Safety Insurance Group, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Year Ended 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Safety Insurance Group (NASDAQ:SAFT) reported strong performance for Q4 and full-year 2024, achieving record direct written premiums exceeding $1 billion. The company experienced a 20.4% increase in direct written premiums driven by 8.5% growth in policy counts and 10.9% increase in average premium per policy across all lines.

Key financial highlights include: net income of $70.7 million ($4.78 per diluted share) for 2024, up from $18.9 million in 2023; improved combined ratio of 101.1% versus 107.7% in 2023; and book value increase of 8.4% to $55.83 per share. The company maintained quarterly dividends at $0.90 per share.

Notable growth metrics include: 10.0% increase in Private Passenger Automobile policies, 4.5% in Commercial Automobile, and 8.7% in Homeowners lines. Average written premiums per policy rose by 14.1%, 10.7%, and 8.9% respectively in these segments.

Positive

• Record direct written premiums exceeding $1 billion (+20.4% YoY)
• Net income increased to $70.7M from $18.9M YoY
• Combined ratio improved to 101.1% from 107.7%
• Policy count growth across all business lines
• Book value per share increased 8.4% to $55.83

Negative

• Net investment income decreased 1.2% to $55.7M
• Q4 net income decreased to $8.1M from $12.3M YoY
• Net effective annualized yield declined to 3.9% from 4.0%

Insights

Financial Analyst

Safety Insurance Group's 2024 results reveal a robust turnaround story in a challenging insurance market. The company achieved 20.4% growth in direct written premiums, crossing the $1 billion threshold for the first time while significantly improving profitability metrics. Net income surged to $70.7 million ($4.78 per share) from $18.9 million in 2023, representing a 274% increase.

The combined ratio improvement to 101.1% from 107.7% indicates substantial progress in underwriting discipline, though it remains above the breakeven point of 100%. This suggests Safety is still working toward underwriting profitability despite the significant improvements. The company is executing a balanced growth strategy with both policy count expansion (8.5%) and rate increases (10.9% average premium increase), addressing the inflationary pressures that have challenged auto insurers.

Safety's geographic concentration in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine represents both a strength and risk. The company's deep regional expertise has enabled targeted rate actions that appear to be successfully addressing loss trends, particularly in the Private Passenger Automobile segment where they achieved 10.0% policy count growth alongside a 14.1% average premium increase.

The $51.9 million in favorable prior year development (up from $47.4 million) indicates conservative reserving practices, though investors should note that such releases aren't sustainable indefinitely. The slight decrease in investment income despite the higher interest rate environment warrants attention, as the portfolio yield declined from 4.0% to 3.9%.

The maintenance of the $0.90 quarterly dividend while increasing book value by 8.4% demonstrates financial discipline and shareholder commitment. With a shorter portfolio duration of 3.5 years, Safety is well-positioned to reinvest at higher rates as securities mature, potentially reversing the investment income decline in coming quarters.

Insurance Industry Specialist

Safety Insurance's 2024 results demonstrate exceptional execution in a challenging property and casualty market. While many auto insurers continue struggling with profitability, Safety has achieved a remarkable 6.6% improvement in its combined ratio to 101.1%, approaching the breakeven point of 100%.

The company's dual-pronged growth strategy is particularly impressive—increasing policy counts while simultaneously implementing substantial rate increases. In the Private Passenger Auto segment, achieving 10.0% policy growth alongside a 14.1% premium increase runs counter to industry norms, where carriers typically sacrifice volume when pushing significant rate actions. This suggests Safety's regional expertise and strong agency relationships provide competitive advantages in their tri-state footprint.

The Massachusetts FAIR Plan restructuring contributed $10.1 million to development, representing a one-time regulatory benefit that investors shouldn't expect to recur. Excluding this item, the underlying combined ratio improvement remains substantial but would be closer to 102.1%.

Safety's favorable prior year development of $51.9 million (5.1% of earned premium) indicates consistently conservative reserving practices. However, this level of reserve releases isn't indefinitely sustainable and could diminish as the book grows and matures, potentially creating earnings headwinds in future years.

The company's expense ratio improvement to 30.2% while growing premiums by 20.4% demonstrates impressive operational leverage. This efficiency provides a competitive advantage in a market where many carriers face rising acquisition and technology costs.

Safety's regional concentration creates regulatory and catastrophe exposure risks but also enables market-specific expertise that appears to be yielding superior results. The company's 8.4% book value growth while maintaining its $3.60 annual dividend (approximately 4.5% yield at current prices) provides investors with both income and appreciation potential.

The slight decline in investment yield to 3.9% despite the higher interest rate environment suggests some portfolio rotation challenges, though the relatively short 3.5-year duration positions Safety well for reinvestment opportunities as securities mature.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAFT) (“Safety” or the “Company”) today reported fourth quarter and year ended 2024 results.

George M. Murphy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “For the year ended December 31, 2024, Safety Insurance continued to achieve significant direct written premium growth, which increased 20.4% over the prior year, driving our top-line revenue above $1 billion dollars for the first time in the Company’s history. Our strong top-line growth was a result of an 8.5% increase in overall policy counts and a 10.9% increase in average premium per policy, blended across all lines of business. Along with the increased policy counts, premium rate actions are earning into our results and contributing to improvements in our loss ratios. For the year ended December 31, 2024, Safety Insurance posted a 101.1% combined ratio compared to 107.7% from the prior year. In addition, positive trends in other revenue lines contributed to stronger earnings per share and an increase in book value of 8.4%. For the fourth quarter 2024, Safety posted a 101.9% combined ratio compared to 106.5% in the prior year, as a result of the same factors that are impacting the full year.”

Fourth Quarter and Year Ended 2024 Results and Recent Development

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was $8.1 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, compared to net income of $12.3 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, for the comparable 2023 period. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $70.7 million, or $4.78 per diluted share, compared to net income of $18.9 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, for the comparable 2023 period. Non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) operating income, as defined below, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was $0.94 per diluted share, compared to $0.30 per diluted share for the comparable 2023 period. Non-GAAP operating income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $4.16 per diluted share compared to $0.84 per diluted share, for the comparable 2023 period.

Safety’s book value per share increased to $55.83 at December 31, 2024 from $54.37 at December 31, 2023 resulting from net income offset by dividends paid. Safety paid $0.90 per share in dividends to investors during the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Safety paid $3.60 per share in dividends to investors during the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

On February 14, 2025, our Board of Directors approved a $0.90 per share quarterly cash dividend on our issued and outstanding common stock payable on March 14, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2025.

Direct written premiums for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 increased by $45.9 million, or 18.7%, to $292.0 million from $246.1 million for the comparable 2023 period. Direct written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $201.9 million, or 20.4%, to $1,193.1 million from $991.2 million for the comparable 2023 period. Net written premiums for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 increased by $29.3 million, or 12.9%, to $255.6 million from $226.3 million for the comparable 2023 period. Net written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $168.1 million, or 18.2%, to $1,093.4 million from $925.3 million for the comparable 2023 period.

The increases in direct written premiums and net written premiums are a result of new business production and rate increases. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company achieved policy count growth across all lines of business, including 10.0%, 4.5% and 8.7% in Private Passenger Automobile, Commercial Automobile and Homeowners lines, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2024, average written premium per policy increased 14.1%, 10.7% and 8.9% in Private Passenger Automobile, Commercial Automobile and Homeowners lines, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023.

Net earned premiums for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 increased by $43.1 million, or 19.0%, to $269.1 million from $226.0 million for the comparable 2023 period. Net earned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $176.3 million, or 21.1%, to $1,010.7 million from $834.4 million for the comparable 2023 period.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $20.9 million, or 12.1%, to $193.0 million from $172.1 million for the comparable 2023 period. For the year ended December 31, 2024, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $74.3 million, or 11.6%, to $716.6 million from $642.3 million for the comparable 2023 period. The increase in losses is driven by our larger policy counts and current market conditions, specifically inflationary impacts on our Private Passenger Automobile book of business.

Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, were 71.7%, 30.2%, and 101.9%, respectively, compared to 76.1%, 30.4%, and 106.5%, respectively, for the comparable 2023 period. The decrease in loss and expense ratios is driven by the increase in earned premiums. The loss ratio is also favorably impacted by the moderation of loss severity in the Private Passenger Automobile line. Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated for the year ended December 31, 2024 were 70.9%, 30.2%, and 101.1%, respectively, compared to 77.0%, 30.7%, and 107.7%, respectively, for the comparable 2023 period. The prior year loss ratio was impacted by severe weather events totaling $41.2 million of losses.

Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was $13.0 million compared to $12.4 million for the comparable 2023 period. Total prior year favorable development included pre-tax results for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $51.9 million compared to $47.4 million for the comparable 2023 period. Included within 2024 current and prior year development is $10.1 million related to the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (“FAIR Plan”). On April 1, 2024, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance approved a restructuring of the FAIR Plan that resulted in the Company recognizing current and prior year development.

Net investment income for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $0.1 million, or 0.7% to $14.8 million from $14.9 million for the comparable 2023 period. Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $0.7 million, or 1.2%, to $55.7 million from $56.4 million for the comparable 2023 period. The decrease is due to the earned interest from our higher yield bonds and variable rate secured and senior bank loans. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio was 4.0% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 4.2% for comparable 2023 period. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio was 3.9% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 4.0% at 2023. The investment portfolio’s duration on fixed maturities was 3.5 years at December 31, 2024 compared to 3.6 years at December 31, 2023.

Non-GAAP Measures

Management has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in presenting the Company’s results. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful to explain the Company’s results of operations and allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s business. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition, our definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies.

Non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating income per diluted share consist of our GAAP net income adjusted by the net realized gains on investments, change in net unrealized gains on equity securities, credit loss benefit (expense) and taxes related thereto. For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $10.9 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized within income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $9.7 million recognized in the comparable 2023 period. For the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $4.0 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized in income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $7.5 million recognized in the comparable 2023 period. Net income and earnings per diluted share are the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating income per diluted share, respectively. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial measures to these non-GAAP measures is included in the financial highlights below.

About Safety: Safety Insurance Group, Inc., based in Boston, MA, is the parent of Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Safety Northeast Insurance Company, and Safety Northeast Insurance Agency. Operating exclusively in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, Safety is a leading writer of property and casualty insurance products, including private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, umbrella and business owner policies.

Additional Information: Press releases, announcements, U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Filings and investor information are available under “About Safety,” “Investor Information” on our Company website located at www.SafetyInsurance.com. Safety filed its December 31, 2023 Form 10-K with the SEC on February 28, 2024 and urges shareholders to refer to this document for more complete information concerning Safety’s financial results.

Cautionary Statement under "Safe Harbor" Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This press release contains, and Safety may from time to time make, written or oral "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “aim,” “projects,” or words of similar meaning and expressions that indicate future events and trends, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may”. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company’s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expenditures and financial results, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual future conditions, events, results or trends to differ significantly and/or materially from historical results or those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to:

• The competitive nature of our industry and the possible adverse effects of such competition;
• Conditions for business operations and restrictive regulations in Massachusetts;
• The possibility of losses due to claims resulting from severe weather;
• The impact of inflation and supply chain delays on loss severity;
• The possibility that the Commissioner of Insurance may approve future rule changes that change the operation of the residual market;
• The possibility that existing insurance-related laws and regulations will become further restrictive in the future;
• The impact of investment, economic and underwriting market conditions, including interest rates and inflation;
• Our possible need for and availability of additional financing, and our dependence on strategic relationships, among others; and
• Other risks and factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC, such as those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024.

We are not under any obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. You should carefully consider the possibility that actual results may differ materially from our forward-looking statements.

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
		December 31,				December 31,
		2024				2023
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,181,038 and $1,120,682, allowance for expected credit losses of $1,198 and $1,208)		$	1,115,218			$	1,052,145
Short-term investments, at fair value (cost: $19,970 and $0)			19,975				—
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $201,258 and $221,809)			221,422				238,022
Other invested assets			156,444				133,946
Total investments			1,513,059				1,424,113
Cash and cash equivalents			58,974				38,152
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for expected credit losses of $918 and $1,053			306,465				256,687
Receivable for securities sold			568				124
Accrued investment income			7,426				7,261
Taxes recoverable			—				623
Receivable from reinsurers related to paid loss and loss adjustment expenses			26,386				13,129
Receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses			130,792				112,623
Ceded unearned premiums			41,413				32,346
Deferred policy acquisition costs			105,474				91,917
Deferred income taxes			11,200				12,150
Equity and deposits in pools			3,740				35,247
Operating lease right-of-use-assets			15,733				19,756
Goodwill			17,093				17,093
Intangible assets			7,730				7,551
Other assets			24,037				25,232
Total assets		$	2,270,090			$	2,094,004
Liabilities
Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves		$	671,669			$	603,081
Unearned premium reserves			619,916				528,150
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			77,276				64,235
Payable for securities purchased			6,949				1,863
Payable to reinsurers			19,074				15,941
Taxes payable			1,009				—
Short-term debt			30,000				—
Long-term debt			—				30,000
Operating lease liabilities			15,733				19,756
Other liabilities			—				26,711
Total liabilities			1,441,626				1,289,737
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock: $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 17,995,584 and 17,949,484 shares issued			180				179
Additional paid-in capital			230,864				226,380
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes			(51,047	)			(53,191	)
Retained earnings			798,760				781,192
Treasury stock, at cost: 3,157,577 shares			(150,293	)			(150,293	)
Total shareholders’ equity			828,464				804,267
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	2,270,090			$	2,094,004

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net earned premiums		$	269,050			$	226,029			$	1,010,704			$	834,414
Net investment income			14,779				14,882				55,720				56,377
Earnings from partnership investments			1,674				394				10,271				5,540
Net realized gains on investments			3,199				216				7,720				1,327
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities			(10,929	)			9,650				3,951				7,502
Credit loss benefit (expense)			346				24				9				(530	)
Commission income			2,144				1,773				7,942				6,932
Finance and other service income			6,456				5,428				23,700				19,394
Total revenue			286,719				258,396				1,120,017				930,956
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			193,007				172,105				716,637				642,302
Underwriting, operating and related expenses			81,266				68,748				305,322				256,580
Other expense			2,203				1,638				7,683				6,836
Interest expense			124				121				509				818
Total expenses			276,600				242,612				1,030,151				906,536
Income before income taxes			10,119				15,784				89,866				24,420
Income tax expense			1,988				3,522				19,132				5,545
Net income		$	8,131			$	12,262			$	70,734			$	18,875
Earnings per weighted average common share:
Basic		$	0.55			$	0.83			$	4.79			$	1.28
Diluted		$	0.55			$	0.83			$	4.78			$	1.28
Cash dividends paid per common share		$	0.90			$	0.90			$	3.60			$	3.60
Number of shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic			14,701,222				14,645,987				14,692,089				14,663,730
Diluted			14,722,190				14,678,038				14,717,118				14,710,131
Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Operating Income
Net income		$	8,131			$	12,262			$	70,734			$	18,875
Exclusions from net income:
Net realized gains on investments			(3,199	)			(216	)			(7,720	)			(1,327	)
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities			10,929				(9,650	)			(3,951	)			(7,502	)
Credit loss (benefit) expense			(346	)			(24	)			(9	)			530
Income tax (expense) benefit expense on exclusions from net income			(1,551	)			2,077				2,453				1,743
Non-GAAP operating income		$	13,964			$	4,449			$	61,507			$	12,319
Net income per diluted share		$	0.55			$	0.83			$	4.78			$	1.28
Exclusions from net income:
Net realized gains on investments			(0.22	)			(0.01	)			(0.52	)			(0.09	)
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities			0.74				(0.66	)			(0.27	)			(0.51	)
Credit loss (benefit) expense			(0.02	)			-				-				0.04
Income tax (expense) benefit on exclusions from net income			(0.11	)			0.14				0.17				0.12
Non-GAAP operating income per diluted share		$	0.94			$	0.30			$	4.16			$	0.84

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Additional Premium Information (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
		Three Months Ended December 31,									Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Written Premiums
Direct		$	292,025			$	246,091			$	1,193,057			$	991,224
Assumed			(2,606	)			7,620				20,279				30,850
Ceded			(33,856	)			(27,356	)			(119,931	)			(96,779	)
Net written premiums		$	255,563			$	226,355			$	1,093,405			$	925,295
Earned Premiums
Direct		$	301,987			$	243,513			$	1,102,695			$	897,598
Assumed			(2,810	)			7,345				18,874				29,702
Ceded			(30,127	)			(24,829	)			(110,865	)			(92,886	)
Net earned premiums		$	269,050			$	226,029			$	1,010,704			$	834,414

 

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

Office of Investor Relations

877-951-2522

InvestorRelations@SafetyInsurance.com

Source: Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

FAQ

What was Safety Insurance Group's (SAFT) revenue growth in 2024?

SAFT's direct written premiums increased by 20.4% to $1,193.1 million in 2024, marking the first time exceeding $1 billion in company history.

How much dividend did SAFT pay shareholders in 2024?

SAFT paid $3.60 per share in dividends during 2024, with quarterly payments of $0.90 per share.

What was SAFT's combined ratio for full-year 2024?

The combined ratio improved to 101.1% in 2024, down from 107.7% in 2023.

How did SAFT's policy growth perform across different insurance lines in 2024?

Policy counts grew 10.0% in Private Passenger Auto, 4.5% in Commercial Auto, and 8.7% in Homeowners lines.

What was Safety Insurance Group's (SAFT) earnings per share in 2024?

SAFT reported net income of $4.78 per diluted share in 2024, compared to $1.28 per diluted share in 2023.