefit), including the effective tax rate:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 77,034 | $ | (39,721) | $ | 12,077 | ||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 15,077 | (10,021) | (2,954) | |||||
| Effective tax rate(1) | 19.6 | % | 25.2 | % | (24.5) | % |
(1)The effective tax rate is calculated by dividing 'Income tax expense (benefit)' by 'Income (loss) before income taxes'
45
Table of Contents
Income tax expense was $15.1 million in 2024, compared with an income tax benefit of $10.0 million in 2023 and $3.0 million in 2022. The consolidated effective tax rate for 2024 was 19.6 percent, compared with 25.2 percent in 2023 and (24.5) percent in 2022. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to interest earned on tax exempt bonds.
Refer to Note 7 "Income Tax" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on the Company's income taxes, including details regarding our deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Adjusted Operating Income (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures")
The table below shows the adjustments made to reconcile Net income (loss) to Adjusted operating earnings:
| Net Income Reconciliation | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Income statement data | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 61,957 | $ | (29,700) | $ | 15,031 | ||||||
| Less: Net investment gains (losses), after-tax | (4,289) | 1,006 | (12,555) | |||||||||
| Adjusted operating income (loss) | $ | 66,246 | $ | (30,706) | $ | 27,586 |
Adjusted operating income reported in 2024 was primarily due to an increase in net earned premiums of $142.2 million combined with a decrease in the underlying loss ratio by 4.3 points to 57.9%, a decrease in the catastrophe loss ratio of 0.8 points to 5.4%, and no prior year reserve development. In addition, net investment income increased by $23.2 million, partially offset by net investment losses due to management actions within the Company's fixed maturity portfolio to reinvest at higher rates. The underwriting expense ratio increased 1.0 point to 35.9%.
Adjusted operating loss reported in 2023 was primarily due to an increase in losses and loss settlement expenses of $132.1 million attributable to adverse reserve development of $67.8 million which added 6.0 points to the loss ratio. In addition, an increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs of $32.0 million contributed to the operating loss. These were partially offset with an increase in net earned premiums of $83.0 million and higher investment income of $15.0 million.
Adjusted operating income reported in 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in losses and loss settlement expenses of $14.8 million attributable to a decrease in the underlying loss ratio by 5.2 points to 59.2% and a decrease in the catastrophe loss ratio of 2.5 points to 7.7%. This was partially offset by a decrease in net earned premiums of $11.3 million and increased net investment losses on the portfolio due to $12.8 million of unrealized losses on equity securities held as of the end of the year.
INVESTMENTS
Investment Philosophy
The Company's assets are invested to preserve capital and maximize total return while maintaining an appropriate balance of risk. The risk-adjusted return on our portfolio is an important component of overall financial results, but quality and safety of principal is the highest priority of our investment program. We administer our investment portfolio based on investment guidelines approved by management and the Investment Committee of our Board of Directors that comply with applicable statutory regulations. The portfolio is structured to be compliant with state insurance laws that prescribe the quality, concentration and type of investments that may be made by insurance companies.
We monitor our portfolio to appropriately manage risk, achieve portfolio objectives and maximize investment income as market conditions change. Our overall investment strategy is to stay fully invested (i.e., minimize cash balances). If additional cash is needed, we have the ability to take advances through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines ("FHLB Des Moines") facility. The Company entered into an investment management agreement with New England Asset Management ("NEAM") effective as of February 1, 2024, pursuant to which NEAM will provide investment management services.
46
Table of Contents
Investment Portfolio
Our invested assets at December 31, 2024 totaled $2.1 billion as compared to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2023. We utilize a conservative investment philosophy, investing in a diversified portfolio of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable corporate bonds, taxable U.S. government and government agency bonds and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. The composition of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2024 is presented at carrying value in the following table:
| Percent | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands, except ratios) | Carrying Value | of Total | |||
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale(1) | |||||
| US Treasury and government agencies | $ | 117,301 | 6.0 | % | |
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 247,904 | 12.0 | |||
| Corporate | 689,382 | 32.0 | |||
| Asset-backed: | — | ||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | 583,411 | 28.0 | |||
| Commercial mortgage-backed | 103,554 | 5.0 | |||
| Other asset-backed | 126,779 | 6.0 | |||
| Total asset-backed | 813,744 | 39.0 | |||
| Total Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | 1,868,331 | 89.0 | |||
| Mortgage loans | 40,922 | 2.0 | |||
| Other long-term investments(2) | 183,741 | 9.0 | |||
| Short-term investments | 100 | — | |||
| Total | $ | 2,093,094 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Available-for-sale securities with fixed maturities are carried at fair value.
(2) As a member of Lloyd’s, the Company participates in the Syndicate results which include the fair value of the investments. Starting in Q4 2024, these investments are included in other long-term investments. The fair value of Lloyd's syndicate investments included in other long-term investments was $82.2 million as of December 31, 2024.
Credit Quality
The following table shows the composition of fixed maturity securities by credit rating at December 31, 2024 and 2023. Information contained in the table is generally based upon issuer credit ratings provided by external rating agencies.
| (In Thousands) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | Carrying Value | % of Total | Carrying Value | % of Total | |||||||||
| AAA | $ | 1,013,702 | 54.3 | % | $ | 635,023 | 37.7 | % | |||||
| AA | 243,353 | 13.0 | 456,310 | 27.1 | |||||||||
| A | 373,208 | 20.0 | 255,490 | 15.1 | |||||||||
| Baa/BBB | 233,523 | 12.5 | 312,246 | 18.5 | |||||||||
| Other/Not Rated | 4,545 | 0.2 | 27,433 | 1.6 | |||||||||
| $ | 1,868,331 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,686,502 | 100.0 | % |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we did not have direct exposure to investments in subprime mortgages or other credit enhancement vehicles.
Duration
Our investment portfolio is invested primarily in fixed maturity securities whose fair value is susceptible to market risk, specifically interest rate changes. Duration is a measurement used to quantify our inherent interest rate risk and analyze our ability to match our invested assets to our reserve liabilities. Invested assets and reserve liability accounts with similar durations will have an offsetting effect of any change in interest rates. The primary purpose for matching invested assets and reserve liabilities is liquidity, and with appropriate matching, our investments will
47
Table of Contents
mature when cash is needed, preventing the need to liquidate other assets prematurely. Mismatches in the duration of assets and liabilities can cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations.
We analyze potential changes in the value of our investment portfolio due to the market risk factors noted above within the overall context of asset and liability management. A technique we use in the management of our investment portfolio specifically related to interest rate risk is the calculation of duration. Our actuaries estimate the payout pattern of our reserve liabilities to determine their duration, which is the present value of the weighted average payments expressed in years. We then establish a target duration for our investment portfolio so that at any given time the estimated cash generated by the investment portfolio will closely match the estimated cash required for the payment of the related reserves. We structure the investment portfolio to meet the target duration to achieve the required cash flow, based on liquidity and market risk factors.
The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was 4.2 years at December 31, 2024 compared to 4.0 years at December 31, 2023. Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on maturities.
Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
As of December 31, 2024, net unrealized investment losses, after tax, totaled $72.2 million compared to net unrealized losses, after tax, of $67.0 million and unrealized losses of $88.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The unrealized investment loss position is a result of continued elevated interest rates during 2024, that resulted in a change in unrealized gains/losses for the year.
The net unrealized investment losses in 2023 and 2022 were a result of continued elevated interest rates, with a slight rate improvement in 2023, from 2022, that resulted in a small change in unrealized gains for 2023. Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on net investment unrealized gains and losses.
Expected Credit Losses and Watch List
We prepare a watch list to identify securities to evaluate for expected credit losses. Factors used in preparing the watch list include fair values relative to amortized cost, ratings, negative ratings actions and other factors. Detailed analysis is performed for each security on the watch list to further assess the presence of credit impairment loss indicators and, where present, calculate an allowance for expected credit loss or direct write-down of a security’s amortized cost.
At December 31, 2024, our watch list included 10 fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position with an amortized cost of $21.8 million, no allowance for expected credit losses, unrealized losses of $2.2 million and a fair value of $24.0 million.
At December 31, 2023, we had no fixed maturity securities on a watch list.
Refer to Note 2 "Investments" in Part II, Item 8 for more information on our investments.
48
Table of Contents
REINSURANCE
Reinsurance is a contract by which one insurer, called the reinsurer, agrees to cover, under certain defined circumstances, a portion of the losses incurred by a primary insurer if a claim is made under a policy issued by the primary insurer. Our property and casualty insurance companies follow the industry practice of reinsuring a portion of their exposure to reduce the net liability on individual risks to predetermined limits and to protect us against catastrophic losses, such as a hurricane or tornado.
Ceded Reinsurance
Our reinsurance allows us to manage our risk, increase our underwriting capacity and protect us from large events. A summary of our key reinsurance programs are as follows:
Property & Casualty Core Excess of Loss ("XOL") Treaty
Our property and casualty working program, which we refer to as the core treaty, includes a multi-line layer which applies in excess of our retention and annual aggregate deductible, as well as property-only and casualty-only towers above the multi-line exhaustion point. Our core treaty incepts January 1, 2025, and each layer is fully placed. The core treaty structure has changed from the 2024 treaty year. The layer changes are summarized in the table below. Each layer includes provisions providing for extra-contractual and excess of policy limit losses and terrorism coverage. However, included coverage varies based on individual reinsurer participation of each layer. The multi-line treaty includes a provision that limits the per occurrence maximum limit to $12 million. Reinstatement is free and unlimited, upon erosion of the annual aggregate deductible. This treaty provides coverage to the majority of the commercial property and casualty business that we write. The multi-line treaty combined with the property per risk provides for a combined limit of $47 million coverage excess of the $3 million retention, as compared to $2.5 million retention for the years 2021 through 2016 and $2.0 million for the years 2015 through 2012. The new 1st Property Per Risk includes six free reinstatements of the full limit. The 2nd and 3rd Property Per Risk layers include one reinstatement to the full amount at the same premium. A semi-automatic property facultative treaty is in place providing coverage for a limit of $25 million excess of $50 million, which brings the combined treaty coverage limit available for an eligible risk to $72 million excess of $3 million. If we have a property risk that requires limits in excess of our reinsured limit, facultative reinsurance is obtained. The multi-line treaty combined with the casualty tower provides for a combined limit of $57 million excess of the $3 million retention. This treaty protects from a loss to an individual policyholder or clash event where an occurrence involves multiple policyholders. The new 1st Casualty includes six free reinstatements of the full limit, while the Casualty 2nd, 3rd and 4th include a single reinstatement of the full limit at the same premium. The casualty layers include a provision that limits the maximum amount of any one life for workers' compensation losses. At times we may obtain separate casualty facultative reinsurance to cover specific exposures or policies, based on particular exposures presented by a policyholder.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Line | 3,000 | 3,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Property Per Risk 1st | 5,000 | 6,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Property Per Risk 2nd | 14,000 | 11,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Property Per Risk 3rd | 25,000 | 25,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 1st | 5,000 | 6,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 2nd | 9,000 | 11,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 3rd | 20,000 | 20,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 4th | 20,000 | 40,000 | 100 | % |
Property Catastrophe XOL
In 2024, the Company continued the pillar occurrence in addition to the property catastrophe XOL ceded reinsurance programs. No substantive structural changes were made to the property catastrophe XOL, however the pillar occurrence structure was changed to split Named Storm and Earthquake from All Other Perils. The event retention for Named Storm and Earthquake remains at $5.0 million while the event retention for All Other Perils was reduced to $4.0 million. The property catastrophe XOL remains fully placed, while the pillar occurrence placement was increased to 50%. We did not experience any property catastrophe events that produced a ceded loss to either program in 2023 or 2024.
49
Table of Contents
Our corporate property catastrophe reinsurance program, effective January 1, 2025, is an XOL treaty. The program consists of $110 million in coverage for losses in excess of $20 million. The treaty protects from catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hail, windstorms, and fires. The treaty consists of three layers and is fully placed. It includes provisions providing for extra-contractual and excess of policy limit losses and contains exclusions for communicable diseases and cyber loss. In addition, it includes a terrorism exclusion. However, included coverage varies based on individual reinsurer participation of each layer. Additionally, each layer can be reinstated once to its full amount at the same premium. The property catastrophe treaty is largely unchanged from the 2024 treaty year.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | $ | 10,000 | $ | 20,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Second | $ | 30,000 | $ | 30,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Third | $ | 70,000 | $ | 60,000 | 100 | % |
Earthquake and Flood XOL Treaty
We delegate underwriting authority to write a portfolio of Pacific Coast earthquake business. This arrangement began in 2019. An excess of loss treaty, effective January 1, 2025, is in place to specifically and exclusively reinsure business written through this arrangement. This program consists of $130 million for losses in excess of $10 million and is fully placed. Each layer can be reinstated once to its full amount at the same premium.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 20,000 | 10,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Second | 30,000 | 30,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Third | 70,000 | 60,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Fourth | 10,000 | 130,000 | 100 | % |
Surety Per Principal XOL Treaty
Our surety treaty incepts on January 1, 2025 and is an excess of loss treaty. The program consists of $45 million in coverage for losses in excess of $5 million per principal. The first layer includes three paid reinstatements, while the second and third include one paid reinstatement. Losses are considered discovered to the treaty year in accordance with the contract terms and conditions. The surety treaty is largely unchanged from the 2024 treaty year.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 5,000 | 5,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Second | 15,000 | 10,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Third | 25,000 | 25,000 | 100 | % |
Terrorism Coverage
Our principal terrorism reinsurance protection is the coverage provided through the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 ("TRIPRA"), effective through December 31, 2027. TRIPRA coverage includes most direct commercial lines of business, including coverage for losses from nuclear, biological and chemical exposures if coverage was afforded by an insurer, with exclusions for commercial automobile insurance, burglary and theft insurance, surety, professional liability insurance and farm owners' multiple peril insurance. For calendar year 2024, the aggregate losses exceeding a threshold of $200.0 million industry-wide would be covered under this protection. Our TRIPRA deductible was $132.6 million for 2024 and our TRIPRA deductible is expected to be $137.2 million for 2025. Our catastrophe and non-catastrophe reinsurance programs provide limited coverage for terrorism exposure excluding nuclear, biological and chemical-related claims.
Assumed Reinsurance
The Company offers reinsurance coverage for property and casualty insurance through traditional treaty reinsurance channels and participates in the Lloyd's market through its corporate member at Lloyd's. We target diversifying risks that complement our direct portfolio. The following provides more detail on the type of assumed reinsurance business we target.
50
Table of Contents
•Treaty reinsurance with regional property and casualty carriers, including casualty XOL, property per risk, and property catastrophe XOL.
•Treaty reinsurance with professional reinsurers and Lloyd's syndicates.
•Mortgage reinsurance with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, private mortgage insurers and surety carriers.
•Treaty reinsurance on risks underwritten by managing general agents.
•Treaty reinsurance underwritten on our behalf through reinsurance intermediary management agreements (RIMA) that define underwriting boundaries by product, class and type.
In 2024, we broadened the scope of our assumed portfolio by growing our client base and building around the renewal business. We grew our standard property and casualty treaty business while holding our property catastrophe retrocessional and Lloyd's businesses to only modest change. We engaged in the mortgage reinsurance market where conditions were favorable. We also incepted a few new managing general agent programs in the cyber liability and transactional liability markets.
In 2023 we continued to grow our assumed programs by renewing the programs added in 2022 and continuing to diversify our risks. We reduced exposure in property catastrophe retrocessional treaty and managing general agent treaty, while significantly growing our standard property and casualty treaty and Lloyd's businesses.
In 2022, we continued to grow our assumed programs by renewing the programs added in 2021 and continuing to diversify our risks in retrocessional treaty, managing general agent, reinsurance intermediary, and financial lines. Losses and loss settlement expenses ceded increased in 2022 due to two lines of business, other liability and fire and allied lines. Other liability is seeing more recoveries due to inflationary pressures and fire and allied lines has seen an increase in severity, with both of these issues driving increasing ceded recovery.
Reinsurer Credit Quality
We use many reinsurers, both domestic and foreign, which helps us to avoid concentrations of credit risk associated with our reinsurance. Our criteria for selecting reinsurance markets is to generally require capital and surplus of at least $500.0 million and an A.M. Best rating or an S&P rating of at least "A-." If a reinsurer is rated by both rating agencies, then both ratings must be at least an "A-." All of our reinsurance capacity is placed with reinsurers holding a rating of A- or better. For the small amount of reinsurance capacity we utilize that doesn't meet our criteria, markets are required to collateralize the risk. The following table represents the primary reinsurers we utilize and their financial strength ratings as of December 31, 2024:
| Name of Reinsurer | A.M. Best | S&P Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Reinsurance American Corporation(1) | A+ | AA- |
| Hannover Ruck SE(1)(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Everest Reinsurance Company(1)(2) | A+ | A+ |
| Certain Underwriting Members of Lloyd's of London(1)(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Arch Reinsurance Company(1) | A+ | A+ |
| Berkely Reinsurance Company(1) | A+ | A+ |
| Partner Reinsurance Company of the US(1)(2) | A+ | A+ |
| R&V Versicherung AG(1) | NR | A+ |
| MS Amlin AG(1)(2) | A+ | A+ |
| Renaissance Reinsurance US Inc(1) | A+ | A+ |
| SCOR Reinsurance Company(1)(2) | A | A+ |
| Axis Reinsurance Company(2) | A | A+ |
(1) Primary reinsurers participating in the property and casualty excess of loss programs.
(2) Primary reinsurers participating in the surety excess of loss program.
Refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 4 "Reinsurance" for further discussion of our reinsurance programs.
51
Table of Contents
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity measures our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short-term cash obligations and long-term cash obligations. Our cash inflows are primarily a result of the receipt of premiums, reinsurance recoveries, sales or maturities of investments, and investment income. Cash provided from these sources is used to fund the payment of losses and loss settlement expenses, the purchase of investments, operating expenses, dividends, pension plan contributions, and common stock repurchases. When considering our liquidity and cash flow, it is important to distinguish between the needs of our insurance subsidiaries and the needs of the holding company, United Fire Group, Inc. As a holding company with no operations of its own, United Fire Group, Inc. derives its cash primarily from its insurance subsidiaries.
The sources of liquidity of the holding company are principally comprised of dividends from subsidiaries, existing surplus notes, investment income on holding company assets and the ability to raise long-term public financing under an SEC-filed registration statement or private placement offering. These sources of liquidity and cash flow support the general corporate needs of the holding company, interest and debt service, and investment in core businesses.
We monitor our capital adequacy to support our business on a regular basis. The future capital requirements of our business will depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. Our ability to underwrite is largely dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. In particular, we require (1) sufficient capital to maintain our financial strength ratings, as issued by various rating agencies, at a level considered necessary by management to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to compete and (2) sufficient capital to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to meet the capital adequacy tests performed by regulatory agencies in the United States.
Cash outflows may be variable because of the uncertainty regarding settlement dates for losses. In addition, the timing and amount of individual catastrophe losses are inherently unpredictable and could increase our liquidity requirements. The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and reinsurance coverage disputes.
The following table displays a summary of cash sources and uses in 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| Cash Flow Summary | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 340,304 | $ | 171,736 | $ | (1,251) | ||||
| Investing activities | (292,487) | (149,886) | (19,171) | |||||||
| Financing activities | 51,086 | (16,454) | (15,032) | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 98,903 | $ | 5,396 | $ | (35,454) |
Our cash flows were sufficient to meet our current liquidity needs for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 and we anticipate they will be sufficient to meet our future liquidity needs. We also have the ability to draw from our credit facility if needed.
At December 31, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents included $23.1 million related to money market accounts, compared to $20.3 million at December 31, 2023.
Operating Activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $340.3 million and $171.7 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net cash flows used by operating activities totaled $1.3 million in 2022. The primary cash inflows from operating activities include insurance premiums, reinsurance recoveries and net investment income. The primary cash outflows from operating activities are comprised of payment of losses and loss settlement expenses and
52
Table of Contents
operating expenses. Our cash flows from operating activities were sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Investing Activities
Cash in excess of operating requirements is generally invested in fixed maturity securities. Fixed maturity securities provide regular interest payments and allow us to match the duration of our liabilities. For further discussion of our investments, including our philosophy and portfolio, see the Investment heading subcategory "Investment Portfolio" section contained in Part II, Item 7 of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Sales of investments and proceeds from calls or maturities of fixed maturity securities also can provide liquidity. During the next five years, $0.5 billion, or 25.5 percent of our fixed maturity portfolio will mature.
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $292.5 million, $149.9 million and $19.2 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. In 2024, we had cash inflows from scheduled and unscheduled investment maturities, redemptions, prepayments, and sales of investments that totaled $680.0 million compared to $162.1 million and $280.4 million for the same period in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our cash outflows for investment purchases totaled $960.6 million in 2024, compared to $301.1 million and $297.5 million for the same period in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $51.1 million in 2024 due to the successful placement of $70.0 million of senior unsecured notes in May 2024. Net cash flows used in financing activities totaled $16.5 million and $15.0 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The net cash flows used in financing activities are primarily the payment of cash dividends of $16.2 million, $16.2 million and $15.9 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
As of December 31, 2024, our required annual payments relating to contractual and other obligations were as follows:
| (In Thousands) | Payments Due By Period | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations | Total | Less Than One Year | One to Three Years | Three to Five Years | More Than Five Years | |||||||||||||
| Loss and loss settlement expense reserves | $ | 1,796,782 | $ | 563,800 | $ | 691,122 | $ | 301,100 | $ | 240,760 | ||||||||
| Long term debt | 234,326 | 9,738 | 19,475 | 19,475 | 185,638 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 23,497 | 9,168 | 11,684 | 2,218 | 427 | |||||||||||||
| Profit-sharing commissions | 31,334 | 31,334 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,085,939 | $ | 614,040 | $ | 722,281 | $ | 322,793 | $ | 426,825 |
Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
The amounts presented are estimates of the dollar amounts and time periods in which we expect to pay out our gross loss and loss settlement expense reserves. Because the timing of future payments may vary from the stated contractual obligation, these amounts are estimates based upon historical payment patterns and may not represent actual future payments. Refer to "Critical Accounting Estimates — Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses" in this section for further discussion.
53
Table of Contents
Long term debt
Our long term debt obligations are $50.0 million of private placement notes issued in December 2020 and $70.0 million of senior unsecured notes issued in May 2024. For further discussion of our long term debt, refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 13 "Debt."
Operating Leases
Our operating lease obligations are for the rental of office space, vehicles, computer equipment and office equipment. For further discussion of our operating leases, refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 12 "Lease Commitments."
Profit-Sharing Commissions
We offer our agents a profit-sharing plan as an incentive for them to place high-quality property and casualty insurance business with us. Based on business produced by the agencies in 2024, property and casualty agencies expect to receive profit-sharing payments of $31.3 million in 2025.
Funding Commitments
Pursuant to agreements with our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed through 2030 to make capital contributions upon request of the partnerships. The timing of these additional contributions is unknown and based upon the timing of when investments and agreements are executed or signed compared to when the actual commitments are funded or closed. Our remaining potential contractual obligation was $23.1 million at December 31, 2024.
Guaranty Fund Assessments
The Company is subject to guaranty fund and other assessments by the states in which it writes business. At December 31, 2024 the accrued liability for guaranty fund assessments was $0 and the premium tax benefit asset was $1.7 million. Guaranty fund assets are typically realized over the next five to 10 years. No discount is applied to the liability for assessments.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is a party to various claims and litigation incidental to its business, which, based on the facts and circumstances currently known, are not material to the Company's results of operations or financial position as of December 31, 2024.
Commitments for Capital Expenditures
Dividends
Dividends paid to shareholders totaled $16.2 million, $16.2 million and $15.9 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our practice has been to pay quarterly cash dividends, which we have paid every quarter since March 1968. Payments of any future dividends and the amounts of such dividends, however, will depend upon factors such as net income, financial condition, capital requirements, and general business conditions. We will only pay dividends if declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds.
As a holding company with no independent operations of its own, United Fire Group, Inc. relies on dividends received from its insurance company subsidiaries in order to pay dividends to its common shareholders. Dividends payable by our insurance subsidiaries are governed by the laws in the states in which they are domiciled. In all cases, these state laws permit the payment of dividends only from earned surplus arising from business operations. For example, under Iowa law, the maximum dividend or distribution that may be paid within a 12-month period without prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner is generally restricted to the greater of 10 percent of statutory surplus as of the preceding December 31 less any dividends paid in the previous 12 months, or net income of the preceding calendar year on a statutory basis less any dividends paid in the previous 12 months, not greater than
54
Table of Contents
earned statutory surplus. Other states in which our insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled may impose similar restrictions on dividends and distributions. Based on these restrictions, at December 31, 2024, our insurance company subsidiary, UF&C, is able to make a maximum of $40.7 million in dividend payments without prior regulatory approval. These restrictions are not expected to have a material impact in meeting our cash obligations.
Share Repurchases
Under our share repurchase program, we may purchase our common stock on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any purchases will be at our discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, economic and general market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. Our share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time. The Board of Directors reauthorized the share repurchase program in August 2024 and extended the program through August 2026.
The Company did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. At December 31, 2024, we were authorized to purchase an additional 1,719,326 shares of our common stock.
Credit Facilities
In December 2023, the Company became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines ("FHLB Des Moines"). Membership allows access to loans or advances. As of December 31, 2024, there were no advances outstanding under the FHLB Des Moines agreement. For further information regarding the agreement with FHLB Des Moines, refer to Note 13 "Debt" in Part II, Item 8.
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity increased 6.5 percent to $781.5 million at December 31, 2024, from $733.7 million at December 31, 2023. The increase is primarily attributed to net income of $62.0 million, partially offset by an increase in net unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities, net of tax, of $5.3 million and dividends of $16.2 million. As of December 31, 2024, the book value per share of our common stock was $30.80, compared to $29.04 at December 31, 2023.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Information specific to accounting standards we adopted for the year ended December 31, 2024 or pending accounting standards we expect to adopt in the future is incorporated by reference from Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" contained in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000101199-24-000019.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Amounts (except per share amounts) are presented in thousands, unless otherwise noted.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
It is important to note that our actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Please refer to "Forward-Looking Information" and Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this report for information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Originally founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc. and its consolidated insurance company subsidiaries provide insurance protection for individuals and businesses through several regional companies. Our property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries are licensed in 50 states plus the District of Columbia and are represented by approximately 1,000 independent agencies.
Reportable Segments
Our property and casualty insurance business operates and reports as one business segment. For more information, refer to Part I, Item 1 "Property and Casualty Insurance Business" under "Products and Operations".
Products and Lines of Business
Our core commercial products support a wide variety of customers including small business owners and middle market businesses operating in industries such as construction, services, retail trade, financial and manufacturing, along with contract surety and commercial surety bonds offered through approximately 1,000 independent property and casualty agencies. We also provide specialty and surplus lines coverage written exclusively through wholesale brokers on an admitted and non-admitted basis.Additionally, the Company offers reinsurance coverage for property and casualty insurance through traditional treaty reinsurance channels. The Company assumes premium in Lloyd's of London syndicates through a Funds at Lloyd's subsidiary. The reinsurance operation supports primarily commercial lines of business but also assumes risk in professional, financial and personal lines of insurance. We also partner with MGAs to offer delegated underwriting programs providing niche products including marine specialty, professional liability and earthquake coverages.
We review and report our results using lines of business. The following table shows the principle types of property and casualty insurance policies we write and issue, and which lines of business they are reported in:
31
Table of Contents
| Direct Writer | Treaty Reinsurance(1) | Funds at Lloyd's | MGAs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Lines | ||||
| Other Liability | x | P | x | |
| Fire and allied lines | x | P | x | |
| Automobile | x | P | ||
| Workers' compensation | x | P | ||
| Fidelity and surety | x | P | ||
| Other | x | x | ||
| Personal Lines | ||||
| Fire and allied lines | * | P | ||
| Automobile | * | |||
| Other | * | |||
| Reinsurance Assumed | NP | x |
* Personal lines direct business was discontinued in 2020 with only a minimal number of exposures still in force due to certain regulatory non-renewal limitations. For more information, refer to Part I, Item 1 "Property and Casualty Insurance Business" under "Products and Operations"
(1) Treaty Reinsurance is split between proportional reinsurance (P) and non-proportional reinsurance (NP)
Commercial other liability - primarily business insurance covering bodily injury and property damage including construction defect, excess and surplus lines excess casualty, and standard umbrella. Proportional assumed reinsurance on these lines and professional liability coverage managed by an MGA partner.
Commercial fire and allied lines - primarily multi-peril non-liability property coverage, inland marine. Proportional assumed reinsurance on these lines and earthquake coverage managed by an MGA partner.
Commercial automobile - physical damage to an insured's vehicle, as well as liabilities to third parties. Automobile physical damage insurance covers loss or damage to vehicles from collision, vandalism, fire, theft, flood or other causes. Automobile liability insurance covers bodily injury, damage to property resulting from automobile accidents caused by the insured, uninsured or under-insured motorists and the legal costs of defending the insured against lawsuits. Proportional reinsurance on these lines is also included.
Workers' compensation - business coverage for employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job, including proportional assumed reinsurance for this coverage. Our workers' compensation insurance covers primarily small- to mid-sized accounts.
Fidelity and surety - contract and commercial surety bond coverage which guarantees performance and payment by our bonded principals, protects owners from failure to perform on the part of our principals, and protects material suppliers and subcontractors from nonpayment by our contractors.
Commercial other - commercial theft coverage, boiler and machinery and ocean marine business managed by an MGA partner.
Personal fire and allied lines - proportional assumed reinsurance for homeowners multi-peril coverage.
Reinsurance assumed - primarily non-proportional assumed reinsurance and Funds at Lloyd's property and casualty syndicates.
Lloyd's Syndicates
On January 1, 2021, the Company became a member of Lloyd's of London ("Lloyd's") through McIntyre Cedar Corporate Member LLP. As a member of Lloyd's, the Company is required to maintain capital at Lloyd's, referred to as Funds at Lloyd's ("FAL"), to support underwriting of property and casualty and reinsurance business by
32
Table of Contents
Syndicate 1492, Syndicate 1729, Syndicate 1969, Syndicate 1971, Syndicate 4747, Syndicate 2988, Syndicate 1699 and Syndicate 5623.
Pooling Arrangement
All of our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries are members of an intercompany reinsurance pooling arrangement. The Company's pooling arrangement permits the participating companies to rely on the capacity of the entire pool's capital and surplus, rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with each participant's own surplus level.
Geographic Concentration
For 2023, 47.0 percent of our property and casualty premiums were written in Texas, California, Iowa, Missouri, and Louisiana.
In 2023, 2022 and 2021 the direct statutory premiums written by our property and casualty insurance operations were distributed as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | % of Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Texas | $ | 176,287 | $ | 148,207 | $ | 158,676 | 17.4 | % | 16.6 | % | 17.4 | % | |||
| California | 126,262 | 111,037 | 119,171 | 12.4 | 12.4 | 13.1 | |||||||||
| Iowa | 71,975 | 70,128 | 73,097 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 8.0 | |||||||||
| Missouri | 59,094 | 54,090 | 55,693 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.1 | |||||||||
| Louisiana | 43,769 | 37,124 | 39,280 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.3 | |||||||||
| New Jersey | 42,369 | 41,030 | 49,468 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 5.4 | |||||||||
| Illinois | 37,157 | 28,538 | 29,755 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 3.3 | |||||||||
| Colorado | 36,900 | 34,480 | 38,761 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 4.3 | |||||||||
| Minnesota | 35,718 | 32,659 | 35,697 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.9 | |||||||||
| South Dakota | 33,770 | 31,609 | 30,429 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.3 | |||||||||
| All Other States | 350,976 | 304,839 | 281,485 | 34.6 | 34.1 | 30.9 | |||||||||
| Direct Statutory Premiums Written | $ | 1,014,277 | $ | 893,741 | $ | 911,512 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
MEASUREMENT OF RESULTS
We evaluate profit or loss based upon operating and investment results. Profit or loss described in the following sections of this Management's Discussion and Analysis is reported on a pre-tax basis. Our primary sources of revenue are premiums and investment income. Major categories of expenses include losses and loss settlement expenses, underwriting and other operating expenses. Management uses metrics to provide financial statement users with a better understanding of results of operations, including net premiums written and three components of the loss ratio: underlying loss ratio, impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development.
Net premiums written is frequently used by industry analysts and other recognized reporting sources to facilitate comparisons of the performance of insurance companies. Net premiums written is the amount charged for insurance policy contracts issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. Management believes net premiums written is a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company sales performance and geographical expansion efforts. Net premiums written for an insurance company consists of direct premiums written and premiums assumed, less premiums ceded. Net premiums earned is calculated on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the respective policies. Unearned premium reserves are established for the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired terms of the insurance policies in force. The difference between net premiums earned and net premiums written is the change in unearned premiums and the change in prepaid reinsurance premiums.
33
Table of Contents
Underlying loss ratio represents the net loss ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The underlying combined ratio represents the combined ratio less the impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior period reserve development. The Company believes that the underlying loss ratio and underlying combined ratio are meaningful measures to understand the underlying trends in the core business in the current accident year, removing the volatility of prior period impacts and catastrophes. Management believes separate discussions on catastrophe losses and prior period reserve development are important to understanding how the Company is managing catastrophe risk and in identifying developments in longer-tailed business.
Prior period reserve development is the increase (unfavorable) or decrease (favorable) in incurred loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at the valuation dates for losses which occurred in previous calendar years. This measure excludes development on catastrophe losses.
Catastrophe losses is an operational measure that utilizes the designations of the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") and is reported with losses and loss adjustment expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. In addition to ISO catastrophes, we also include as catastrophes those events ("non-ISO catastrophes"), which may include U.S. or international losses, that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Catastrophes are not predictable and are unique in terms of timing and financial impact. While management estimates catastrophe losses as incurred, due to the inherently unique nature of catastrophe losses, the impact in a reporting period is inclusive of catastrophes that occurred in the reporting period, as well as development on catastrophes that may have occurred in prior periods. The following table shows the breakdown of ISO and non-ISO catastrophes in 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| ISO catastrophes | $ | 61,269 | $ | 73,342 | $ | 83,386 | ||||
| Non-ISO catastrophes (1) | 2,883 | 124 | 15,230 | |||||||
| Total catastrophes | $ | 64,152 | $ | 73,466 | $ | 98,616 |
(1) Includes international assumed losses.
We evaluate our property catastrophe exposure by considering planned portfolio growth, market conditions, business needs, portfolio aggregation, and results of third-party vendor model output. As a result of the evaluation, we may limit our exposure in regions that are prone to naturally occurring catastrophic events through a combination of geographic diversification and restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in such regions. We regularly assess our concentration of risk exposures in natural catastrophe exposed areas and consider the impacts of climate change and the unpredictability of future trends in adjusting our geographic concentrations. We have strategies and underwriting standards to manage these exposures through individual risk selection, subject to regulatory constraints. We use third-party vendor catastrophe modeling and a risk concentration management tool to monitor and control our accumulation of potential losses in natural catastrophe exposed areas, such as the Gulf Coast and East Coast. We model several perils against our exposure profile to produce a view into portfolio aggregation and property catastrophe exposure. Our staff regularly performs portfolio analysis, creating and utilizing custom model output which is used to further expand our insights into our exposure profile. We use all of these evaluations when renewing our catastrophe reinsurance programs on an annual basis.
Our profitability is influenced by many factors, including price, competition, economic conditions, investment returns, interest rates, catastrophic events and other natural disasters, man-made disasters, state regulations, court decisions, and changes in the law. To manage these risks and uncertainties, we seek to achieve consistent profitability through strong agency relationships, exceptional customer service, fair and prompt claims handling, disciplined underwriting, superior loss control services, prudent management of our investments, appropriate matching of assets and liabilities, effective use of ceded reinsurance and effective and efficient use of technology.
We measure our cash flows and liquidity to ensure we meet our short- and long-term cash obligations. We monitor our capital adequacy to support our business.
Ceded Reinsurance
34
Table of Contents
Our reinsurance allows us to manage our risk, increase our underwriting capacity and protect us from large events. A summary of our key 2024 reinsurance program is as follows. For details on our 2021 - 2023 plans please refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 4 "Reinsurance"
Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss
Our corporate property catastrophe reinsurance program, effective January 1, 2024, is an excess of loss ("XOL") treaty. The program consists of $110 million in coverage for losses in excess of $20 million. The treaty protects from catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hail, windstorms, and fires. The treaty consists of three layers and is fully placed. It includes exclusions for communicable diseases and cyber loss. In addition, it includes a terrorism exclusion. Each layer can be reinstated once to its full amount at the same premium. The business written through our delegated underwriting arrangement for earthquake and flood business is no longer subject to the corporate treaty. That exposure is now completely, and separately, reinsured and detailed below.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | $ | 10,000 | $ | 20,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Second | $ | 30,000 | $ | 30,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Third | $ | 70,000 | $ | 60,000 | 100 | % |
Property & Casualty Core XOL Treaty
Our property and casualty working program, which we refer to as the core treaty, includes a multi-line layer which applies in excess of our retention and annual aggregate deductible, as well as property-only and casualty-only towers above the multi-line exhaustion point. Our core treaty begins January 1, 2024 and each layer is fully placed. Each layer includes provisions for extra-contractual and excess of policy limit losses. The multi-line treaty includes a provision that limits the per occurrence maximum limit to $24 million. Reinstatement is free and unlimited, upon erosion of the deductible. This treaty provides coverage to the majority of the commercial property and casualty business that we write. The multi-line treaty combined with the property per risk provide for a combined limit of $22 million coverage excess of the $3 million retention. If we have a property risk that requires limits in excess of our reinsured limit, facultative reinsurance is generally obtained.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Line | 8,000 | 3,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Property Per Risk | 14,000 | 11,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 2nd | 9,000 | 11,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 3rd | 20,000 | 20,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Casualty 4th | 20,000 | 40,000 | 100 | % |
Surety Per Principal XOL Treaty
Our surety treaty begins on January 1, 2024 and is an excess of loss treaty. The program consists of $45 million in coverage for losses in excess of $5 million per principal. The first layer includes three reinstatements, while the second and third include one. Losses are considered discovered to the treaty year in accordance with the contract terms and conditions.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 5,000 | 5,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Second | 15,000 | 10,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Third | 25,000 | 25,000 | 100 | % |
35
Table of Contents
Earthquake and Flood XOL Treaty
We delegate underwriting authority to write a specific portfolio of flood and earthquake difference in conditions ("DIC") business. This arrangement began in 2019. An excess of loss treaty, effective January 1, 2024, is in place to specifically and exclusively reinsure business written through this arrangement. This program consists of $160 million for losses in excess of $10 million and is fully placed. This treaty replaces the earthquake quota share that we had previously placed in treaty years 2022 and 2023, as well as the remaining coverage that had been provided by the corporate property catastrophe XOL. Effecting the above change allowed us to reduce our retention to these events from $20 million to $10 million.
| Layer | Limit | Retention | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 20,000 | 10,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Second | 30,000 | 30,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Third | 60,000 | 60,000 | 100 | % | ||
| Fourth (Q1 only) | 50,000 | 120,000 | 100 | % |
Assumed Reinsurance
The Company offers reinsurance coverage for property and casualty insurance through traditional treaty reinsurance channels and participates in the Funds at Lloyd's syndicates. We target diversifying risks that complement our direct portfolio. The following provides more detail on the type of assumed reinsurance business we target.
•Treaty reinsurance with regional property and casualty carriers, including casualty XOL, property per risk, and property catastrophe XOL.
•Treaty reinsurance with professional reinsurers and Lloyd's syndicates.
•Mortgage reinsurance with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, private mortgage insurers and surety carriers.
•Treaty reinsurance on risks underwritten by managing general agents.
•Treaty reinsurance underwritten on our behalf through reinsurance intermediary management agreements (RIMA) that define underwriting boundaries by product, class and type.
36
Table of Contents
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
| Years Ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | vs. 2022 | vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 1,034,587 | $ | 951,541 | $ | 962,823 | 8.7 | % | (1.2) | % | |||||||
| Investment income, net of investment expenses | 59,606 | 44,932 | 55,778 | 32.7 | (19.4) | ||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | 1,274 | (15,892) | 47,383 | (108.0) | (133.5) | ||||||||||||
| Other income | — | (295) | 207 | (100.0) | (242.5) | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,095,467 | $ | 980,286 | $ | 1,066,191 | 11.7 | % | (8.1) | % | |||||||
| Benefits, losses and expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss settlement expenses | $ | 769,414 | $ | 637,301 | $ | 652,155 | 20.7 | % | (2.3) | % | |||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 244,991 | 213,075 | 203,432 | 15.0 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 115,800 | 115,169 | 110,103 | 0.5 | 4.6 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 3,260 | 3,188 | 3,187 | 2.3 | — | ||||||||||||
| Other non-underwriting expenses | 1,723 | (524) | 471 | (428.8) | (211.3) | ||||||||||||
| Total benefits, losses and expenses | $ | 1,135,188 | $ | 968,209 | $ | 969,348 | 17.2 | % | (0.1) | % | |||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | (39,721) | $ | 12,077 | $ | 96,843 | (428.9) | (87.5) | % | ||||||||
| Federal income tax expense (benefit) | (10,021) | (2,954) | 16,249 | 239.2 | (118.2) | % | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (29,700) | $ | 15,031 | $ | 80,594 | (297.6) | (81.3) | % | ||||||||
| GAAP Ratios: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio (1) | 74.4 | % | 67.0 | % | 67.7 | % | 11.0 | % | (1.0) | % | |||||||
| Expense ratio (2) | 34.9 | % | 34.5 | % | 32.6 | % | 1.2 | % | 5.8 | % | |||||||
| Combined ratio (3) | 109.3 | % | 101.5 | % | 100.3 | % | 7.7 | % | 1.2 | % | |||||||
| Additional Loss Ratios: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio (1) | 74.4 | % | 67.0 | % | 67.7 | % | 11.0 | % | (1.0) | % | |||||||
| Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio (4) | 6.2 | % | 7.7 | % | 10.2 | % | (19.5) | % | (24.5) | % | |||||||
| Reserve development-effect on net loss ratio (4) | 6.0 | % | 0.1 | % | (6.9) | % | NM | (101.4) | % | ||||||||
| Underlying loss ratio (4) (Non-GAAP) | 62.2 | % | 59.2 | % | 64.4 | % | 5.1 | % | (8.1) | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) Net loss ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss settlement expenses by net premiums earned. We use the net loss ratio as a measure of the overall underwriting profitability of the insurance business we write and to assess the adequacy of our pricing. Our net loss ratio is meaningful in evaluating our financial results as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) Expense ratio is calculated by dividing non-deferred underwriting expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs by net premiums earned. The expense ratio measures a company's operational efficiency in producing, underwriting and administering its insurance
business.
(3) Combined ratio is a commonly used financial measure of property and casualty underwriting performance. A combined ratio below 100.0
percent generally indicates a profitable book of business. The combined ratio is the sum of the net loss ratio and the underwriting expense ratio.
(4) Underlying loss ratio is defined as the net loss ratio less impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior year reserve development.
37
Table of Contents
Net loss reported in 2023 as compared to net income in 2022 was primarily due to an increase in losses and loss settlement expenses and an increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs. These were partially offset with an increase in net premiums earned, higher investment income and net investment gains, as compared to net investment losses for the same period in 2022.
In 2022, the decrease in net income compared to 2021 was primarily due to lower premiums earned, lower net investment income from a decrease in value of other long-term assets, and net investment losses from a decrease in the fair value of equity securities, as compared to net investment gains for the same period in 2021.
Premiums
The following table shows our premiums earned and written for 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | vs. 2022 | vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Direct premiums earned | 953,958 | 889,301 | 978,190 | 7.3 | % | (9.1) | % | ||||||||||
| Assumed premiums earned | 225,587 | 163,980 | 77,283 | 37.6 | % | 112.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Ceded premiums earned | (144,958) | (101,740) | (92,650) | 42.5 | % | 9.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 1,034,587 | $ | 951,541 | $ | 962,823 | 8.7 | % | (1.2) | % | |||||||
| (In Thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | vs. 2022 | vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Direct premiums written | $ | 987,977 | $ | 893,741 | $ | 911,514 | 10.5 | % | (1.9) | % | |||||||
| Assumed premiums written | 232,716 | 190,215 | 130,375 | 22.3 | 45.9 | ||||||||||||
| Ceded premiums written | (153,792) | (99,732) | (100,541) | 54.2 | (0.8) | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums written(1) | $ | 1,066,901 | $ | 984,224 | $ | 941,348 | 8.4 | % | 4.6 | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) Net premiums written: Net premiums written is frequently used by industry analysts and other recognized reporting sources to facilitate comparisons of the performance of insurance companies. Net premiums written are the amount charged for insurance policy contracts issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. Management believes net premiums written are a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company sales performance and geographical expansion efforts. Net premiums written for an insurance company consists of direct premiums written and reinsurance assumed, less reinsurance ceded. Net premiums earned is calculated on a pro rata basis over the terms of the respective policies.
Net Premiums Written
Net premiums written comprise direct and assumed premiums written, less ceded premiums written. Direct premiums written are the total policy premiums, net of cancellations, associated with policies issued and underwritten by our property and casualty insurance business. Assumed premiums written are the total premiums associated with the insurance risk transferred to us by other insurance and reinsurance companies pursuant to reinsurance contracts. Ceded premiums written is the portion of direct premiums written that we cede to our reinsurers under our reinsurance contracts. Net premiums earned are recognized ratably over the life of a policy and differ from net premiums written, which are recognized on the effective date of the policy.
Direct Premiums Written
Direct premiums written increased $94.2 million in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to growth in our core commercial lines. Direct premiums written decreased $17.8 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to our continued focus on improving profitability through non-renewal of under-performing accounts in our commercial automobile line of business.
38
Table of Contents
Assumed Premiums Written
Assumed premiums written increased $42.5 million in 2023 as compared to 2022 due to growth of our Funds at Lloyd's participation along with increases in our assumed book by the addition of new programs.
Assumed premiums written increased $59.8 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to growth of our assumed book by the addition of new programs and cedant premium growth.
Ceded Premiums Written
Direct premiums written are reduced by the ceded premiums that we pay to reinsurers. For 2023, the ratio of ceded premiums to direct written premiums increased as compared to 2022 as a result of higher reinsurance costs, in addition to an increase in our direct written premiums. Ceded premiums also increased $12.8 million in 2023 as a result of increased surety reinstatement premium due to a small number of large claims. All these contributed to ceding 54.2 percent more premiums to reinsurers in 2023 as compared to 2022. For 2022, the ratio of ceded premiums to direct written premiums is nearly the same as it was in 2021, and thus ceded premiums written are only down as a reflection of decreased direct premiums written.
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
Climate Change and Catastrophe Exposures
Catastrophe losses are inherent risks of the property and casualty insurance business. Catastrophic events include, without limitation, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, hailstorms, wildfires, high winds, winter storms and other natural disasters, along with man-made exposures to losses resulting from, without limitation, acts of war, acts of terrorism and political instability. Such events result in insured losses that can be, and may continue to be, a material factor in our results of operations and financial position, as the extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in an area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Because the level of insured losses that may occur in any one year cannot be accurately predicted, these losses contribute to fluctuations in our year-to-year results of operations and financial position. Some types of catastrophes are more likely to occur at certain times within the year than others, which adds an element of seasonality to our property and casualty insurance claims. The frequency and severity of catastrophic events are difficult to accurately predict in any year. However, some geographic locations are more susceptible to these events than others.
We control our direct insurance exposures in regions that are prone to naturally occurring catastrophic events through a combination of geographic diversification, restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in such regions, and reinsurance. We regularly assess our concentration of risk exposures in natural catastrophe exposed areas and consider the impacts of climate change and the unpredictability of future trends in adjusting our geographic concentrations in the United States. We have strategies and underwriting standards to manage these exposures through individual risk selection, subject to regulatory constraints, and through the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance coverage. We use catastrophe modeling and a risk concentration management tool to monitor and control our accumulations of potential losses in natural catastrophe exposed areas of the United States, such as the Gulf Coast and East Coast, as well as in areas of exposure in other countries where we are exposed to a portion of an insurer’s underwriting risk under our assumed reinsurance contracts.
Overall, the models indicate increased risk estimates for our exposure to hurricanes in the U.S., but the impact of the models on our book of business varies significantly among the regions that we model for hurricanes. Based on our analysis, we have implemented more targeted underwriting and rate initiatives in some regions. We intend to continue to take underwriting actions and/or purchase additional reinsurance as necessary to reduce our exposure.
Catastrophe modeling generally relies on multiple inputs based on experience, science, engineering and history, and the selection of those inputs requires a significant amount of judgment. The modeling results may also fail to account for risks that are outside the range of normal probability or are otherwise unforeseen. Because of this, actual results may differ materially from those derived from our modeling assumptions.
39
Table of Contents
Despite our efforts to manage our catastrophe exposure, the occurrence of one or more severe natural catastrophic events in heavily populated areas could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
The process of estimating and establishing reserves for losses incurred from catastrophic events is inherently uncertain and the actual ultimate cost of a claim, net of reinsurance recoveries, may vary materially from the estimated amount reserved. Although we reinsure a portion of our exposure, reinsurance may prove to be inadequate if a major catastrophic event exceeds our reinsurance limits or if we experience a number of small catastrophic events that individually fall below our reinsurance retention level.
Catastrophe Losses
In 2023, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $64.2 million, a decrease of $9.3 million compared to $73.5 million in 2022 and a decrease of $25.2 million as compared to $98.6 million in 2021. In 2023, our catastrophe losses included 61 events. Catastrophe losses in 2023 added 6.2 percentage points to the combined ratio, which is below our historical 10-year average of 7.2 percentage points.
Catastrophe Reinsurance
In 2023, the Company continued the pillared loss occurrence program in addition to the XOL ceded reinsurance program with no substantive structural changes. The catastrophe reinsurance retention level was increased from $15.0 million to $20.0 million, the pillar retention in the pillared loss occurrence program increased from $5.0 million to $6.0 million, and the first layer of the occurrence tower was placed with a co-participation. We did not experience any property catastrophe events that produced a reported loss to either program in 2022 or 2023.
We use many reinsurers, both domestic and foreign, which helps us to avoid concentrations of credit risk associated with our reinsurance. Our criteria for selecting reinsurance markets is to require capital and surplus of at least $500.0 million and an A.M. Best rating or an S&P rating of at least "A-." If a reinsurer is rated by both rating agencies, then both ratings must be at least an "A-." All of our reinsurance capacity is placed with reinsurers holding a rating of A- or better. For the small amount of reinsurance capacity we utilize that doesn't meet our criteria, markets are required to collateralize the risk.
The following table represents the primary reinsurers we utilize and their financial strength ratings as of December 31, 2023:
| Name of Reinsurer | A.M. Best | S&P Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Re(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Hannover Re(1)(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Everest Re(1)(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Lloyd's(1)(2) | A | AA- |
| Arch Re(1) | A+ | A+ |
| Berkely Re(1) | A+ | A+ |
| Partner Re(1)(2) | A+ | A+ |
| R&V Re(1)(2) | NR | A+ |
| MS Amlin(1)(2) | A | A |
| Renaissance Re(1) | A+ | A+ |
| SCOR(1)(2) | A | A+ |
(1)Primary reinsurers participating in the property and casualty excess of loss programs.
(2)Primary reinsurers participating in the surety excess of loss program.
Refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 4 "Reinsurance" for further discussion of our reinsurance programs.
40
Table of Contents
Terrorism Coverage
Our principal reinsurance protection is the coverage provided through the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 ("TRIPRA"), effective through December 31, 2027. TRIPRA coverage includes most direct commercial lines of business, including coverage for losses from nuclear, biological and chemical exposures if coverage was afforded by an insurer, with exclusions for commercial automobile insurance, burglary and theft insurance, surety, professional liability insurance and farm owners' multiple peril insurance. For calendar year 2024, the aggregate losses exceeding a threshold of $200.0 million industry-wide would be covered under this protection. Our TRIPRA deductible was $124.8 million for 2023 and our TRIPRA deductible is expected to be $132.6 million for 2024. Our catastrophe and non-catastrophe reinsurance programs provide limited coverage for terrorism exposure excluding nuclear, biological and chemical-related claims.
2023 Results
In 2023, our loss and loss settlement expenses were 20.7 percent higher than 2022 and our net loss ratio increased 7.4 points. The primary driver for the increase was an increase in loss and loss settlement expenses of $80.4 million in commercial lines and $48.0 million in reinsurance assumed, which will be discussed in more detail in Net Loss Ratios by Line. In 2023, catastrophe losses were $64.2 million in both our direct and assumed reinsurance business as compared to $73.5 million in 2022.
2022 Results
In 2022, our losses and loss settlement expenses were 2.3 percent lower than 2021 and our net loss ratio decreased 0.7 points. The primary driver for the decline is a reduction of loss and loss settlement expenses of $27.0 million in personal lines related to our exit of that business. This was offset by an increase in reinsurance assumed related to our growth in that business from the prior year, and a slight decrease in our commercial lines. In 2022, catastrophe losses were $73.5 million in both our direct business and assumed reinsurance business as compared to $98.6 million in 2021.
Reserve Development
For many liability lines of business, several years (more than a decade for construction defect) may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement or other disposition of the claim. As a result, loss experience in the more recent accident years for the long-tail liability coverages has limited statistical credibility in our reserving process because a relatively small proportion of losses in these accident years are reported claims and an even smaller proportion are paid losses. In addition, long-tail liability claims are more susceptible to litigation and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretations, the legal environment, and inflation (economic and social). Consequently, the estimation of loss reserves for long-tail coverages is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability. As a result of this complexity and inherent uncertainty, reserve estimates may change over time as new information becomes available. Reserves for these long-tail coverages represent a significant portion of our overall carried reserves.
When establishing reserves and monitoring reserve adequacy, we analyze historical data and consider the potential impact of various loss development factors and trends including historical loss experience, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in imposition of damages, experience with alternative dispute resolution, results of our medical bill review process and changes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation.
2023 Development
The property and casualty insurance business experienced $67.8 million of adverse development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2023, which is comprised of $64.2 million on non-catastrophe losses and $3.6 million on catastrophe losses. Commercial other liability lines experienced adverse development of $52.9 million primarily in our excess and surplus lines excess casualty book along with some adverse development in standard umbrella and construction defect due to increasing severity pressures. The pressure on these longer tailed lines, especially in accident years 2016-2019, related to
41
Table of Contents
social and economic inflation, continued in 2023 and prompted a re-evaluation of trend assumptions for more recent accident years. The commercial automobile line of business also experienced adverse development of $9.0 million related to increasing severity largely in post-COVID-19 accident years. Commercial fire and allied lines experienced adverse development of $4.4 million largely due to development on both catastrophe and non-catastrophe losses, primarily from accident year 2022. The assumed reinsurance line of business contributed an additional $3.5 million of adverse development largely driven by catastrophe losses.
2022 Development
The property and casualty insurance business experienced $12.9 million of adverse development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2022. Most of the adverse development was in commercial other liability with $47.8 million and commercial fire and allied with $24.8 million adverse development. This was offset partially by favorable development on commercial automobile which contributed $56.7 million. The unfavorable development in commercial other liability and commercial fire and allied was due to paid loss and loss adjustment expense ("LAE") which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss and LAE. The favorable development for commercial automobile was from both loss and LAE where reductions of reserves for unpaid liabilities were more than sufficient to offset actual paid loss and paid LAE. Reductions in reserves for IBNR claims also contributed favorable development.
2021 Development
The property and casualty insurance business experienced $48.9 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2021. Two lines contributed the majority of favorable development with the largest contribution coming from commercial automobile which had $43.3 million favorable development, followed by workers' compensation which had $10.9 million favorable development. All other individual lines, with the exception of commercial other liability, experienced favorable development. Commercial other liability experienced $20.7 million of unfavorable development. The favorable development for commercial automobile was from both loss and LAE where reductions of reserves for unpaid liabilities were more than sufficient to offset actual paid loss and paid LAE. The favorable development for workers' compensation was from both loss and LAE and for loss the reductions in reserves for reported claims were more than sufficient to offset paid loss; reductions in reserves for IBNR claims also contributed favorable development in addition to LAE where reductions in reserves were more than sufficient to offset payments. Commercial other liability experienced unfavorable development due to paid loss which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss; LAE developed favorably and partially offset the unfavorable loss development.
Reserve development amounts can vary significantly from year-to-year depending on a number of factors (both internal and external).
42
Table of Contents
Net Loss Ratios by Line
The following table depicts our net loss ratios for 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | Net Premiums Earned | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Premiums Earned | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Premiums Earned | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability | 320,762 | $ | 249,106 | 77.7 | % | $ | 302,446 | $ | 231,587 | 76.6 | % | $ | 299,961 | $ | 184,794 | 61.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 244,674 | 183,533 | 75.0 | 232,156 | 204,278 | 88.0 | 238,881 | 177,136 | 74.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 208,874 | 176,667 | 84.6 | 208,398 | 114,296 | 54.8 | 248,135 | 181,119 | 73.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 53,039 | 33,224 | 62.6 | 56,015 | 27,545 | 49.2 | 61,690 | 43,790 | 71.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 39,922 | 22,259 | 55.8 | 37,975 | 6,790 | 17.9 | 30,989 | 2,913 | 9.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 2,702 | 940 | 34.8 | 1,081 | 821 | 75.9 | 1,313 | 251 | 19.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | 869,973 | $ | 665,729 | 76.5 | % | $ | 838,071 | $ | 585,317 | 69.8 | % | $ | 880,969 | $ | 590,003 | 67.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 4,733 | $ | 3,402 | 71.9 | % | $ | 4,957 | $ | 2,959 | 59.7 | % | $ | 14,604 | $ | 20,215 | 138.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Automobile | — | (837) | NM | 1 | (3,123) | NM | 7,144 | 5,784 | 81.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 22 | (82) | NM | 50 | (1,009) | NM | 361 | (216) | (59.8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 4,755 | $ | 2,483 | 52.2 | % | $ | 5,008 | $ | (1,173) | (23.4) | % | $ | 22,109 | $ | 25,783 | 116.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | $ | 159,859 | $ | 101,202 | 63.3 | % | $ | 108,462 | $ | 53,157 | 49.0 | % | $ | 59,745 | $ | 36,369 | 60.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,034,587 | $ | 769,414 | 74.4 | % | $ | 951,541 | $ | 637,301 | 67.0 | % | $ | 962,823 | $ | 652,155 | 67.7 | % |
43
Table of Contents
Commercial Lines
The net loss ratio in our commercial lines of business, excluding assumed reinsurance, was 76.5 percent in 2023 compared to 69.8 percent in 2022 and 67.0 percent in 2021. The net loss ratio in 2023 increased primarily due to prior accident year reserve strengthening discussed in the Reserve Development section. The net loss dollars for 2022 compared to 2021 are lower by 0.8 percent, but the net loss ratio increased due to the contraction of premiums in 2022.
Other Liability
We write numerous types of risk that are exposed to liability losses in our direct and assumed books of business. This includes, but is not limited to, bodily injury, property damage, standard umbrella, excess liability, and product liability (including construction defect) loss and loss adjustment expenses.
The net loss ratio deteriorated 1.1 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. Both 2022 and 2023 results were the result of deeper analytical insights and emerging claim experience increasing our view of potential exposure in excess liability coverages as well as construction defect. Social and economic inflation pressures continue to increase severity in these lines, primarily in accident years 2016-2019. Additional detail on construction defect exposure is discussed in the Critical Accounting Policies section.
Commercial Fire and Allied Lines
The net loss ratio improved 13.0 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. The improvement in 2023 is related to lower catastrophe losses and improvement in severity in both current and prior accident years.
Commercial Automobile
The net loss ratio deteriorated 29.8 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022 as the 2022 results reflected significant reserve releases. The 2023 results saw an increase in prior accident year reserves driven by severity trends in post-COVID-19 accident years offset by improved frequency and continued rate achievement in the current accident year.
Workers' Compensation
The net loss ratio deteriorated 13.4 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. This line deteriorated primarily due to less favorable prior accident year reserve releases in 2023 as compared to 2022. There was also a slight uptick in severity compared to a favorable result for accident year 2022.
Fidelity and Surety
When surety losses occur, our loss is determined by estimating the cost to complete the remaining work and to pay the contractor's unpaid bills, offset by contract funds due to the contractor, reinsurance, and the value of any collateral to which we may have access.
The net loss ratio deteriorated 37.9 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022 due to a few large losses in 2023 and associated reinstatement premiums. The surety market has experienced pressure from construction industry factors, such as increased material costs and limited contractor availability. Due to the nature of this business, results can be volatile, and it is not uncommon to experience occasional outlier results like 2023 over an otherwise very profitable longer time horizon.
Personal Lines
The 2022 results reflected prior accident year reserve releases in lines which we were exiting. The 2023 results reflect a more normal level of loss for this line going forward.
Assumed Reinsurance
44
Table of Contents
Our assumed reinsurance portfolio is comprised of contracts that provide reinsurance protection to insurance companies. We only reinsure companies with attractive expected profitability, relevant materiality, and strong reputation. Our reinsurance business focuses on long-term relationships.
Net earned premium grew to $159.9 million in 2023 compared to $108.5 million in 2022. The net loss ratio deteriorated 14.3 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. This is due to an enhanced analysis of our assumed book of business that lead to a realignment of loss reserves to better align with exposures. The realignment was between lines of business and accident years and had no impact on the total loss ratio results.
Underwriting Expense Ratio
Our underwriting expense ratio, which is a percentage of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses over net premiums earned, was 34.9 percent, 34.5 percent and 32.6 percent for 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The increase in expense ratio in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily driven by prior year changes to our employee post-retirement benefit plans. These changes provided benefits to the underwriting expense ratio in 2022 and 2021 that concluded at the end of 2022. Additionally, the 2023 underwriting expense ratio increased due to reinsurance premiums which were offset by our ongoing actions to sustainably reduce expenses and direct premium growth. The increase in expense ratio in 2022 as compared to 2021 was primarily driven by the change in design of our employee post-retirement benefit plans.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company evaluated categories of expenses included in the underwriting expense ratio and identified two categories of expenses that have been reclassified as non-underwriting expenses: foreign exchange gain/loss and charitable contributions. These expenses have been isolated in a new financial line "Other Non-Underwriting Expenses" on the income statement. As a result, there were immaterial changes to the historical underwriting expense ratio and the combined ratio.
Federal Income Taxes
We reported a federal income tax benefit on a consolidated basis of $10.0 million or 25.2 percent of pre-tax losses in 2023. For 2023, the effective tax rate varied from the statutory federal income tax expense rate at 21.0 percent, due primarily to our portfolio of tax-exempt securities and general business tax credits. In 2022, federal income tax benefit on a consolidated basis was $3.0 million or (24.5) percent of pre-tax income and federal income tax expense on a consolidated basis was $16.2 million or 16.8 percent of pre-tax income in 2021.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when management believes it is more likely than not that some, or all, of the deferred taxes will not be realized. After considering all positive and negative evidence of taxable income in the carryback and carryforward periods and our tax planning strategy of holding debt securities with unrealized losses to maturity or recovery, we believe it is more likely than not that all the deferred assets will be realized. As a result, we have no valuation allowance at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
As of December 31, 2023, we had no alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.
INVESTMENTS
Investment Philosophy
The Company's assets are invested to preserve capital and maximize after-tax total return while maintaining an appropriate balance of risk. The risk-adjusted return on our portfolio is an important component of overall financial results, but quality and safety of principal is the highest priority of our investment program. Our general investment philosophy is to purchase financial instruments with the expectation that we will hold them to their maturity. However, active management of our portfolio is considered necessary to appropriately manage risk, achieve portfolio objectives and maximize investment income as market conditions change.
Each of our insurance company subsidiaries develops an appropriate investment strategy that aligns with its business needs and supports United Fire's strategic plan and risk appetite. The portfolio is structured to be compliant with
45
Table of Contents
state insurance laws that prescribe the quality, concentration and type of investments that may be made by insurance companies.
Investment Portfolio
Our invested assets at December 31, 2023 totaled $1,886.5 million, compared to $1,844.9 million at December 31, 2022, an increase of $41.6 million. At December 31, 2023, fixed maturity securities and equity securities comprised 89.4 percent and 2.9 percent of our investment portfolio, respectively. Because the primary purpose of the investment portfolio is to fund future claims payments, we utilize a conservative investment philosophy, investing in a diversified portfolio of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable corporate bonds, taxable U.S. government and government agency bonds and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. Our overall investment strategy is to stay fully invested (i.e., minimize cash balances). If additional cash is needed, we have the ability to take advances through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines ("FHLB Des Moines") facility.
Composition
We develop our investment strategies based on a number of factors, including estimated duration of reserve liabilities, short- and long-term liquidity needs, projected tax status, general economic conditions, expected rates of inflation and regulatory requirements. We administer our investment portfolio based on investment guidelines approved by management and the investment committee of our Board of Directors that comply with applicable statutory regulations.
The composition of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2023 is presented at carrying value in the following table:
| Percent | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | of Total | |||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||
| Available-for-sale | $ | 1,686,502 | 89.4 | % | ||
| Trading securities | — | |||||
| Equity securities | 55,019 | 2.9 | ||||
| Mortgage loans | 45,366 | 2.4 | ||||
| Other long-term investments | 99,507 | 5.3 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 100 | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 1,886,494 | 100.0 | % |
At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our fixed maturities portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity. We record convertible redeemable preferred debt securities and equity securities at fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in earnings.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not have direct exposure to investments in subprime mortgages or other credit enhancement vehicles.
Credit Quality
The following table shows the composition of fixed maturity securities held in our available-for-sale security portfolios by credit rating at December 31, 2023 and 2022. Information contained in the table is generally based upon the issue credit ratings provided by Moody's, unless the rating is unavailable, in which case we obtain it from Standard & Poor's.
46
Table of Contents
| (In Thousands) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | Carrying Value | % of Total | Carrying Value | % of Total | |||||||||
| AAA | $ | 635,023 | 37.7 | % | $ | 540,485 | 34.8 | % | |||||
| AA | 456,310 | 27.1 | 482,369 | 31.1 | |||||||||
| A | 255,490 | 15.1 | 232,668 | 15.0 | |||||||||
| Baa/BBB | 312,246 | 18.5 | 278,247 | 17.9 | |||||||||
| Other/Not Rated | 27,433 | 1.6 | 17,567 | 1.1 | |||||||||
| $ | 1,686,502 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,551,336 | 100.0 | % |
Duration
Our investment portfolio is invested primarily in fixed maturity securities whose fair value is susceptible to market risk, specifically interest rate changes. Duration is a measurement used to quantify our inherent interest rate risk and analyze our ability to match our invested assets to our reserve liabilities. If our invested assets and reserve liabilities have similar durations, then any change in interest rates will have an equal and offsetting effect on these accounts. The primary purpose for matching invested assets and reserve liabilities is liquidity. With appropriate matching, our investments will mature when cash is needed, preventing the need to liquidate other assets prematurely. Mismatches in the duration of assets and liabilities can cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations.
The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was 4.0 years at December 31, 2023 compared to 4.3 years at December 31, 2022.
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2023, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations may be subject to prepayment risk and are therefore not categorized by contractual maturity.
| (In Thousands) | Available-For-Sale | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amortized | Fair | |||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | Cost | Value | ||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | 74,293 | $ | 74,066 | ||||||
| Due after one year through five years | 524,463 | 515,126 | ||||||||
| Due after five years through 10 years | 523,999 | 496,643 | ||||||||
| Due after 10 years | 321,300 | 304,810 | ||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | 3,394 | 3,831 | ||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | 23,800 | 21,483 | ||||||||
| Collateralized mortgage obligations | 299,792 | 270,544 | ||||||||
| $ | 1,771,041 | $ | 1,686,503 |
Investment Results
We invest the premiums received from our policyholders in order to generate investment income, which is an important component of our revenues and profitability. The amount of investment income that we are able to generate is affected by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Some of these factors are volatility in the financial markets, economic growth, inflation, changes in interest rates, world political conditions, terrorist attacks or threats of terrorism, adverse events affecting other companies in our industry or the industries in which we invest and other unpredictable national or world events. Net investment income increased 32.7 percent in 2023, compared with the same period of 2022. While interest on fixed maturities was up $7.5 million driven by higher interest rates, this was offset by a decrease in dividends on equity securities of $1.6 million, due to a strategic reallocation of equity securities to fixed income assets during 2023. Income on other long-term investments resulted in an additional $3.2 million of income as the valuation of the investments in limited liability partnerships varies
47
Table of Contents
from period to period in large part due to current equity market conditions. We expect to maintain our investment philosophy of purchasing quality investments rated investment grade or better.
An allowance for credit losses is recorded based on a number of factors including the current economic conditions, management's expectations of future economic conditions and performance indicators, such as market value versus amortized cost, investment spreads widening or contracting, rating actions, payment and default history. The following table contains a rollforward of the allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2023:
| Rollforward of allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale fixed maturity securities: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| As of | |||
| December 31, 2023 | |||
| Beginning balance, January 1, 2023 | $ | 3 | |
| Additions to the allowance for credit losses for which credit losses were not previously recorded | 0 | ||
| Reductions for securities sold during the period (realized) | — | ||
| Writeoffs charged against the allowance | — | ||
| Recoveries of amounts previously written off | (2) | ||
| Ending balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | 1 |
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities do not affect net income and earnings per share but do impact comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and book value per share. We believe that any unrealized losses on our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2023 are temporary based upon our current analysis of the issuers of the securities that we hold and current market conditions. We invest in high quality assets to provide protection from future credit quality issues. Non-credit related unrealized gains and losses are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income and represent other market movements that are not credit related, for example interest rate changes. We have no intent to sell, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell, these securities until the fair value recovers to at least equal our cost basis or the securities mature.
Net Investment Income
In 2023, our investment income, net of investment expenses, increased $14.7 million to $59.6 million as compared to 2022, due to interest on fixed maturities, income on other long-term investments in limited liability partnerships, and other income. These increases were slightly offset by a decrease in dividends on equity securities.
In 2022, our investment income, net of investment expenses, decreased $10.8 million to $44.9 million as compared to 2021, primarily due to the change in the fair value of our investments in limited liability partnerships.
The following table summarizes the components of net investment income:
48
Table of Contents
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment income from operations: | ||||||||||
| Interest on fixed maturities | $ | 56,243 | $ | 48,702 | $ | 43,224 | ||||
| Dividends on equity securities | 3,548 | 5,163 | 5,031 | |||||||
| Income on other long-term investments | — | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Interest | 2,833 | 4,742 | 4,481 | |||||||
| Change in value (1) | (2,864) | (7,930) | 9,699 | |||||||
| Interest on mortgage loans | 1,889 | 1,897 | 1,995 | |||||||
| Interest on short-term investments | 1,068 | 354 | 18 | |||||||
| Interest on cash and cash equivalents | 2,228 | 740 | 252 | |||||||
| Other | 4,139 | 780 | 152 | |||||||
| Total investment income from operations | $ | 69,084 | $ | 54,448 | $ | 64,852 | ||||
| Less investment expenses | 9,478 | 9,516 | 9,074 | |||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 59,606 | $ | 44,932 | $ | 55,778 |
(1)Represents the change in value of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting.
In 2023, 81.4 percent of our gross investment income originated from interest on fixed maturities, compared to 89.4 percent and 66.7 percent in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table details our annualized yield on average invested assets for 2023, 2022, and 2021, which is based on our invested assets (including money market accounts) at the beginning and end of the year divided by net investment income:
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | Average Invested Assets | Investment Income, Net | Annualized Yield on Average Invested Assets | |||||||
| 2023 | $ | 1,891,504 | $ | 59,606 | 3.2 | % | ||||
| 2022 | 1,992,108 | 44,932 | 2.3 | % | ||||||
| 2021 | 2,141,022 | 55,778 | 2.6 | % |
49
Table of Contents
Net Investment Gains and Losses
The following table summarizes the components of our net investment gains or losses:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net investment gains (losses): | ||||||||||
| Net gains (losses): | ||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||
| Available-for-sale | $ | (442) | $ | (1,397) | $ | (277) | ||||
| Allowance for credit losses | 1 | (3) | 5 | |||||||
| Trading securities | ||||||||||
| Change in fair value | — | — | — | |||||||
| Sales | — | — | — | |||||||
| Equity securities: | ||||||||||
| Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities sold during the period | 150 | (1,767) | 14,444 | |||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities still held at reporting date | 1,842 | (12,802) | 30,682 | |||||||
| Net gains (losses) recognized during the reporting period on equity securities | 1,992 | (14,569) | 45,126 | |||||||
| Mortgage loans | (5) | 109 | 5 | |||||||
| Other long-term investments | (319) | (267) | 2,780 | |||||||
| Short-term investments | — | — | — | |||||||
| Other-than-temporary-impairment charges: | ||||||||||
| Fixed maturities | — | — | — | |||||||
| Equity securities | — | — | — | |||||||
| Cash equivalents | — | — | — | |||||||
| Real Estate | 47 | 235 | $ | (256) | ||||||
| Total net investment gains (losses) | $ | 1,274 | $ | (15,892) | $ | 47,383 |
Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
As of December 31, 2023, net unrealized investment losses, after tax, totaled $67.0 million compared to unrealized losses of $88.4 million and unrealized gains of $49.8 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The unrealized investment loss position is a result of continued elevated interest rates during 2023, with a slight improvement from 2022 that resulted in a small change in unrealized gains for 2023.
The net unrealized investment losses in 2022 was primarily the result of a change in the value of the fixed maturity portfolio due to higher interest rates during 2022. The decrease in net unrealized investment gains in 2021 was primarily the result of a decrease in fixed maturity securities held and a change in the value of the fixed maturity portfolio due to higher interest rates during 2021.
The following table summarizes the change in our net unrealized investment gains (losses):
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses): | ||||||||||
| Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities | $ | 27,091 | $ | (174,858) | $ | (42,159) | ||||
| Income tax effect | (5,689) | 36,720 | 8,858 | |||||||
| Total change in net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax | $ | 21,402 | $ | (138,138) | $ | (33,301) |
50
Table of Contents
MARKET RISK
Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include financial instruments whose fair values are subject to market risk. The active management of market risk is integral to our operations. Market risk is the potential for loss due to a decrease in the fair value of securities resulting from uncontrollable fluctuations, such as: interest rate risk, equity price risk, foreign exchange risk, credit risk, inflation, or geopolitical conditions. Our primary market risk exposures are: changes in interest rates, deterioration of credit quality in specific issuers, sectors or the economy as a whole, and an unforeseen decrease in the liquidity of securities we hold.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed income maturity security or portfolio of securities to changes in level of interest rates. Generally, there is an inverse relationship between changes in interest rates and changes in the price of a fixed income/maturity security. Plainly stated, if interest rates go up (down), bond prices go down (up). A vast majority of our holdings are fixed income maturity and other interest rate sensitive securities that will decrease (increase) in value as interest rates increase (decrease). While it is generally our intent to hold our investments in fixed maturity securities to maturity or recovery, we have classified a majority of our fixed maturity portfolio as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale fixed income maturity securities are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with unrealized gains or losses reported net of tax in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. A change in the prevailing interest rates generally translates into a change in the fair value of our fixed income/maturity securities, and by extension, our overall book value.
Duration
We analyze potential changes in the value of our investment portfolio due to the market risk factors noted above within the overall context of asset and liability management. A technique we use in the management of our investment portfolio specifically related to interest rate risk is the calculation of duration. Our actuaries estimate the payout pattern of our reserve liabilities to determine their duration, which is the present value of the weighted average payments expressed in years. We then establish a target duration for our investment portfolio so that at any given time the estimated cash generated by the investment portfolio will closely match the estimated cash required for the payment of the related reserves. We structure the investment portfolio to meet the target duration to achieve the required cash flow, based on liquidity and market risk factors.
Impact of Interest Rate Changes
The amounts set forth in the following table detail the impact of hypothetical interest rate changes on the fair value of fixed maturity securities held at December 31, 2023. The sensitivity analysis measures the change in fair values arising from immediate changes in selected interest rate scenarios. We employed hypothetical parallel shifts in the yield curve of plus or minus 100 and 200 basis points in the simulations. Additionally, based upon the yield curve shifts, we employ estimates of prepayment speeds for mortgage-related products and the likelihood of call or put options being exercised within the simulations.
The selection of a 100-basis-point and 200-basis-point increase or decrease in interest rates should not be construed as a prediction by our management of future market events, but rather as an illustration of the potential impact of an event.
51
Table of Contents
| December 31, 2023 | -200 Basis | -100 Basis | +100 Basis | + 200 Basis | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | Points | Points | Base | Points | Points | |||||||||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bonds | ||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 52,859 | $ | 51,844 | $ | 50,861 | $ | 49,911 | $ | 48,992 | ||||||||
| U.S. government agency | 102,613 | 99,114 | 94,493 | 89,071 | 83,292 | |||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||
| General obligations: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Midwest | 53,470 | 53,103 | 52,707 | 51,832 | 50,333 | |||||||||||||
| Northeast | 11,601 | 11,493 | 11,380 | 11,156 | 10,728 | |||||||||||||
| South | 55,992 | 55,118 | 54,207 | 52,835 | 50,921 | |||||||||||||
| West | 79,588 | 78,553 | 77,426 | 75,825 | 73,272 | |||||||||||||
| Special revenue: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Midwest | 104,874 | 102,973 | 100,981 | 97,900 | 92,935 | |||||||||||||
| Northeast | 54,484 | 53,365 | 52,227 | 50,716 | 48,367 | |||||||||||||
| South | 172,308 | 168,451 | 164,266 | 158,149 | 149,398 | |||||||||||||
| West | 106,032 | 103,876 | 101,565 | 98,023 | 92,858 | |||||||||||||
| Foreign bonds | 20,915 | 20,020 | 19,172 | 18,371 | 17,617 | |||||||||||||
| Public utilities | 155,483 | 147,723 | 140,467 | 133,688 | 127,364 | |||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | 47,101 | 45,234 | 43,473 | 41,808 | 40,238 | |||||||||||||
| Industrials | 78,246 | 74,246 | 70,548 | 67,124 | 63,953 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer goods and services | 106,170 | 100,844 | 95,921 | 91,369 | 87,158 | |||||||||||||
| Health care | 38,428 | 35,828 | 33,472 | 31,332 | 29,387 | |||||||||||||
| Technology, media and telecommunications | 92,001 | 86,625 | 81,788 | 77,420 | 73,467 | |||||||||||||
| Financial services | 155,386 | 150,555 | 145,691 | 140,838 | 136,095 | |||||||||||||
| Mortgage backed securities | 23,117 | 22,375 | 21,483 | 20,504 | 19,509 | |||||||||||||
| Collateralized mortgage obligations | ||||||||||||||||||
| Government national mortgage association | 162,765 | 158,024 | 153,206 | 147,995 | 142,186 | |||||||||||||
| Federal home loan mortgage corporation | 79,179 | 75,569 | 71,685 | 67,770 | 64,074 | |||||||||||||
| Federal national mortgage association | 48,670 | 47,291 | 45,653 | 43,801 | 41,854 | |||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | 4,829 | 4,251 | 3,831 | 3,519 | 3,284 | |||||||||||||
| Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities | $ | 1,806,111 | $ | 1,746,475 | $ | 1,686,503 | $ | 1,620,957 | $ | 1,547,282 |
To the extent actual results differ from the assumptions utilized, our duration and interest rate measures could be significantly affected. As a result, these calculations may not fully capture the impact of nonparallel changes in the relationship between short-term and long-term interest rates.
Equity Price Risk
Equity price risk is the potential loss arising from changes in the fair value (i.e., market price) of equity securities held in our portfolio. Changes in the price of an equity security may be due to a change in the future earnings capacity or strategic outlook of the security issuer, and what investors are willing to pay for those future earnings and related strategy. The carrying values of our equity securities are based on quoted market prices, from an independent source, as of the balance sheet date. Market prices of equity securities, in general, are subject to fluctuations that could cause the amount to be realized upon the future sale of the securities to differ significantly from the current reported value. The fluctuations may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the security issuer, the relative price of alternative investments, general market conditions, and supply/demand factors related to a particular security.
52
Table of Contents
Impact of Price Change
The following table details the effect on the fair value of our investments in equity securities for a positive and negative 10 percent price change at December 31, 2023:
| (In Thousands) | -10% | Base | +10% | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated fair value of equity securities | $ | 49,517 | $ | 55,019 | $ | 60,521 |
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Foreign currency exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in foreign exchange rates will impact our financial results. Foreign currency exchange rate risk can occur as a result of investment holdings in foreign currency, settlement of amounts due to or from foreign reinsurers or our participation in FAL. We consider this risk to be immaterial to our operations.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the willingness and ability of a borrower to repay on time and in full any principal and interest due to the lender. Losses related to credit risk are realized through the income statement and have a direct impact on the earnings of UFG. We believe that we maintain the appropriate balance of risk in our portfolio, consistent with our Investment Policy Statement and ensure the portfolio is compensated appropriately for the credit risk it holds. We do have within our municipal bond holdings a small number of securities whose ratings were enhanced by third-party insurance for the payment of principal and interest in the event of an issuer default. Of the insured municipal securities in our investment portfolio, 98.2 percent and 98.7 percent were rated "A" or above, and 95.0 percent and 95.2 percent were rated "AA" or above at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, without the benefit of insurance. Due to the underlying financial strength of the issuers of the securities, we believe that the loss of insurance would not have a material impact on our operations, financial position, or liquidity.
We have no direct exposure in any of the guarantors of our investments. Our largest indirect exposure with a single guarantor totaled $7.6 million or 28.9 percent of our insured municipal securities at December 31, 2023, as compared to $7.7 million or 29.1 percent at December 31, 2022. Our five largest indirect exposures to financial guarantors accounted for $28.6 million and $28.7 million of our municipal securities at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity measures our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short- and long-term cash obligations. Our cash inflows are primarily a result of the receipt of premiums, reinsurance recoveries, sales or maturities of investments, and investment income. Cash provided from these sources is used to fund the payment of losses and loss settlement expenses, the purchase of investments, operating expenses, dividends, pension plan contributions, and in recent years, common stock repurchases.
We monitor our capital adequacy to support our business on a regular basis. The future capital requirements of our business will depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. Our ability to underwrite is largely dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. In particular, we require (1) sufficient capital to maintain our financial strength ratings, as issued by various rating agencies, at a level considered necessary by management to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to compete and (2) sufficient capital to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to meet the capital adequacy tests performed by regulatory agencies in the United States.
Cash outflows may be variable because of the uncertainty regarding settlement dates for losses. In addition, the timing and amount of individual catastrophe losses are inherently unpredictable and could increase our liquidity requirements. The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and reinsurance coverage disputes.
53
Table of Contents
Historically, we have generated substantial cash inflows from operations. It is our policy to invest the cash generated from operations in securities with maturities that, in the aggregate, correlate to the anticipated timing of payments for losses and loss settlement expenses. The majority of our assets are invested in available-for-sale fixed maturity securities.
The following table displays a summary of cash sources and uses in 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Cash Flow Summary | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 171,736 | $ | (1,251) | $ | 29,917 | ||||
| Investing activities | (149,886) | (19,171) | 31,731 | |||||||
| Financing activities | (16,454) | (15,032) | (17,492) | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 5,396 | $ | (35,454) | $ | 44,156 |
Our cash flows were sufficient to meet our current liquidity needs for the full-year periods ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 and we anticipate they will be sufficient to meet our future liquidity needs. We also have the ability to take advances through the Federal Home Loan Bank facility. See Part II, Item 8, Note 13 "Debt" for more information.
Operating Activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $171.7 million in 2023, used in operating activities totaled $(1.3) million in 2022 and provided by operating activities totaled $29.9 million in 2021, respectively. Our cash flows from operating activities were sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Investing Activities
Cash in excess of operating requirements is generally invested in fixed maturity securities and equity securities. Fixed maturity securities provide regular interest payments and allow us to match the duration of our liabilities. Equity securities provide dividend income, potential dividend income growth and potential appreciation. For further discussion of our investments, including our philosophy and portfolio, see the "Investment Portfolio" section contained in this Item.
In addition to investment income, possible sales of investments and proceeds from calls or maturities of fixed maturity securities also can provide liquidity. During the next five years, $0.6 billion, or 35.64 percent of our fixed maturity portfolio will mature.
We invest funds required for short-term cash needs primarily in money market accounts, which are classified as cash equivalents. At December 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents included $20.3 million related to these money market accounts, compared to $31.3 million at December 31, 2022.
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $149.9 million in 2023 and net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $19.2 million in 2022. Net cash flows provided by investing activities totaled $31.7 million in 2021. In 2023, we had cash inflows from scheduled and unscheduled investment maturities, redemptions, prepayments, and sales of investments that totaled $162.1 million compared to $280.4 million and $451.1 million for the same period in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Our cash outflows for investment purchases totaled $301.1 million in 2023, compared to $297.5 million and $405.4 million for the same period in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities totaled $16.5 million in 2023 and $15.0 million in 2022. Net cash flow used in financing activities totaled $17.5 million in 2021. The net cash flows used in financing activities are
54
Table of Contents
primarily the payment of cash dividends of $16.2 million, $15.9 million and $15.1 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, along with share repurchases of $2.0 million in 2021.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table shows our contractual obligations and commitments, including our estimated payments due by period at December 31, 2023. Time periods of less than one year are considered short-term cash obligations and time periods greater than one year are considered long-term cash obligations.
| (In Thousands) | Payments Due By Period | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations | Total | Less Than One Year | One to Three Years | Three to Five Years | More Than Five Years | |||||||||||||
| Loss and loss settlement expense reserves | $ | 1,638,755 | $ | 567,672 | $ | 563,091 | $ | 220,939 | $ | 287,053 | ||||||||
| Long term debt | 105,250 | 3,250 | 6,500 | 6,500 | 89,000 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 32,262 | 9,361 | 16,777 | 5,313 | 811 | |||||||||||||
| Profit-sharing commissions | 23,904 | 23,904 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,800,171 | $ | 604,187 | $ | 586,368 | $ | 232,752 | $ | 376,864 |
Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
The amounts presented are estimates of the dollar amounts and time periods in which we expect to pay out our gross loss and loss settlement expense reserves. Because the timing of future payments may vary from the stated contractual obligation, these amounts are estimates based upon historical payment patterns and may not represent actual future payments. Refer to "Critical Accounting Policies — Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses" in this section for further discussion.
Long term debt
The Company executed a private placement debt transaction on December 15, 2020 between United Fire & Casualty Company, Federated Mutual Insurance Company, a mutual insurance company domiciled in Minnesota ("Federated Mutual"), and Federated Life Insurance Company, an insurance company domiciled in Minnesota ("Federated Life" and together with Federated Mutual, the "Note Purchasers").
UFG sold an aggregate $50.0 million of notes due 2040 to the Note Purchasers. One note with a principal amount of $35.0 million was issued to Federated Mutual and one note with a principal amount of $15.0 million was issued to Federated Life.
Interest payments will be paid quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date"). The interest rate will equal the rate that corresponds to the A.M. Best Co. (or its successor's) financial strength rating for members of the United Fire & Casualty Pooled Group as of the applicable Interest Payment Date. Interest expense totaled $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Payment of interest is subject to approval by the Iowa Insurance Division.
Operating Leases
Our operating lease obligations are for the rental of office space, vehicles, computer equipment and office equipment. For further discussion of our operating leases, refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 12 "Lease Commitments."
Profit-Sharing Commissions
We offer our agents a profit-sharing plan as an incentive for them to place high-quality property and casualty insurance business with us. Based on business produced by the agencies in 2023, property and casualty agencies expect to receive profit-sharing payments of $23.9 million in 2024.
55
Table of Contents
Guaranty Fund Assessments
The Company is subject to guaranty fund and other assessments by the states in which it writes business. At December 31, 2023 the accrued liability for guaranty fund assessments was $0 and the premium tax benefit asset was $1.6 million. Guaranty fund assets are typically realized over the next five to 10 years.
Commitments for Capital Expenditures
Dividends
Dividends paid to shareholders totaled $16.2 million, $15.9 million and $15.1 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our practice has been to pay quarterly cash dividends, which we have paid every quarter since March 1968.
Payments of any future dividends and the amounts of such dividends, however, will depend upon factors such as net income, financial condition, capital requirements, and general business conditions. We will only pay dividends if declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds.
As a holding company with no independent operations of its own, United Fire Group, Inc. relies on dividends received from its insurance company subsidiaries in order to pay dividends to its common shareholders. Dividends payable by our insurance subsidiaries are governed by the laws in the states in which they are domiciled. In all cases, these state laws permit the payment of dividends only from earned surplus arising from business operations. For example, under Iowa law, the maximum dividend or distribution that may be paid within a 12-month period without prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner is generally restricted to the greater of 10 percent of statutory surplus as of the preceding December 31, or net income of the preceding calendar year on a statutory basis, not greater than earned statutory surplus. Other states in which our insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled may impose similar restrictions on dividends and distributions. Based on these restrictions, at December 31, 2023, our insurance company subsidiary, United Fire & Casualty, is able to make a maximum of $58.6 million in dividend payments without prior regulatory approval. These restrictions are not expected to have a material impact in meeting our cash obligations.
Share Repurchases
Under our share repurchase program, first announced in August 2007, we may purchase our 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 our discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, economic and general market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. Our share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time.
During 2023, 2022 and 2021, pursuant to authorization by our Board of Directors, we repurchased 0, 0, and 67,651 shares of our common stock, respectively, which used cash totaling $0.0 million in 2023 and 2022 and $2.0 million in 2021. The Board of Directors reauthorized the share repurchase program in November 2022 through August 2024. At December 31, 2023, we were authorized to purchase an additional 1,719,326 shares of our common stock.
Credit Facilities
Information specific to our credit facilities is incorporated by reference from Note 13 "Debt" contained in Part II, Item 8. On December 29, 2023, the Company terminated its existing credit agreement, dated as of March 31, 2020, with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender, swing-line lender and lender, and the other lenders from time to time party thereto.
In December 2023, the Company became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines ("FHLB Des Moines"). Membership allows access to loans or advances. As of December 31, 2023, there were no advances outstanding under the FHLB Des Moines agreement. For further information regarding the agreement with FHLB Des Moines, see Note 13 "Debt" contained in Part II, Item 8.
56
Table of Contents
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity decreased 0.9 percent to $733.7 million at December 31, 2023, from $740.1 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease is primarily attributed to a net loss of $29.7 million, and stockholder dividends of $16.2 million, offset by an increase in net unrealized value from our fixed maturity securities, net of tax, of $21.4 million and a $15.1 million increase due to a change in liability for employee benefit plans. As of December 31, 2023, the book value per share of our common stock was $29.04, compared to $29.36 at December 31, 2022.
Risk-Based Capital
The NAIC adopted risk-based capital requirements, which requires us to calculate a minimum capital requirement for each of our insurance companies based on individual company insurance risk factors. These "risk-based capital" results are used by state insurance regulators to identify companies that require regulatory attention or the initiation of regulatory action. At December 31, 2023, all of our insurance companies had capital well in excess of required levels.
Funding Commitments
We hold investments in limited liability partnerships as part of our investment strategy. Pursuant to agreements with our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed through July 10, 2030 to make capital contributions upon request of the partnerships. Our remaining potential contractual obligation was $28.6 million at December 31, 2023. These partnerships are included in our other long term investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with a current fair value of $98.3 million, or 5.2 percent of our total invested assets, at December 31, 2023.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are representative of significant judgments and uncertainties and that may potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We base our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition on the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we have prepared in accordance with GAAP. As we prepare these Consolidated Financial Statements, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe our most critical accounting policies are as follows.
Investment Valuation
Upon acquisition, we classify investments in marketable securities as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. We record investments in available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities and equity securities at fair value. Other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. We record mortgage loans at their amortized cost less any valuation allowance.
In general, investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market volatility risk. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair value of our investment securities that are reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, it is reasonably possible that changes in the value of our investments in trading securities and limited liability partnerships could occur in the future and such changes could materially affect our results of operations as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Measurement
57
Table of Contents
Information specific to the fair value measurement of our financial instruments and disclosures is incorporated by reference from Note 3 "Fair Value of Financial Instruments" contained in Part II, Item 8.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")
We record an asset for certain costs of underwriting new business, primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses that have been deferred. The amount of underwriting compensation expense eligible for deferral is based on time studies and a ratio of success in policy placement. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, our DAC asset was $126.5 million and $104.2 million, respectively.
The DAC asset is amortized over the life of the policies written, generally one year. We assess the recoverability of DAC on a quarterly basis by line of business. This assessment is performed by comparing recorded unearned premium to the sum of unamortized DAC and estimates of expected losses and loss settlement expenses. If the sum of these costs exceeds the amount of recorded unearned premium (i.e., the line of business is expected to generate an operating loss), the excess is recognized in current period other underwriting expenses as an offset against the established DAC asset. We refer to this offset as a premium deficiency charge.
To calculate the premium deficiency charge by line of business, we estimate an expected loss and loss settlement expense ratio which is based on our best estimate of future losses for each line of business. This calculation is performed on a quarterly basis and developed in conjunction with our quarterly reserving process. The expected loss and loss settlement expense ratios are the only assumptions we utilize in our premium deficiency calculation. Changes in these assumptions can have a significant impact on the amount of premium deficiency charge recognized for a line of business. The premium deficiency calculation is aggregated by line of business in a manner consistent with how the policies are currently being marketed and managed. The Company does not consider anticipated investment income in determining if a premium deficiency exists.
The following table illustrates the hypothetical impact on the premium deficiency charge recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, of reasonably likely changes in the assumed loss and loss settlement expense ratios utilized for purposes of this calculation. The entire impact of these changes would be recognized through income as other underwriting expenses. The following table illustrates the impact of potential changes in the expected loss and loss settlement expense ratios for all lines of business on the premium deficiency charge. The base amount indicated below is the actual premium deficiency charge recorded as an offset against the DAC asset established as of the quarter ended December 31, 2023:
| Sensitivity Analysis — Impact of Changes in Projected Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | -10% | -5% | Base | +5% | +10% | |||||||||||||
| Premium deficiency charge estimated | $ | 66 | $ | 76 | $ | 86 | $ | 10,630 | $ | 22,276 |
Actual future results could differ materially from our assumptions used to calculate the recorded DAC asset. Changes in our assumed loss and loss settlement expense ratios in the future would impact the amount of deferred costs in the period such changes in assumptions are made. The premium deficiency charge calculated for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was $0.1 million compared to the premium deficiency charge of $0.9 million calculated for the same period of 2022.
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
Reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses are reported using our best estimate of ultimate liability for claims that occurred prior to the end of any given reporting period but have not yet been paid. Before credit for reinsurance recoverables, these reserves were $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We purchase reinsurance to mitigate the impact of large losses and catastrophic events. Loss and loss settlement expense reserves ceded to reinsurers were $191.6 million for 2023 and $146.9 million for 2022. Our reserves, before credit for reinsurance recoverables, by line of business as of December 31, 2023, were as follows:
58
Table of Contents
| (In Thousands) | Case Basis | IBNR | Loss Settlement Expense | Total Reserves | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 77,167 | $ | 69,092 | $ | 22,705 | $ | 168,964 | ||||||
| Other liability | 341,276 | 319,604 | 158,326 | 819,206 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | 180,334 | 86,184 | 27,409 | 293,927 | ||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 96,405 | 8,765 | 15,829 | 120,999 | ||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 35,527 | 7,705 | 1,819 | 45,051 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 1,781 | 1,054 | 182 | 3,017 | ||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | $ | 732,490 | $ | 492,404 | $ | 226,270 | $ | 1,451,164 | ||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||
| Automobile | $ | 2,081 | $ | 158 | $ | 292 | $ | 2,531 | ||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 2,885 | 2,020 | 327 | 5,232 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 85 | 339 | 58 | 482 | ||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 5,051 | $ | 2,517 | $ | 677 | $ | 8,245 | ||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | 88,175 | 89,971 | 1,200 | 179,346 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 825,716 | $ | 584,892 | $ | 228,147 | $ | 1,638,755 |
Case-Basis Reserves
For each of our lines of business, with respect to reported claims, we establish reserves on a case-by-case basis. Our experienced claims personnel estimate these case-basis reserves using adjusting guidelines established by management. Our goal is to set the case-basis reserves at the ultimate expected loss amount as soon as possible after information about the claim becomes available.
Establishing the case reserve for an individual claim is subjective and complex, requiring us to estimate future payments and values that will be sufficient to settle an individual claim. Setting a reserve for an individual claim is an inherently uncertain process. When we establish and adjust individual claim reserves, we do so based on our knowledge of the circumstances and facts of the claim. Upon notice of a claim, we establish a preliminary (average claim cost) reserve based on the limited claim information initially reported. Subsequently, we conduct an investigation of each reported claim, which allows us to more fully understand the factors contributing to the loss and our potential exposure. This investigation may extend over a long period of time. As our claim investigation progresses, and as our claims personnel identify trends in claims activity, we may refine and adjust our estimates of case reserves. To evaluate and refine our overall reserving process, we track and monitor all claims until they are settled and paid in full, with all salvage, subrogation claims, and liability deductible recoveries being resolved.
Most of our insurance policies are written on an occurrence basis that provides coverage if a loss occurs during the policy period, even if the insured reports the loss many years later. For example, some liability claims may be reported 10 years or more after the policy period, and the workers' compensation coverage provided by our policies pays unlimited medical benefits for the duration of the claimant's injury up to the lifetime of the claimant. In addition, final settlement of certain claims can be delayed for years due to litigation or other reasons. Reserves for these claims require us to estimate future costs, including the effect of judicial actions, litigation trends and medical cost inflation, among others. Reserve development can occur over time as conditions and circumstances change many years after the policy was issued and/or the loss occurred.
Our loss reserves include amounts related to both short-tail and long-tail lines of business. A short-tail insurance product is one where claim settlement values are known comparatively quickly. Final settlement values for long-tail insurance products are sometimes not known for many years. The longer the time span between the incidence of a loss and the settlement of the claim, the more the final settlement can vary from the reserves initially established. Accordingly, long-tail insurance products can have significant implications on the reserving process.
59
Table of Contents
Our short-tail lines of business include fire and allied lines, commercial property, automobile physical damage and inland marine. The amounts of the case-based reserves that we establish for claims in these lines depend upon various factors, such as individual claim facts (including type of coverage and severity of loss), our historical loss experience and trends in general economic conditions (including changes in replacement costs, medical costs and inflation).
Our long-tail lines of business include workers' compensation and other liability. In addition, certain product lines such as commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril and surety include both long-tail coverages and short-tail coverages. For many long-tail liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years, may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement of the claim. As a result, loss experience in the more recent accident years for the long-tail liability coverages has limited statistical credibility in our reserving process because a relatively small proportion of losses in these accident years are reported claims and an even smaller proportion are paid losses. In addition, long-tail liability claims are more susceptible to litigation and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment. Consequently, the estimation of loss reserves for long-tail coverages is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability than for short-tail coverages.
The amounts of the case-basis loss reserves that we establish for claims in long-tail lines of business depends upon various factors, including individual claim facts (including type of coverage, severity of loss and underlying policy limits), company historical loss experience, changes in underwriting practice, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages, changes in political attitudes and trends in general economic conditions, including inflation. As with our short-tail lines of business, we review and make changes to long-tail case-based reserves based on our review of continually evolving facts as they become available to us during the claims settlement process. Our adjustments to case-based reserves are reported in the financial statements in the period that new information arises about the claim. Examples of facts that become known that could cause us to change our case-based reserves include, but are not limited to: evidence that loss severity is different than previously assessed; new claimants who have presented claims; and the assessment that no coverage exists.
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves
On a quarterly basis, the Company's actuarial reserving department performs a detailed analysis of IBNR reserves. This analysis uses various projection methods to provide several estimates of ultimate loss (or LAE) for each individual accident year and line of business. The projection methods include, but are not limited to, paid development; reported development; expected loss ratio methods; and Bornhuetter Ferguson methods on both a paid and reported basis. These methods may need to be adjusted for anomalies or outliers in the data, unusual internal or external trends, or other factors impacting the reliability/credibility of the historical company experience. Results of the projection methods are compared, and a point estimate of ultimate loss (or LAE) is established for each individual accident year and line of business. The specific projection methods used to establish point estimates vary depending on what is deemed most appropriate for a particular line of business and accident year. IBNR estimates are derived by subtracting reported loss from the final point estimates.
Senior management meets with our actuarial team and controller quarterly to review the adequacy of carried IBNR reserves based on results from this actuarial analysis and makes adjustments for changes in business and other factors not completely captured by the data within the actuarial analysis. This method of establishing our IBNR reserves has consistently resulted in aggregate reserve levels that management believes are reasonable in comparison to the reserve estimates indicated by the actuarial analysis.
For our short-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a small portion of the overall reserves. These claims are generally reported and settled shortly after the loss occurs. In our long-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a relatively higher proportion of total reserves, because, for many liability claims, significant periods of time may elapse between the initial occurrence of the losses, the reporting of the losses to us, and the ultimate settlement of the losses.
Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
60
Table of Contents
Loss settlement expense reserves include amounts ultimately allocable to individual claims, as well as amounts required for the general overhead of the claims handling operation that are not specifically allocable to individual claims. We do not establish case reserves for these expenses. Instead, on a quarterly basis, our internal reserving department performs a detailed statistical analysis (using historical data) to estimate the required reserve for unpaid loss settlement expenses.
LAE is composed of two distinct kinds of expenses which are defense and cost containment ("DCC") and adjusting and other ("A&O"). These two expense types have different purposes and characteristics which necessitates different estimation methods in order to provide a valid quarterly estimate of the required reserve for unpaid expense which is generally referred to as an LAE IBNR reserve.
Reserves for unpaid DCC are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using three methods: (1) Paid development, (2) Expected emergence of DCC, and (3) Bornhuetter Ferguson. Each of the three methods produces an estimate of the ultimate DCC cost for an individual accident year and the final estimate is generally a weighted average of the various methods. Inception to date paid DCC is subtracted from the final ultimate DCC estimate to provide the estimated DCC unpaid reserve for each individual accident year.
Reserves for unpaid A&O are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using a single method. This method consists of applying a percentage factor to unpaid loss reserves. The percentage factor used differs by line of business and is evaluated and established on an annual basis using year-end data. The percentage factor is evaluated and selected after reviewing the ratio of paid A&O to paid loss using calendar year data for the most recent five years.
Reinsurance Reserves
The estimation of assumed and ceded reinsurance loss and loss settlement expense reserves is subject to the same factors as the estimation of loss and loss settlement expense reserves. In addition to those factors, which give rise to inherent uncertainties in establishing loss and loss settlement expense reserves, there exists a delay in our receipt of reported claims for assumed business due to the procedure of having claims first reported through one or more intermediary insurers or reinsurers.
Reserves for assumed reinsurance are established using methods and techniques identical to those used for direct lines of business. The additional delay inherent in assumed reinsurance reporting is considered in our reserving process and payment is not problematic. Assumed reinsurance, like every independent line of business, has unique reporting and payment patterns that are reviewed as part of the reserve estimation process.
There are three distinct types of reserves for expected recoveries: (1) reported claim reserves, (2) loss IBNR, and (3) allocated LAE IBNR. Ceded reserves for reported claims are calculated by subtracting the primary retention from the claim value established by our claim adjuster. Ceded IBNR comes from multiple treaties and is reviewed quarterly by our reserving actuaries in conjunction with the direct reviews. Multiple methods are utilized in the ceded reviews which vary by line of business. These include estimates based on the relationship of ceded premium to direct premium, Bornhuetter Ferguson methods, and methods based on industry excess of loss factors. Some of our business is 100.0 percent ceded or based on a set quota share percentage. In those cases, ceded loss IBNR is typically formulaic based on direct loss IBNR. We will cede some allocated LAE expenses when we cede loss. Our ceded allocated LAE IBNR is estimated based on our ceded unpaid loss reserves and the general relation, by line of business, between LAE and loss. Our primary retention for the core multi-line reinsurance treaty was $2.0 million for 2012 through 2015, increased to $2.5 million from 2016 through 2021, and increased again to $3.0 million beginning in 2022.
Key Assumptions
Our actuarial reserving department uses a number of key assumptions in establishing an estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, including the following assumptions: future loss settlement expenses can be estimated based on the Company's historical ratios of loss settlement expenses paid to losses; the Company's case-basis reserves reflect the most up-to-date information available about the unique circumstances of each individual claim;
61
Table of Contents
no new judicial decisions or regulatory actions will increase our case-basis obligations; historical aggregate claim reporting and payment patterns will continue into the future consistent with the observable past; significant unique and unusual claim events have been identified and appropriate adjustments have been made; and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no new latent trends that would impact our case-basis reserves.
Our key assumptions are subject to change as actual claims occur and as we gain additional information about the variables that underlie our assumptions. Accordingly, management reviews and updates these assumptions periodically to ensure that the assumptions continue to be valid. If necessary, management makes changes not only in the estimates derived from the use of these assumptions, but also in the assumptions themselves. Due to the inherent uncertainty in the loss reserving process, management believes that there is a reasonable chance that modification to key assumptions could individually, or in aggregate, result in reserve levels that are either significantly above or below the actual amount for which the related claims will eventually settle.
As an example, if our loss and loss settlement expense reserves of $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2023, is 10.0 percent inadequate, we would experience a reduction in future pre-tax earnings of up to $163.9 million. This reduction could be recorded in one year or multiple years, depending on when we identify the deficiency. The deficiency would also affect our financial position in that our equity would be reduced by an amount equivalent to the reduction in net income. Any deficiency that would be recognized in our loss and loss settlement expense reserves usually does not have a material effect on our liquidity because the claims have not been paid. Conversely, if our estimates of ultimate unpaid loss and loss settlement expense reserves prove to be redundant, our future earnings and financial position would be improved. We believe our approach produces recorded reserves that are reasonable as to their relative position within a range of reasonable reserves from year-to-year.
We are unable to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in our key assumptions utilized to establish individual case-basis reserves on our total reported reserves because the impact of these changes would be unique to each specific case-basis reserve established. However, based on historical experience, we believe that aggregate case-basis reserve volatility levels of 5.0 percent and 10.0 percent can be attributed to the ultimate development of our net case-basis reserves. The impact to pre-tax earnings would be a decrease if the reserves were to be adjusted upwards and an increase if the reserves were to be adjusted downwards. The table below details the impact of this development volatility on our reported net case-basis reserves at December 31, 2023:
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in level of net case-basis reserve development | 5% | 10% | ||||
| Impact on reported net case-basis reserves | $ | 36,019 | $ | 72,038 |
Due to the formula-based nature of our IBNR and loss settlement expense reserve calculations, changes in the key assumptions utilized to generate these reserves can impact our estimate of projected loss and potentially impact reported results. It is not possible to isolate and measure the potential impact of just one of these factors, and future loss trends could be partially impacted by all factors concurrently. Nevertheless, it is meaningful to view the sensitivity of the reserves to potential changes in these variables such as claim frequency and severity. To demonstrate the sensitivity of reserves to changes in significant assumptions, the following example is presented. The amounts reflect the pre-tax impact on earnings from a hypothetical percentage change in the calculation of IBNR and loss settlement expense reserves at December 31, 2023. The impact to pre-tax earnings would be a decrease if the reserves were to be adjusted upwards and an increase if the reserves were to be adjusted downwards. We believe that the changes presented are reasonably likely based upon an analysis of our historical IBNR and loss settlement expense reserve experience.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in claim frequency and claim severity assumptions | 5% | 10% | ||||
| Impact due to change in IBNR reserving assumptions | $ | 25,339 | $ | 50,678 |
62
Table of Contents
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in LAE paid to losses paid ratio | 1% | 2% | ||||
| Impact due to change in LAE reserving assumptions | $ | 2,200 | $ | 4,399 |
In 2023, we did not change the key method through which we develop our assumptions on which we based our reserving calculations. In estimating our 2023 loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we did not anticipate future events or conditions that were inconsistent with past development patterns.
Certain of our lines of business are subject to the potential for greater loss and loss settlement expense development than others, which are discussed below:
Other Liability Reserves
Other liability is considered a long-tail line of business, as it can take a relatively long period of time to settle claims from prior accident years. This is partly due to the lag time between the date a loss or event occurs that triggers coverage and the date when the claim is actually reported. Defense costs are also a part of the insured expenses covered by liability policies and can be significant, sometimes greater than the cost of the actual paid claims. For the majority of our products, defense costs are outside of the policy limit, meaning that the amounts paid for defense costs are not subtracted from the available policy limit.
Factors that can cause reserve uncertainty in estimating reserves in this line include: reporting time lags; the number of parties involved in the underlying tort action; whether the "event" triggering coverage is confined to only one time period or is spread over multiple time periods; the potential dollars involved in the individual claim actions; whether such claims were reasonably foreseeable and intended to be covered at the time the contracts were written (i.e., coverage disputes); and the potential for mass claim actions.
Claims with longer reporting time lags may result in greater inherent risk. This is especially true for alleged claims with a latency feature, particularly where courts have ruled that coverage is spread over multiple policy years, hence involving multiple defendants (and their insurers and reinsurers) and multiple policies (thereby increasing the potential dollars involved and the underlying settlement complexity). Claims with long latencies also increase the potential time lag between writing a policy in a certain market and the recognition that such policy has potential mass tort and/or latent claim exposure.
Our reserve for other liability claims at December 31, 2023 was $819.2 million and consisted of 4,351 claims, compared with $757.5 million, consisting of 4,860 claims at December 31, 2022. Of the $819.2 million total reserve for other liability claims, $103.7 million is identified as defense costs and $54.6 million is identified as general overhead required in the settlement of claims.
Included in the other liability line of business are gross reserves for construction defect losses and loss settlement expenses. Construction defect exposure is unique because of its very long tail as claims can often take over six years to be reported to us and another four years to settle. This exposure relates to a deficiency in the design or construction of a building or structure resulting from a failure to design or construct in a reasonably workmanlike manner, and/or in accordance with a buyer's reasonable expectation. In the cases involving latent defects, the determination of when a loss occurred is often unclear and governed by various theories that vary by state. Further, each state has a unique Statute of Repose that determines the length of time an insured has to report a claim generally from the date of substantial completion of a project.
In addition to these issues, other variables also contribute to a high degree of uncertainty in establishing reserves for construction defect claims. These variables include: whether coverage exists; when losses occur; the size of each loss; expectations for future interpretive rulings concerning contract provisions; and the extent to which the assertion of these claims will expand geographically. In recent years, we have implemented various underwriting measures that we anticipate will mitigate the amount of construction defect losses experienced. These initiatives include increased care regarding additional insured endorsements; stricter underwriting guidelines on the writing of residential contractors; and an increased utilization of loss control.
63
Table of Contents
Asbestos and Environmental Reserves
Included in the other liability and assumed reinsurance lines of business are reserves for asbestos and other environmental losses and loss settlement expenses. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had $0.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in direct and assumed asbestos and environmental loss reserves. The estimation of loss reserves for environmental claims and claims related to long-term exposure to asbestos and other substances is one of the most difficult aspects of establishing reserves, especially given the inherent uncertainties surrounding such claims. Although we record our best estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, the ultimate amounts paid upon settlement of such claims may be more or less than the amount of the reserves, because of the significant uncertainties involved and the likelihood that these uncertainties will not be resolved for many years.
Commercial Automobile Reserves
Commercial automobile claim reserves are established at exposure based on information either known and provided or obtained through the investigation. Incorporated are the perspective and experience the claims staff has acquired, which may include assumptions as to how the claim will develop over time. Exposures are identified and reserves established within 30 to 60 days depending on the complexity of the case.
Workers' Compensation Reserves
Like the other liability line of business, workers' compensation losses and loss settlement expense reserves are based upon variables that create uncertainty in estimating the ultimate reserve. Estimates for workers' compensation are particularly sensitive to assumptions about medical cost inflation, which has been relatively stable over the past few years. Other variables that we consider and that contribute to the uncertainty in establishing reserves for workers' compensation claims include: state legislative and regulatory environments; trends in jury awards; and mortality rates. Because of these variables, the process of reserving for the ultimate loss and loss settlement expense to be incurred requires the use of informed judgment and is inherently uncertain. Consequently, actual loss and loss settlement expense reserves may deviate from our estimates. Such deviations may be significant. Our reserve for workers' compensation claims at December 31, 2023 was $121.0 million and consisted of 1,077 claims, compared with $138.9 million, consisting of 1,414 claims, at December 31, 2022.
Reserve Development
The following reserve development section should be read in conjunction with the "Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021" section of this Item 7.
In 2023, we recognized an adverse development in our net reserves for prior accident years totaling $67.8 million and adverse development of $12.9 million and favorable $48.9 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The adverse development in 2023 was driven by the commercial other liability and commercial automobile lines of business. The adverse development in commercial other liability was primarily in our excess and surplus lines excess casualty book along with some adverse development in standard umbrella and construction defect due to increasing severity pressures. The pressure on these longer tailed lines, especially in accident years 2016-2019, related to social and economic inflation continued in 2023. Commercial automobile also experienced adverse development related to increasing severity largely in post-COVID-19 accident years. The remaining lines experienced very small amounts of reserve development.
Adverse development in 2022 was driven by leveraging deeper data insights and emerging claim experience on longer tailed lines where the most uncertainty in the reserving process exists. Our actions were focused on other liability lines, including excess umbrella business and construction defect, where increased loss exposure in these longer tailed businesses are also subject to social and economic inflation. This was offset by continued favorable development in commercial automobile which has seen consistent releases over the past two years.
Other factors contributing to our development include: establishing reserves at their ultimate expected loss amount as soon as practicable after information becomes available; using claims negotiation to control the size of
64
Table of Contents
settlements; assuming that we have liability for all claims, even though the issue of liability may, in some cases, be resolved in our favor; promoting claims management services to encourage return-to-work programs; case management by nurses for serious injuries and management of medical provider services and billings; and using programs and services to help prevent fraud and to assist in favorably resolving cases.
Based upon our comparison of carried reserves to actual claims experience over the last several years, we believe that using our Company's historical premium and claims data to establish reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses results in adequate and reasonable reserves. Reserve development is discussed in more detail under the heading "Reserve Development" in the "Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021" section in this Item 7.
The following table details the pre-tax impact on our property and casualty insurance business' financial results and financial condition of reasonably likely reserve development. Our lines of business that have historically been most susceptible to significant volatility in reserve development have been shown separately and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 5.0 percent and 10.0 percent. Our other, less volatile, lines of business have been aggregated and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 3.0 percent and 5.0 percent.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -10% | -5% | +5% | +10% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Other liability | $ | (81,920) | $ | (40,960) | $ | 40,960 | $ | 81,920 | ||||||
| Workers' compensation | (12,100) | (6,050) | 6,050 | 12,100 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | (29,646) | (14,823) | 14,823 | 29,646 | ||||||||||
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -5% | -3% | +3% | +5% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| All other lines | $ | (20,105) | $ | (12,063) | $ | 12,063 | $ | 20,105 |
Independent Actuary
We engage an independent actuarial firm to render an opinion as to the reasonableness of the statutory reserves that are established by management. During 2023 and 2022, we engaged the services of Regnier Consulting Group, Inc. ("Regnier") as our independent actuarial firm for the property and casualty insurance business.
It is management's policy to utilize staff adjusters to develop our estimate of case-basis loss reserves. IBNR and loss settlement expense reserves are established through various formulae that utilize pertinent, recent Company historical data. The calculations are supplemented with knowledge of current trends and events that could result in adjustments to the level of IBNR and loss settlement expense reserves. On a quarterly basis, we compare our estimate of total reserves to the estimates prepared by Regnier by line of business to ensure that our estimates are within the actuary's acceptable range. Regnier performs a review of loss and loss settlement expense reserves at each year end using generally accepted actuarial guidelines to ensure that the recorded reserves appear reasonable. Our reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance recoverables, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $1,447.1 million and $1,350.4 million, respectively. In 2023 and 2022, after considering the independent actuary's range of reasonable estimates, management believes that carried reserves were reasonable and therefore did not adjust the recorded amount.
Regnier uses four projection methods in its actuarial analysis of our loss reserves and uses two projection methods in its actuarial analysis of our loss settlement expense reserves. Based on the results of the projection methods, the actuaries select an actuarial point estimate of the reserves, which is compared to our carried reserves to evaluate the reasonableness of the carried reserves. The four methods utilized by Regnier to project losses are: paid loss development; reported loss development; expected loss emergence based on paid losses; and expected loss emergence based on reported losses. The two methods utilized by Regnier to project loss expenses are: paid expenses-to-paid loss and paid expense-to-ultimate loss.
65
Table of Contents
Pension Benefit Obligation
The process of estimating our pension benefit obligation and related benefit expense is inherently uncertain, and the actual cost of benefits may vary materially from the estimates recorded. These liabilities are particularly volatile due to their long-term nature and are based on several assumptions. The main assumptions used in the valuation of our benefit obligation are: estimated mortality of the employees and retirees eligible for benefits; estimated expected long-term rates of return on investments; estimated compensation increases; estimated employee turnover; and estimated rate used to discount the ultimate estimated liability to a present value. We engage a consulting actuary from Principal Financial Group, an independent firm, to assist in evaluating and establishing assumptions used in the valuation of our benefit obligations.
A change in any one or more of these assumptions is likely to result in an ultimate liability different from the original actuarial estimate. Such changes in estimates may be material. For example, a 100 basis point decrease in our estimated discount rate would increase the benefit obligation at December 31, 2023 by $28.0 million while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease the benefit obligation by $22.9 million, for the same period.
A 100 basis point decrease in our estimated long-term rate of return on pension plan assets would increase the benefit expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 by $2.6 million, while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease benefit expense by $2.6 million, for the same period.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Information specific to accounting standards that we adopted in 2023 or pending accounting standards that we expect to adopt in the future is incorporated by reference from Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" contained in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000101199-23-000020.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Amounts (except per share amounts) are presented in thousands, unless otherwise noted.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
It is important to note that our actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Please refer to "Forward-Looking Information" and Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this report for information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Originally founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc. and its consolidated insurance company subsidiaries provide insurance protection for individuals and businesses through several regional companies. Our property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries are licensed in 50 states plus the District of Columbia and are represented by approximately 1,000 independent agencies.
Reportable Segments
Our property and casualty insurance business operates and reports as one business segment. For more information, refer to Part I, Item 1 "Business" under "General Description."
Pooling Arrangement
All of our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries are members of an intercompany reinsurance pooling arrangement. The Company's pooling arrangement permits the participating companies to rely on the capacity of the entire pool's capital and surplus, rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with each participant’s own surplus level.
Geographic Concentration
Property and Casualty Insurance Business
For 2022, approximately 47.5 percent of our property and casualty premiums were written in Texas, California, Iowa, Missouri, and New Jersey.
29
Table of Contents
In 2022, 2021 and 2020 the direct statutory premiums written by our property and casualty insurance operations were distributed as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | % of Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Texas | $ | 148,207 | $ | 158,676 | $ | 192,841 | 16.6 | % | 17.4 | % | 18.1 | % | |||
| California | 111,037 | 119,171 | 127,168 | 12.4 | 13.1 | 11.9 | |||||||||
| Iowa | 70,128 | 73,097 | 91,176 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.6 | |||||||||
| Missouri | 54,090 | 55,693 | 72,527 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.8 | |||||||||
| New Jersey | 41,030 | 49,468 | 53,406 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 5.0 | |||||||||
| Louisiana | 37,124 | 39,280 | 45,168 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.2 | |||||||||
| Colorado | 34,480 | 38,761 | 46,394 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.4 | |||||||||
| Minnesota | 32,659 | 35,697 | 39,501 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.7 | |||||||||
| South Dakota | 31,609 | 30,429 | 35,166 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.3 | |||||||||
| Illinois | 28,538 | 29,755 | 39,562 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.7 | |||||||||
| All Other States | 304,839 | 281,485 | 322,409 | 34.1 | 30.9 | 30.3 | |||||||||
| Direct Statutory Premiums Written | $ | 893,741 | $ | 911,512 | $ | 1,065,318 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Sources of Revenue and Expense
We evaluate profit or loss based upon operating and investment results. Profit or loss described in the following sections of this Management's Discussion and Analysis is reported on a pre-tax basis. Our primary sources of revenue are premiums and investment income. Major categories of expenses include losses and loss settlement expenses, underwriting and other operating expenses.
Profit Factors
Our profitability is influenced by many factors, including price, competition, economic conditions, investment returns, interest rates, catastrophic events and other natural disasters, man-made disasters, state regulations, court decisions, and changes in the law. To manage these risks and uncertainties, we seek to achieve consistent profitability through strong agency relationships, exceptional customer service, fair and prompt claims handling, disciplined underwriting, superior loss control services, prudent management of our investments, appropriate matching of assets and liabilities, effective use of ceded reinsurance and effective and efficient use of technology.
We believe our current liquidity position is sufficient to maintain our current operations and we have the ability to draw on our credit facility if needed. See Part II, Item 8, Note 13 "Debt" for more information. Our share repurchase program was suspended in mid-March 2020 and restarted in the first quarter of 2021. Also, the Company maintained the payment of quarterly cash dividends during 2021 and 2022, with the dividends paid in November 2022 marking the 219th consecutive quarter of paying dividends since March 1968.
Stockholders' equity decreased to $740.1 million at December 31, 2022, from $879.1 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease is primarily attributable to the $138.1 million decrease in the net unrealized value from our fixed maturity securities, net of tax, shareholder dividends of $15.9 million, and offset by net income of $15.0 million.
We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment at least on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets may exceed their implied fair value. The Company impaired all goodwill in 2020. The latest evaluation of other intangible assets was completed as of December 31, 2022 and no impairments were deemed necessary.
30
Table of Contents
As of December 31, 2022, we intend to keep all assets currently leased and honor the terms of the contracts. Also, we have five lease contracts where we are the lessor which we evaluated for impairment. As of December 31, 2022, all payments on these contracts had been received and we fully expect to receive all future payments on time.
The decline in certain sectors of the equity and bond markets in 2022 due to economic conditions did have a material impact on the fair value of our investments. The Company's investment philosophy, objectives, approach and program have not changed. During 2022 we had a decrease in the fair value of equity securities of $12.8 million and a decrease in value of our investments in limited liability partnerships of $7.9 million from the values reported at December 31, 2021.
The Company has a highly rated fixed maturity portfolio, with low credit risk. The Company recognized an increase in unrealized losses of $138.1 million, net of tax, at December 31, 2022 on its available-for-sale fixed maturity portfolio due to an increase in interest rates. In addition, we adopted new accounting guidance on January 1, 2020, which changes the measurement of credit losses for our investment in available-for-sale fixed maturities and our mortgage loans, and this also impacts our reinsurance receivables. The adoption of this new guidance resulted in an immaterial allowance for credit losses to be recorded for each of these assets on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. For more information on credit losses, please refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and Note 2 "Summary of Investments" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
MEASUREMENT OF RESULTS
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis of GAAP. We also prepare financial statements for each of our insurance company subsidiaries based on statutory accounting principles and file them with insurance regulatory authorities in the states where they do business.
Management evaluates our operations by monitoring key measures of growth and profitability. The following provides further explanation of the key measures management uses to evaluate our results:
Catastrophe losses is an operational measure which utilizes the designations of the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") and are reported with losses and loss settlement expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. According to the ISO, a catastrophe loss is defined as a single unpredictable incident or series of closely related incidents that result in $25.0 million or more in U.S. industry-wide direct insured losses to property and that affect a significant number of insureds and insurers ("ISO catastrophe"). In addition to ISO catastrophes, we also include as catastrophes those events ("non-ISO catastrophes"), which may include U.S. or international losses, that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Management, at times, may determine for comparison purposes of our financial results that it is more meaningful to exclude extraordinary catastrophe losses and resulting litigation. The frequency and severity of catastrophic losses we experience in any year affect our results of operations and financial position. In analyzing the underwriting performance of our property and casualty insurance business, we evaluate performance both including and excluding catastrophe losses. Portions of our catastrophe losses may be recoverable under our catastrophe reinsurance agreements. We include a discussion of the impact of catastrophes because we believe it is meaningful for investors to understand the variability in our periodic earnings.
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| ISO catastrophes | $ | 73,342 | $ | 83,386 | $ | 141,425 | ||||
| Non-ISO catastrophes (1) | 124 | 15,230 | 579 | |||||||
| Total catastrophes | $ | 73,466 | $ | 98,616 | $ | 142,004 |
(1) Includes international assumed losses.
31
Table of Contents
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022, 2021 AND 2020
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
| Years Ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | vs. 2021 | vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 951,541 | $ | 962,823 | $ | 1,055,082 | (1.2) | % | (8.7) | % | |||||||
| Investment income, net of investment expenses | 44,932 | 55,778 | 39,670 | (19.4) | 40.6 | ||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (15,892) | 47,383 | (32,395) | (133.5) | (246.3) | ||||||||||||
| Other income | (295) | 207 | 6,270 | (242.5) | (96.7) | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 980,286 | $ | 1,066,191 | $ | 1,068,627 | (8.1) | % | (0.2) | % | |||||||
| Benefits, losses and expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss settlement expenses | $ | 637,301 | $ | 652,155 | $ | 869,467 | (2.3) | % | (25.0) | % | |||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 213,075 | 203,432 | 210,252 | 4.7 | (3.2) | ||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 114,645 | 110,574 | 143,332 | 3.7 | (22.9) | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | — | — | 15,091 | NM | (100.0) | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 3,188 | 3,187 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total benefits, losses and expenses | $ | 968,209 | $ | 969,348 | $ | 1,238,142 | (0.1) | % | (21.7) | % | |||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 12,077 | $ | 96,843 | $ | (169,515) | (87.5) | (157.1) | % | ||||||||
| Federal income tax expense (benefit) | (2,954) | 16,249 | (56,809) | (118.2) | (128.6) | % | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 15,031 | $ | 80,594 | $ | (112,706) | (81.3) | (171.5) | % | ||||||||
| GAAP Ratios: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net underlying loss ratio (1) | 59.2 | % | 64.4 | % | 71.2 | % | (8.1) | % | (9.6) | % | |||||||
| Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio (1) | 7.7 | % | 10.2 | % | 13.5 | % | (24.5) | % | (24.4) | % | |||||||
| Reserve development-effect on net loss ratio (1) | 0.1 | % | (6.9) | % | (2.2) | % | (101.4) | % | 213.6 | % | |||||||
| Net loss ratio (2) | 67.0 | % | 67.7 | % | 82.4 | % | (1.0) | % | (17.8) | % | |||||||
| Expense ratio (3) | 34.4 | % | 32.6 | % | 33.5 | % | 5.5 | % | (2.7) | % | |||||||
| Combined ratio (4) | 101.4 | % | 100.3 | % | 115.9 | % | 1.1 | % | (13.5) | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) Net underlying loss ratio is defined as the net loss ratio less impacts of catastrophes and non-catastrophe prior year reserve development.
(2) Net loss ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss settlement expenses by net premiums earned. We use the net loss ratio as a measure of the overall underwriting profitability of the insurance business we write and to assess the adequacy of our pricing. Our net loss ratio is meaningful in evaluating our financial results as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3) Expense ratio is calculated by dividing non-deferred underwriting expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs by net premiums earned. The expense ratio measures a company's operational efficiency in producing, underwriting and administering its insurance business.
(4) Combined ratio is a commonly used financial measure of property and casualty underwriting performance. A combined ratio below 100.0 percent generally indicates a profitable book of business. The combined ratio is the sum of the net loss ratio and the underwriting expense ratio.
In 2022, the decrease in net income compared to 2021 was primarily due to lower premiums earned, lower net investment income from a decrease in value of other long-term assets, and net investment losses from a decrease in the fair value of equity securities, as compared to net investment gains for the same period in 2021.
Net income reported in 2021 as compared to a net loss in 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in losses and loss settlement expenses, a decrease in other underwriting expenses, an increase in investment income and net investment
32
Table of Contents
gains from an increase in the fair value of equity securities, as compared to net investment losses for the same period in 2020. These were partially offset by a decrease in net premiums earned.
Premiums
The following table shows our premiums written and earned for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Years ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | vs. 2021 | vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Direct premiums written | $ | 893,741 | $ | 911,514 | $ | 1,065,318 | (1.9) | % | (14.4) | % | |||||||
| Assumed premiums written | 190,215 | 130,375 | 34,371 | 45.9 | 279.3 | ||||||||||||
| Ceded premiums written | (99,732) | (100,541) | (88,339) | (0.8) | 13.8 | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums written(1) | $ | 984,224 | $ | 941,348 | $ | 1,011,350 | 4.6 | % | (6.9) | % | |||||||
| Less: change in unearned premiums | (34,655) | 25,112 | 40,317 | (238.0) | (37.7) | ||||||||||||
| Less: change in prepaid reinsurance premiums | 1,972 | (3,637) | 3,415 | 154.2 | (206.5) | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 951,541 | $ | 962,823 | $ | 1,055,082 | (1.2) | % | (8.7) | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) Net premiums written: Net premiums written is frequently used by industry analysts and other recognized reporting sources to facilitate comparisons of the performance of insurance companies. Net premiums written are the amount charged for insurance policy contracts issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. Management believes net premiums written are a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company sales performance and geographical expansion efforts. Net premiums written for an insurance company consists of direct premiums written and reinsurance assumed, less reinsurance ceded. Net premiums earned is calculated on a pro rata basis over the terms of the respective policies. Unearned premium reserves are established for the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired term of insurance policy in force. The difference between net premiums earned and net premiums written is the change in unearned premiums and change in prepaid reinsurance premiums.
Net Premiums Written
Net premiums written comprise direct and assumed premiums written, less ceded premiums written. Direct premiums written are the total policy premiums, net of cancellations, associated with policies issued and underwritten by our property and casualty insurance business. Assumed premiums written are the total premiums associated with the insurance risk transferred to us by other insurance and reinsurance companies pursuant to reinsurance contracts. Ceded premiums written is the portion of direct premiums written that we cede to our reinsurers under our reinsurance contracts. Net premiums earned are recognized ratably over the life of a policy and differ from net premiums written, which are recognized on the effective date of the policy.
Direct Premiums Written
Direct premiums written decreased $17.8 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 primarily due to our continued focus on improving profitability through non-renewal of under-performing accounts in our commercial auto line of business. Direct premiums written decreased $153.8 million in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to our focus on improving profitability through non-renewal of under-performing accounts in our commercial auto line of business and our exit from the personal lines business which began in September 2020.
Assumed Premiums Written
Assumed premiums written increased $59.8 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to growth of our assumed book by the addition of new programs and cedant premium growth.
Assumed premiums written increased $96.0 million in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to growth of our assumed book by the addition of new programs and cedant premium growth.
33
Table of Contents
Ceded Premiums Written
Direct premiums written are reduced by the ceded premiums that we pay to reinsurers. For 2022, the ratio of ceded premiums to direct written premiums is nearly the same as it was in 2021, and thus ceded premiums written are only down as a reflection of decreased direct premiums written. For 2021, we ceded 13.8 percent more premiums to reinsurers related to the Fund's at Lloyd's agreement offset by a decrease in written premium for ICAT (International Catastophe), decrease in reinstatement premium paid for catastrophe events, and decreased placement of facultative reinsurance.
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
Climate Change and Catastrophe Exposures
Catastrophe losses are inherent risks of the property and casualty insurance business. Catastrophic events include, without limitation, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, hailstorms, wildfires, high winds, winter storms and other natural disasters, along with man-made exposures to losses resulting from, without limitation, acts of war, acts of terrorism and political instability. Such events result in insured losses that can be, and may continue to be, a material factor in our results of operations and financial position, as the extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in an area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Because the level of insured losses that may occur in any one year cannot be accurately predicted, these losses contribute to fluctuations in our year-to-year results of operations and financial position. Some types of catastrophes are more likely to occur at certain times within the year than others, which adds an element of seasonality to our property and casualty insurance claims. Our property and casualty insurance business experiences some seasonality with regard to premiums written, which are generally highest in January and July and lowest during the fourth quarter. Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred tend to remain consistent throughout the year, with the exception of catastrophe losses, which generally are highest in the second and third quarters. The frequency and severity of catastrophic events are difficult to accurately predict in any year. However, some geographic locations are more susceptible to these events than others.
We control our direct insurance exposures in regions that are prone to naturally occurring catastrophic events through a combination of geographic diversification, restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in such regions, and reinsurance. We regularly assess our concentration of risk exposures in natural catastrophe exposed areas and consider the impacts of climate change and the unpredictability of future trends in adjusting our geographic concentrations in the United States. We have strategies and underwriting standards to manage these exposures through individual risk selection, subject to regulatory constraints, and through the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance coverage. We use catastrophe modeling and a risk concentration management tool to monitor and control our accumulations of potential losses in natural catastrophe exposed areas of the United States, such as the Gulf Coast and East Coast, as well as in areas of exposure in other countries where we are exposed to a portion of an insurer's underwriting risk under our assumed reinsurance contracts.
Overall, the models indicate increased risk estimates for our exposure to hurricanes in the U.S., but the impact of the models on our book of business varies significantly among the regions that we model for hurricanes. Based on our analysis, we have implemented more targeted underwriting and rate initiatives in some regions. We intend to continue to take underwriting actions and/or purchase additional reinsurance as necessary to reduce our exposure.
Catastrophe modeling generally relies on multiple inputs based on experience, science, engineering and history, and the selection of those inputs requires a significant amount of judgment. The modeling results may also fail to account for risks that are outside the range of normal probability or are otherwise unforeseen. Because of this, actual results may differ materially from those derived from our modeling assumptions.
Despite our efforts to manage our catastrophe exposure, the occurrence of one or more severe natural catastrophic events in heavily populated areas could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
The process of estimating and establishing reserves for losses incurred from catastrophic events is inherently uncertain and the actual ultimate cost of a claim, net of reinsurance recoveries, may vary materially from the
34
Table of Contents
estimated amount reserved. Although we reinsure a portion of our exposure, reinsurance may prove to be inadequate if a major catastrophic event exceeds our reinsurance limits or if we experience a number of small catastrophic events that individually fall below our reinsurance retention level.
Catastrophe Losses
In 2022, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $73.5 million, a decrease of $25.1 million compared to $98.6 million in 2021 and a decrease of $68.5 million as compared to $142.0 million in 2020. In 2022, our catastrophe losses included 45 events. Catastrophe losses in 2022 added 7.7 percentage points to the combined ratio, which is above our historical 10-year average of 7.0 percentage points.
In 2021, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $98.6 million, a decrease of $43.4 million compared to $142.0 million in 2020 and an increase of $34.2 million as compared to $64.4 million in 2019. In 2021, our catastrophe losses included 58 events. Catastrophe losses in 2021 added 10.2 percentage points to the combined ratio, which was above our historical 10-year average of 7.3 percentage points.
Catastrophe Reinsurance
In 2022, the company entered into a pillared loss occurrence program in addition to the Excess of Loss ("XOL") ceded reinsurance program. Our catastrophe reinsurance retention level was $15.0 million for the XOL ceded reinsurance treaty and $5.0 million for the pillared loss occurrence program. We did not experience any property catastrophe events that produced a reported loss to either program. IBNR on certain catastrophe losses in 2022 have considered these insurance programs.
In 2021 we exceeded our catastrophe reinsurance retention level of $20.0 million with winter storm Uri which caused widespread freezing damages across multiple states in February. Uri was a full retention loss, with losses in excess of our stated reinsurance retention of $20.0 million. Total losses from this storm, including assumed reinsurance, were $28.5 million with $7 million of reinsurance recoveries. In 2021, we also exceeded our catastrophe reinsurance retention level of $20.0 million from further loss development from the April 2020 Midwest hail storm. A majority of the losses occurred in 2020, with the reinsurance retention level reached in 2021.
The majority of the Company's catastrophe reinsurance programs renewed on January 1, 2023, including the XOL treaty, earthquake quota share and pillared occurrence program. During the renewal period in 2022, reinsurance markets hardened and the industry experienced increasing reinsurance pricing and lower reinsurer capacity. The Company was able to renew previous programs and we expect to have an increase in reinsurance costs of one to two percent of the combined ratio, which we anticipate to offset with increases in direct premiums written.
We use many reinsurers, both domestic and foreign, which helps us to avoid concentrations of credit risk associated with our reinsurance. All reinsurers we do business with must meet the following minimum criteria: capital and surplus of at least $300.0 million and an A.M. Best rating or an S&P rating of at least "A-." If a reinsurer is rated by both rating agencies, then both ratings must be at least an "A-."
35
Table of Contents
The following table represents the primary reinsurers we utilize and their financial strength ratings as of December 31, 2022:
| Name of Reinsurer | A.M. Best | S&P Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Reinsurance Company(2) | A+ | A+ |
| General Reinsurance Corporation(2) | A++ | AA+ |
| Hannover Rueckversicherung AG (1) (2) | A+ | AA- |
| Lloyd's | A | A+ |
| Munich Re(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Odyssey Re(2) | A | A |
| Partner Re(1)(2) | A+ | A+ |
| QBE Reinsurance Corporation(1) | A | A+ |
| R&V Versicherung AG(2) | N/A | A+ |
| Renaissance Re | A+ | A+ |
| SCOR Reinsurance Company(1)(2) | A+ | A+ |
| Toa Re(1) | A | A |
| Tokio Marine Kiln | A++ | A+ |
| Transatlantic Re(1) | A+ | AA+ |
(1)Primary reinsurers participating in the property and casualty excess of loss programs.
(2)Primary reinsurers participating in the surety excess of loss program.
Refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 4 "Reinsurance" for further discussion of our reinsurance programs.
Terrorism Coverage
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 (TRIPRA) is the fourth reauthorization of the law, which was previously reauthorized in 2005, 2007, and 2015. TRIPRA coverage is effective through December 31, 2027 and preserves the current industry loss trigger of $200 million per year, and gradually increased the industry-wide retention to $37.5 billion per year. TRIPRA coverage includes most direct commercial lines of business, including coverage for losses from nuclear, biological and chemical exposures if coverage was afforded by an insurer, with exclusions for commercial automobile insurance, burglary and theft insurance, surety, professional liability insurance and farm owners' multiple peril insurance. Under TRIPRA, each insurer has a deductible amount, which is 20.0 percent of the prior year's direct commercial lines earned premiums for the applicable lines of business, and retention of 15.0 percent above the deductible. No insurer that has met its deductible shall be liable for the payment of any portion of that amount that exceeds the annual aggregate loss cap specified in TRIPRA. TRIPRA provides marketplace stability. As a result, coverage for terrorist events in both the insurance and reinsurance markets is often available. The amount of aggregate losses necessary for an act of terrorism to be certified by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General was $200.0 million for 2022 and remains the same for 2023. Our TRIPRA deductible was $132.6 million for 2022 and our TRIPRA deductible is expected to be $124.8 million for 2023. Our catastrophe and non-catastrophe reinsurance programs provide limited coverage for terrorism exposure excluding nuclear, biological and chemical-related claims.
2022 Results
In 2022, our losses and loss settlement expenses were 2.3 percent lower than 2021 and our net loss ratio decreased 0.7 points. The primary driver for the decline is a reduction of loss and loss settlement expenses of $27.0 million in personal lines related to our exit of that business. This was offset by an increase in reinsurance assumed related to our growth in that business from the prior year. Our commercial lines were down slightly and will be discussed in more detail in Net Loss Ratios by Line. In 2022, catastrophe losses were $73.5 million in both our direct business and assumed reinsurance business as compared to $98.6 million in 2021.
36
Table of Contents
2021 Results
In 2021, our losses and loss settlement expenses were 25.0 percent lower than 2020 and our net loss ratio decreased 14.7 points. The decrease in losses and loss settlement expenses was primarily due to a decrease in frequency and severity of commercial auto liability losses and comparatively lower catastrophe losses. In 2021, catastrophe losses were $98.6 million in both our direct business and assumed reinsurance business as compared to $142.0 million in 2020.
Reserve Development
For many liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years, and for certain construction defect claims, more than a decade, may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement or other disposition of the claim. As a result, loss experience in the more recent accident years for the long-tail liability coverages has limited statistical credibility in our reserving process because a relatively small proportion of losses in these accident years are reported claims and an even smaller proportion are paid losses. In addition, long-tail liability claims are more susceptible to litigation and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment. Consequently, the estimation of loss reserves for long-tail coverages is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability. Reserves for these long-tail coverages represent a significant portion of our overall carried reserves.
When establishing reserves and monitoring reserve adequacy, we analyze historical data and consider the potential impact of various loss development factors and trends including historical loss experience, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in imposition of damages, experience with alternative dispute resolution, results of our medical bill review process and changes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. All of these factors influence our estimates of required reserves and for long-tail lines these factors can change over the course of the settlement of the claim. However, there is no precise method for evaluating the specific dollar impact of any individual factor on the development of reserves.
Our reserving philosophy is to reserve claims to their ultimate expected loss amount as soon as practicable after information about a claim becomes available. This approach tends to produce, on average, conservative case reserves, which we expect to result in some level of favorable development over the course of settlement.
2022 Development
The property and casualty insurance business experienced $12.9 million of unfavorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2022. The two lines that contributed to the majority of the unfavorable development were commercial other liability with $47.8 million and commercial fire and allied with $24.8 million unfavorable development. This was offset partially by favorable development on commercial automobile which contributed $56.7 million. The unfavorable development in commercial other liability and commercial fire and allied was due to paid loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss and LAE. The favorable development for commercial automobile was from both loss and LAE where reductions of reserves for unpaid liabilities were more than sufficient to offset actual paid loss and paid LAE. Reductions in reserves for IBNR claims also contributed favorable development.
2021 Development
The property and casualty insurance business experienced $48.9 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2021. Two lines contributed the majority of favorable development with the largest contribution coming from commercial automobile which had $43.3 million favorable development, followed by workers' compensation which had $10.9 million favorable development. All other individual lines, with the exception of commercial other liability, experienced favorable development. Commercial other liability experienced $20.7 million of unfavorable development. The favorable
37
Table of Contents
development for commercial automobile was from both loss and LAE where reductions of reserves for unpaid liabilities were more than sufficient to offset actual paid loss and paid LAE. The favorable development for workers’ compensation was from both loss and LAE and for loss the reductions in reserves for reported claims were more than sufficient to offset paid loss; reductions in reserves for IBNR claims also contributed favorable development in addition to LAE where reductions in reserves were more than sufficient to offset payments. Commercial other liability experienced unfavorable development due to paid loss which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss; LAE developed favorably and partially offset the unfavorable loss development.
2020 Development
The property and casualty insurance business experienced $17.7 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2020. Four lines contributed the majority of favorable development with the largest contribution coming from workers' compensation which had $25.4 million favorable development followed by commercial fire and allied lines which had $10.7 million favorable development. The two other lines which experienced favorable development were fidelity and surety with $2.1 million favorable development and personal automobile with $1.9 million favorable development. The favorable development for workers’ compensation was primarily from reductions in reserves for reported claims which were more than sufficient to offset paid loss. Reductions in reserves for IBNR claims also contributed favorable development in addition to LAE where reductions in reserves were more than sufficient to offset payments. Commercial fire and allied lines developed favorably because reductions in reserves for reported claims combined with reductions in reserves for IBNR claims were more than sufficient to offset paid loss; LAE also contributed favorable development with reductions in reserves more than sufficient to offset payments. Fidelity and surety loss developed favorably because a reduction in reserves for IBNR claims was more than sufficient to offset both paid loss and increases in reserves for reported claims. The personal automobile line of business developed favorably because reductions of reserves for reported claims combined with reductions of reserves for IBNR claims were more than sufficient to offset paid loss; LAE also contributed favorable development with reductions in reserves more than sufficient to offset payments. Much of the favorable development was offset by unfavorable development from three lines with the largest contribution coming from commercial liability which experienced $12.8 million unfavorable development. The two other lines which experienced unfavorable development were reinsurance assumed with $6.4 million unfavorable development and commercial automobile with $4.0 million unfavorable development. The commercial liability line of business experienced unfavorable development due to paid loss which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss; LAE developed favorably and partially offset the unfavorable loss development. The unfavorable development for the reinsurance assumed line of business was due to paid loss which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss. The commercial automobile line of business experienced unfavorable development because paid loss was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss, but a portion of the unfavorable loss development was offset by favorable development from LAE where payments were more than offset by reductions of reserves for unpaid loss adjustment expense. On an all lines combined basis, favorable development is attributable to LAE which continues to benefit from additional litigation management efforts. The lines of business not mentioned individually above contributed an additional combined total of $0.8 million of favorable development.
Reserve development amounts can vary significantly from 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.
38
Table of Contents
Net Loss Ratios by Line
The following table depicts our net loss ratios for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
| Years ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | Net Premiums Earned | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Premiums Earned | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Premiums Earned | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability | 302,446 | $ | 231,587 | 76.6 | % | $ | 299,961 | $ | 184,794 | 61.6 | % | $ | 316,098 | $ | 200,280 | 63.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 232,156 | 204,278 | 88.0 | 238,881 | 177,136 | 74.2 | 245,454 | 228,305 | 93.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 208,398 | 114,296 | 54.8 | 248,135 | 181,119 | 73.0 | 296,444 | 290,891 | 98.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 56,015 | 27,545 | 49.2 | 61,690 | 43,790 | 71.0 | 75,953 | 29,463 | 38.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 37,975 | 6,790 | 17.9 | 30,989 | 2,913 | 9.4 | 28,001 | 707 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 1,081 | 821 | 75.9 | 1,313 | 251 | 19.1 | 1,530 | 261 | 17.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | 838,071 | $ | 585,317 | 69.8 | % | $ | 880,969 | $ | 590,003 | 67.0 | % | $ | 963,480 | $ | 749,907 | 77.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 4,957 | $ | 2,959 | 59.7 | % | $ | 14,604 | $ | 20,215 | 138.4 | % | $ | 32,061 | $ | 66,815 | 208.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 1 | (3,123) | NM | 7,144 | 5,784 | 81.0 | 27,976 | 21,535 | 77.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 50 | (1,009) | NM | 361 | (216) | NM | 1,148 | 3,741 | 325.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 5,008 | $ | (1,173) | (23.4) | % | $ | 22,109 | $ | 25,783 | 116.6 | % | $ | 61,185 | $ | 92,091 | 150.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | $ | 108,462 | $ | 53,157 | 49.0 | % | $ | 59,745 | $ | 36,369 | 60.9 | % | $ | 30,417 | $ | 27,469 | 90.3 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 951,541 | $ | 637,301 | 67.0 | % | $ | 962,823 | $ | 652,155 | 67.7 | % | $ | 1,055,082 | $ | 869,467 | 82.4 | % |
39
Table of Contents
Commercial Lines
The net loss ratio in our commercial lines of business, excluding assumed reinsurance, was 69.8 percent in 2022 compared to 67.0 percent in 2021 and 77.8 percent in 2020. The net loss dollars for 2022 compared to 2021 are lower by 0.8 percent but the loss ratio increased due to the contraction of premiums in 2022. The net loss ratio in 2021 decreased compared to 2020 primarily due to comparatively lower catastrophe losses and a decrease in frequency and severity of commercial auto liability losses.
Other Liability
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. Because of the long-tail nature of liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years, may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement of the claim.
The net loss ratio deteriorated 15.0 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in the loss ratio is related to an increase in severity. During 2022, a combination of deeper analytical insights and emerging claim experience has increased our view of potential exposure within this line which has led to reserve strengthening.
Construction Defect Losses
At December 31, 2022, we had $103.8 million in construction defect loss and loss settlement expense reserves (excluding IBNR reserves which are calculated at the overall other liability commercial line), which consisted of 5,338 claims. In comparison, at December 31, 2021, we had reserves of $86.8 million, excluding IBNR reserves, consisting of 4,496 claims. Our West Coast region continues to be the origin of the majority of the construction defect claim activity.
Construction defect claims generally relate to allegedly defective work performed in the construction of structures such as apartments, condominiums, single family dwellings or other housing, as well as the sale of defective building materials. Such claims seek recovery due to damage caused by alleged deficient construction techniques or workmanship. The reporting of such claims can be quite delayed due to an extended statute of limitations, sometimes up to ten years. Court decisions have expanded insurers' exposure to construction defect claims as well. Defense costs are also a part of the insured expenses covered by liability policies and can be significant, sometimes greater than the cost of the actual paid claims.
We have exposure to construction defect liabilities in Texas, Colorado and surrounding states. We have historically insured small- to medium-sized contractors in this geographic area. In an effort to limit the number of future claims from multi-unit buildings, we implemented policy exclusions in 2009, later revised in 2010, that exclude liability coverage for contractors performing "residential structural" operations on any building project with more than 12 units or on single family homes in any subdivision where the contractor is working on more than 15 homes. The exclusions do not apply to remodeling or repair of an existing structure. We also changed our underwriting guidelines to add a professional liability exclusion when contractors prepare their own design work or blueprints and implemented the multi-family exclusion and tract home building limitation form for the state of Colorado and our other western states as a means to reduce our exposure in future years. When offering commercial umbrella coverage for structural residential contractors, limits of liability are typically limited to a maximum of $2.0 million per occurrence. Requests to provide additional insured status for "developers" are declined.
As a result of our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. in 2011, we added construction defect exposure in the states of California, Nevada and Arizona. Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. has been writing in these states for more than 20 years. In order to minimize our exposure to construction defect claims in this region, we continually review the coverage we offer and our pricing models. In an effort to limit our exposure from residential multi-unit buildings, we started including condominium and townhouse construction policy exclusions in 2012 for our contracting policies in this region. For the majority of our residential contractors we limit the size of any tracts the contractor is working on to 25 homes or less and do not include a continuous trigger with our designated work exclusion. In a majority of the policies in our small service, repair and remodel contractors program, we have a
40
Table of Contents
favorable new residential construction exclusion. We also apply strict guidelines when additional insured forms are required and changed our underwriting guidelines to limit our exposure to large, multi-party construction defect claims.
Commercial Fire and Allied Lines
Commercial fire and allied lines include fire, allied lines, commercial multiple peril and inland marine. The insurance covers losses to an insured's property, including its contents, from weather, fire, theft or other causes. We provide this coverage through a variety of business policies.
The net loss ratio deteriorated 13.8 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021. The deterioration in 2022 is related to an increase in severity of non-catastrophe claims.
Commercial Automobile
Our commercial automobile insurance covers physical damage to an insured's vehicle, as well as liabilities to third parties. Automobile physical damage insurance covers loss or damage to vehicles from collision, vandalism, fire, theft, flood or other causes. Automobile liability insurance covers bodily injury, damage to property resulting from automobile accidents caused by the insured, uninsured or under-insured motorists and the legal costs of defending the insured against lawsuits.
The net loss ratio improved 18.2 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021. The improvement is attributable to a decrease in frequency and severity of commercial auto losses, which is the direct result of our continued focus to increase the quality of our commercial auto book of business through non renewing underperforming accounts and rate increases.
Workers' Compensation
We consider our workers' compensation business to be a companion product; we rarely write stand-alone workers' compensation policies. Our workers' compensation insurance covers primarily small- to mid-size accounts. The net loss ratio improved 21.8 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021. This line experienced improvement with lower frequency of losses, a decline in severity and favorable prior accident year reserve development.
Fidelity and Surety
Our surety products guarantee performance and payment by our bonded principals. Our contract bonds protect owners from failure to perform on the part of our principals. In addition, our surety bonds protect material suppliers and subcontractors from nonpayment by our contractors. When surety losses occur, our loss is determined by estimating the cost to complete the remaining work and to pay the contractor's unpaid bills, offset by contract funds due to the contractor, reinsurance, and the value of any collateral to which we may have access.
The net loss ratio deteriorated 8.5 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021. This line continues to perform well with a low loss ratio of 17.9 percent as we expand this book of business. The deterioration is due to an increase in severity of losses in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Personal Lines
Our personal lines consist primarily of fire and allied lines (including homeowners) and automobile lines. The negative loss ratio is due to reserves developing favorably after our independent insurance agents transferred their personal lines policies to Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
Assumed Reinsurance
Our assumed reinsurance portfolio is comprised of contracts that provide reinsurance protection to insurance companies. We only reinsure companies with attractive expected profitability, relevant materiality, and strong reputation. Our reinsurance business focuses on long-term relationships.
41
Table of Contents
Net earned premium grew to $108.5 million in 2022 compared to $59.7 million in 2021. The net loss ratio improved 11.9 percentage points in 2022 compared to 2021. Results benefited from hardened reinsurance rates, as well as our disciplined approach to underwriting.
Underwriting Expense Ratio
Our underwriting expense ratio, which is a percentage of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses over net premiums earned, was 34.4 percent, 32.6 percent and 33.5 percent for 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The increase in expense ratio in 2022 as compared to 2021 was primarily driven by the non-recurring benefit in 2021 resulting from the change in design of our employee post-retirement benefit plans. The decrease in the expense ratio in 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to the change in the design of our employee post-retirement benefit plans and a decrease in the acceleration of the amortization of our deferred acquisition costs due to improved profitability in our commercial auto line of business.
Federal Income Taxes
We reported a federal income tax benefit on a consolidated basis of $3.0 million or (24.5) percent of pre-tax income in 2022. For 2022, the effective tax rate varied from the statutory federal income tax expense rate at 21.0 percent, due primarily to our portfolio of tax-exempt securities and general business tax credits. In 2021, federal income tax expense on a consolidated basis was $16.2 million or 16.8 percent of pre-tax income and federal income tax benefit on a consolidated basis was $56.8 million or 33.5 percent of pre-tax loss in 2020.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when management believes it is more likely than not that some, or all, of the deferred taxes will not be realized. After considering all positive and negative evidence of taxable income in the carryback and carryforward periods and our tax planning strategy of holding debt securities with unrealized losses to maturity or recovery, we believe it is more likely than not that all the deferred assets will be realized. As a result, we have no valuation allowance at December 31, 2022 and 2021.
As of December 31, 2022, we had no alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.
INVESTMENTS
Investment Environment
Following a very successful 2021, most investors experienced a difficult year in 2022. Stock prices plummeted and U.S. bonds suffered their worst selloff ever, the combination of which had a chilling effect on capital markets more broadly. The IPO market endured a year of record low issuance, mergers and acquisition activity was relatively subdued, and most saw the value of their 401(k) account drop significantly.
The S&P 500 fell 19.4% for the year, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 8.8%. The Nasdaq Composite Index plunged 33.1% as Technology shares felt the adverse effects of higher interest rates and prospects of a slowing economy. All three U.S. indices logged their worst annual performance since 2008. The closing yield on 10-year U.S. Treasuries climbed from 1.512% at the end of 2021 to as high as 4.244% in October before settling at 3.877% at year-end. Most major bond indices were down 15-20% for the year.
There were many factors contributing to the narrative, but at the heart of 2022’s performance was consumer and producer price inflation not seen in over forty years. What was originally believed to be “transitory” pricing pressures turned into a significant challenge for policy makers, which required extraordinary measures in response. Making matters more difficult was Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sent energy prices soaring in the first quarter and disrupted food and energy supply chains globally. However, even as oil and gas prices moderated and supply chains came into line, inflation remained stubbornly high. In response, the Federal Reserve initiated its most aggressive interest rate increases since the 1980s. By the end of 2022, policymakers had lifted the Fed Funds rate from 0% to 4.50%, with four consecutive 75 basis point increases from June to November.
42
Table of Contents
Tighter financial conditions led portfolio managers to flee the most popular investments from prior years. In a period of zero interest rates, which was the decade or so following the financial crisis of 2008, it cost very little to invest in growth stocks regardless of whether those companies were profitable. With short-term bonds and other cash-like investments now delivering yields not seen in several years, portfolio managers chose to rotate away from risky investments with uncertain prospects. Commodities were the big winner in 2022, with the Energy Sector of the S&P 500 returning 65.8%. Utilities placed a distant second, delivering 1.41% total return for the year.
Fed officials have been steadfast in saying their work is far from over, but markets are positioning for a more dovish future state. Although wages have been increasing, they are not currently keeping pace with the overall level of inflation. Therefore, the consumer’s true purchasing power is deteriorating, and this is one of the primary issues monetary policy is attempting to cure. Signs the economy is cooling began to appear in the fourth quarter. As we closed-out the year, yields on short- and long-term Treasuries seemed to be pricing for a less restrictive Fed, and not a central bank intent on keeping monetary policy tight for the foreseeable future. The economy and financial markets are set-up for a pivotal year in 2023, with a meaningful lack of clarity on the future path forward for investors. That said, there are reasonable scenarios to consider in the year ahead to both downside risk and upside opportunity.
Investment Philosophy
The Company's assets are invested to preserve capital and maximize after-tax returns while maintaining an appropriate balance of risk. The return on our portfolio is an important component of overall financial results, but quality and safety of principal is the highest priority of our investment program. Our general investment philosophy is to purchase financial instruments with the expectation that we will hold them to their maturity. However, active management of our portfolio is considered necessary to appropriately manage risk, achieve portfolio objectives and maximize investment income as market conditions change.
Each of our insurance company subsidiaries develops an appropriate investment strategy that aligns with its business needs and supports United Fire's strategic plan and risk appetite. The portfolio is structured to be in compliance with state insurance laws that prescribe the quality, concentration and type of investments that may be made by insurance companies.
Investment Portfolio
Our invested assets at December 31, 2022 totaled $1,844.9 million, compared to $2,064.7 million at December 31, 2021, a decrease of $219.8 million. At December 31, 2022, fixed maturity securities and equity securities comprised 84.1 percent and 9.2 percent of our investment portfolio, respectively. Because the primary purpose of the investment portfolio is to fund future claims payments, we utilize a conservative investment philosophy, investing in a diversified portfolio of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable corporate bonds, taxable U.S. government and government agency bonds and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. Our overall investment strategy is to stay fully invested (i.e., minimize cash balances). If additional cash is needed, we have the ability to borrow funds available under our revolving credit facility.
Composition
We develop our investment strategies based on a number of factors, including estimated duration of reserve liabilities, short- and long-term liquidity needs, projected tax status, general economic conditions, expected rates of inflation and regulatory requirements. We administer our investment portfolio based on investment guidelines approved by management and the investment committee of our Board of Directors that comply with applicable statutory regulations.
The composition of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2022 is presented at carrying value in the following table:
43
Table of Contents
| Percent | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | of Total | |||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||
| Available-for-sale | $ | 1,551,336 | 84.0 | % | ||
| Trading securities | — | |||||
| Equity securities | 169,106 | 9.2 | ||||
| Mortgage loans | 37,898 | 2.1 | ||||
| Other long-term investments | 86,276 | 4.7 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 275 | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 1,844,891 | 100.0 | % |
At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our fixed maturities portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity. We record convertible redeemable preferred debt securities and equity securities at fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in earnings.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we did not have direct exposure to investments in subprime mortgages or other credit enhancement vehicles.
Credit Quality
The following table shows the composition of fixed maturity securities held in our available-for-sale security portfolios by credit rating at December 31, 2022 and 2021. Information contained in the table is generally based upon the issue credit ratings provided by Moody's, unless the rating is unavailable, in which case we obtain it from Standard & Poor's.
| (In Thousands) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | Carrying Value | % of Total | Carrying Value | % of Total | |||||||||
| AAA | $ | 540,485 | 34.8 | % | $ | 670,222 | 39.0 | % | |||||
| AA | 482,369 | 31.1 | 586,426 | 34.1 | |||||||||
| A | 232,668 | 15.0 | 209,076 | 12.2 | |||||||||
| Baa/BBB | 278,247 | 17.9 | 241,547 | 14.0 | |||||||||
| Other/Not Rated | 17,567 | 1.1 | 12,519 | 0.7 | |||||||||
| $ | 1,551,336 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,719,790 | 100.0 | % |
Duration
Our investment portfolio is invested primarily in fixed maturity securities whose fair value is susceptible to market risk, specifically interest rate changes. Duration is a measurement used to quantify our inherent interest rate risk and analyze our ability to match our invested assets to our reserve liabilities. If our invested assets and reserve liabilities have similar durations, then any change in interest rates will have an equal effect on these accounts. The primary purpose for matching invested assets and reserve liabilities is liquidity. With appropriate matching, our investments will mature when cash is needed, preventing the need to liquidate other assets prematurely. Mismatches in the duration of assets and liabilities can cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations.
The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was 4.3 years at December 31, 2022 compared to 3.9 years at December 31, 2021.
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2022, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations may be subject to prepayment risk and are therefore not categorized by contractual maturity.
44
Table of Contents
| (In Thousands) | Available-For-Sale | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amortized | Fair | |||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | Cost | Value | ||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | 35,745 | $ | 35,549 | ||||||
| Due after one year through five years | 461,716 | 448,758 | ||||||||
| Due after five years through 10 years | 539,189 | 501,171 | ||||||||
| Due after 10 years | 361,171 | 335,136 | ||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | 3,932 | 4,254 | ||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | 20,450 | 17,700 | ||||||||
| Collateralized mortgage obligations | 240,477 | 208,771 | ||||||||
| $ | 1,662,680 | $ | 1,551,339 |
Investment Results
We invest the premiums received from our policyholders in order to generate investment income, which is an important component of our revenues and profitability. The amount of investment income that we are able to generate is affected by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Some of these factors are volatility in the financial markets, economic growth, inflation, changes in interest rates, world political conditions, terrorist attacks or threats of terrorism, adverse events affecting other companies in our industry or the industries in which we invest and other unpredictable national or world events. Net investment income decreased 19.4 percent in 2022, compared with the same period of 2021 and was primarily due to the change in the fair value of our investments in limited liability partnerships. The valuation of our investments in limited liability partnerships varies from period to period due to current equity market conditions. We expect to maintain our investment philosophy of purchasing quality investments rated investment grade or better.
An allowance for credit losses is recorded based on a number of factors including the current economic conditions, management's expectations of future economic conditions and performance indicators, such as market value versus amortized cost, investment spreads widening or contracting, rating actions, payment and default history. The following table contains a rollforward of the allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2022:
| Rollforward of allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale fixed maturity securities: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| As of | |||
| December 31, 2022 | |||
| Beginning balance, January 1, 2022 | $ | — | |
| Additions to the allowance for credit losses for which credit losses were not previously recorded | 3 | ||
| Ending balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | 3 |
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities do not affect net income and earnings per share but do impact comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and book value per share. We believe that any unrealized losses on our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2022 are temporary based upon our current analysis of the issuers of the securities that we hold and current market conditions. We invest in high quality assets to provide protection from future credit quality issues. Non-credit related unrealized gains and losses are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income and represent other market movements that are not credit related, for example interest rate changes. We have no intent to sell, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell, these securities until the fair value recovers to at least equal our cost basis or the securities mature.
45
Table of Contents
Net Investment Income
In 2022, our investment income, net of investment expenses, decreased $10.8 million to $44.9 million as compared to 2021, primarily due to the change in the fair value of our investments in limited liability partnerships.
In 2021, our investment income, net of investment expenses, increased $16.1 million to $55.8 million as compared to 2020, primarily due to the change in the fair value of our investments in limited liability partnerships.
The following table summarizes the components of net investment income:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment income from operations: | ||||||||||
| Interest on fixed maturities | $ | 48,702 | $ | 43,224 | $ | 46,478 | ||||
| Dividends on equity securities | 5,163 | 5,031 | 6,368 | |||||||
| Income on other long-term investments | — | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Interest | 4,742 | 4,481 | 1,890 | |||||||
| Change in value (1) | (7,930) | 9,699 | (9,633) | |||||||
| Interest on mortgage loans | 1,897 | 1,995 | 1,949 | |||||||
| Interest on short-term investments | 354 | 18 | 107 | |||||||
| Interest on cash and cash equivalents | 740 | 252 | 763 | |||||||
| Other | 780 | 152 | 205 | |||||||
| Total investment income from operations | $ | 54,448 | $ | 64,852 | $ | 48,127 | ||||
| Less investment expenses | 9,516 | 9,074 | 8,457 | |||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 44,932 | $ | 55,778 | $ | 39,670 |
(1)Represents the change in value of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting.
In 2022, 89.4 percent of our gross investment income originated from interest on fixed maturities, compared to 66.7 percent and 96.6 percent in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The following table details our annualized yield on average invested assets for 2022 , 2021, and 2020, which is based on our invested assets (including money market accounts) at the beginning and end of the year divided by net investment income:
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | Average Invested Assets | Investment Income, Net | Annualized Yield on Average Invested Assets | |||||||
| 2022 | $ | 1,992,108 | $ | 44,932 | 2.3 | % | ||||
| 2021 | 2,141,022 | 55,778 | 2.6 | % | ||||||
| 2020 | 2,169,220 | 39,670 | 1.8 | % |
46
Table of Contents
Net Investment Gains and Losses
The following table summarizes the components of our net investment gains or losses:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net investment gains (losses): | ||||||||||
| Net gains (losses): | ||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||
| Available-for-sale | $ | (1,397) | $ | (277) | $ | 1,787 | ||||
| Allowance for credit losses | (3) | 5 | (5) | |||||||
| Trading securities | ||||||||||
| Change in fair value | — | — | (3,314) | |||||||
| Sales | — | — | 2,950 | |||||||
| Equity securities | ||||||||||
| Available-for-sale | ||||||||||
| Trading securities | ||||||||||
| Change in fair value | (12,802) | 30,682 | (6,875) | |||||||
| Sales | (1,767) | 14,444 | (26,906) | |||||||
| Mortgage loans | 109 | 5 | (4) | |||||||
| Other long-term investments | (267) | 2,780 | — | |||||||
| Short-term investments | — | — | — | |||||||
| Other-than-temporary-impairment charges: | ||||||||||
| Fixed maturities | — | — | — | |||||||
| Equity securities | — | — | — | |||||||
| Cash equivalents | — | — | — | |||||||
| Real Estate | 235 | (256) | $ | (28) | ||||||
| Total net investment gains (losses) | $ | (15,892) | $ | 47,383 | $ | (32,395) |
Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
As of December 31, 2022, net unrealized investment losses, after tax, totaled $88.4 million compared to unrealized gains of $49.8 million and unrealized gains of $83.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The net unrealized investment losses in 2022 was primarily the result of a change in the value of the fixed maturity portfolio due to higher interest rates during 2022.
The decrease in net unrealized investment gains in 2021 was primarily the result of a decrease in fixed maturity securities held and a change in the value of the fixed maturity portfolio due to higher interest rates during 2021. The increase in net unrealized investment gains in 2020 was primarily the result of an increase in the
value of the fixed maturity portfolio due to lower interest rates during 2020.
The following table summarizes the change in our net unrealized investment gains (losses):
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses): | ||||||||||
| Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities | $ | (174,858) | $ | (42,159) | $ | 45,305 | ||||
| Income tax effect | 36,720 | 8,858 | (9,514) | |||||||
| Total change in net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax | $ | (138,138) | $ | (33,301) | $ | 35,791 |
47
Table of Contents
MARKET RISK
Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include financial instruments whose fair values are subject to market risk. The active management of market risk is integral to our operations. Market risk is the potential for loss due to a decrease in the fair value of securities resulting from uncontrollable fluctuations, such as: interest rate risk, equity price risk, foreign exchange risk, credit risk, inflation, or geopolitical conditions. Our primary market risk exposures are: changes in interest rates, deterioration of credit quality in specific issuers, sectors or the economy as a whole, and an unforeseen decrease in the liquidity of securities we hold.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed income maturity security or portfolio of securities to changes in level of interest rates. Generally, there is an inverse relationship between changes in interest rates and changes in the price of a fixed income/maturity security. Plainly stated, if interest rates go up (down), bond prices go down (up). A vast majority of our holdings are fixed income maturity and other interest rate sensitive securities that will decrease (increase) in value as interest rates increase (decrease). While it is generally our intent to hold our investments in fixed maturity securities to maturity or recovery, we have classified a majority of our fixed maturity portfolio as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale fixed income maturity securities are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with unrealized gains or losses reported net of tax in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. A change in the prevailing interest rates generally translates into a change in the fair value of our fixed income/maturity securities, and by extension, our overall book value.
Market Risk and Duration
We analyze potential changes in the value of our investment portfolio due to the market risk factors noted above within the overall context of asset and liability management. A technique we use in the management of our investment portfolio is the calculation of duration. Our actuaries estimate the payout pattern of our reserve liabilities to determine their duration, which is the present value of the weighted average payments expressed in years. We then establish a target duration for our investment portfolio so that at any given time the estimated cash generated by the investment portfolio will closely match the estimated cash required for the payment of the related reserves. We structure the investment portfolio to meet the target duration to achieve the required cash flow, based on liquidity and market risk factors.
Impact of Interest Rate Changes
The amounts set forth in the following table detail the impact of hypothetical interest rate changes on the fair value of fixed maturity securities held at December 31, 2022. The sensitivity analysis measures the change in fair values arising from immediate changes in selected interest rate scenarios. We employed hypothetical parallel shifts in the yield curve of plus or minus 100 and 200 basis points in the simulations. Additionally, based upon the yield curve shifts, we employ estimates of prepayment speeds for mortgage-related products and the likelihood of call or put options being exercised within the simulations.
The selection of a 100-basis-point and 200-basis-point increase or decrease in interest rates should not be construed as a prediction by our management of future market events, but rather as an illustration of the potential impact of an event.
48
Table of Contents
| December 31, 2022 | -200 Basis | -100 Basis | +100 Basis | + 200 Basis | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | Points | Points | Base | Points | Points | |||||||||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bonds | ||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 15,419 | $ | 15,041 | $ | 14,675 | $ | 14,320 | $ | 13,976 | ||||||||
| U.S. government agency | 92,883 | 89,103 | 84,406 | 79,261 | 74,123 | |||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||
| General obligations: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Midwest | 62,705 | 61,957 | 61,113 | 59,630 | 57,536 | |||||||||||||
| Northeast | 15,891 | 15,685 | 15,463 | 15,130 | 14,637 | |||||||||||||
| South | 67,346 | 65,756 | 63,981 | 61,618 | 58,810 | |||||||||||||
| West | 90,435 | 88,570 | 86,545 | 83,887 | 80,424 | |||||||||||||
| Special revenue: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Midwest | 108,418 | 105,531 | 102,266 | 97,596 | 91,568 | |||||||||||||
| Northeast | 57,837 | 56,113 | 54,220 | 51,762 | 48,699 | |||||||||||||
| South | 193,546 | 187,618 | 180,857 | 171,973 | 161,370 | |||||||||||||
| West | 119,774 | 116,267 | 112,212 | 106,680 | 100,007 | |||||||||||||
| Foreign bonds | 35,317 | 33,418 | 31,649 | 30,003 | 28,473 | |||||||||||||
| Public utilities | 139,541 | 132,238 | 125,411 | 119,036 | 113,092 | |||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | 36,141 | 34,640 | 33,209 | 31,845 | 30,551 | |||||||||||||
| Industrials | 59,018 | 55,792 | 52,842 | 50,141 | 47,667 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer goods and services | 101,099 | 95,282 | 89,941 | 85,031 | 80,515 | |||||||||||||
| Health care | 32,286 | 29,812 | 27,592 | 25,597 | 23,802 | |||||||||||||
| Technology, media and telecommunications | 66,701 | 63,160 | 59,940 | 56,998 | 54,301 | |||||||||||||
| Financial services | 134,083 | 129,141 | 124,292 | 119,588 | 115,087 | |||||||||||||
| Mortgage backed securities | 19,212 | 18,516 | 17,700 | 16,853 | 16,056 | |||||||||||||
| Collateralized mortgage obligations | ||||||||||||||||||
| Government national mortgage association | 93,704 | 89,286 | 84,548 | 79,822 | 75,352 | |||||||||||||
| Federal home loan mortgage corporation | 86,861 | 83,050 | 78,838 | 74,554 | 70,501 | |||||||||||||
| Federal national mortgage association | 48,775 | 47,231 | 45,386 | 43,451 | 41,550 | |||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | 5,283 | 4,690 | 4,253 | 3,927 | 3,677 | |||||||||||||
| Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities | $ | 1,682,275 | $ | 1,617,897 | $ | 1,551,339 | $ | 1,478,703 | $ | 1,401,774 |
To the extent actual results differ from the assumptions utilized, our duration and interest rate measures could be significantly affected. As a result, these calculations may not fully capture the impact of nonparallel changes in the relationship between short-term and long-term interest rates.
Equity Price Risk
Equity price risk is the potential loss arising from changes in the fair value (i.e., market price) of equity securities held in our portfolio. Changes in the price of an equity security may be due to a change in the future earnings capacity or strategic outlook of the security issuer, and what investors are willing to pay for those future earnings and related strategy. The carrying values of our equity securities are based on quoted market prices, from an independent source, as of the balance sheet date. Market prices of equity securities, in general, are subject to fluctuations that could cause the amount to be realized upon the future sale of the securities to differ significantly from the current reported value. The fluctuations may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the security issuer, the relative price of alternative investments, general market conditions, and supply/demand factors related to a particular security.
49
Table of Contents
Impact of Price Change
The following table details the effect on the fair value of our investments in equity securities for a positive and negative 10 percent price change at December 31, 2022:
| (In Thousands) | -10% | Base | +10% | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated fair value of equity securities | $ | 186,017 | $ | 169,106 | $ | 152,195 |
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Foreign currency exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in foreign exchange rates will impact our financial results. Foreign currency exchange rate risk can occur as a result of investment holdings in foreign currency, settlement of amounts due to or from foreign reinsurers or our participation in FAL. We consider this risk to be immaterial to our operations.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the willingness and ability of a borrower to repay on time and in full any principal and interest due to the lender. Losses related to credit risk are realized through the income statement and have a direct impact on the earnings of UFG. Given the vast majority of our holdings are fixed income maturity securities, we view credit risk as our primary investment risk. Our internal Investment Department has developed and maintains a rigorous underwriting process to analyze and measure the expected frequency and severity of loss (i.e., credit quality) for government, agency, municipal, structured security, and corporate bond issuers. The objective is to maintain the appropriate balance of risk in our portfolio, consistent with our Investment Policy Statement and conservative investment style, and ensure the portfolio is compensated appropriately for the credit risk it holds. We do have within our municipal bond holdings a small number of securities whose ratings were enhanced by third-party insurance for the payment of principal and interest in the event of an issuer default. Of the insured municipal securities in our investment portfolio, 98.7 percent and 99.6 percent were rated "A" or above, and 95.2 percent and 96.0 percent were rated "AA" or above at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, without the benefit of insurance. Due to the underlying financial strength of the issuers of the securities, we believe that the loss of insurance would not have a material impact on our operations, financial position, or liquidity.
We have no direct exposure in any of the guarantors of our investments. Our largest indirect exposure with a single guarantor totaled $7.7 million or 29.1 percent of our insured municipal securities at December 31, 2022, as compared to $9.4 million or 29.8 percent at December 31, 2021. Our five largest indirect exposures to financial guarantors accounted for $28.7 million and $35.6 million of our municipal securities at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity measures our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short- and long-term cash obligations. Our cash inflows are primarily a result of the receipt of premiums, reinsurance recoveries, sales or maturities of investments, and investment income. Cash provided from these sources is used to fund the payment of losses and loss settlement expenses, the purchase of investments, operating expenses, dividends, pension plan contributions, and in recent years, common stock repurchases.
We monitor our capital adequacy to support our business on a regular basis. The future capital requirements of our business will depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. Our ability to underwrite is largely dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. In particular, we require (1) sufficient capital to maintain our financial strength ratings, as issued by various rating agencies, at a level considered necessary by management to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to compete and (2) sufficient capital to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to meet the capital adequacy tests performed by regulatory agencies in the United States.
50
Table of Contents
Cash outflows may be variable because of the uncertainty regarding settlement dates for losses. In addition, the timing and amount of individual catastrophe losses are inherently unpredictable and could increase our liquidity requirements. The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and reinsurance coverage disputes.
Historically, we have generated substantial cash inflows from operations. It is our policy to invest the cash generated from operations in securities with maturities that, in the aggregate, correlate to the anticipated timing of payments for losses and loss settlement expenses. The majority of our assets are invested in available-for-sale fixed maturity securities.
The following table displays a summary of cash sources and uses in 2022, 2021 and 2020:
| Cash Flow Summary | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | (1,251) | $ | 29,917 | $ | 41,435 | ||||
| Investing activities | (19,171) | 31,731 | (92,871) | |||||||
| Financing activities | (15,032) | (17,492) | 18,662 | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (35,454) | $ | 44,156 | $ | (32,774) |
Our cash flows were sufficient to meet our current liquidity needs for the full-year periods ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 and we anticipate they will be sufficient to meet our future liquidity needs. We also have the ability to draw on our credit facility if needed. See Part II, Item 8, Note 13 "Debt" for more information.
Operating Activities
Net cash flows used in operating activities totaled $1.3 million in 2022, and provided by operating activities totaled $29.9 million and $41.4 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our cash flows from operating activities were sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Investing Activities
Cash in excess of operating requirements is generally invested in fixed maturity securities and equity securities. Fixed maturity securities provide regular interest payments and allow us to match the duration of our liabilities. Equity securities provide dividend income, potential dividend income growth and potential appreciation. For further discussion of our investments, including our philosophy and portfolio, see the "Investment Portfolio" section contained in this Item.
In addition to investment income, possible sales of investments and proceeds from calls or maturities of fixed maturity securities also can provide liquidity. During the next five years, $0.5 billion, or 32.16% of our fixed maturity portfolio will mature.
We invest funds required for short-term cash needs primarily in money market accounts, which are classified as cash equivalents. At December 31, 2022, our cash and cash equivalents included $31.3 million related to these money market accounts, compared to $43.4 million at December 31, 2021.
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $19.2 million in 2022 and net cash flows provided by investing activities totaled $31.7 million in 2021. Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $92.9 million in 2020. In 2022, we had cash inflows from scheduled and unscheduled investment maturities, redemptions, prepayments, and sales of investments that totaled $280.4 million compared to $451.1 million and $376.2 million for the same period in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Our cash outflows for investment purchases totaled $297.5 million in 2022, compared to $405.4 million and $450.2 million for the same period in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
51
Table of Contents
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities totaled $15.0 million in 2022 and $17.5 million in 2021. Net cash flow provided by financing activities totaled $18.7 million in 2020. The net cash flows used in financing activities in 2022 is primarily the payment of cash dividends of $15.0 million. The net cash flows used in financing activities in 2021 is primarily the payment of cash dividends of $15.1 million and share repurchases of $2.0 million. The net cash flows provided by financing activities in 2020 is primarily from borrowings of long term debt of $50.0 million offset by the payment of cash dividends of $28.5 million.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table shows our contractual obligations and commitments, including our estimated payments due by period at December 31, 2022. Time periods of less than one year are considered short-term cash obligations and time periods greater than one year are considered long-term cash obligations.
| (In Thousands) | Payments Due By Period | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations | Total | Less Than One Year | One to Three Years | Three to Five Years | More Than Five Years | |||||||||||||
| Loss and loss settlement expense reserves | $ | 1,497,274 | $ | 515,326 | $ | 544,605 | $ | 199,556 | $ | 237,787 | ||||||||
| Long term debt | 107,378 | 3,188 | 6,376 | 6,376 | 91,438 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 28,353 | 8,452 | 13,445 | 6,456 | — | |||||||||||||
| Profit-sharing commissions | 13,701 | 13,701 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,646,706 | $ | 540,667 | $ | 564,426 | $ | 212,388 | $ | 329,225 |
Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
The amounts presented are estimates of the dollar amounts and time periods in which we expect to pay out our gross loss and loss settlement expense reserves. Because the timing of future payments may vary from the stated contractual obligation, these amounts are estimates based upon historical payment patterns and may not represent actual future payments. Refer to "Critical Accounting Policies — Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses" in this section for further discussion.
Long term debt
The Company executed a private placement debt transaction on December 15, 2020 between United Fire & Casualty Company, Federated Mutual Insurance Company, a mutual insurance company domiciled in Minnesota ("Federated Mutual"), and Federated Life Insurance Company, an insurance company domiciled in Minnesota ("Federated Life and together with Federated Mutual, the "Note Purchasers").
UFG sold an aggregate $50.0 million of notes due 2040 to the Note Purchasers. One note with a principal amount of $35.0 million was issued to Federated Mutual and one note with a principal amount of $15.0 million was issued to Federated Life.
Interest payments will be paid quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”). The interest rate will equal the rate that corresponds to the A.M. Best Co. (or its successor’s) financial strength rating for members of the United Fire & Casualty Pooled Group as of the applicable Interest Payment Date. Interest expense totaled $3,188 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Payment of interest is subject to approval by the Iowa Insurance Division.
Operating Leases
Our operating lease obligations are for the rental of office space, vehicles, computer equipment and office equipment. For further discussion of our operating leases, refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 12 "Lease Commitments."
52
Table of Contents
Profit-Sharing Commissions
We offer our agents a profit-sharing plan as an incentive for them to place high-quality property and casualty insurance business with us. Based on business produced by the agencies in 2022, property and casualty agencies expect to receive profit-sharing payments of $13.7 million in 2023.
Commitments for Capital Expenditures
Dividends
Dividends paid to shareholders totaled $15.9 million, $15.1 million and $28.5 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our practice has been to pay quarterly cash dividends, which we have paid every quarter since March 1968.
Payments of any future dividends and the amounts of such dividends, however, will depend upon factors such as net income, financial condition, capital requirements, and general business conditions. We will only pay dividends if declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds.
As a holding company with no independent operations of its own, United Fire Group, Inc. relies on dividends received from its insurance company subsidiaries in order to pay dividends to its common shareholders. Dividends payable by our insurance subsidiaries are governed by the laws in the states in which they are domiciled. In all cases, these state laws permit the payment of dividends only from earned surplus arising from business operations. For example, under Iowa law, the maximum dividend or distribution that may be paid within a 12-month period without prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner is generally restricted to the greater of 10 percent of statutory surplus as of the preceding December 31, or net income of the preceding calendar year on a statutory basis, not greater than earned statutory surplus. Other states in which our insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled may impose similar restrictions on dividends and distributions. Based on these restrictions, at December 31, 2022, our insurance company subsidiary, United Fire & Casualty, is able to make a maximum of $70.4 million in dividend payments without prior regulatory approval. These restrictions are not expected to have a material impact in meeting our cash obligations.
Share Repurchases
Under our share repurchase program, first announced in August 2007, we may purchase our 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 our discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, economic and general market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. Our share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time.
During 2022, 2021 and 2020, pursuant to authorization by our Board of Directors, we repurchased 0, 67,651, and 70,467 shares of our common stock, respectively, which used cash totaling $0.0 million in 2022, $2.0 million in 2021 and $2.7 million in 2020. The Board of Directors reauthorized the share repurchase program in November 2022 through August 2024. At December 31, 2022, we were authorized to purchase an additional 1,719,326 shares of our common stock.
Credit Facilities
Information specific to our credit facilities is incorporated by reference from Note 13 "Debt" contained in Part II, Item 8. As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all financial covenants of the Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"), as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent"), issuing lender, swing-line lender and lender, and the other lenders from time to time party thereto (collectively with Wells Fargo, the "Lenders").
53
Table of Contents
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity decreased 15.8 percent to $740.1 million at December 31, 2022, from $879.1 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease is primarily attributed to a decrease in net unrealized value from our fixed maturity securities, net of tax, of $138.1 million, stockholder dividends of $15.9 million, and offset by net income of $15.0 million. As of December 31, 2022, the book value per share of our common stock was $29.36, compared to $35.05 at December 31, 2021.
Risk-Based Capital
The NAIC adopted risk-based capital requirements, which requires us to calculate a minimum capital requirement for each of our insurance companies based on individual company insurance risk factors. These "risk-based capital" results are used by state insurance regulators to identify companies that require regulatory attention or the initiation of regulatory action. At December 31, 2022, all of our insurance companies had capital well in excess of required levels.
Funding Commitments
We hold investments in limited liability partnerships as part of our investment strategy. Pursuant to agreements with our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed through July 10, 2030 to make capital contributions upon request of the partnerships. Our remaining potential contractual obligation was $40.1 million at December 31, 2022.
In addition, the Company invested $25,000 in December 2019 in a limited liability partnership investment fund which is subject to a 3-year lockup with a 60-day minimum notice, with four possible repurchase dates per year, after the 3-year lockup period is met. The fair value of the investment at December 31, 2022 was $25,187 and there are no remaining capital contributions with this investment.
These partnerships are included in our other long term investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with a current fair value of $86.3 million, or 4.7 percent of our total invested assets, at December 31, 2022.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are representative of significant judgments and uncertainties and that may potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We base our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition on the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we have prepared in accordance with GAAP. As we prepare these Consolidated Financial Statements, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe our most critical accounting policies are as follows.
Investment Valuation
Upon acquisition, we classify investments in marketable securities as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. We record investments in available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities and equity securities at fair value. Other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. We record mortgage loans at their amortized cost less any valuation allowance.
In general, investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market volatility risk. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair value of our investment securities that are reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, it is reasonably possible that changes in the value of our
54
Table of Contents
investments in trading securities and limited liability partnerships could occur in the future and such changes could materially affect our results of operations as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Measurement
Information specific to the fair value measurement of our financial instruments and disclosures is incorporated by reference from Note 3 "Fair Value of Financial Instruments" contained in Part II, Item 8.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")
We record an asset for certain costs of underwriting new business, primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses that have been deferred. The amount of underwriting compensation expense eligible for deferral is based on time studies and a ratio of success in policy placement. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, our DAC asset was $104.2 million and $91.4 million, respectively.
The DAC asset is amortized over the life of the policies written, generally one year. We assess the recoverability of DAC on a quarterly basis by line of business. This assessment is performed by comparing recorded unearned premium to the sum of unamortized DAC and estimates of expected losses and loss settlement expenses. If the sum of these costs exceeds the amount of recorded unearned premium (i.e., the line of business is expected to generate an operating loss), the excess is recognized in current period other underwriting expenses as an offset against the established DAC asset. We refer to this offset as a premium deficiency charge.
To calculate the premium deficiency charge by line of business, we estimate an expected loss and loss settlement expense ratio which is based on our best estimate of future losses for each line of business. This calculation is performed on a quarterly basis and developed in conjunction with our quarterly reserving process. The expected loss and loss settlement expense ratios are the only assumptions we utilize in our premium deficiency calculation. Changes in these assumptions can have a significant impact on the amount of premium deficiency charge recognized for a line of business. The premium deficiency calculation is aggregated by line of business in a manner consistent with how the policies are currently being marketed and managed.
The following table illustrates the hypothetical impact on the premium deficiency charge recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, of reasonably likely changes in the assumed loss and loss settlement expense ratios utilized for purposes of this calculation. The entire impact of these changes would be recognized through income as other underwriting expenses. The following table illustrates the impact of potential changes in the expected loss and loss settlement expense ratios for all lines of business on the premium deficiency charge. The base amount indicated below is the actual premium deficiency charge recorded as an offset against the DAC asset established as of the quarter ended December 31, 2022:
| Sensitivity Analysis — Impact of Changes in Projected Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | -10% | -5% | Base | +5% | +10% | |||||||||||||
| Premium deficiency charge estimated | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 889 | $ | 5,699 | $ | 13,801 |
Actual future results could differ materially from our assumptions used to calculate the recorded DAC asset. Changes in our assumed loss and loss settlement expense ratios in the future would impact the amount of deferred costs in the period such changes in assumptions are made. The premium deficiency charge calculated for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 was $0.9 million compared to the premium deficiency charge of $2.9 million calculated for the same period of 2021.
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
Reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses are reported using our best estimate of ultimate liability for claims that occurred prior to the end of any given reporting period but have not yet been paid. Before credit for reinsurance recoverables, these reserves were $1,497.3 million and $1,514.3 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We purchase reinsurance to mitigate the impact of large losses and catastrophic events. Loss and loss
55
Table of Contents
settlement expense reserves ceded to reinsurers were $146.9 million for 2022 and $112.9 million for 2021. Our reserves, before credit for reinsurance recoverables, by line of business as of December 31, 2022, were as follows:
| (In Thousands) | Case Basis | IBNR | Loss Settlement Expense | Total Reserves | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 91,386 | $ | 44,211 | $ | 20,773 | $ | 156,370 | ||||||
| Other liability | 363,143 | 221,303 | 173,082 | 757,528 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | 245,140 | 35,021 | 32,233 | 312,394 | ||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 113,652 | 8,765 | 16,497 | 138,914 | ||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 10,036 | 853 | 392 | 11,281 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 1,225 | 540 | 210 | 1,975 | ||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | $ | 824,582 | $ | 310,693 | $ | 243,187 | $ | 1,378,462 | ||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||
| Automobile | $ | 4,104 | $ | 22 | $ | 415 | $ | 4,541 | ||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 4,699 | 1,488 | 604 | 6,791 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 76 | 415 | 96 | 587 | ||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 8,879 | $ | 1,925 | $ | 1,115 | $ | 11,919 | ||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | 45,518 | 60,787 | 588 | 106,893 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 878,979 | $ | 373,405 | $ | 244,890 | $ | 1,497,274 |
Case-Basis Reserves
For each of our lines of business, with respect to reported claims, we establish reserves on a case-by-case basis. Our experienced claims personnel estimate these case-basis reserves using adjusting guidelines established by management. Our goal is to set the case-basis reserves at the ultimate expected loss amount as soon as possible after information about the claim becomes available.
Establishing the case reserve for an individual claim is subjective and complex, requiring us to estimate future payments and values that will be sufficient to settle an individual claim. Setting a reserve for an individual claim is an inherently uncertain process. When we establish and adjust individual claim reserves, we do so based on our knowledge of the circumstances and facts of the claim. Upon notice of a claim, we establish a preliminary (average claim cost) reserve based on the limited claim information initially reported. Subsequently, we conduct an investigation of each reported claim, which allows us to more fully understand the factors contributing to the loss and our potential exposure. This investigation may extend over a long period of time. As our claim investigation progresses, and as our claims personnel identify trends in claims activity, we may refine and adjust our estimates of case reserves. To evaluate and refine our overall reserving process, we track and monitor all claims until they are settled and paid in full, with all salvage and subrogation claims being resolved.
Most of our insurance policies are written on an occurrence basis that provides coverage if a loss occurs during the policy period, even if the insured reports the loss many years later. For example, some liability claims for construction defect coverage are reported 10 years or more after the policy period, and the workers' compensation coverage provided by our policies pays unlimited medical benefits for the duration of the claimant's injury up to the lifetime of the claimant. In addition, final settlement of certain claims can be delayed for years due to litigation or other reasons. Reserves for these claims require us to estimate future costs, including the effect of judicial actions, litigation trends and medical cost inflation, among others. Reserve development can occur over time as conditions and circumstances change many years after the policy was issued and/or the loss occurred.
Our loss reserves include amounts related to both short-tail and long-tail lines of business. "Tail" refers to the time period between the occurrence of a loss and the ultimate settlement of the claim. A short-tail insurance product is one where ultimate losses are known and settled comparatively quickly. Ultimate losses under a long-tail insurance
56
Table of Contents
product are sometimes not known and settled for many years. The longer the time span between the incidence of a loss and the settlement of the claim, the more the ultimate settlement amount can vary from the reserves initially established. Accordingly, long-tail insurance products can have significant implications on the reserving process.
Our short-tail lines of business include fire and allied lines, homeowners, commercial property, auto physical damage and inland marine. The amounts of the case-based reserves that we establish for claims in these lines depend upon various factors, such as individual claim facts (including type of coverage and severity of loss), our historical loss experience and trends in general economic conditions (including changes in replacement costs, medical costs and inflation).
For short-tail lines of business, the estimation of case-basis loss reserves is less complex than for long-tail lines because the claims relate to tangible property. Because of the relatively short time from claim occurrence to settlement, actual losses typically do not vary significantly from reserve estimates.
Our long-tail lines of business include workers' compensation and other liability. In addition, certain product lines such as commercial auto, commercial multi-peril and surety include both long-tail coverages and short-tail coverages. For many long-tail liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years, may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement of the claim. As a result, loss experience in the more recent accident years for the long-tail liability coverages has limited statistical credibility in our reserving process because a relatively small proportion of losses in these accident years are reported claims and an even smaller proportion are paid losses. In addition, long-tail liability claims are more susceptible to litigation and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment. Consequently, the estimation of loss reserves for long-tail coverages is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability than for short-tail coverages.
The amounts of the case-basis loss reserves that we establish for claims in long-tail lines of business depends upon various factors, including individual claim facts (including type of coverage, severity of loss and underlying policy limits), company historical loss experience, changes in underwriting practice, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages, changes in political attitudes and trends in general economic conditions, including inflation. As with our short-tail lines of business, we review and make changes to long-tail case-based reserves based on our review of continually evolving facts as they become available to us during the claims settlement process. Our adjustments to case-based reserves are reported in the financial statements in the period that new information arises about the claim. Examples of facts that become known that could cause us to change our case-based reserves include, but are not limited to: evidence that loss severity is different than previously assessed; new claimants who have presented claims; and the assessment that no coverage exists.
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves
On a quarterly basis, the Company's actuarial staff and consultants perform a detailed analysis of IBNR reserves. This analysis uses various loss projection methods to provide several estimates of ultimate loss (or LAE) for each individual year and line of business. The loss projection methods include paid loss development; reported loss development; expected loss emergence based on paid losses; and expected loss emergence based on reported losses. The two methods utilized by our actuarial team to project loss settlement expenses are paid expenses development and development of the ratio of paid expense versus paid loss. Results of the projection methods are compared and a point estimate of ultimate loss (or LAE) is established for each individual year and line of business. The specific projection methods used to establish point estimates vary depending on what is deemed most appropriate for a particular line of business and year. Results of these methods are usually averaged together to provide a final point estimate. Given that there are several inputs depending on the line of business, the methods may be averaged and modified based on changes known to management or trends in the market. IBNR estimates are derived by subtracting reported loss from the final point estimate loss.
Senior management meets with our actuarial team and controller quarterly to review the adequacy of carried IBNR reserves based on results from this actuarial analysis and makes adjustments for changes in business and other factors not completely captured by the data within the actuarial analysis. There are two fundamental types or sources of IBNR reserves. We record IBNR for "normal" types of claims and also specific IBNR reserves related to unique
57
Table of Contents
circumstances or events. A major hurricane is an example of an event that might necessitate specific IBNR reserves because an analysis of existing historical data would not provide an appropriate estimate. This method of establishing our IBNR reserves has consistently resulted in aggregate reserve levels that management believes are reasonable in comparison to the reserve estimates indicated by the actuarial analysis.
For our short-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a small portion of the overall reserves. These claims are generally reported and settled shortly after the loss occurs. In our long-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a relatively higher proportion of total reserves, because, for many liability claims, significant periods of time may elapse between the initial occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us, and the ultimate settlement of the claim.
Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
Loss settlement expense reserves include amounts ultimately allocable to individual claims, as well as amounts required for the general overhead of the claims handling operation that are not specifically allocable to individual claims. We do not establish loss settlement expense reserves on a claim-by-claim basis. Instead, on a quarterly basis, our internal actuary performs a detailed statistical analysis (using historical data) to estimate the required reserve for unpaid loss settlement expenses. On a monthly basis, the required reserve estimate is adjusted to reflect additional earned exposure and expense payments that have occurred subsequent to completion of the quarterly analysis.
LAE is composed of two distinct kinds of expenses which are allocated LAE ("ALAE") and unallocated LAE ("ULAE"). These two expense types have different purposes and characteristics which necessitates different estimation methods in order to provide a valid quarterly estimate of the required reserve for unpaid expense which is generally referred to as an LAE IBNR reserve.
Reserves for unpaid ALAE are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using three methods: (1) Paid development, (2) Expected emergence of ALAE, and (3) Development of the ratio of paid ALAE to paid loss. Each of the three methods produces an estimate of the ultimate ALAE cost for an individual accident year and the final estimate is generally a weighted average of the various methods. Inception to date paid ALAE is subtracted from the final ultimate ALAE estimate to provide the estimated ALAE IBNR reserve for each individual accident year.
Reserves for unpaid ULAE are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using a single method. This method consists of applying a percentage factor to unpaid loss reserves. The percentage factor used differs by line of business and is evaluated and established on an annual basis using year-end data. The percentage factor is evaluated and selected after reviewing the ratio of paid ULAE to paid loss using calendar year data for the most recent five years.
Generally, the loss settlement expense reserves for long-tail lines of business are a greater portion of the overall reserves, as there are often substantial legal fees and other costs associated with the complex liability claims that are associated with long-tail coverages. Because short-tail lines of business settle much more quickly and the costs are easier to determine, loss settlement expense reserves for such claims constitute a smaller portion of the total reserves.
Reinsurance Reserves
The estimation of assumed and ceded reinsurance loss and loss settlement expense reserves is subject to the same factors as the estimation of loss and loss settlement expense reserves. In addition to those factors, which give rise to inherent uncertainties in establishing loss and loss settlement expense reserves, there exists a delay in our receipt of reported claims for assumed business due to the procedure of having claims first reported through one or more intermediary insurers or reinsurers.
Reserves for assumed reinsurance are established using methods and techniques identical to those used for direct lines of business. The additional delay inherent in assumed reinsurance reporting is considered in our reserving
58
Table of Contents
process and payment is not problematic. Assumed reinsurance, like every independent line of business, has unique reporting and payment patterns that are reviewed as part of the reserve estimation process.
There are three distinct types of reserves ceded to reinsurers: (1) reported claim reserves, (2) loss IBNR, and (3) LAE IBNR. Ceded reserves for reported claims are calculated by subtracting the primary retention from the claim value established by our claim adjuster. Ceded loss IBNR originates from our boiler and machinery business which is 100 percent reinsured. For this business ceded loss IBNR is equal to direct loss IBNR. Boiler and machinery business is included in our commercial fire and allied line of business. We will cede some LAE expenses when we cede loss. Our ceded LAE IBNR is estimated based on our ceded unpaid loss reserves and the general relation, by line of business, between LAE and loss. Our primary retention was $2.0 million for 2012 through 2015, increased to $2.5 million from 2016 through 2021, and increased again to $3.0 million beginning in 2022.
Key Assumptions
Our internal and external actuaries and management use a number of key assumptions in establishing an estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, including the following assumptions: future loss settlement expenses can be estimated based on the Company's historical ratios of loss settlement expenses paid to losses; the Company's case-basis reserves reflect the most up-to-date information available about the unique circumstances of each individual claim; no new judicial decisions or regulatory actions will increase our case-basis obligations; historical aggregate claim reporting and payment patterns will continue into the future consistent with the observable past; significant unique and unusual claim events have been identified and appropriate adjustments have been made; and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no new latent trends that would impact our case-basis reserves.
Our key assumptions are subject to change as actual claims occur and as we gain additional information about the variables that underlie our assumptions. Accordingly, management reviews and updates these assumptions periodically to ensure that the assumptions continue to be valid. If necessary, management makes changes not only in the estimates derived from the use of these assumptions, but also in the assumptions themselves. Due to the inherent uncertainty in the loss reserving process, management believes that there is a reasonable chance that modification to key assumptions could individually, or in aggregate, result in reserve levels that are either significantly above or below the actual amount for which the related claims will eventually settle.
As an example, if our loss and loss settlement expense reserves of $1,497.3 million as of December 31, 2022, is 10.0 percent inadequate, we would experience a reduction in future pre-tax earnings of up to $149.7 million. This reduction could be recorded in one year or multiple years, depending on when we identify the deficiency. The deficiency would also affect our financial position in that our equity would be reduced by an amount equivalent to the reduction in net income. Any deficiency that would be recognized in our loss and loss settlement expense reserves usually does not have a material effect on our liquidity because the claims have not been paid. Conversely, if our estimates of ultimate unpaid loss and loss settlement expense reserves prove to be redundant, our future earnings and financial position would be improved. We believe our reserving philosophy, coupled with what we believe to be aggressive and successful claims management and loss settlement practices, has resulted in year-to-year redundancies in reserves. We believe our approach produces recorded reserves that are reasonable as to their relative position within a range of reasonable reserves from year-to-year.
We are unable to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in our key assumptions utilized to establish individual case-basis reserves on our total reported reserves because the impact of these changes would be unique to each specific case-basis reserve established. However, based on historical experience, we believe that aggregate case-basis reserve volatility levels of 5.0 percent and 10.0 percent can be attributed to the ultimate development of our net case-basis reserves. The impact to pre-tax earnings would be a decrease if the reserves were to be adjusted upwards and an increase if the reserves were to be adjusted downwards. The table below details the impact of this development volatility on our reported net case-basis reserves at December 31, 2022:
59
Table of Contents
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in level of net case-basis reserve development | 5% | 10% | ||||
| Impact on reported net case-basis reserves | $ | 39,399 | $ | 78,797 |
Due to the formula-based nature of our IBNR and loss settlement expense reserve calculations, changes in the key assumptions utilized to generate these reserves can impact our reported results. It is not possible to isolate and measure the potential impact of just one of these factors, and future loss trends could be partially impacted by all factors concurrently. Nevertheless, it is meaningful to view the sensitivity of the reserves to potential changes in these variables such as claim frequency and severity. To demonstrate the sensitivity of reserves to changes in significant assumptions, the following example is presented. The amounts reflect the pre-tax impact on earnings from a hypothetical percentage change in the calculation of IBNR and loss settlement expense reserves at December 31, 2022. The impact to pre-tax earnings would be a decrease if the reserves were to be adjusted upwards and an increase if the reserves were to be adjusted downwards. We believe that the changes presented are reasonably likely based upon an analysis of our historical IBNR and loss settlement expense reserve experience.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in claim frequency and claim severity assumptions | 5% | 10% | ||||
| Impact due to change in IBNR reserving assumptions | $ | 16,299 | $ | 32,598 |
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in LAE paid to losses paid ratio | 1% | 2% | ||||
| Impact due to change in LAE reserving assumptions | $ | 2,364 | $ | 4,729 |
In 2022, we did not change the key method through which we develop our assumptions on which we based our reserving calculations. In estimating our 2022 loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we did not anticipate future events or conditions that were inconsistent with past development patterns.
Certain of our lines of business are subject to the potential for greater loss and loss settlement expense development than others, which are discussed below:
Other Liability Reserves
Other liability is considered a long-tail line of business, as it can take a relatively long period of time to settle claims from prior accident years. This is partly due to the lag time between the date a loss or event occurs that triggers coverage and the date when the claim is actually reported. Defense costs are also a part of the insured expenses covered by liability policies and can be significant, sometimes greater than the cost of the actual paid claims. For the majority of our products, defense costs are outside of the policy limit, meaning that the amounts paid for defense costs are not subtracted from the available policy limit.
Factors that can cause reserve uncertainty in estimating reserves in this line include: reporting time lags; the number of parties involved in the underlying tort action; whether the "event" triggering coverage is confined to only one time period or is spread over multiple time periods; the potential dollars involved in the individual claim actions; whether such claims were reasonably foreseeable and intended to be covered at the time the contracts were written (i.e., coverage disputes); and the potential for mass claim actions.
Claims with longer reporting time lags may result in greater inherent risk. This is especially true for alleged claims with a latency feature, particularly where courts have ruled that coverage is spread over multiple policy years, hence involving multiple defendants (and their insurers and reinsurers) and multiple policies (thereby increasing the potential dollars involved and the underlying settlement complexity). Claims with long latencies also increase the potential time lag between writing a policy in a certain market and the recognition that such policy has potential mass tort and/or latent claim exposure.
60
Table of Contents
Our reserve for other liability claims at December 31, 2022 was $757.5 million and consisted of 4,860 claims, compared with $671.0 million, consisting of 5,113 claims at December 31, 2021. Of the $757.5 million total reserve for other liability claims, $117.0 million is identified as defense costs and $56.1 million is identified as general overhead required in the settlement of claims.
Included in the other liability line of business are gross reserves for construction defect losses and loss settlement expenses. Construction defect is a liability allegation relating to defective work performed in the construction of structures such as commercial buildings, apartments, condominiums, single family dwellings or other housing, as well as the sale of defective building materials. These claims seek recovery due to damage caused by alleged deficient construction techniques or workmanship. The reporting of such claims can be delayed, as the statute of limitations can be up to 10 years. Court decisions in recent years have expanded insurers' exposure to construction defect claims. As a result, claims may be reported more than 10 years after a project has been completed, as litigation can proceed for several years before an insurance company is identified as a potential contributor. Claims have also emerged from parties claiming additional insured status on policies issued to other parties, such as contractors seeking coverage from a subcontractor's policy.
In addition to these issues, other variables also contribute to a high degree of uncertainty in establishing reserves for construction defect claims. These variables include: whether coverage exists; when losses occur; the size of each loss; expectations for future interpretive rulings concerning contract provisions; and the extent to which the assertion of these claims will expand geographically. In recent years, we have implemented various underwriting measures that we anticipate will mitigate the amount of construction defect losses experienced. These initiatives include increased care regarding additional insured endorsements; stricter underwriting guidelines on the writing of residential contractors; and an increased utilization of loss control.
Asbestos and Environmental Reserves
Included in the other liability and assumed reinsurance lines of business are reserves for asbestos and other environmental losses and loss settlement expenses. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had $1.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively, in direct and assumed asbestos and environmental loss reserves. The estimation of loss reserves for environmental claims and claims related to long-term exposure to asbestos and other substances is one of the most difficult aspects of establishing reserves, especially given the inherent uncertainties surrounding such claims. Although we record our best estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, the ultimate amounts paid upon settlement of such claims may be more or less than the amount of the reserves, because of the significant uncertainties involved and the likelihood that these uncertainties will not be resolved for many years.
Commercial Auto Reserves
Commercial auto claim reserves are established at exposure based on information either known and provided or obtained through the investigation, with some pessimism built in. Incorporated are the perspective and experience the claims staff has acquired, which may include assumptions as to how the claim will develop over time, and with a slightly pessimistic view. Exposures are identified and reserves established within 30 to 60 days depending on the complexity of the case.
Workers' Compensation Reserves
Like the other liability line of business, workers' compensation losses and loss settlement expense reserves are based upon variables that create imprecision in estimating the ultimate reserve. Estimates for workers' compensation are particularly sensitive to assumptions about medical cost inflation, which has been steadily increasing over the past few years. Other variables that we consider and that contribute to the uncertainty in establishing reserves for workers' compensation claims include: state legislative and regulatory environments; trends in jury awards; and mortality rates. Because of these variables, the process of reserving for the ultimate loss and loss settlement expense to be incurred requires the use of informed judgment and is inherently uncertain. Consequently, actual loss and loss settlement expense reserves may deviate from our estimates. Such deviations may be significant. Our reserve for workers' compensation claims at December 31, 2022 was $138.9 million and consisted of 1,414 claims, compared with $167.1 million, consisting of 2,028 claims, at December 31, 2021.
61
Table of Contents
Reserve Development
The following reserve development section should be read in conjunction with the "Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020" section of this Item 7.
In 2022, we recognized an unfavorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years totaling $12.9 million and favorable $48.9 million and $17.7 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Unfavorable development in 2022 was driven by leveraging deeper data insights and emerging claim experience on longer tailed lines where the most uncertainty in the reserving process exists. Our actions were focused on other liability lines, including excess umbrella business and construction defect, where increased loss exposure in these longer tailed businesses are also subject to social and economic inflation. This was offset by continued favorable development in commercial auto which has seen consistent releases over the past two years.
Other factors contributing to our development include: establishing reserves at their ultimate expected loss amount as soon as practicable after information becomes available, which produces, on average, conservative case reserves; using claims negotiation to control the size of settlements; assuming that we have liability for all claims, even though the issue of liability may, in some cases, be resolved in our favor; promoting claims management services to encourage return-to-work programs; case management by nurses for serious injuries and management of medical provider services and billings; and using programs and services to help prevent fraud and to assist in favorably resolving cases.
Based upon our comparison of carried reserves to actual claims experience over the last several years, we believe that using our Company's historical premium and claims data to establish reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses results in adequate and reasonable reserves. Reserve development is discussed in more detail under the heading "Reserve Development" in the "Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020" section in this Item 7.
The following table details the pre-tax impact on our property and casualty insurance business' financial results and financial condition of reasonably likely reserve development. Our lines of business that have historically been most susceptible to significant volatility in reserve development have been shown separately and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 5.0 percent and 10.0 percent. Our other, less volatile, lines of business have been aggregated and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 3.0 percent and 5.0 percent.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -10% | -5% | +5% | +10% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Other liability | $ | (75,753) | $ | (37,876) | $ | 37,876 | $ | 75,753 | ||||||
| Workers' compensation | (13,891) | (6,946) | 6,946 | 13,891 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | (31,694) | (15,847) | 15,847 | 31,694 | ||||||||||
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -5% | -3% | +3% | +5% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| All other lines | $ | (14,195) | $ | (8,517) | $ | 8,517 | $ | 14,195 |
Independent Actuary
We engage an independent actuarial firm to render an opinion as to the reasonableness of the statutory reserves that are established by management. During 2022 and 2021, we engaged the services of Regnier as our independent actuarial firm for the property and casualty insurance business. We anticipate that this engagement will continue in 2023.
62
Table of Contents
It is management's policy to utilize staff adjusters to develop our estimate of case-basis loss reserves. IBNR and loss settlement expense reserves are established through various formulae that utilize pertinent, recent Company historical data. The calculations are supplemented with knowledge of current trends and events that could result in adjustments to the level of IBNR and loss settlement expense reserves. On a quarterly basis, we compare our estimate of total reserves to the estimates prepared by Regnier by line of business to ensure that our estimates are within the actuary's acceptable range. Regnier performs a review of loss and loss settlement expense reserves at each year end using generally accepted actuarial guidelines to ensure that the recorded reserves appear reasonable. Our reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance recoverables, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $1,350.4 million and $1,401.4 million, respectively. In 2022 and 2021, after considering the independent actuary's range of reasonable estimates, management believes that carried reserves were reasonable and therefore did not adjust the recorded amount.
Regnier uses four projection methods in its actuarial analysis of our loss reserves and uses two projection methods in its actuarial analysis of our loss settlement expense reserves. Based on the results of the projection methods, the actuaries select an actuarial point estimate of the reserves, which is compared to our carried reserves to evaluate the reasonableness of the carried reserves. The four methods utilized by Regnier to project losses are: paid loss development; reported loss development; expected loss emergence based on paid losses; and expected loss emergence based on reported losses. The two methods utilized by Regnier to project loss expenses are: paid expenses-to-paid loss and paid expense-to-ultimate loss.
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Obligations
The process of estimating our pension and post-retirement benefit obligations and related benefit expense is inherently uncertain, and the actual cost of benefits may vary materially from the estimates recorded. These liabilities are particularly volatile due to their long-term nature and are based on several assumptions. The main assumptions used in the valuation of our benefit obligations are: estimated mortality of the employees and retirees eligible for benefits; estimated expected long-term rates of return on investments; estimated compensation increases; estimated employee turnover; estimated medical expense trend rate; and estimated rate used to discount the ultimate estimated liability to a present value. We engage a consulting actuary from Principal Financial Group, an independent firm, to assist in evaluating and establishing assumptions used in the valuation of our benefit obligations.
A change in any one or more of these assumptions is likely to result in an ultimate liability different from the original actuarial estimate. Such changes in estimates may be material. For example, a 100 basis point decrease in our estimated discount rate would increase the benefit obligation at December 31, 2022 by $28.2 million while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease the benefit obligation $22.9 million.
A 100 basis point decrease in our estimated long-term rate of return on pension plan assets would increase the benefit expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 by $2.2 million, while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease benefit expense by $2.2 million, for the same period.
The post-retirement benefit obligation is $0 at December 31, 2022 due to the plan closure at the end of 2022.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Information specific to accounting standards that we adopted in 2022 or pending accounting standards that we expect to adopt in the future is incorporated by reference from Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" contained in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000101199-22-000027.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Amounts (except per share amounts) are presented in thousands, unless otherwise noted.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
It is important to note that our actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Please refer to "Forward-Looking Information" and Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this report for information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Originally founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc. and its consolidated insurance company subsidiaries provide insurance protection for individuals and businesses through several regional companies. Our property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries are licensed in 50 states plus the District of Columbia and are represented by approximately 1,000 independent agencies.
Reportable Segments
Our property and casualty insurance business operates and reports as one business segment. For more information, refer to Part I, Item 1 "Business" under "General Description."
Pooling Arrangement
All of our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries are members of an intercompany reinsurance pooling arrangement. The Company's pooling arrangement permits the participating companies to rely on the capacity of the entire pool's capital and surplus, rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with each participant’s own surplus level.
Geographic Concentration
Property and Casualty Insurance Business
For 2021, approximately 50.0 percent of our property and casualty premiums were written in Texas, California, Iowa, Missouri and New Jersey.
30
Table of Contents
In 2021, 2020 and 2019 the direct statutory premiums written by our property and casualty insurance operations were distributed as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | % of Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||
| Texas | $ | 158,676 | $ | 192,841 | $ | 205,420 | 17.4 | % | 18.1 | % | 18.0 | % | |||
| California | 119,171 | 127,168 | 129,850 | 13.1 | 11.9 | 11.4 | |||||||||
| Iowa | 73,097 | 91,176 | 96,052 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 8.4 | |||||||||
| Missouri | 55,693 | 72,527 | 73,735 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 6.4 | |||||||||
| New Jersey | 49,468 | 53,406 | 51,539 | 5.4 | 5.0 | 4.5 | |||||||||
| Louisiana | 39,280 | 45,168 | 46,827 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.1 | |||||||||
| Colorado | 38,761 | 46,394 | 54,907 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.8 | |||||||||
| Minnesota | 35,697 | 39,501 | 47,890 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 4.2 | |||||||||
| South Dakota | 30,429 | 35,166 | 35,036 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.1 | |||||||||
| Illinois | 29,755 | 39,562 | 40,443 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 3.5 | |||||||||
| All Other States | 281,485 | 322,409 | 361,673 | 30.9 | 30.3 | 31.6 | |||||||||
| Direct Statutory Premiums Written | $ | 911,512 | $ | 1,065,318 | $ | 1,143,372 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Sources of Revenue and Expense
We evaluate profit or loss based upon operating and investment results. Profit or loss described in the following sections of this Management's Discussion and Analysis is reported on a pre-tax basis. Our primary sources of revenue are premiums and investment income. Major categories of expenses include losses and loss settlement expenses, underwriting and other operating expenses.
Profit Factors
Our profitability is influenced by many factors, including price, competition, economic conditions, investment returns, interest rates, catastrophic events and other natural disasters, man-made disasters, state regulations, court decisions, and changes in the law. To manage these risks and uncertainties, we seek to achieve consistent profitability through strong agency relationships, exceptional customer service, fair and prompt claims handling, disciplined underwriting, superior loss control services, prudent management of our investments, appropriate matching of assets and liabilities, effective use of ceded reinsurance and effective and efficient use of technology.
COVID-19
The spread of the COVID-19 virus, beginning in mid-March 2020, caused significant financial market volatility, economic uncertainty and interruptions to normal business activities. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on day-to-day life, financial markets and the economy in the United States. The Company, in response to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, activated its pre-existing business continuity plans to respond to a pandemic in mid-March 2020. With the exception of our essential services employees, UFG dispatched its staff to work remotely for the safety, health and well-being of our employees. We have been and continue to be fully operational during the pandemic. In the second half of 2021, we gave employees the option to work fully remote, a hybrid schedule or return to the workplace 100 percent of the time depending on the position and with manager approval. Our employees who are working in the office are following recommended health and safety policies. We continue to evaluate our plan and will make any necessary adjustments in light of the emergence of variant strains and current case counts where our offices are located. We have implemented and will continue to implement any safety measures necessary for the safety and health of our employees.
The implementation of our business continuity plans did not have a material effect on our internal control environment. We believe our operational processes, internal controls over financial reporting and disclosures, and financial reporting systems are operating effectively in the present environment.
31
Table of Contents
Nearly all of the policies we have issued contain contract language that specifically excludes business interruption coverage for losses due to viruses such as the COVID-19 pandemic, but we continue to carefully scrutinize each claim and intend to afford coverage when appropriate. At this time, we expect the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on claims currently under our coverages to be manageable, based on the information presently available. However, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of variant strains, continue to evolve and we cannot predict the extent to which our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity will ultimately be impacted. Additionally, if established written contract policy exclusions of business interruption coverage for losses attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic are voided or changed through legislation, regulations or interpretations by the courts, such changes have the potential to materially increase claims, losses and legal expenses which could impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
We believe our current liquidity position is sufficient to maintain our current operations and we have the ability to draw on our credit facility if needed. See Part II, Item 8, Note 13 "Debt" for more information. Our share repurchase program was suspended in mid-March 2020 and restarted in the first quarter of 2021. Also, the Company maintained the payment of quarterly cash dividends during 2020 and 2021, with the dividends paid in December 2021 marking the 215th consecutive quarter of paying dividends since March 1968.
Stockholders' equity increased to $879.1 million at December 31, 2021, from $825.1 million at December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily attributed to a net income of $80.6 million and change in liability for employee benefit plans of $20.7 million, partially offset by shareholder dividends of $15.1 million and a decrease in net unrealized investment gains on fixed maturity securities of $33.3 million, net of tax.
We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment at least on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets may exceed their implied fair value. Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level, for which we have one reporting unit level. Any impairment is charged to operations in the period that the impairment is identified. During the third quarter of 2020, we completed our annual quantitative analysis of goodwill. As a result of the quantitative analysis, we impaired the remaining balance of our goodwill of $15.1 million as of September 30, 2020 based on the following factors: (i) disruptions in the equity markets, specifically for property and casualty insurance companies, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and due to recent weather related catastrophes; (ii) recent elevated commercial auto loss ratios; and (iii) the fair value of our stock trading significantly below book value. The Company used a weighting of the income and market approaches to determine the fair value of the reporting unit.
As of December 31, 2021, we intend to keep all assets currently leased and honor the terms of the contracts. Also, we have four lease contracts where we are the lessor which we evaluated for impairment. As of December 31, 2021, all payments on these contracts had been received and we fully expect to receive all future payments on time. In the event that we receive any lease-related relief provided to mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we elect not to evaluate whether or not the relief represents a lease modification.
The decline in certain sectors of the equity markets in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic did have a material impact on the fair value of our investments in equity securities and limited liability partnerships. The Company's investment philosophy, objectives, approach and program have not changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2021 we had a recovery in the fair value of equity securities of $47.4 million and an increase in value of our investments in limited liability partnerships of $9.7 million from the values reported at December 31, 2020.
The Company has a highly rated fixed maturity portfolio, with low credit risk. The Company recognized a decrease in unrealized gains of $33.3 million, net of tax, at December 31, 2021 on its available-for-sale fixed maturity portfolio due to a decrease in the size of the fixed maturity portfolio and an increase in interest rates. In addition, we adopted new accounting guidance on January 1, 2020, which changes the measurement of credit losses for our investment in available-for-sale fixed maturities and our mortgage loans and also impacts our reinsurance receivables. The adoption of this new guidance resulted in an immaterial allowance for credit losses to be recorded for each of these assets on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2021. For more information on credit losses, please
32
Table of Contents
refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and Note 2 "Summary of Investments" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
MEASUREMENT OF RESULTS
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis of GAAP. We also prepare financial statements for each of our insurance company subsidiaries based on statutory accounting principles and file them with insurance regulatory authorities in the states where they do business.
Management evaluates our operations by monitoring key measures of growth and profitability. We believe that disclosure of certain non-GAAP financial measures enhances investor understanding of our financial performance. The following provides further explanation of the key measures management uses to evaluate our results:
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 expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. According to the ISO, a catastrophe loss is defined as a single unpredictable incident or series of closely related incidents that result in $25.0 million or more in U.S. industry-wide direct insured losses to property and that affect a significant number of insureds and insurers ("ISO catastrophe"). In addition to ISO catastrophes, we also include as catastrophes those events ("non-ISO catastrophes"), which may include U.S. or international losses, that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Management, at times, may determine for comparison purposes of our financial results that it is more meaningful to exclude extraordinary catastrophe losses and resulting litigation. The frequency and severity of catastrophic losses we experience in any year affect our results of operations and financial position. In analyzing the underwriting performance of our property and casualty insurance business, we evaluate performance both including and excluding catastrophe losses. Portions of our catastrophe losses may be recoverable under our catastrophe reinsurance agreements. We include a discussion of the impact of catastrophes because we believe it is meaningful for investors to understand the variability in our periodic earnings.
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| ISO catastrophes | $ | 83,387 | $ | 141,425 | $ | 56,357 | ||||
| Non-ISO catastrophes (1) | 15,230 | 579 | 8,011 | |||||||
| Total catastrophes | $ | 98,617 | $ | 142,004 | $ | 64,368 |
(1) Includes international assumed losses.
33
Table of Contents
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, 2020 AND 2019
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
| Years Ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | vs. 2020 | vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 962,823 | $ | 1,055,082 | $ | 1,086,972 | (8.7) | % | (2.9) | % | |||||||
| Investment income, net of investment expenses | 55,778 | 39,670 | 60,414 | 40.6 | (34.3) | ||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | 47,383 | (32,395) | 53,779 | (246.3) | NM | ||||||||||||
| Other income | 207 | 6,270 | — | (96.7) | NM | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,066,191 | $ | 1,068,627 | $ | 1,201,165 | (0.2) | % | (11.0) | % | |||||||
| Benefits, losses and expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss settlement expenses | $ | 652,155 | $ | 869,467 | $ | 830,172 | (25.0) | % | 4.7 | % | |||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 203,432 | 210,252 | 216,699 | (3.2) | (3.0) | ||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 110,574 | 143,332 | 137,415 | (22.9) | 4.3 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | — | 15,091 | — | (100.0) | NM | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 3,187 | — | — | NM | — | ||||||||||||
| Total benefits, losses and expenses | $ | 969,348 | $ | 1,238,142 | $ | 1,184,286 | (21.7) | % | 4.5 | % | |||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 96,843 | $ | (169,515) | $ | 16,879 | (157.1) | NM | |||||||||
| Federal income tax expense (benefit) | 16,249 | (56,809) | 2,059 | (128.6) | NM | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 80,594 | $ | (112,706) | $ | 14,820 | (171.5) | NM | |||||||||
| GAAP Ratios: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss ratio (without catastrophes) | 57.5 | % | 68.9 | % | 70.5 | % | (16.5) | % | (2.3) | % | |||||||
| Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio | 10.2 | % | 13.5 | % | 5.9 | % | (24.4) | % | 128.8 | % | |||||||
| Net loss ratio(1) | 67.7 | % | 82.4 | % | 76.4 | % | (17.8) | % | 7.9 | % | |||||||
| Expense ratio(2) | 32.6 | % | 33.5 | % | 32.6 | % | (2.7) | % | 2.8 | % | |||||||
| Combined ratio(3) | 100.3 | % | 115.9 | % | 109.0 | % | (13.5) | % | 6.3 | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) The net loss ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss settlement expenses by net premiums earned. We use the net loss ratio as a measure of the overall underwriting profitability of the insurance business we write and to assess the adequacy of our pricing. Our net loss ratio is meaningful in evaluating our financial results as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) The expense ratio is calculated by dividing non-deferred underwriting expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs by net premiums earned. The expense ratio measures a company's operational efficiency in producing, underwriting and administering its insurance business.
(3) The combined ratio is a commonly used financial measure of property and casualty underwriting performance. A combined ratio below 100.0 percent generally indicates a profitable book of business. The combined ratio is the sum of the net loss ratio and the underwriting expense ratio.
Net income reported in 2021 as compared to a net loss in 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in losses and loss settlement expenses, a decrease in other underwriting expenses, an increase in investment income and net investment gains from an increase in the fair value of equity securities, as compared to net investment losses for the same period in 2020. These were partially offset by a decrease in net premiums earned.
In 2020, the decrease in net income compared to 2019 was primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of equity securities, realized losses on sales of equity securities, increases in losses and loss settlement expenses, namely from catastrophe losses and an increase in severity of losses, decrease in net premiums earned, a decrease in net investment income and goodwill impairment.
34
Table of Contents
Premiums
The following table shows our premiums written and earned for 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Years ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | vs. 2020 | vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Direct premiums written | $ | 911,514 | $ | 1,065,318 | $ | 1,143,372 | (14.4) | % | (6.8) | % | |||||||
| Assumed premiums written | 130,375 | 34,371 | 27,869 | 279.3 | 23.3 | ||||||||||||
| Ceded premiums written | (100,541) | (88,339) | (74,511) | 13.8 | 18.6 | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums written(1) | $ | 941,348 | $ | 1,011,350 | $ | 1,096,730 | (6.9) | % | (7.8) | % | |||||||
| Less: change in unearned premiums | 25,112 | 40,317 | (12,244) | (37.7) | NM | ||||||||||||
| Less: change in prepaid reinsurance premiums | (3,637) | 3,415 | 2,486 | (206.5) | 37.4 | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 962,823 | $ | 1,055,082 | $ | 1,086,972 | (8.7) | % | (2.9) | % |
NM = not meaningful
(1) Net premiums written: Net premiums written is a non-GAAP measure. While not a substitute for any GAAP measure of performance, net premiums written is frequently used by industry analysts and other recognized reporting sources to facilitate comparisons of the performance of insurance companies. Net premiums written are the amount charged for insurance policy contracts issued and recognized on an annualized basis at the effective date of the policy. Management believes net premiums written are a meaningful measure for evaluating insurance company sales performance and geographical expansion efforts. Net premiums written for an insurance company consists of direct premiums written and reinsurance assumed, less reinsurance ceded. Net premiums earned is calculated on a pro rata basis over the terms of the respective policies. Unearned premium reserves are established for the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired term of insurance policy in force. The difference between net premiums earned and net premiums written is the change in unearned premiums and change in prepaid reinsurance premiums.
Net Premiums Written
Net premiums written comprise direct and assumed premiums written, less ceded premiums written. Direct premiums written are the total policy premiums, net of cancellations, associated with policies issued and underwritten by our property and casualty insurance business. Assumed premiums written are the total premiums associated with the insurance risk transferred to us by other insurance and reinsurance companies pursuant to reinsurance contracts. Ceded premiums written is the portion of direct premiums written that we cede to our reinsurers under our reinsurance contracts. Net premiums earned are recognized ratably over the life of a policy and differ from net premiums written, which are recognized on the effective date of the policy.
Direct Premiums Written
Direct premiums written decreased $153.8 million in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to our focus on improving profitability through non-renewal of under-performing accounts in our commercial auto line of business and our exit from the personal lines business which began in September 2020. Direct premiums written decreased $78.1 million in 2020 as compared to 2019 primarily due to our focus on improving profitability through non-renewal of underperforming accounts in our commercial auto line of business, sale of the renewal rights of our personal lines business to Nationwide and, to a lesser extent, a reduction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assumed Premiums Written
Assumed premiums written increased $96.0 million in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to growth of our assumed book by the addition of new programs and cedant premium growth.
Assumed premiums written increased $6.5 million in 2020 as compared to 2019 due to growth of our assumed book by the addition of new programs and cedant premium growth.
35
Table of Contents
Ceded Premiums Written
Direct and assumed premiums written are reduced by the ceded premiums that we pay to reinsurers. For 2021, we ceded 13.8 percent more premiums to reinsurers related to the Fund's at Lloyd's agreement offset by a decrease in written premium for ICAT, decrease in reinstatement premium paid for CAT events, and decreased placement of facultative reinsurance. For 2020, we ceded 18.6 percent more premiums to reinsurers as a result of increased placement of facultative reinsurance, continued growth in managing general agency contracts and ceded reinstatement paid.
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
Climate Change and Catastrophe Exposures
Catastrophe losses are inherent risks of the property and casualty insurance business. Catastrophic events include, without limitation, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, hailstorms, wildfires, high winds, winter storms and other natural disasters, along with man-made exposures to losses resulting from, without limitation, acts of war, acts of terrorism and political instability. Such events result in insured losses that can be, and may continue to be, a material factor in our results of operations and financial position, as the extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in an area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Because the level of insured losses that may occur in any one year cannot be accurately predicted, these losses contribute to fluctuations in our year-to-year results of operations and financial position. Some types of catastrophes are more likely to occur at certain times within the year than others, which adds an element of seasonality to our property and casualty insurance claims. Our property and casualty insurance business experiences some seasonality with regard to premiums written, which are generally highest in January and July and lowest during the fourth quarter. Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred tend to remain consistent throughout the year, with the exception of catastrophe losses, which generally are highest in the second and third quarters. The frequency and severity of catastrophic events are difficult to accurately predict in any year. However, some geographic locations are more susceptible to these events than others.
We control our direct insurance exposures in regions that are prone to naturally occurring catastrophic events through a combination of geographic diversification, restrictions on the amount and location of new business production in such regions, and reinsurance. We regularly assess our concentration of risk exposures in natural catastrophe exposed areas and consider the impacts of climate change and the unpredictability of future trends in adjusting our geographic concentrations in emerging areas of the United States. We have strategies and underwriting standards to manage these exposures through individual risk selection, subject to regulatory constraints, and through the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance coverage. We use catastrophe modeling and a risk concentration management tool to monitor and control our accumulations of potential losses in natural catastrophe exposed areas of the United States, such as the Gulf and East Coasts, as well as in areas of exposure in other countries where we are exposed to a portion of an insurer's underwriting risk under our assumed reinsurance contracts.
Overall, the models indicate increased risk estimates for our exposure to hurricanes in the U.S., but the impact of the models on our book of business varies significantly among the regions that we model for hurricanes. Based on our analysis, we have implemented more targeted underwriting and rate initiatives in some regions. We intend to continue to take underwriting actions and/or purchase additional reinsurance as necessary to reduce our exposure.
Catastrophe modeling generally relies on multiple inputs based on experience, science, engineering and history, and the selection of those inputs requires a significant amount of judgment. The modeling results may also fail to account for risks that are outside the range of normal probability or are otherwise unforeseen. Because of this, actual results may differ materially from those derived from our modeling assumptions.
Despite our efforts to manage our catastrophe exposure, the occurrence of one or more severe natural catastrophic events in heavily populated areas could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
36
Table of Contents
The process of estimating and establishing reserves for losses incurred from catastrophic events is inherently uncertain and the actual ultimate cost of a claim, net of reinsurance recoveries, may vary materially from the estimated amount reserved. Although we reinsure a portion of our exposure, reinsurance may prove to be inadequate if a major catastrophic event exceeds our reinsurance limits or if we experience a number of small catastrophic events that individually fall below our reinsurance retention level.
Catastrophe Losses
In 2021, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $98.6 million, a decrease of $43.4 million compared to $142.0 million in 2020 and an increase of $34.2 million as compared to $64.4 million in 2019. In 2021, our catastrophe losses included 58 events. Catastrophe losses in 2021 added 10.2 percentage points to the combined ratio, which is above our historical 10-year average of 7.3 percentage points.
In 2020, our pre-tax catastrophe losses were $142.0 million, an increase of $77.6 million compared to $64.4 million in 2019 and an increase of $95.3 million as compared to $46.7 million in 2018. In 2020, our catastrophe losses included 60 catastrophes with the largest event being the August Midwest derecho. Catastrophe losses in 2020 added 13.5 percentage points to the combined ratio, which is above our historical 10-year average of 7.4 percentage points.
Catastrophe Reinsurance
In 2021, we exceeded our catastrophe reinsurance retention level of $20.0 million with winter storm Uri which caused widespread freezing damages across multiple states in February. Uri was a full retention loss, with losses in excess of our stated reinsurance retention of $20.0 million. Total losses from this storm, including assumed reinsurance, were $28.5 million with $7 million of reinsurance recoveries. In 2021, we also exceeded our catastrophe reinsurance retention level of $20.0 million from further loss development from the April 2020 Midwest hail storm. A majority of the losses occurred in 2020, with the reinsurance retention level reached in 2021.
In 2020, we exceeded our catastrophe reinsurance retention level of $20.0 million with the August Midwest derecho, causing widespread storms and high winds. The August Midwest derecho was a full retention loss, with losses in excess of our stated reinsurance retention of $20.0 million. Total losses from this storm incurred in 2020 were $101.8 million with $81.8 million of reinsurance recoveries. In 2019, we did not exceed our catastrophe reinsurance retention level of $20.0 million per event.
We use many reinsurers, both domestic and foreign, which helps us to avoid concentrations of credit risk associated with our reinsurance. All reinsurers we do business with must meet the following minimum criteria: capital and surplus of at least $300.0 million and an A.M. Best rating or an S&P rating of at least "A-." If a reinsurer is rated by both rating agencies, then both ratings must be at least an "A-."
37
Table of Contents
The following table represents the primary reinsurers we utilize and their financial strength ratings as of December 31, 2021:
| Name of Reinsurer | A.M. Best | S&P Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Reinsurance Company(2) | A+ | A+ |
| General Reinsurance Corporation(2) | A++ | AA+ |
| Hannover Rueckversicherung AG (1) (2) | A+ | AA- |
| Lloyd's | A | A+ |
| Munich Re(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Odyssey Re(2) | A | A- |
| Partner Re(1)(2) | A+ | A+ |
| QBE Reinsurance Corporation(1) | A | A+ |
| SCOR Reinsurance Company(1)(2) | A+ | AA- |
| Toa Re(1) | A | A+ |
| Transatlantic Re(1) | A+ | A+ |
(1)Primary reinsurers participating in the property and casualty excess of loss programs.
(2)Primary reinsurers participating in the surety excess of loss program.
Refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 4 "Reinsurance" for further discussion of our reinsurance programs.
Terrorism Coverage
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 ("TRIPRA") is the fourth reauthorization of the law, which was previously reauthorized in 2005, 2007, and 2015. TRIPRA coverage is effective through December 31, 2027 and preserves the current industry loss trigger of $200 million per year, and gradually increased the industry-wide retention to $37.5 billion per year. TRIPRA coverage includes most direct commercial lines of business, including coverage for losses from nuclear, biological and chemical exposures if coverage was afforded by an insurer, with exclusions for commercial automobile insurance, burglary and theft insurance, surety, professional liability insurance and farm owners multiple peril insurance. Under TRIPRA, each insurer has a deductible amount, which is 20.0 percent of the prior year's direct commercial lines earned premiums for the applicable lines of business, and retention of 15.0 percent above the deductible. No insurer that has met its deductible shall be liable for the payment of any portion of that amount that exceeds the annual aggregate loss cap specified in TRIPRA. TRIPRA provides marketplace stability. As a result, coverage for terrorist events in both the insurance and reinsurance markets is often available. The amount of aggregate losses necessary for an act of terrorism to be certified by the U.S. Secretary of Treasury, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General was $200.0 million for 2021 and remains the same for 2022. Our TRIPRA deductible was $139.8 million for 2021 and our TRIPRA deductible is expected to be $132.6 million for 2022. Our catastrophe and non-catastrophe reinsurance programs provide limited coverage for terrorism exposure excluding nuclear, biological and chemical-related claims.
2021 Results
In 2021, our losses and loss settlement expenses were 25.0 percent lower than 2020 and our net loss ratio decreased 14.7 points. The decrease in losses and loss settlement expenses was primarily due to a decrease in frequency and severity of commercial auto liability losses and comparatively lower catastrophe losses. In 2021, catastrophe losses were $98.6 million in both our direct business and assumed reinsurance business as compared to $142.0 million in 2020.
2020 Results
In 2020, our losses and loss settlement expenses were 4.7 percent higher than 2019 and our net loss ratio increased 6.0 points. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in the severity of losses from social inflation, an increase in catastrophe losses and prior accident year reserve strengthening. With the continued escalation of losses from social inflation, especially with commercial auto and auto liability losses industry wide, we focused on
38
Table of Contents
continuing our strategic plan to reduce the size of our commercial auto book in 2021. By reducing commercial auto exposure units in underperforming accounts and growing more profitable lines of business such as excess and surplus, surety and assumed reinsurance, we achieved a better balance in our portfolio. Catastrophe losses increased to $142.0 million in both our direct business and assumed reinsurance business as compared to $64.4 million in 2019.
Reserve Development
For many liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years, and for certain construction defect claims, more than a decade, may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement or other disposition of the claim. As a result, loss experience in the more recent accident years for the long-tail liability coverages has limited statistical credibility in our reserving process because a relatively small proportion of losses in these accident years are reported claims and an even smaller proportion are paid losses. In addition, long-tail liability claims are more susceptible to litigation and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment. Consequently, the estimation of loss reserves for long-tail coverages is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability. Reserves for these long-tail coverages represent a significant portion of our overall carried reserves.
When establishing reserves and monitoring reserve adequacy, we analyze historical data and consider the potential impact of various loss development factors and trends including historical loss experience, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in imposition of damages, experience with alternative dispute resolution, results of our medical bill review process and changes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. All of these factors influence our estimates of required reserves and for long-tail lines these factors can change over the course of the settlement of the claim. However, there is no precise method for evaluating the specific dollar impact of any individual factor on the development of reserves.
Our reserving philosophy is to reserve claims to their ultimate expected loss amount as soon as practicable after information about a claim becomes available. This approach tends to produce, on average, cautiously pessimistic case reserves, which we expect to result in some level of favorable development over the course of settlement.
2021 Development
The property and casualty insurance business experienced $48.9 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2021. Two lines contributed the majority of favorable development with the largest contribution coming from commercial automobile which had $43.3 million favorable development, followed by workers' compensation which had $10.9 million favorable development. All other individual lines, with the exception of commercial other liability, experienced favorable development. Commercial other liability experienced $20.7 million of unfavorable development. The favorable development for commercial automobile was from both loss and loss adjustment expense ("LAE") where reductions of reserves for unpaid liabilities were more than sufficient to offset actual paid loss and paid LAE. The favorable development for workers compensation was from both loss and LAE and for loss the reductions in reserves for reported claims were more than sufficient to offset paid loss; reductions in reserves for IBNR claims also contributed favorable development in addition to LAE where reductions in reserves more than sufficient to offset payments. Commercial other liability experienced unfavorable development due to paid loss which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss; LAE developed favorably and partially offset the unfavorable loss development.
2020 Development
The property and casualty insurance business experienced $17.7 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2020. Four lines contributed the majority of favorable development with the largest contribution coming from workers' compensation which had $25.4 million favorable development followed by commercial fire and allied lines which had $10.7 million
39
Table of Contents
favorable development. The two other lines which experienced favorable development were fidelity and surety with $2.1 million favorable development and personal automobile with $1.9 million favorable development. The favorable development for workers' compensation was primarily from reductions in reserves for reported claims which were more than sufficient to offset paid loss. Reductions in reserves for IBNR claims also contributed favorable development in addition to LAE where reductions in reserves more than sufficient to offset payments. Commercial fire and allied lines developed favorably because reductions in reserves for reported claims combined with reductions in reserves for IBNR claims were more than sufficient to offset paid loss; LAE also contributed favorable development with reductions in reserves more than sufficient to offset payments. Fidelity and surety loss developed favorably because a reduction in reserves for IBNR claims was more than sufficient to offset both paid loss and increases in reserves for reported claims. The personal automobile line of business developed favorably because reductions of reserves for reported claims combined with reductions of reserves for IBNR claims were more than sufficient to offset paid loss; LAE also contributed favorable development with reductions in reserves more than sufficient to offset payments. Much of the favorable development was offset by unfavorable development from three lines with the largest contribution coming from commercial liability which experienced $12.8 million unfavorable development. The two other lines which experienced unfavorable development were reinsurance assumed with $6.4 million unfavorable development and commercial automobile with $4.0 million unfavorable development. The commercial liability line of business experienced unfavorable development due to paid loss which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss; LAE developed favorably and partially offset the unfavorable loss development. The unfavorable development for the reinsurance assumed line of business was due to paid loss which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss. The commercial automobile line of business experienced unfavorable development because paid loss was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss, but a portion of the unfavorable loss development was offset by favorable development from LAE where payments were more than offset by reductions of reserves for unpaid loss adjustment expense. On an all lines combined basis, favorable development is attributable to LAE which continues to benefit from additional litigation management efforts. The lines of business not mentioned individually above contributed an additional combined total of $0.8 million of favorable development.
2019 Development
The property and casualty insurance business experienced $5.3 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the year ended December 31, 2019. Four lines contributed favorable development with the largest contribution coming from workers' compensation, which had $37.3 million favorable development. The three other lines that experienced favorable development were fidelity and surety with $3.1 million favorable development, commercial fire and allied lines with $2.3 million favorable development, and personal automobile with $1.2 million favorable development. The favorable development for workers' compensation was primarily from reductions in reserves for reported claims which were more than sufficient to offset paid loss; LAE also contributed favorable development with reductions in reserves more than sufficient to offset payments. Fidelity and surety loss developed favorably because reductions in claim reserves and salvage recoveries were more than sufficient to offset loss payments. Commercial fire and allied lines developed favorably due to paid LAE where reductions in reserves for unpaid LAE were more than sufficient to offset payments. Personal automobile developed favorably primarily due to paid LAE where reductions in reserves for unpaid LAE were more than sufficient to offset payments. Much of the favorable development was offset by unfavorable development from two lines with the largest contribution coming from commercial liability which experienced $35.0 million unfavorable development. The other line which experienced unfavorable development was commercial automobile with $3.4 million unfavorable development. Commercial liability experienced unfavorable development primarily due to paid loss which was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss. Paid LAE also contributed to the unfavorable result in commercial liability. Commercial automobile experienced unfavorable development because paid loss was greater than reductions in reserves for unpaid loss, but a portion of the unfavorable loss development was offset by favorable development from LAE. On an all lines combined basis, favorable development is attributable to LAE which continues to benefit from additional litigation management efforts. The lines of business not mentioned individually above contributed an additional total of $0.2 million of unfavorable development in the aggregate.
Reserve development amounts can vary significantly from 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
40
Table of Contents
years and lines of business.
41
Table of Contents
Net Loss Ratios by Line
The following table depicts our net loss ratios for 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| Years ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | Net Premiums Earned | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Premiums Earned | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | Net Premiums Earned | Net Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses Incurred | Net Loss Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liability | $ | 299,961 | $ | 184,794 | 61.6 | % | $ | 316,098 | $ | 200,280 | 63.4 | % | $ | 318,412 | $ | 205,695 | 64.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 238,881 | 177,136 | 74.2 | 245,454 | 228,305 | 93.0 | 244,010 | 185,033 | 75.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 248,135 | 181,119 | 73.0 | 296,444 | 290,891 | 98.1 | 314,755 | 332,740 | 105.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 61,690 | 43,790 | 71.0 | 75,953 | 29,463 | 38.8 | 87,376 | 25,784 | 29.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 30,989 | 2,913 | 9.4 | 28,001 | 707 | 2.5 | 25,539 | 240 | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 1,313 | 251 | 19.1 | 1,530 | 261 | 17.1 | 1,710 | 105 | 6.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | $ | 880,969 | $ | 590,003 | 67.0 | % | $ | 963,480 | $ | 749,907 | 77.8 | % | $ | 991,802 | $ | 749,597 | 75.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 14,604 | $ | 20,215 | 138.4 | % | $ | 32,061 | $ | 66,815 | 208.4 | % | $ | 41,195 | $ | 40,783 | 99.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Automobile | 7,144 | 5,784 | 81.0 | 27,976 | 21,535 | 77.0 | 30,882 | 26,920 | 87.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 361 | (216) | (59.8) | 1,148 | 3,741 | 325.9 | 1,232 | 132 | 10.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 22,109 | $ | 25,783 | 116.6 | % | $ | 61,185 | $ | 92,091 | 150.5 | % | $ | 73,309 | $ | 67,835 | 92.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | $ | 59,745 | $ | 36,369 | 60.9 | % | $ | 30,417 | $ | 27,469 | 90.3 | % | $ | 21,861 | $ | 12,740 | 58.3 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 962,823 | $ | 652,155 | 67.7 | % | $ | 1,055,082 | $ | 869,467 | 82.4 | % | $ | 1,086,972 | $ | 830,172 | 76.4 | % |
42
Table of Contents
Commercial Lines
The net loss ratio in our commercial lines of business, excluding assumed reinsurance, was 67.0 percent in 2021 compared to 77.8 percent in 2020 and 75.6 percent in 2019. The net loss ratio in 2021 decreased compared to 2020 primarily due to comparatively lower catastrophe losses and a decrease in frequency and severity of commercial auto liability losses. The net loss ratio in 2020 increased compared to 2019 primarily due to an increase in catastrophe losses.
Other Liability
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. Because of the long-tail nature of liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years, may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement of the claim.
In recent years, we began to use our loss control department more extensively in an attempt to return this line of business to a higher level of profitability. For example, our loss control department has representatives who make multiple visits each year to businesses and job sites to ensure safety. We also do not renew accounts that no longer meet our underwriting or pricing guidelines. We avoid accounts that have become too underpriced for the risk.
Construction Defect Losses
Incurred losses from construction defect claims were $24.6 million in 2021 compared to $14.8 million and $19.4 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2021, we had $86.8 million in construction defect loss and loss settlement expense reserves (excluding IBNR reserves which are calculated at the overall other liability commercial line), which consisted of 4,496 claims. In comparison, at December 31, 2020, we had reserves of $73.6 million, excluding IBNR reserves, consisting of 3,983 claims. Our West Coast region continue to be the origin of the majority of the construction defect claim activity.
Construction defect claims generally relate to allegedly defective work performed in the construction of structures such as apartments, condominiums, single family dwellings or other housing, as well as the sale of defective building materials. Such claims seek recovery due to damage caused by alleged deficient construction techniques or workmanship. The reporting of such claims can be quite delayed due to an extended statute of limitations, sometimes up to ten years. Court decisions have expanded insurers' exposure to construction defect claims as well. Defense costs are also a part of the insured expenses covered by liability policies and can be significant, sometimes greater than the cost of the actual paid claims.
We have exposure to construction defect liabilities in Colorado and surrounding states. We have historically insured small- to medium-sized contractors in this geographic area. In an effort to limit the number of future claims from multi-unit buildings, we implemented policy exclusions in 2009, later revised in 2010, that exclude liability coverage for contractors performing "residential structural" operations on any building project with more than 12 units or on single family homes in any subdivision where the contractor is working on more than 15 homes. The exclusions do not apply to remodeling or repair of an existing structure. We also changed our underwriting guidelines to add a professional liability exclusion when contractors prepare their own design work or blueprints and implemented the multi-family exclusion and tract home building limitation form for the state of Colorado and our other western states as a means to reduce our exposure in future years. When offering commercial umbrella coverage for structural residential contractors, limits of liability are typically limited to a maximum of $2.0 million per occurrence. Requests to provide additional insured status for "developers" are declined.
As a result of our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. in 2011, we added construction defect exposure in the states of California, Nevada and Arizona. Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. has been writing in these states for more than 20 years. In order to minimize our exposure to construction defect claims in this region, we continually review the coverage we offer and our pricing models. In an effort to limit our exposure from residential multi-unit buildings, we started including condominium and townhouse construction policy exclusions in 2012 for our contracting policies in this region. For the majority of our residential contractors we limit the size of any tracts the
43
Table of Contents
contractor is working on to 25 homes or less and do not include a continuous trigger with our designated work exclusion. In a majority of the policies in our small service, repair and remodel contractors program, we have a favorable new residential construction exclusion. We also apply strict guidelines when additional insured forms are required and changed our underwriting guidelines to limit our exposure to large, multi-party construction defect claims.
Commercial Fire and Allied Lines
Commercial fire and allied lines include fire, allied lines, commercial multiple peril and inland marine. The insurance covers losses to an insured's property, including its contents, from weather, fire, theft or other causes. We provide this coverage through a variety of business policies.
The net loss ratio improved 18.8 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020. The improvement is attributable to a decrease in catastrophe losses in 2021 as compared to 2020.
Commercial Automobile
Our commercial automobile insurance covers physical damage to an insured's vehicle, as well as liabilities to third parties. Automobile physical damage insurance covers loss or damage to vehicles from collision, vandalism, fire, theft, flood or other causes. Automobile liability insurance covers bodily injury, damage to property resulting from automobile accidents caused by the insured, uninsured or under-insured motorists and the legal costs of defending the insured against lawsuits.
The net loss ratio improved 25.1 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020. The improvement is attributable to a decrease in frequency and severity of commercial auto losses, which is the direct result of our strategic plan to increase the quality of our commercial auto book of business through non renewing underperforming accounts and rate increases.
Workers' Compensation
We consider our workers' compensation business to be a companion product; we rarely write stand-alone workers' compensation policies. Our workers' compensation insurance covers primarily small- to mid-size accounts. The net loss ratio deteriorated 32.2 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020. This line has experienced an increase in frequency of losses, a decline in rates for several consecutive years and a decrease in favorable prior accident year reserved development, which is a direct results of an improvement in our reserving accuracy.
Competitive market conditions continue in 2021 for workers' compensation business, putting downward pressure on rates. The challenges faced by workers' compensation insurance providers to attain profitability include the regulatory climates in some states that make it difficult to obtain appropriate premium rate increases and inflationary medical costs. Consequently, we have increased the utilization of our loss control unit in the analysis of current risks, with the intention of increasing the quality of our workers' compensation book of business. We are currently using these modeling analytics to assist us in risk selection, and we will continue to evaluate the model results.
Fidelity and Surety
Our surety products guarantee performance and payment by our bonded principals. Our contract bonds protect owners from failure to perform on the part of our principals. In addition, our surety bonds protect material suppliers and subcontractors from nonpayment by our contractors. When surety losses occur, our loss is determined by estimating the cost to complete the remaining work and to pay the contractor's unpaid bills, offset by contract funds due to the contractor, reinsurance, and the value of any collateral to which we may have access.
The net loss ratio deteriorated 6.9 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020. This line continues to perform above expectations with a low loss ratio of 9.4 percent as compared to 2.5 percent in 2020. The deterioration is due to an increase in severity of losses in 2021 as compared to 2020.
44
Table of Contents
Personal Lines
Our personal lines consist primarily of fire and allied lines (including homeowners) and automobile lines. The net loss ratio improved 33.9 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020. The improvement is primarily attributable to a decrease in catastrophe losses in 2021 as compared to 2020. Net premiums earned decreased due to the renewal rights agreement for our personal lines business we entered into in May 2020, providing our independent insurance agents with the opportunity to transfer their personal lines policies to Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company beginning in the third quarter of 2020.
Assumed Reinsurance
Our assumed reinsurance portfolio is comprised of contracts that provide reinsurance protection to insurance companies. We only reinsure companies with strong leadership and a sound reputation. The corporate strategy for our reinsurance business is to diversify our overall underwriting risk profile. We capitalize on profitable opportunities and only underwrite programs that are material in size. As part of our underwriting process, we require our reinsurance business to focus on long-term relationships.
Through our disciplined underwriting approach, our assumed reinsurance net written premium grew to $91.3 million in 2021 compared to $31.1 million in 2020. The net loss ratio improved 29.4 percentage points in 2021 compared to 2020. The improvement is attributable to favorable loss experience, attractive reinsurance rates, and a reduction in IBNR reserves. In 2022, we plan to continue to grow our assumed reinsurance business.
Underwriting Expense Ratio
Our underwriting expense ratio, which is a percentage of other underwriting expenses over net premiums earned, was 32.6 percent, 33.5 percent and 32.6 percent for 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The decrease in the expense ratio in 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to the change in the design of our employee post-retirement benefit plans and a decrease in the acceleration of the amortization of our deferred acquisition costs due to improved profitability in our commercial auto line of business. The increase in the expense ratio during in 2020 as compared to 2019 was primarily due to our continued investment in technology, including our multi-year Oasis project, an upgrade to our technology platform designed to enhance core underwriting decisions, selection of risks and productivity.
45
Table of Contents
Federal Income Taxes
We reported a federal income tax expense on a consolidated basis of $16.3 million or 16.8 percent of pre-tax income in 2021. In 2020, federal income tax benefit on a consolidated basis was $56.8 million or 33.5 percent of pre-tax loss and federal income tax expense on a consolidated basis was $2.1 million or 12.2 percent of pre-tax income in 2019.
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, permits net operating loss ("NOL") carryovers and carrybacks to offset 100 percent of taxable income for taxable years beginning before 2021. In addition, the CARES Act allows NOLs incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes. The Company has considered the implications of the CARES Act on its tax provision and has included an income tax benefit of $18.6 million as the result of this Act in 2020.
As of December 31, 2021, we had no alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.
INVESTMENTS
Investment Environment
2021 began with optimism as a new president took office promising a return to political stability and policy focused on growing the economy and creating opportunity for a greater number of Americans. Economic and capital market expectations were lifted by additional fiscal stimulus and initial vaccination success. Through this period the United States Federal Rserve System ("Federal Reserve") maintained assurances of continued accommodation and transparent forward guidance.
Beginning in late July, the COVID-19 Delta variant swept through major economies and over the course of August and September with case counts, hospitalizations and deaths rivaled prior waves. Another COVID-19 variant (Omicron), emerged late in November and proved even more contagious than Delta. Together, the two variants catalyzed supply-side inflationary pressures, upending the labor force and global supply chains, while the long-anticipated rotation from goods to services spending failed to materialize.
The prospect of inflation beyond "transitory" became the theme in the fourth quarter as consecutive pricing reports broke cycle records going back to the 1980s. Beginning in October, the Federal Reserve started the conversation about tapering asset purchases. In December the taper accelerated, and capital markets began to digest the prospect of three to four rate hikes in 2022, the first of which could occur as soon as the first quarter.
Overall, the investment environment remains challenging with the U.S. equity market seeing stretched valuations only encountered a handful of times in history. Fixed income markets face the prospect of unanchored short-term rate expectations and significant questions surrounding Federal Reserve balance sheet run-off. We believe the risk to consensus expectations is to the downside. While the U.S. consumer continues to appear healthy by nearly all measures, inflationary supply-side pressures are proving stubbornly persistent and increasingly beyond the reach of policy to control. Our investment program is designed specifically to outperform during periods of market uncertainty.
Investment Philosophy
The Company's assets are invested to preserve capital and maximize after-tax returns while maintaining an appropriate balance of risk. The return on our portfolio is an important component of overall financial results, but quality and safety of principal is the highest priority of our investment program. Our general investment philosophy is to purchase financial instruments with the expectation that we will hold them to their maturity. However, active management of our portfolio is considered necessary to appropriately manage risk, achieve portfolio objectives and maximize investment income as market conditions change.
Each of our insurance company subsidiaries develops an appropriate investment strategy that aligns with its business needs and supports United Fire's strategic plan and risk appetite. The portfolio is structured so as to be in
46
Table of Contents
compliance with state insurance laws that prescribe the quality, concentration and type of investments that may be made by insurance companies.
Investment Portfolio
Our invested assets at December 31, 2021 totaled $2,064.7 million, compared to $2,149.2 million at December 31, 2020, a decrease of $84.5 million. At December 31, 2021, fixed maturity securities and equity securities comprised 83.3 percent and 10.3 percent of our investment portfolio, respectively. Because the primary purpose of the investment portfolio is to fund future claims payments, we utilize a conservative investment philosophy, investing in a diversified portfolio of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable corporate bonds, taxable U.S. government and government agency bonds and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. Our overall investment strategy is to stay fully invested (i.e., minimize cash balances). If additional cash is needed we have an ability to borrow funds available under our revolving credit facility.
Composition
We develop our investment strategies based on a number of factors, including estimated duration of reserve liabilities, short- and long-term liquidity needs, projected tax status, general economic conditions, expected rates of inflation and regulatory requirements. We administer our investment portfolio based on investment guidelines approved by management and the investment committee of our Board of Directors that comply with applicable statutory regulations.
The composition of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2021 is presented at carrying value in the following table:
| Percent | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | of Total | |||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||
| Available-for-sale | $ | 1,719,790 | 83.3 | % | ||
| Equity securities | 213,401 | 10.3 | ||||
| Mortgage loans | 47,130 | 2.3 | ||||
| Other long-term investments | 84,090 | 4.1 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 275 | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 2,064,686 | 100.0 | % |
At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our fixed maturities portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity. We record convertible redeemable preferred debt securities and equity securities at fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in earnings.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we did not have direct exposure to investments in subprime mortgages or other credit enhancement vehicles.
Credit Quality
The following table shows the composition of fixed maturity securities held in our available-for-sale and trading security portfolios by credit rating at December 31, 2021 and 2020. Information contained in the table is generally based upon the issue credit ratings provided by Moody's, unless the rating is unavailable, in which case we obtain it from Standard & Poor's.
47
Table of Contents
| (In Thousands) | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | Carrying Value | % of Total | Carrying Value | % of Total | |||||||||
| AAA | $ | 670,222 | 39.0 | % | $ | 817,142 | 44.8 | % | |||||
| AA | 586,426 | 34.1 | 639,011 | 35.0 | |||||||||
| A | 209,076 | 12.2 | 182,011 | 10.0 | |||||||||
| Baa/BBB | 241,547 | 14.0 | 172,078 | 9.4 | |||||||||
| Other/Not Rated | 12,519 | 0.7 | 15,196 | 0.8 | |||||||||
| $ | 1,719,790 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,825,438 | 100.0 | % |
Duration
Our investment portfolio is invested primarily in fixed maturity securities whose fair value is susceptible to market risk, specifically interest rate changes. Duration is a measurement used to quantify our inherent interest rate risk and analyze our ability to match our invested assets to our reserve liabilities. If our invested assets and reserve liabilities have similar durations, then any change in interest rates will have an equal effect on these accounts. The primary purpose for matching invested assets and reserve liabilities is liquidity. With appropriate matching, our investments will mature when cash is needed, preventing the need to liquidate other assets prematurely. Mismatches in the duration of assets and liabilities can cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations.
The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was 3.9 years at December 31, 2021 compared to 3.4 years at December 31, 2020.
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2021, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations may be subject to prepayment risk and are therefore not categorized by contractual maturity.
| (In Thousands) | Available-For-Sale | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amortized | Fair | |||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | Cost | Value | ||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | 63,120 | $ | 63,776 | ||||||
| Due after one year through five years | 475,467 | 496,231 | ||||||||
| Due after five years through 10 years | 386,274 | 403,830 | ||||||||
| Due after 10 years | 427,411 | 450,959 | ||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | 325 | 925 | ||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities | 25,077 | 25,013 | ||||||||
| Collateralized mortgage obligations | 279,125 | 279,056 | ||||||||
| $ | 1,656,799 | $ | 1,719,790 |
Investment Results
We invest the premiums received from our policyholders in order to generate investment income, which is an important component of our revenues and profitability. The amount of investment income that we are able to generate is affected by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Some of these factors are volatility in the financial markets, economic growth, inflation, changes in interest rates, world political conditions, terrorist attacks or threats of terrorism, adverse events affecting other companies in our industry or the industries in which we invest and other unpredictable national or world events. Net investment income increased 40.6 percent in 2021, compared with the same period of 2020 and was primarily due to the change in the fair value of our investments in limited liability partnerships. The valuation of our investments in limited liability partnerships varies from period to period due to current equity market conditions. We expect to maintain our investment philosophy of purchasing quality investments rated investment grade or better.
48
Table of Contents
An allowance for credit losses is recorded based on a number of factors including the current economic conditions, management's expectations of future economic conditions and performance indicators, such as market value vs. amortized cost, investment spreads widening or contracting, rating actions, payment and default history. The following table contains a rollforward of the allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2021:
| Rollforward of allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale fixed maturity securities: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| As of | |||
| December 31, 2021 | |||
| Beginning balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | 5 | |
| Recoveries of amounts previously written off | (5) | ||
| Ending balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | — |
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities do not affect net income and earnings per share but do impact comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and book value per share. We believe that any unrealized losses on our available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities at December 31, 2021 are temporary based upon our current analysis of the issuers of the securities that we hold and current market conditions. We invest in high quality assets to provide protection from future credit quality issues. Non-credit related unrealized gains and losses are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income and represent other market movements that are not credit related, for example interest rate changes. We have no intent to sell, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell, these securities until the fair value recovers to at least equal our cost basis or the securities mature.
Net Investment Income
In 2021, our investment income, net of investment expenses, increased $16.1 million to $55.8 million as compared to 2020, primarily due to the change in the fair value of our investments in limited liability partnerships.
In 2020, our investment income, net of investment expenses, decreased $20.7 million to $39.7 million as compared to 2019, primarily due to the change in the fair value of our investments in limited liability partnerships, a decrease in interest on fixed maturities and interest on cash and cash equivalents due to declining interest rates.
The following table summarizes the components of net investment income:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment income from operations: | ||||||||||
| Interest on fixed maturities | $ | 43,224 | $ | 46,478 | $ | 50,274 | ||||
| Dividends on equity securities | 5,031 | 6,368 | 7,842 | |||||||
| Income on other long-term investments | ||||||||||
| Interest | 4,481 | 1,890 | 3,115 | |||||||
| Change in value (1) | 9,699 | (9,633) | 1,114 | |||||||
| Interest on mortgage loans | 1,995 | 1,949 | 1,595 | |||||||
| Interest on short-term investments | 18 | 107 | 522 | |||||||
| Interest on cash and cash equivalents | 252 | 763 | 2,681 | |||||||
| Other | 152 | 205 | 252 | |||||||
| Total investment income from operations | $ | 64,852 | $ | 48,127 | $ | 67,395 | ||||
| Less investment expenses | 9,074 | 8,457 | 6,981 | |||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 55,778 | $ | 39,670 | $ | 60,414 |
(1)Represents the change in value of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting.
49
Table of Contents
In 2021, 66.7 percent of our gross investment income originated from interest on fixed maturities, compared to 96.6 percent and 74.6 percent in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The following table details our annualized yield on average invested assets for 2021 , 2020, and 2019, which is based on our invested assets (including money market accounts) at the beginning and end of the year divided by net investment income:
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | Average Invested Assets | Investment Income, Net | Annualized Yield on Average Invested Assets | |||||||
| 2021 | $ | 2,141,022 | $ | 55,778 | 2.6 | % | ||||
| 2020 | 2,169,220 | 39,670 | 1.8 | % | ||||||
| 2019 | 2,120,916 | 60,414 | 2.8 | % |
Net Investment Gains and Losses
The following table summarizes the components of our net investment gains or losses:
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net investment gains (losses): | ||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||
| Available-for-sale | $ | (277) | $ | 1,787 | $ | 655 | ||||
| Allowance for credit losses | 5 | (5) | — | |||||||
| Trading securities | ||||||||||
| Change in fair value | — | (3,314) | 1,351 | |||||||
| Sales | — | 2,950 | 1,993 | |||||||
| Equity securities | ||||||||||
| Change in fair value | 30,682 | (6,875) | 51,231 | |||||||
| Sales | 14,444 | (26,906) | 725 | |||||||
| Mortgage loans | 5 | (4) | (26) | |||||||
| Real Estate | (256) | (28) | $ | (2,150) | ||||||
| Total net investment gains (losses) | $ | 47,383 | $ | (32,395) | $ | 53,779 |
Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses
As of December 31, 2021, net unrealized investment gains, after tax, totaled $49.8 million compared to unrealized gains of $83.1 million and unrealized gains of $47.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in net unrealized investment gains in 2021 was primarily the result of a decrease in fixed maturity securities held and a change in the value of the fixed maturity portfolio due to higher interest rates during 2021.
The increase in net unrealized investment gains in 2020 was primarily the result of an increase in the
value of the fixed maturity portfolio due to lower interest rates during 2020. The increase in net unrealized investment gains in 2019 was primarily the result of an increase in the value of the fixed maturity portfolio due to lower interest rates during 2019.
50
Table of Contents
The following table summarizes the change in our net unrealized investment gains (losses):
| (In Thousands)Years Ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses): | ||||||||||
| Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities | $ | (42,159) | $ | 45,305 | $ | 71,648 | ||||
| Income tax effect | 8,858 | (9,514) | (15,046) | |||||||
| Total change in net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax | $ | (33,301) | $ | 35,791 | $ | 56,602 |
MARKET RISK
Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include financial instruments whose fair values are subject to market risk. The active management of market risk is integral to our operations. Market risk is the potential for loss due to a decrease in the fair value of securities resulting from uncontrollable fluctuations, such as: interest rate risk, equity price risk, foreign exchange risk, credit risk, inflation, or geopolitical conditions. Our primary market risk exposures are: changes in interest rates, deterioration of credit quality in specific issuers, sectors or the economy as a whole, and an unforeseen decrease in the liquidity of securities we hold. We have no foreign exchange risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed income maturity security or portfolio of securities to changes in level of interest rates. Generally, there is an inverse relationship between changes in interest rates and changes in the price of a fixed income/maturity security. Plainly stated, if interest rates go up (down), bond prices go down (up). A vast majority of our holdings are fixed income maturity and other interest rate sensitive securities that will decrease (increase) in value as interest rates increase (decrease). While it is generally our intent to hold our investments in fixed maturity securities to maturity, we have classified a majority of our fixed maturity portfolio as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale fixed income maturity securities are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with unrealized gains or losses reported net of tax in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. A change in the prevailing interest rates generally translates into a change in the fair value of our fixed income/maturity securities, and by extension, our overall book value.
Market Risk and Duration
We analyze potential changes in the value of our investment portfolio due to the market risk factors noted above within the overall context of asset and liability management. A technique we use in the management of our investment portfolio is the calculation of duration. Our actuaries estimate the payout pattern of our reserve liabilities to determine their duration, which is the present value of the weighted average payments expressed in years. We then establish a target duration for our investment portfolio so that at any given time the estimated cash generated by the investment portfolio will closely match the estimated cash required for the payment of the related reserves. We structure the investment portfolio to meet the target duration to achieve the required cash flow, based on liquidity and market risk factors.
Impact of Interest Rate Changes
The amounts set forth in the following table detail the impact of hypothetical interest rate changes on the fair value of fixed maturity securities held at December 31, 2021. The sensitivity analysis measures the change in fair values arising from immediate changes in selected interest rate scenarios. We employed hypothetical parallel shifts in the yield curve of plus or minus 100 and 200 basis points in the simulations. Additionally, based upon the yield curve shifts, we employ estimates of prepayment speeds for mortgage-related products and the likelihood of call or put options being exercised within the simulations.
The selection of a 100-basis-point and 200-basis-point increase or decrease in interest rates should not be construed as a prediction by our management of future market events, but rather as an illustration of the potential impact of an event.
51
Table of Contents
| December 31, 2021 | -200 Basis | -100 Basis | +100 Basis | + 200 Basis | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | Points | Points | Base | Points | Points | |||||||||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bonds | ||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 44,387 | $ | 43,132 | $ | 41,923 | $ | 40,759 | $ | 39,638 | ||||||||
| U.S. government agency | 67,305 | 64,400 | 61,667 | 58,806 | 55,528 | |||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||
| General obligations: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Midwest | 77,029 | 75,667 | 74,346 | 72,975 | 70,964 | |||||||||||||
| Northeast | 23,577 | 23,163 | 22,762 | 22,350 | 21,785 | |||||||||||||
| South | 98,652 | 96,295 | 94,044 | 91,834 | 88,948 | |||||||||||||
| West | 104,855 | 101,912 | 99,078 | 96,233 | 92,816 | |||||||||||||
| Special revenue: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Midwest | 129,869 | 125,993 | 122,289 | 118,636 | 114,154 | |||||||||||||
| Northeast | 64,582 | 62,099 | 59,732 | 57,426 | 54,811 | |||||||||||||
| South | 232,381 | 223,824 | 215,670 | 207,592 | 197,874 | |||||||||||||
| West | 144,446 | 139,431 | 134,649 | 129,906 | 123,984 | |||||||||||||
| Foreign bonds | 33,916 | 32,375 | 30,906 | 29,514 | 28,205 | |||||||||||||
| Public utilities | 119,261 | 113,175 | 107,493 | 102,174 | 97,175 | |||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | 35,708 | 34,149 | 32,681 | 31,296 | 29,982 | |||||||||||||
| Industrials | 64,897 | 60,815 | 57,171 | 53,879 | 50,891 | |||||||||||||
| Consumer goods and services | 82,124 | 77,202 | 72,844 | 68,961 | 65,475 | |||||||||||||
| Health care | 33,252 | 30,156 | 27,429 | 25,022 | 22,891 | |||||||||||||
| Technology, media and telecommunications | 65,731 | 61,361 | 57,497 | 54,058 | 50,974 | |||||||||||||
| Financial services | 109,794 | 106,121 | 102,615 | 99,253 | 96,038 | |||||||||||||
| Mortgage backed securities | 26,230 | 25,563 | 25,013 | 24,174 | 23,091 | |||||||||||||
| Collateralized mortgage obligations | ||||||||||||||||||
| Government national mortgage association | 118,491 | 114,476 | 110,518 | 105,368 | 99,517 | |||||||||||||
| Federal home loan mortgage corporation | 126,280 | 122,909 | 119,989 | 115,349 | 109,798 | |||||||||||||
| Federal national mortgage association | 50,705 | 49,526 | 48,549 | 46,942 | 44,926 | |||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | 1,993 | 1,357 | 925 | 630 | 430 | |||||||||||||
| Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities | $ | 1,855,465 | $ | 1,785,101 | $ | 1,719,790 | $ | 1,653,137 | $ | 1,579,895 |
To the extent actual results differ from the assumptions utilized, our duration and interest rate measures could be significantly affected. As a result, these calculations may not fully capture the impact of nonparallel changes in the relationship between short-term and long-term interest rates.
Equity Price Risk
Equity price risk is the potential loss arising from changes in the fair value (i.e., market price) of equity securities held in our portfolio. Changes in the price of an equity security may be due to a change in the future earnings capacity or strategic outlook of the security issuer, and what investors are willing to pay for those future earnings and related strategy. The carrying values of our equity securities are based on quoted market prices, from an independent source, as of the balance sheet date. Market prices of equity securities, in general, are subject to fluctuations that could cause the amount to be realized upon the future sale of the securities to differ significantly from the current reported value. The fluctuations may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the security issuer, the relative price of alternative investments, general market conditions, and supply/demand factors related to a particular security.
52
Table of Contents
Impact of Price Change
The following table details the effect on the fair value of our investments in equity securities for a positive and negative 10 percent price change at December 31, 2021:
| (In Thousands) | -10% | Base | +10% | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated fair value of equity securities | $ | 192,061 | $ | 213,401 | $ | 234,741 |
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Foreign currency exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in foreign exchange rates will impact our transactions with foreign reinsurers relating to the settlement of amounts due to or from foreign reinsurers in the normal course of business. We consider this risk to be immaterial to our operations.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the willingness and ability of a borrower to repay on time and in full any principal and interest due to the lender. Losses related to credit risk are realized through the income statement and have a direct impact on the earnings of UFG. Given the vast majority of our holdings are fixed income maturity securities, we view credit risk as our primary investment risk. Our internal Investment Department has developed and maintains a rigorous underwriting process to analyze and measure the expected frequency and severity of loss (i.e., credit quality) for government, agency, municipal, structured security, and corporate bond issuers. The objective is to maintain the appropriate balance of risk in our portfolio, consistent with our Investment Policy Statement and conservative investment style, and ensure the portfolio is compensated appropriately for the credit risk it holds. We do have within our municipal bond holdings a small number of securities whose ratings were enhanced by third-party insurance for the payment of principal and interest in the event of an issuer default. Of the insured municipal securities in our investment portfolio, 99.6 percent and 99.5 percent were rated "A" or above, and 96.0 percent and 95.8 percent were rated "AA" or above at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, without the benefit of insurance. Due to the underlying financial strength of the issuers of the securities, we believe that the loss of insurance would not have a material impact on our operations, financial position, or liquidity.
We have no direct exposure in any of the guarantors of our investments. Our largest indirect exposure with a single guarantor totaled $9.4 million or 29.8 percent of our insured municipal securities at December 31, 2021, as compared to $9.7 million or 21.0 percent at December 31, 2020. Our five largest indirect exposures to financial guarantors accounted for $35.6 million and $37.6 million of our municipal securities at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity measures our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short- and long-term cash obligations. Our cash inflows are primarily a result of the receipt of premiums, reinsurance recoveries, sales or maturities of investments, and investment income. Cash provided from these sources is used to fund the payment of losses and loss settlement expenses, the purchase of investments, operating expenses, dividends, pension plan contributions, and in recent years, common stock repurchases.
We monitor our capital adequacy to support our business on a regular basis. The future capital requirements of our business will depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. Our ability to underwrite is largely dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. In particular, we require (1) sufficient capital to maintain our financial strength ratings, as issued by various rating agencies, at a level considered necessary by management to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to compete and (2) sufficient capital to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to meet the capital adequacy tests performed by regulatory agencies in the United States.
53
Table of Contents
Cash outflows may be variable because of the uncertainty regarding settlement dates for losses. In addition, the timing and amount of individual catastrophe losses are inherently unpredictable and could increase our liquidity requirements. The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and reinsurance coverage disputes.
Historically, we have generated substantial cash inflows from operations. It is our policy to invest the cash generated from operations in securities with maturities that, in the aggregate, correlate to the anticipated timing of payments for losses and loss settlement expenses. The majority of our assets are invested in available-for-sale fixed maturity securities.
The following table displays a summary of cash sources and uses in 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| Cash Flow Summary | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 29,917 | $ | 41,435 | $ | 93,752 | ||||
| Investing activities | 31,731 | (92,871) | 4,501 | |||||||
| Financing activities | (17,492) | 18,662 | (41,985) | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 44,156 | $ | (32,774) | $ | 56,268 |
Our cash flows were sufficient to meet our current liquidity needs for the full-year periods ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and we anticipate they will be sufficient to meet our future liquidity needs. We also have the ability to draw on our credit facility if needed. See Part II, Item 8, Note 13 "Debt" for more information.
Operating Activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $29.9 million, $41.4 million and $93.8 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our cash flows from operating activities were sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Investing Activities
Cash in excess of operating requirements is generally invested in fixed maturity securities and equity securities. Fixed maturity securities provide regular interest payments and allow us to match the duration of our liabilities. Equity securities provide dividend income, potential dividend income growth and potential appreciation. For further discussion of our investments, including our philosophy and portfolio, see the "Investment Portfolio" section contained in this Item.
In addition to investment income, possible sales of investments and proceeds from calls or maturities of fixed maturity securities also can provide liquidity. During the next five years, $0.5 billion, or 31.4 percent of our fixed maturity portfolio will mature.
We invest funds required for short-term cash needs primarily in money market accounts, which are classified as cash equivalents. At December 31, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents included $43.5 million related to these money market accounts, compared to $24.8 million at December 31, 2020.
Net cash flows provided in investing activities totaled $31.7 million in 2021 and used by investing activities totaled $92.9 million and provided in investing activities totaled $4.5 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. In 2021, we had cash inflows from scheduled and unscheduled investment maturities, redemptions, prepayments, and sales of investments that totaled $451.1 million compared to $376.2 million and $311.7 million for the same period in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Our cash outflows for investment purchases totaled $405.4 million in 2021, compared to $450.2 million and $274.7 million for the same period in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
54
Table of Contents
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used by financing activities totaled $17.5 million in 2021 and provided in financing activities totaled $18.7 million and used by financing activities totaled $42.0 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The net cash flows used by financing activities in 2021 is primarily the payment of cash dividends of $15.1 million and share repurchases of $2.0 million. The net cash flows provided in financing activities in 2020 is primarily from borrowings of long term debt of $50.0 million offset by the payment of cash dividends of $28.5 million.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table shows our contractual obligations and commitments, including our estimated payments due by period at December 31, 2021. Time periods of less than one year are consider short-term cash obligations and time periods greater than one year are considered long-term cash obligations.
| (In Thousands) | Payments Due By Period | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Obligations | Total | Less Than One Year | One to Three Years | Three to Five Years | More Than Five Years | |||||||||||||
| Loss and loss settlement expense reserves | $ | 1,514,265 | $ | 576,482 | $ | 521,146 | $ | 194,902 | $ | 221,735 | ||||||||
| Long term debt | 110,565 | 3,188 | 6,376 | 6,376 | 94,625 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 32,294 | 8,299 | 13,226 | 9,540 | 1,229 | |||||||||||||
| Profit-sharing commissions | 15,080 | 15,080 | ||||||||||||||||
| Pension plan contributions | 4,000 | 4,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,676,204 | $ | 607,049 | $ | 540,748 | $ | 210,818 | $ | 317,589 |
Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
The amounts presented are estimates of the dollar amounts and time periods in which we expect to pay out our gross loss and loss settlement expense reserves. Because the timing of future payments may vary from the stated contractual obligation, these amounts are estimates based upon historical payment patterns and may not represent actual future payments. Refer to "Critical Accounting Policies — Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses" in this section for further discussion.
Long term debt
The Company executed a private placement debt transaction on December 15, 2020 between United Fire & Casualty Company, Federated Mutual Insurance Company, a mutual insurance company domiciled in Minnesota ("Federated Mutual"), and Federated Life Insurance Company, an insurance company domiciled in Minnesota ("Federated Life and together with Federated Mutual, the "Note Purchasers").
UFG sold an aggregate $50.0 million of notes due 2040 to the Note Purchasers. One note with a principal amount of $35.0 million was issued to Federated Mutual and one note with a principal amount of $15.0 million was issued to Federated Life.
Interest payments will be paid quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”). The interest rate will equal the rate that corresponds to the A.M. Best Co. (or its successor’s) financial strength rating for members of the United Fire & Casualty Pooled Group as of the applicable Interest Payment Date. As of December 31, 2021, interest expense totaled $3,187. Payment of interest is subject to approval by the Iowa Insurance Division.
Operating Leases
Our operating lease obligations are for the rental of office space, vehicles, computer equipment and office equipment. For further discussion of our operating leases, refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 12 "Lease Commitments."
55
Table of Contents
Profit-Sharing Commissions
We offer our agents a profit-sharing plan as an incentive for them to place high-quality property and casualty insurance business with us. Based on business produced by the agencies in 2021, property and casualty agencies expect to receive profit-sharing payments of $15.1 million in 2022.
Pension Plan Payments
We estimate the pension contribution for 2022 in accordance with the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the "Act"). Contributions for future years are dependent on a number of factors, including actual performance versus assumptions made at the time of the actuarial valuations and maintaining certain funding levels relative to regulatory requirements. Contributions in 2022, and in future years, are expected to be at least equal to the IRS minimum required contribution in accordance with the Act.
Commitments for Capital Expenditures
Dividends
Dividends paid to shareholders totaled $15.1 million, $28.5 million and $32.7 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our practice has been to pay quarterly cash dividends, which we have paid every quarter since March 1968.
Payments of any future dividends and the amounts of such dividends, however, will depend upon factors such as net income, financial condition, capital requirements, and general business conditions. We will only pay dividends if declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds.
As a holding company with no independent operations of its own, United Fire Group, Inc. relies on dividends received from its insurance company subsidiaries in order to pay dividends to its common shareholders. Dividends payable by our insurance subsidiaries are governed by the laws in the states in which they are domiciled. In all cases, these state laws permit the payment of dividends only from earned surplus arising from business operations. For example, under Iowa law, the maximum dividend or distribution that may be paid within a 12-month period without prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner is generally restricted to the greater of 10 percent of statutory surplus as of the preceding December 31, or net income of the preceding calendar year on a statutory basis, not greater than earned statutory surplus. Other states in which our insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled may impose similar restrictions on dividends and distributions. Based on these restrictions, at December 31, 2021, our insurance company subsidiary, United Fire & Casualty, is able to make a maximum of $57.2 million in dividend payments without prior regulatory approval. These restrictions are not expected to have a material impact in meeting our cash obligations.
Share Repurchases
Under our share repurchase program, first announced in August 2007, we may purchase our 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 our discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, economic and general market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. Our share repurchase program may be modified or discontinued at any time.
During 2021, 2020 and 2019, pursuant to authorization by our Board of Directors, we repurchased 67,651, 70,467, and 258,756 shares of our common stock, respectively, which used cash totaling $2.0 million in 2021, $2.7 million in 2020 and $11.7 million in 2019. At December 31, 2021, we were authorized to purchase an additional 1,719,326 shares of our common stock under our share repurchase program, which expires in August 2022.
Credit Facilities
Information specific to our credit facilities is incorporated by reference from Note 13 "Debt" contained in Part II, Item 8. As of December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all financial covenants of the Credit Agreement (the
56
Table of Contents
“Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"), as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent"), issuing lender, swing-line lender and lender, and the other lenders from time to time party thereto (collectively with Wells Fargo, the "Lenders").
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity increased 6.5 percent to $879.1 million at December 31, 2021, from $825.1 million at December 31, 2020. The increase is primarily attributed to net income of $80.6 million and change in liability for employee benefit plans of $20.7 million, partially offset by stockholder dividends of $15.1 million and a decrease in net unrealized investment gains net of tax of $33.3 million. As of December 31, 2021, the book value per share of our common stock was $35.05, compared to $32.93 at December 31, 2020.
Risk-Based Capital
The NAIC adopted risk-based capital requirements, which requires us to calculate a minimum capital requirement for each of our insurance companies based on individual company insurance risk factors. These "risk-based capital" results are used by state insurance regulators to identify companies that require regulatory attention or the initiation of regulatory action. At December 31, 2021, all of our insurance companies had capital well in excess of required levels.
Funding Commitments
We hold investments in limited liability partnerships as part of our investment strategy. Pursuant to agreements with our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed through July 10, 2030 to make capital contributions upon request of the partnerships. Our remaining potential contractual obligation was $11.1 million at December 31, 2021.
In addition, the Company invested $25,000 in December 2019 in a limited liability partnership investment fund which is subject to a 3-year lockup with a 60 day minimum notice, with 4 possible repurchase dates per year, after the 3-year lockup period is met. The fair value of the investment at December 31, 2021 was $24,771 and there are no remaining capital contributions with this investment.
These partnerships are included in our other long term investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with a current fair value of $84.1 million, or 4.1% of our total invested assets, at December 31, 2021.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are representative of significant judgments and uncertainties and that may potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We base our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition on the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we have prepared in accordance with GAAP. As we prepare these Consolidated Financial Statements, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe our most critical accounting policies are as follows.
Investment Valuation
Upon acquisition, we classify investments in marketable securities as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. We record investments in available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities and equity securities at fair value. Other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. We record mortgage loans at their amortized cost less any valuation allowance.
57
Table of Contents
In general, investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market volatility risk. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair value of our investment securities that are reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, it is reasonably possible that changes in the value of our investments in trading securities and limited liability partnerships could occur in the future and such changes could materially affect our results of operations as reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Measurement
Information specific to the fair value measurement of our financial instruments and disclosures is incorporated by reference from Note 3 "Fair Value of Financial Instruments" contained in Part II, Item 8.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")
We record an asset for certain costs of underwriting new business, primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses that have been deferred. The amount of underwriting compensation expense eligible for deferral is based on time studies and a ratio of success in policy placement. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, our DAC asset was $91.4 million and $87.1 million, respectively.
The DAC asset is amortized over the life of the policies written, generally one year. We assess the recoverability of DAC on a quarterly basis by line of business. This assessment is performed by comparing recorded unearned premium to the sum of unamortized DAC and estimates of expected losses and loss settlement expenses. If the sum of these costs exceeds the amount of recorded unearned premium (i.e., the line of business is expected to generate an operating loss), the excess is recognized in current period other underwriting expenses as an offset against the established DAC asset. We refer to this offset as a premium deficiency charge.
To calculate the premium deficiency charge by line of business, we estimate an expected loss and loss settlement expense ratio which is based on our best estimate of future losses for each line of business. This calculation is performed on a quarterly basis and developed in conjunction with our quarterly reserving process. The expected loss and loss settlement expense ratios are the only assumptions we utilize in our premium deficiency calculation. Changes in these assumptions can have a significant impact on the amount of premium deficiency charge recognized for a line of business. The premium deficiency calculation is aggregated by line of business in a manner consistent with how the policies are currently being marketed and managed.
The following table illustrates the hypothetical impact on the premium deficiency charge recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, of reasonably likely changes in the assumed loss and loss settlement expense ratios utilized for purposes of this calculation. The entire impact of these changes would be recognized through income as other underwriting expenses. The following table illustrates the impact of potential changes in the expected loss and loss settlement expense ratios for all lines of business on the premium deficiency charge. The base amount indicated below is the actual premium deficiency charge recorded as an offset against the DAC asset established as of the quarter ended December 31, 2021:
| Sensitivity Analysis — Impact of Changes in Projected Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Ratios | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands) | -10% | -5% | Base | +5% | +10% | |||||||||||||
| Premium deficiency charge estimated | $ | 1,341 | $ | 1,635 | $ | 2,903 | $ | 8,832 | $ | 16,193 |
Actual future results could differ materially from our assumptions used to calculate the recorded DAC asset. Changes in our assumed loss and loss settlement expense ratios in the future would impact the amount of deferred costs in the period such changes in assumptions are made. The premium deficiency charge calculated for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 was $2.9 million compared to the premium deficiency charge of $1.5 million calculated for the same period of 2020.
58
Table of Contents
Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses
Reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses are reported using our best estimate of ultimate liability for claims that occurred prior to the end of any given reporting period, but have not yet been paid. Before credit for reinsurance recoverables, these reserves were $1,514.3 million and $1,578.1 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We purchase reinsurance to mitigate the impact of large losses and catastrophic events. Loss and loss settlement expense reserves ceded to reinsurers were $112.9 million for 2021 and $131.8 million for 2020. Our reserves, before credit for reinsurance recoverables, by line of business as of December 31, 2021, were as follows:
| (In Thousands) | Case Basis | IBNR | Loss Settlement Expense | Total Reserves | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial lines | ||||||||||||||
| Fire and allied lines | $ | 100,626 | $ | 22,190 | $ | 28,157 | $ | 150,973 | ||||||
| Other liability | 364,718 | 118,625 | 187,607 | 670,950 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | 310,632 | 35,159 | 79,436 | 425,227 | ||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 137,868 | 5,000 | 24,230 | 167,098 | ||||||||||
| Fidelity and surety | 2,124 | 2,520 | 99 | 4,743 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 666 | 553 | 93 | 1,312 | ||||||||||
| Total commercial lines | $ | 916,634 | $ | 184,047 | $ | 319,622 | $ | 1,420,303 | ||||||
| Personal lines | ||||||||||||||
| Automobile | $ | 9,093 | $ | 581 | $ | 1,392 | $ | 11,066 | ||||||
| Fire and allied lines | 11,069 | 2,116 | 1,343 | 14,528 | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | 1,076 | 175 | 305 | 1,556 | ||||||||||
| Total personal lines | $ | 21,238 | $ | 2,872 | $ | 3,040 | $ | 27,150 | ||||||
| Reinsurance assumed | 22,855 | 43,792 | 165 | 66,812 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 960,727 | $ | 230,711 | $ | 322,827 | $ | 1,514,265 |
Case-Basis Reserves
For each of our lines of business, with respect to reported claims, we establish reserves on a case-by-case basis. Our experienced claims personnel estimate these case-basis reserves using adjusting guidelines established by management. Our goal is to set the case-basis reserves at the ultimate expected loss amount as soon as possible after information about the claim becomes available.
Establishing the case reserve for an individual claim is subjective and complex, requiring us to estimate future payments and values that will be sufficient to settle an individual claim. Setting a reserve for an individual claim is an inherently uncertain process. When we establish and adjust individual claim reserves, we do so based on our knowledge of the circumstances and facts of the claim. Upon notice of a claim, we establish a preliminary (average claim cost) reserve based on the limited claim information initially reported. Subsequently, we conduct an investigation of each reported claim, which allows us to more fully understand the factors contributing to the loss and our potential exposure. This investigation may extend over a long period of time. As our claim investigation progresses, and as our claims personnel identify trends in claims activity, we may refine and adjust our estimates of case reserves. To evaluate and refine our overall reserving process, we track and monitor all claims until they are settled and paid in full, with all salvage and subrogation claims being resolved.
Most of our insurance policies are written on an occurrence basis that provides coverage if a loss occurs during the policy period, even if the insured reports the loss many years later. For example, some liability claims for construction defect coverage are reported 10 years or more after the policy period, and the workers' compensation coverage provided by our policies pays unlimited medical benefits for the duration of the claimant's injury up to the lifetime of the claimant. In addition, final settlement of certain claims can be delayed for years due to litigation or other reasons. Reserves for these claims require us to estimate future costs, including the effect of judicial actions,
59
Table of Contents
litigation trends and medical cost inflation, among others. Reserve development can occur over time as conditions and circumstances change many years after the policy was issued and/or the loss occurred.
Our loss reserves include amounts related to both short-tail and long-tail lines of business. "Tail" refers to the time period between the occurrence of a loss and the ultimate settlement of the claim. A short-tail insurance product is one where ultimate losses are known and settled comparatively quickly. Ultimate losses under a long-tail insurance product are sometimes not known and settled for many years. The longer the time span between the incidence of a loss and the settlement of the claim, the more the ultimate settlement amount can vary from the reserves initially established. Accordingly, long-tail insurance products can have significant implications on the reserving process.
Our short-tail lines of business include fire and allied lines, homeowners, commercial property, auto physical damage and inland marine. The amounts of the case-based reserves that we establish for claims in these lines depend upon various factors, such as individual claim facts (including type of coverage and severity of loss), our historical loss experience and trends in general economic conditions (including changes in replacement costs, medical costs and inflation).
For short-tail lines of business, the estimation of case-basis loss reserves is less complex than for long-tail lines because the claims relate to tangible property. Because of the relatively short time from claim occurrence to settlement, actual losses typically do not vary significantly from reserve estimates.
Our long-tail lines of business include workers' compensation and other liability. In addition, certain product lines such as commercial auto, commercial multi-peril and surety include both long-tail coverages and short-tail coverages. For many long-tail liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years, may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement of the claim. As a result, loss experience in the more recent accident years for the long-tail liability coverages has limited statistical credibility in our reserving process because a relatively small proportion of losses in these accident years are reported claims and an even smaller proportion are paid losses. In addition, long-tail liability claims are more susceptible to litigation and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment. Consequently, the estimation of loss reserves for long-tail coverages is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability than for short-tail coverages.
The amounts of the case-basis loss reserves that we establish for claims in long-tail lines of business depends upon various factors, including individual claim facts (including type of coverage, severity of loss and underlying policy limits), company historical loss experience, changes in underwriting practice, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages, changes in political attitudes and trends in general economic conditions, including inflation. As with our short-tail lines of business, we review and make changes to long-tail case-based reserves based on our review of continually evolving facts as they become available to us during the claims settlement process. Our adjustments to case-based reserves are reported in the financial statements in the period that new information arises about the claim. Examples of facts that become known that could cause us to change our case-based reserves include, but are not limited to: evidence that loss severity is different than previously assessed; new claimants who have presented claims; and the assessment that no coverage exists.
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves
On a quarterly basis, the Company's internal actuary performs a detailed analysis of IBNR reserves. This analysis uses various loss projection methods to provide several estimates of ultimate loss (or loss adjustment expense (LAE)) for each individual year and line of business. The loss projection methods include paid loss development; reported loss development; expected loss emergence based on paid losses; and expected loss emergence based on reported losses. The two methods utilized by our internal actuary to project loss settlement expenses are paid expenses development and development of the ratio of paid expense versus paid loss. Results of the projection methods are compared and a point estimate of ultimate loss (or LAE) is established for each individual year and line of business. The specific projection methods used to establish point estimates vary depending on what is deemed most appropriate for a particular line of business and year. Results of these methods are usually averaged together to provide a final point estimate. Given that there are several inputs depending on the line of business, the methods
60
Table of Contents
may be averaged and modified based on changes known to management or trends in the market. IBNR estimates are derived by subtracting reported loss from the final point estimate loss.
Senior management meets with our internal actuary and controller quarterly to review the adequacy of carried IBNR reserves based on results from this actuarial analysis and makes adjustments for changes in business and other factors not completely captured by the data within the actuarial analysis. There are two fundamental types or sources of IBNR reserves. We record IBNR for "normal" types of claims and also specific IBNR reserves related to unique circumstances or events. A major hurricane is an example of an event that might necessitate specific IBNR reserves because an analysis of existing historical data would not provide an appropriate estimate. This method of establishing our IBNR reserves has consistently resulted in aggregate reserve levels that management believes are reasonable in comparison to the reserve estimates indicated by the actuarial analysis.
For our short-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a small portion of the overall reserves. These claims are generally reported and settled shortly after the loss occurs. In our long-tail lines of business, IBNR reserves constitute a relatively higher proportion of total reserves, because, for many liability claims, significant periods of time may elapse between the initial occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us, and the ultimate settlement of the claim.
Loss Settlement Expense Reserves
Loss settlement expense reserves include amounts ultimately allocable to individual claims, as well as amounts required for the general overhead of the claims handling operation that are not specifically allocable to individual claims. We do not establish loss settlement expense reserves on a claim-by-claim basis. Instead, on a quarterly basis, our internal actuary performs a detailed statistical analysis (using historical data) to estimate the required reserve for unpaid loss settlement expenses. On a monthly basis, the required reserve estimate is adjusted to reflect additional earned exposure and expense payments that have occurred subsequent to completion of the quarterly analysis.
LAE is composed of two distinct kinds of expenses which are allocated LAE ("ALAE") and unallocated LAE ("ULAE"). These two expense types have different purposes and characteristics which necessitates different estimation methods in order to provide a valid quarterly estimate of the required reserve for unpaid expense which is generally referred to as an LAE IBNR reserve.
Reserves for unpaid ALAE are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using three methods: (1) Paid development, (2) Expected emergence of ALAE, and (3) Development of the ratio of paid ALAE to paid loss. Each of the three methods produces an estimate of the ultimate ALAE cost for an individual accident year and the final estimate is generally a weighted average of the various methods. Inception to date paid ALAE is subtracted from the final ultimate ALAE estimate to provide the estimated ALAE IBNR reserve for each individual accident year.
Reserves for unpaid ULAE are estimated quarterly by line of business for each individual accident year using a single method. This method consists of applying a percentage factor to unpaid loss reserves. The percentage factor used differs by line of business and is evaluated and established on an annual basis using year-end data. The percentage factor is evaluated and selected after reviewing the ratio of paid ULAE to paid loss using calendar year data for the most recent five years.
Generally, the loss settlement expense reserves for long-tail lines of business are a greater portion of the overall reserves, as there are often substantial legal fees and other costs associated with the complex liability claims that are associated with long-tail coverages. Because short-tail lines of business settle much more quickly and the costs are easier to determine, loss settlement expense reserves for such claims constitute a smaller portion of the total reserves.
Reinsurance Reserves
The estimation of assumed and ceded reinsurance loss and loss settlement expense reserves is subject to the same factors as the estimation of loss and loss settlement expense reserves. In addition to those factors, which give rise to
61
Table of Contents
inherent uncertainties in establishing loss and loss settlement expense reserves, there exists a delay in our receipt of reported claims for assumed business due to the procedure of having claims first reported through one or more intermediary insurers or reinsurers.
Reserves for assumed reinsurance are established using methods and techniques identical to those used for direct lines of business. The additional delay inherent in assumed reinsurance reporting is considered in our reserving process and payment is not problematic. Assumed reinsurance, like every independent line of business, has unique reporting and payment patterns that are reviewed as part of the reserve estimation process.
There are three distinct types of reserves ceded to reinsurers: (1) reported claim reserves, (2) loss IBNR, and (3) LAE IBNR. Ceded reserves for reported claims are calculated by subtracting the primary retention from the claim value established by our claim adjuster. Ceded loss IBNR originates from our boiler and machinery business which is 100 percent reinsured. For this business ceded loss IBNR is equal to direct loss IBNR. Boiler and machinery business is included in our commercial fire and allied line of business. We will cede some LAE expenses when we cede loss. Our ceded LAE IBNR is estimated based on our ceded unpaid loss reserves and the general relation, by line of business, between LAE and loss. Our primary retention was $2.0 million for 2012 through 2015 and increased to $2.5 million for 2016 through 2021.
Key Assumptions
Our internal and external actuaries and management use a number of key assumptions in establishing an estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, including the following assumptions: future loss settlement expenses can be estimated based on the Company's historical ratios of loss settlement expenses paid to losses; the Company's case-basis reserves reflect the most up-to-date information available about the unique circumstances of each individual claim; no new judicial decisions or regulatory actions will increase our case-basis obligations; historical aggregate claim reporting and payment patterns will continue into the future consistent with the observable past; significant unique and unusual claim events have been identified and appropriate adjustments have been made; and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no new latent trends that would impact our case-basis reserves.
Our key assumptions are subject to change as actual claims occur and as we gain additional information about the variables that underlie our assumptions. Accordingly, management reviews and updates these assumptions periodically to ensure that the assumptions continue to be valid. If necessary, management makes changes not only in the estimates derived from the use of these assumptions, but also in the assumptions themselves. Due to the inherent uncertainty in the loss reserving process, management believes that there is a reasonable chance that modification to key assumptions could individually, or in aggregate, result in reserve levels that are either significantly above or below the actual amount for which the related claims will eventually settle.
As an example, if our loss and loss settlement expense reserves of $1,514.3 million as of December 31, 2021, is 10.0 percent inadequate, we would experience a reduction in future pre-tax earnings of up to $151.4 million. This reduction could be recorded in one year or multiple years, depending on when we identify the deficiency. The deficiency would also affect our financial position in that our equity would be reduced by an amount equivalent to the reduction in net income. Any deficiency that would be recognized in our loss and loss settlement expense reserves usually does not have a material effect on our liquidity because the claims have not been paid. Conversely, if our estimates of ultimate unpaid loss and loss settlement expense reserves prove to be redundant, our future earnings and financial position would be improved. We believe our reserving philosophy, coupled with what we believe to be aggressive and successful claims management and loss settlement practices, has resulted in year-to-year redundancies in reserves. We believe our approach produces recorded reserves that are reasonable as to their relative position within a range of reasonable reserves from year-to-year.
We are unable to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in our key assumptions utilized to establish individual case-basis reserves on our total reported reserves because the impact of these changes would be unique to each specific case-basis reserve established. However, based on historical experience, we believe that aggregate case-basis reserve volatility levels of 5.0 percent and 10.0 percent can be attributed to the ultimate development of our net case-basis reserves. The impact to pre-tax earnings would be a decrease if the reserves were to be adjusted upwards
62
Table of Contents
and an increase if the reserves were to be adjusted downwards. The table below details the impact of this development volatility on our reported net case-basis reserves at December 31, 2021:
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in level of net case-basis reserve development | 5% | 10% | ||||
| Impact on reported net case-basis reserves | $ | 43,343 | $ | 86,687 |
Due to the formula-based nature of our IBNR and loss settlement expense reserve calculations, changes in the key assumptions utilized to generate these reserves can impact our reported results. It is not possible to isolate and measure the potential impact of just one of these factors, and future loss trends could be partially impacted by all factors concurrently. Nevertheless, it is meaningful to view the sensitivity of the reserves to potential changes in these variables such as claim frequency and severity. To demonstrate the sensitivity of reserves to changes in significant assumptions, the following example is presented. The amounts reflect the pre-tax impact on earnings from a hypothetical percentage change in the calculation of IBNR and loss settlement expense reserves at December 31, 2021. The impact to pre-tax earnings would be a decrease if the reserves were to be adjusted upwards and an increase if the reserves were to be adjusted downwards. We believe that the changes presented are reasonably likely based upon an analysis of our historical IBNR and loss settlement expense reserve experience.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in claim frequency and claim severity assumptions | 5% | 10% | ||||
| Impact due to change in IBNR reserving assumptions | $ | 11,153 | $ | 22,307 |
| (In Thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in LAE paid to losses paid ratio | 1% | 2% | ||||
| Impact due to change in LAE reserving assumptions | $ | 3,114 | $ | 6,229 |
In 2021, we did not change the key method through which we develop our assumptions on which we based our reserving calculations. In estimating our 2021 loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we did not anticipate future events or conditions that were inconsistent with past development patterns.
Certain of our lines of business are subject to the potential for greater loss and loss settlement expense development than others, which are discussed below:
Other Liability Reserves
Other liability is considered a long-tail line of business, as it can take a relatively long period of time to settle claims from prior accident years. This is partly due to the lag time between the date a loss or event occurs that triggers coverage and the date when the claim is actually reported. Defense costs are also a part of the insured expenses covered by liability policies and can be significant, sometimes greater than the cost of the actual paid claims. For the majority of our products, defense costs are outside of the policy limit, meaning that the amounts paid for defense costs are not subtracted from the available policy limit.
Factors that can cause reserve uncertainty in estimating reserves in this line include: reporting time lags; the number of parties involved in the underlying tort action; whether the "event" triggering coverage is confined to only one time period or is spread over multiple time periods; the potential dollars involved in the individual claim actions; whether such claims were reasonably foreseeable and intended to be covered at the time the contracts were written (i.e., coverage disputes); and the potential for mass claim actions.
Claims with longer reporting time lags may result in greater inherent risk. This is especially true for alleged claims with a latency feature, particularly where courts have ruled that coverage is spread over multiple policy years, hence involving multiple defendants (and their insurers and reinsurers) and multiple policies (thereby increasing the potential dollars involved and the underlying settlement complexity). Claims with long latencies also increase the
63
Table of Contents
potential time lag between writing a policy in a certain market and the recognition that such policy has potential mass tort and/or latent claim exposure.
Our reserve for other liability claims at December 31, 2021, was $671.0 million and consisted of 5,113 claims, compared with $652.3 million, consisting of 5,895 claims at December 31, 2020. Of the $671.0 million total reserve for other liability claims, $151.3 million is identified as defense costs and $36.3 million is identified as general overhead required in the settlement of claims.
Included in the other liability line of business are gross reserves for construction defect losses and loss settlement expenses. Construction defect is a liability allegation relating to defective work performed in the construction of structures such as commercial buildings, apartments, condominiums, single family dwellings or other housing, as well as the sale of defective building materials. These claims seek recovery due to damage caused by alleged deficient construction techniques or workmanship. At December 31, 2021, we had $86.8 million in construction defect loss and loss settlement expense reserves, excluding IBNR reserves that are calculated for the overall other liability commercial line, which consisted of 4,496 claims. At December 31, 2020, our reserves, excluding IBNR reserves, totaled $73.6 million, which consisted of 3,983 claims. The reporting of such claims can be delayed, as the statute of limitations can be up to 10 years. Court decisions in recent years have expanded insurers' exposure to construction defect claims. As a result, claims may be reported more than 10 years after a project has been completed, as litigation can proceed for several years before an insurance company is identified as a potential contributor. Claims have also emerged from parties claiming additional insured status on policies issued to other parties, such as contractors seeking coverage from a subcontractor's policy.
In addition to these issues, other variables also contribute to a high degree of uncertainty in establishing reserves for construction defect claims. These variables include: whether coverage exists; when losses occur; the size of each loss; expectations for future interpretive rulings concerning contract provisions; and the extent to which the assertion of these claims will expand geographically. In recent years, we have implemented various underwriting measures that we anticipate will mitigate the amount of construction defect losses experienced. These initiatives include increased care regarding additional insured endorsements; stricter underwriting guidelines on the writing of residential contractors; and an increased utilization of loss control.
Asbestos and Environmental Reserves
Included in the other liability and assumed reinsurance lines of business are reserves for asbestos and other environmental losses and loss settlement expenses. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $2.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, in direct and assumed asbestos and environmental loss reserves. The estimation of loss reserves for environmental claims and claims related to long-term exposure to asbestos and other substances is one of the most difficult aspects of establishing reserves, especially given the inherent uncertainties surrounding such claims. Although we record our best estimate of loss and loss settlement expense reserves, the ultimate amounts paid upon settlement of such claims may be more or less than the amount of the reserves, because of the significant uncertainties involved and the likelihood that these uncertainties will not be resolved for many years.
Commercial Auto Reserves
Commercial auto claim reserves are established at exposure based on information either known and provided or obtained through the investigation, with some pessimism built in. Incorporated are the perspective and experience the claims staff has acquired, which may include assumptions as to how the claim will develop over time, and with a slightly pessimistic view. Exposures are identified and reserves established within 30 to 60 days depending on the complexity of the case.
Workers' Compensation Reserves
Like the other liability line of business, workers' compensation losses and loss settlement expense reserves are based upon variables that create imprecision in estimating the ultimate reserve. Estimates for workers' compensation are particularly sensitive to assumptions about medical cost inflation, which has been steadily increasing over the past few years. Other variables that we consider and that contribute to the uncertainty in establishing reserves for
64
Table of Contents
workers' compensation claims include: state legislative and regulatory environments; trends in jury awards; and mortality rates. Because of these variables, the process of reserving for the ultimate loss and loss settlement expense to be incurred requires the use of informed judgment and is inherently uncertain. Consequently, actual loss and loss settlement expense reserves may deviate from our estimates. Such deviations may be significant. Our reserve for workers' compensation claims at December 31, 2021 was $167.1 million and consisted of 2,028 claims, compared with $173.6 million, consisting of 3,192 claims, at December 31, 2020.
Reserve Development
The following reserve development section should be read in conjunction with the "Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019" section of this Item 7.
In 2021, 2020 and 2019, we recognized a favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years totaling $48.9 million, $17.7 million and $5.3 million, respectively.
The factors contributing to our year-to-year redundancy include: establishing reserves at their ultimate expected loss amount as soon as practicable after information becomes available, which produces, on average, cautiously pessimistic case reserves; using claims negotiation to control the size of settlements; assuming that we have liability for all claims, even though the issue of liability may, in some cases, be resolved in our favor; promoting claims management services to encourage return-to-work programs; case management by nurses for serious injuries and management of medical provider services and billings; and using programs and services to help prevent fraud and to assist in favorably resolving cases.
Based upon our comparison of carried reserves to actual claims experience over the last several years, we believe that using our Company's historical premium and claims data to establish reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses results in adequate and reasonable reserves. Reserve development is discussed in more detail under the heading "Reserve Development" in the "Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019" section in this Item 7.
The following table details the pre-tax impact on our property and casualty insurance business' financial results and financial condition of reasonably likely reserve development. Our lines of business that have historically been most susceptible to significant volatility in reserve development have been shown separately and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 5.0 percent and 10.0 percent. Our other, less volatile, lines of business have been aggregated and utilize hypothetical levels of volatility of 3.0 percent and 5.0 percent.
| (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -10% | -5% | +5% | +10% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Other liability | $ | (67,095) | $ | (33,547) | $ | 33,547 | $ | 67,095 | ||||||
| Workers' compensation | (16,710) | (8,355) | 8,355 | 16,710 | ||||||||||
| Automobile | (43,629) | (21,815) | 21,815 | 43,629 | ||||||||||
| Hypothetical Reserve Development Volatility Levels | -5% | -3% | +3% | +5% | ||||||||||
| Impact on loss and loss settlement expenses | ||||||||||||||
| All other lines | $ | (11,996) | $ | (7,198) | $ | 7,198 | $ | 11,996 |
Independent Actuary
We engage an independent actuarial firm to render an opinion as to the reasonableness of the statutory reserves internal management establishes. During 2021 and 2020, we engaged the services of Regnier as our independent actuarial firm for the property and casualty insurance business. We anticipate that this engagement will continue in 2022.
65
Table of Contents
It is management's policy to utilize staff adjusters to develop our estimate of case-basis loss reserves. IBNR and loss settlement expense reserves are established through various formulae that utilize pertinent, recent Company historical data. The calculations are supplemented with knowledge of current trends and events that could result in adjustments to the level of IBNR and loss settlement expense reserves. On a quarterly basis, we compare our estimate of total reserves to the estimates prepared by Regnier by line of business to ensure that our estimates are within the actuary's acceptable range. Regnier performs a review of loss and loss settlement expense reserves at each year end using generally accepted actuarial guidelines to ensure that the recorded reserves appear reasonable. Our net reserves for losses and loss settlement expenses as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $1,401.4 million and $1,446.3 million, respectively. In 2021 and 2020, after considering the independent actuary's range of reasonable estimates, management believes that carried reserves were reasonable and therefore did not adjust the recorded amount.
Regnier uses four projection methods in its actuarial analysis of our loss reserves and uses two projection methods in its actuarial analysis of our loss settlement expense reserves. Based on the results of the projection methods, the actuaries select an actuarial point estimate of the reserves, which is compared to our carried reserves to evaluate the reasonableness of the carried reserves. The four methods utilized by Regnier to project losses are: paid loss development; reported loss development; expected loss emergence based on paid losses; and expected loss emergence based on reported losses. The two methods utilized by Regnier to project loss expenses are: paid expenses-to-paid loss and paid expense-to-ultimate loss.
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Obligations
The process of estimating our pension and post-retirement benefit obligations and related benefit expense is inherently uncertain, and the actual cost of benefits may vary materially from the estimates recorded. These liabilities are particularly volatile due to their long-term nature and are based on several assumptions. The main assumptions used in the valuation of our benefit obligations are: estimated mortality of the employees and retirees eligible for benefits; estimated expected long-term rates of return on investments; estimated compensation increases; estimated employee turnover; estimated medical expense trend rate; and estimated rate used to discount the ultimate estimated liability to a present value. We engage a consulting actuary from Principal Financial Group, an independent firm, to assist in evaluating and establishing assumptions used in the valuation of our benefit obligations.
A change in any one or more of these assumptions is likely to result in an ultimate liability different from the original actuarial estimate. Such changes in estimates may be material. For example, a 100 basis point decrease in our estimated discount rate would increase the pension at December 31, 2021 by $50.4 million while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease the benefit obligation $39.3 million.
A 100 basis point decrease in our estimated long-term rate of return on pension plan assets would increase the benefit expense for the year ended December 31, 2021, by $2.8 million, while a 100 basis point increase in the rate would decrease benefit expense by $2.8 million, for the same period.
The post-retirement benefit obligation is less than $1.0 million at December 31, 2021 due to the plan closure at the end of 2022, therefore any change in the discount rate will be immaterial to the benefit obligation.
Goodwill
As described in Part II, Item 8, Note 14 "Intangible Assets," the Company performed a quantitative impairment analysis on its one reporting unit and recognized an impairment charge of $15.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually, during the third quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The Company used a weighting of the income and market approaches to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. The impairment was based on the following factors: (i) disruptions in the equity markets, specifically for property and casualty insurance companies, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and due to the current year weather related catastrophes; and (ii) the fair value of our stock trading significantly below book value.
66
Table of Contents
The Company's quantitative goodwill impairment test involved estimating the fair value of the Company, which was sensitive to significant assumptions, such as forecasted revenues and loss and loss settlement expenses, discount rate, and terminal growth rate which are used in the income approach and comparable publicly traded companies and estimated valuation multiples which are used in the market approach.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Information specific to accounting standards that we adopted in 2021 or pending accounting standards that we expect to adopt in the future is incorporated by reference from Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" contained in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."