Safety Insurance Group, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2024 Results and Declares Third Quarter 2024 Dividend

Rhea-AI Summary

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAFT) reported second quarter 2024 results with net income of $16.6 million, or $1.13 per diluted share. The company saw a 22.1% increase in net earned premiums to $246.9 million, driven by new business production and rate increases. Safety's combined ratio improved to 99.9%, favorably impacted by a transaction related to the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association. Direct written premiums increased by 21.3% to $315.5 million. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share, payable on September 13, 2024. Safety's book value per share increased to $54.61 at June 30, 2024, from $54.37 at December 31, 2023.

Positive

• 22.1% increase in net earned premiums to $246.9 million
• 21.3% increase in direct written premiums to $315.5 million
• Combined ratio improved to 99.9% from 101.9% in the comparable 2023 period
• Book value per share increased to $54.61 from $54.37 at year-end 2023
• Exposure count growth across all lines of business, including 11.9% in Private Passenger Automobile

Negative

• Net income slightly decreased to $16.6 million from $17.0 million in the comparable 2023 period
• Increase in current year loss experience in Private Passenger Automobile due to policy count growth and inflationary trends
• Net investment income for Q2 2024 decreased by 2.4% to $13.5 million

Insights

Financial Analyst

Safety Insurance Group's Q2 2024 results show a mixed financial picture. While net earned premiums increased significantly by 22.1%, net income slightly decreased to $16.6 million ($1.13 per diluted share) from $17.0 million in Q2 2023. The company's combined ratio improved to 99.9%, largely due to a one-time $9.7 million benefit from the FAIR Plan restructuring.

The growth in policy counts and rate increases are driving revenue growth, but also contributing to higher losses, particularly in the Private Passenger Automobile segment. The company's book value per share increased marginally to $54.61 and a $0.90 quarterly dividend was declared, maintaining its shareholder-friendly approach.

Investors should monitor the impact of inflationary pressures on loss ratios and the company's ability to maintain profitability as it grows its policy base.

Insurance Industry Expert

Safety's Q2 results highlight the challenges facing auto insurers in the current economic environment. The 11.9% growth in Private Passenger Automobile exposure count, coupled with a 12.4% increase in average written premium per exposure, indicates aggressive growth and pricing strategies. However, this growth is accompanied by higher loss experiences, likely due to inflationary pressures on repair costs and medical expenses.

The restructuring of the Massachusetts FAIR Plan is a significant industry development. The transition from a profit-sharing model to a stand-alone entity could impact future results, as Safety will no longer share in the plan's profits or losses. The $23 million equity balance recognition is a one-time benefit that investors should not expect to recur.

The company's ability to maintain a sub-100% combined ratio in this challenging environment is commendable, but continued vigilance on underwriting and pricing will be crucial.

Market Research Analyst

Safety's Q2 results reflect broader trends in the property and casualty insurance market. The company's strong growth in policy counts across all lines (11.9% in Private Passenger Auto, 4.9% in Commercial Auto and 10.3% in Homeowners) suggests it's gaining market share in its operating regions of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

The significant increases in average written premiums (12.4%, 8.5% and 8.8% respectively) indicate that Safety is successfully implementing rate increases to combat inflationary pressures. This ability to raise rates without losing customers is a positive sign of the company's competitive position.

However, the rising loss ratios in the Private Passenger Auto segment align with industry-wide challenges. Investors should watch for any signs of market saturation or increased competition that could limit Safety's ability to continue raising rates or growing its policy base in future quarters.

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

George M. Murphy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are seeing the financial impact of both ongoing rate increases and growth in policy counts with net earned premium increasing by 22.1% for the second quarter of 2024 compared to 2023. However, the growth in policy counts combined with ongoing inflationary trends in the Private Passenger Automobile book of business has resulted in an increase in current year loss experience compared to second quarter of 2023.”

“For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, our combined ratio is 99.9% which is favorably impacted by a transaction related to the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association as discussed below. The restructuring of the Association resulted in favorable prior year development and reduced loss and loss adjustment expenses by $9.7 million. The Company continues to see strong results across all revenue lines and increased profitability in our insurance agency operations.”

Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $16.6 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, compared to net income of $17.0 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, for the comparable 2023 period. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $36.7 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.7 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the comparable 2023 period. Non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) operating income, as defined below, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $1.18 per diluted share, compared to $0.80 per diluted share, for the comparable 2023 period. Non-GAAP operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $2.09 per diluted share, compared to Non-GAAP operating loss of $0.07 per diluted share, for the comparable 2023 period.

Safety’s book value per share increased to $54.61 at June 30, 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 June 30, 2024 and 2023. Safety paid $3.60 per share in dividends to investors during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Today, our Board of Directors approved a $0.90 per share quarterly cash dividend on our issued and outstanding common stock payable on September 13, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 3, 2024.

Direct written premiums for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 increased by $55.3 million, or 21.3%, to $315.5 million from $260.2 million for the comparable 2023 period. Direct written premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased by $104.9 million, or 21.9% to $582.9 million from $478.0 million for the comparable 2023 period. Net written premiums for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 increased by $49.9 million, or 20.4%, to $294.9 million from $245.0 million for the comparable 2023 period. Net written premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased by $97.4 million, or 21.7%, to $545.3 million from $447.9 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 six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company achieved exposure count growth across all lines of business, including 11.9%, 4.9% and 10.3% in Private Passenger Automobile, Commercial Automobile and Homeowners lines, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, average written premium per exposure increased 12.4%, 8.5% and 8.8% in Private Passenger Automobile, Commercial Automobile and Homeowners lines, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023.

Net earned premiums for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 increased by $44.7 million, or 22.1%, to $246.9 million from $202.2 million for the comparable 2023 period. Net earned premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased by $89.0 million, or 22.6%, to $483.0 million from $394.0 million for the comparable 2023 period.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $29.2 million, or 20.4%, to $172.7 million from $143.5 million for the comparable 2023 period. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $30.4 million, or 9.8%, to $341.1 million from $310.7 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, offset by a transaction related to the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (“FAIR Plan”).

Since 1998, the Company has been a member company of the FAIR Plan. The FAIR Plan is a residual market insurance association in which all companies writing basic property insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are required to participate with profits and losses shared among member companies on a written premium basis. On April 1, 2024, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance approved a restructuring of the FAIR Plan transforming it from a partnership that shares profits and losses with member companies to a stand-alone, risk bearing entity, and distributing the accumulated members’ equity.

The Company carried a net asset of $13.3 million as of June 30, 2024, representing its estimated share of members’ equity based on the estimated profitability of the FAIR Plan. As an element of the restructuring, the FAIR Plan calculated each member company’s equity balance and notified the Company that our net asset balance was $23.0 million as of June 30, 2024. As a result, the Company recognized an increase in our asset and an underwriting gain of $9.7 million through the release of prior year loss reserves (“FAIR Plan Development”). Additionally, the restructuring required the Company to establish assets as of June 30, 2024, including an investment in FAIR Plan Trust of $14.9 million and a receivable of $8.0 million, of which $6.4 million was paid on July 2, 2024. The remaining receivable is expected to be paid by November 1, 2024. Going forward, the Company’s Investment in FAIR Plan Trust will be adjusted to its current fair value on a quarterly basis with changes recognized through earnings.

Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, were 70.0%, 29.9%, and 99.9%, respectively, compared to 71.0%, 30.9%, and 101.9%, respectively, for the comparable 2023 period. The decrease in the expense ratio is primarily driven by the increase in earned premiums and a decrease in contingent commission expenses. Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were 70.6%, 30.3%, and 100.9%, respectively, compared to 78.9%, 31.1%, and 110.0%, respectively, for the comparable 2023 period. The prior year loss ratio was impacted by a severe weather event, totaling $32.1 million of losses.

Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $19.4 million compared to $10.0 million for the comparable 2023 period. Total prior year favorable development included pre-tax results for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $30.4 million compared to $21.5 million for the comparable 2023 period. The increase in 2024 is related to the FAIR Plan Development noted above.

Net investment income for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 decreased by $0.3 million, or 2.4% to $13.5 million from $13.8 million for the comparable 2023 period. The decrease is due to the timing of interest and cash payments from our variable rate secured and senior bank loans and high yield bonds. Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased by $1.2 million, or 4.5%, to $28.7 million from $27.5 million for the comparable 2023 period. The increase is a result of increases in interest rates on our fixed maturity portfolio compared to the prior year. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio was 3.9% for the quarters ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was 4.1% compared to 3.9% for the comparable 2023 period. The investment portfolio’s duration on fixed maturities was 3.5 years at June 30, 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 three months ended June 30, 2024, a decrease of $3.5 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized within income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $6.3 million recognized in the comparable 2023 period. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $4.2 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized in income before income taxes, compared to $7.0 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)
		June 30,				December 31,
		2024				2023
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,120,235 and $1,120,682, allowance for expected credit losses of $1,387 and $1,208)		$	1,043,097			$	1,052,145
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $196,039 and $221,809)			216,434				238,022
Other invested assets			154,195				133,946
Total investments			1,413,726				1,424,113
Cash and cash equivalents			44,579				38,152
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for expected credit losses of $939 and $1,053			312,361				256,687
Receivable for securities sold			2,908				124
Accrued investment income			7,281				7,261
Taxes recoverable			2,233				623
Receivable from reinsurers related to paid loss and loss adjustment expenses			27,187				13,129
Receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses			126,747				112,623
Ceded unearned premiums			35,969				32,346
Deferred policy acquisition costs			100,599				91,917
Deferred income taxes			14,328				12,150
Equity and deposits in pools			6,947				35,247
Operating lease right-of-use-assets			17,966				19,756
Goodwill			17,093				17,093
Intangible assets			7,130				7,551
Other assets			24,863				25,232
Total assets		$	2,161,917			$	2,094,004
Liabilities
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		$	621,637			$	603,081
Unearned premium reserves			586,577				528,150
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			68,301				64,235
Payable for securities purchased			11,521				1,863
Payable to reinsurers			15,736				15,941
Short-term debt			30,000				—
Long-term debt			—				30,000
Operating lease liabilities			17,966				19,756
Other liabilities			—				26,711
Total liabilities			1,351,738				1,289,737
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock: $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 17,993,947 and 17,949,484 shares issued			180				179
Additional paid-in capital			228,817				226,380
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes			(59,843	)			(53,191	)
Retained earnings			791,318				781,192
Treasury stock, at cost: 3,157,577 shares			(150,293	)			(150,293	)
Total shareholders’ equity			810,179				804,267
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	2,161,917			$	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 June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net earned premiums		$	246,944			$	202,225			$	482,997			$	393,960
Net investment income			13,500				13,836				28,731				27,490
Earnings from partnership investments			2,480				553				4,252				2,719
Net realized gains on investments			2,715				108				3,207				841
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities			(3,483	)			6,266				4,182				7,036
Credit loss expense			(37	)			(35	)			(179	)			(957	)
Commission income			2,027				1,758				3,835				3,241
Finance and other service income			5,637				4,732				10,991				8,872
Total revenue			269,783				229,443				538,016				443,202
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			172,742				143,523				341,141				310,676
Underwriting, operating and related expenses			73,921				62,582				146,188				122,615
Other expense			1,747				1,523				3,584				3,193
Interest expense			138				348				261				558
Total expenses			248,548				207,976				491,174				437,042
Income before income taxes			21,235				21,467				46,842				6,160
Income tax expense			4,599				4,466				10,128				1,496
Net income		$	16,636			$	17,001			$	36,714			$	4,664
Earnings per weighted average common share:
Basic		$	1.13			$	1.15			$	2.49			$	0.32
Diluted		$	1.13			$	1.15			$	2.48			$	0.31
Cash dividends paid per common share		$	0.90			$	0.90			$	1.80			$	1.80
Number of shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic			14,698,770				14,681,034				14,682,937				14,681,766
Diluted			14,722,209				14,720,520				14,709,398				14,741,076
Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Operating Income (Loss)
Net income		$	16,636			$	17,001			$	36,714			$	4,664
Exclusions from net income:
Net realized gains on investments			(2,715	)			(108	)			(3,207	)			(841	)
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities			3,483				(6,266	)			(4,182	)			(7,036	)
Credit loss expense			37				35				179				957
Income tax (benefit) expense on exclusions from net income			(169	)			1,331				1,514				1,453
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)		$	17,272			$	11,993			$	31,018			$	(803	)
Net income per diluted share		$	1.13			$	1.15			$	2.48			$	0.31
Exclusions from net income:
Net realized gains on investments			(0.18	)			(0.01	)			(0.22	)			(0.06	)
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities			0.24				(0.43	)			(0.28	)			(0.48	)
Credit loss expense			-				-				0.01				0.06
Income tax (benefit) expense on exclusions from net income			(0.01	)			0.09				0.10				0.10
Non-GAAP operating income (loss) per diluted share		$	1.18			$	0.80			$	2.09			$	(0.07	)

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Additional Premium Information (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
		Three Months Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Written Premiums
Direct		$	315,511			$	260,157			$	582,850			$	478,009
Assumed			8,325				8,528				17,763				15,758
Ceded			(28,901	)			(23,716	)			(55,383	)			(45,914	)
Net written premiums		$	294,935			$	244,969			$	545,230			$	447,853
Earned Premiums
Direct		$	265,908			$	217,281			$	517,792			$	422,836
Assumed			7,997				7,605				16,965				15,518
Ceded			(26,961	)			(22,661	)			(51,760	)			(44,394	)
Net earned premiums		$	246,944			$	202,225			$	482,997			$	393,960

 

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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) net income for Q2 2024?

Safety Insurance Group (SAFT) reported a net income of $16.6 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024.

How much did Safety Insurance Group's (SAFT) net earned premiums increase in Q2 2024?

Safety Insurance Group's (SAFT) net earned premiums increased by 22.1% to $246.9 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

What dividend did Safety Insurance Group (SAFT) declare for Q3 2024?

Safety Insurance Group (SAFT) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share, payable on September 13, 2024, to shareholders of record as of September 3, 2024.

What was Safety Insurance Group's (SAFT) combined ratio for Q2 2024?

Safety Insurance Group's (SAFT) combined ratio for the second quarter of 2024 was 99.9%, an improvement from 101.9% in the comparable 2023 period.