Safety Insurance Group, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2022 Results and Declares Third Quarter 2022 Dividend

About this update from Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

BOSTON --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAFT) (“Safety” or the “Company”) today reported second quarter 2022 results. George M. Murphy , President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The insurance industry continues to experience strong headwinds as operating results are adversely impacted by economic and inflationary trends coupled with rising interest rates that negatively impact our investment portfolio. For the quarter ending June 30, 2022 , we have posted a combined ratio of 92.1%, which demonstrates our strong underwriting discipline and focus on expense management. During the quarter, we also reduced a COVID-19 related legal expense reserve of $6.5 million based on the recent Supreme Court of Massachusetts decision, as described below.” Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 was $7.9 million , or $0.53 per diluted share, compared to net income of $37.7 million , or $2.49 per diluted share, for the comparable 2021 period. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $15.7 million , or $1.06 per diluted share, compared to net income of $73.8 million , or $4.93 per diluted share, for the comparable 2021 period. The decrease is largely due to the change in net unrealized gains on equity securities of $41.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 . Non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) operating income, as defined below, for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 was $1.91 per diluted share, compared to $1.85 per diluted share, for the comparable 2021 period. Non-GAAP operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $2.92 per diluted share, compared to $3.78 per diluted share, for the comparable 2021 period. Safety’s book value per share decreased to $55.54 at June 30, 2022 from $62.47 at December 31, 2021 resulting from the impact of interest rate changes on the value of our fixed maturity portfolio of $86.5 million . Additional decreases in book value resulted from capital allocation activities, specifically dividends paid, and shares repurchased during the first quarter of 2022. Safety paid $0.90 per share in dividends to investors during the quarters ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Safety paid $3.60 per share in dividends to investors during the year ended December 31, 2021 . Today, our Board of Directors approved a $0.90 per share quarterly cash dividend on its issued and outstanding common stock payable on September 15, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2022 . Direct written premiums for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 decreased by $2.6 million , or 1.2%, to $214.6 million from $217.2 million for the comparable 2021 period. Direct written premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2022 decreased by $5.4 million , or 1.3% to $404.1 million from $409.5 million for the comparable 2021 period. The decrease is primarily in our private passenger automobile line of business and is a result of a decrease in policy counts. For the quarter ended June 30, 2022 , losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $2.5 million , or 2.3%, to $112.7 million from $110.2 million for the comparable 2021 period. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 , losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $14.2 million , or 6.4%, to $235.9 million from $221.7 million for the comparable 2021 period. The increase in losses is due to a return of pre-pandemic frequency in our private passenger automobile line of business and current market conditions including inflation and supply chain delays. Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 were 59.8%, 32.3%, and 92.1%, respectively, compared to 56.7%, 33.5%, and 90.2%, respectively, for the comparable 2021 period. Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated for the six months ended June 30, 2022 were 62.8%, 32.6%, and 95.4%, respectively, compared to 57.3%, 33.6%, and 90.9%, respectively, for the comparable 2021 period. The decrease in the expense ratio is driven by a decrease in contingent commission expenses. Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 was $16.9 million compared to $13.3 million for the comparable 2021 period. Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $29.3 million compared to $25.8 million for the comparable 2021 period. The Company had been named in named in a lawsuit alleging that the Company improperly denied coverage to commercial insureds for loss of business income resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 21, 2022 , the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial court (“SJC”), the state’s highest-level court, issued its decision in Verveine Corp. v. Strathmore; in which it confirmed the decision of the original trial court’s dismissal of the insureds’ business interruption claims against Strathmore Insurance on the grounds that the presence of the coronavirus on the insured premises did not constitute “direct physical loss of or damage to” property. Shortly after SJC’s ruling, the claim against the Company closed and the accrued reserve of $6.5 million for legal defense costs was reversed. Net investment income for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 increased by $1.8 million , or 19.0%, to $11.6 million from $9.8 million for the comparable 2021 period. Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 increased by $0.9 million , or 4.3%, to $22.2 million from $21.3 million for the comparable 2021 period. The increase is a result of an increase in the average invested asset balance and an increase in floating interest rates on our fixed maturities high yield portfolio compared to the prior year. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 was 3.2% compared to 2.7% for the comparable 2021 period. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was 3.0% compared to 2.9% for the comparable 2021 period. Our duration on fixed maturities was 3.7 years at June 30, 2022 compared to 3.6 years at December 31, 2021 . 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 (losses) on investments, change in net unrealized gains on equity securities, credit loss benefit (expense) and taxes related thereto. For the three months June 30, 2022 , a decrease of $28.9 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized within income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $8.6 million recognized in the comparable 2021 period. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 , a decrease of $41.9 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized in income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $14.7 million recognized in the comparable 2021 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 , and Safety Northeast Insurance Company . 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, 2021 Form 10-K with the SEC on February 28, 2022 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 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, 2021 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022 . 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 , 2022 2021 (Unaudited) Assets Investments: Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,151,367 and $1,187,857 , allowance for expected credit losses of $691 and $691 ) $ 1,072,241 $ 1,218,279 Short term investments, at fair value (cost: $5 and $0 ) 5 — Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $223,519 and $211,848 ) 234,697 264,945 Other invested assets 103,634 87,911 Total investments 1,410,577 1,571,135 Cash and cash equivalents 39,083 63,603 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for expected credit losses of $1,677 and $1,808 182,835 170,953 Receivable for securities sold 872 9,256 Accrued investment income 7,100 7,401 Taxes recoverable 16,153 1,508 Receivable from reinsurers related to paid loss and loss adjustment expenses 10,738 18,234 Receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses 88,538 90,667 Ceded unearned premiums 26,407 23,795 Deferred policy acquisition costs 73,518 73,024 Deferred income taxes 1,803 — Equity and deposits in pools 36,369 33,592 Operating lease right-of-use-assets 25,348 27,115 Other assets 28,065 27,108 Total assets $ 1,947,406 $ 2,117,391 Liabilities Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves $ 548,145 $ 570,651 Unearned premium reserves 421,455 413,487 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 54,663 76,598 Payable for securities purchased 5,192 16,477 Payable to reinsurers 13,343 9,192 Deferred income taxes — 15,240 Debt 30,000 30,000 Operating lease liabilities 25,348 27,115 Other liabilities 30,637 31,458 Total liabilities 1,128,783 1,190,218 Shareholders’ equity Common stock: $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 17,881,694 and 17,813,370 shares issued 179 178 Additional paid-in capital 219,453 216,070 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes (61,964 ) 24,579 Retained earnings 810,955 821,743 Treasury stock, at cost: 3,141,477 and 2,970,573 shares (150,000 ) (135,397 ) Total shareholders’ equity 818,623 927,173 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,947,406 $ 2,117,391 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 , 2022 2021 2022 2021 Net earned premiums $ 188,333 $ 194,297 $ 375,421 $ 387,147 Net investment income 11,635 9,774 22,225 21,306 Earnings from partnership investments 5,967 2,614 8,799 6,905 Net realized gains on investments 3,152 3,406 7,362 6,281 Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities (28,885 ) 8,654 (41,919 ) 14,861 Credit loss (expense) benefit — 193 — 374 Finance and other service income 3,403 3,937 6,720 7,909 Total revenue 183,605 222,875 378,608 444,783 Losses and loss adjustment expenses 112,715 110,161 235,881 221,656 Underwriting, operating and related expenses 60,872 65,089 122,466 130,113 Interest expense 131 130 260 259 Total expenses 173,718 175,380 358,607 352,028 Income before income taxes 9,887 47,495 20,001 92,755 Income tax expense 1,986 9,828 4,262 18,914 Net income $ 7,901 $ 37,667 $ 15,739 $ 73,841 Earnings per weighted average common share: Basic $ 0.54 $ 2.50 $ 1.07 $ 4.96 Diluted $ 0.53 $ 2.49 $ 1.06 $ 4.93 Cash dividends paid per common share $ 0.90 $ 0.90 $ 1.80 $ 1.80 Number of shares used in computing earnings per share: Basic 14,599,057 14,983,365 14,613,399 14,817,312 Diluted 14,702,627 15,079,495 14,715,099 14,913,561 Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Operating Income Net income $ 7,901 $ 37,667 $ 15,739 $ 73,841 Exclusions from net income: Net realized gains on investments (3,152 ) (3,406 ) (7,362 ) (6,281 ) Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities 28,885 (8,654 ) 41,919 (14,861 ) Credit loss (benefit) expense - (193 ) - (374 ) Income tax expense on exclusions from net income (5,404 ) 2,573 (7,257 ) 4,518 Non-GAAP operating income $ 28,230 $ 27,987 $ 43,039 $ 56,843 Net income per diluted share $ 0.53 $ 2.49 $ 1.06 $ 4.93 Exclusions from net income: Net realized gains on investments (0.21 ) (0.23 ) (0.50 ) (0.42 ) Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities 1.96 (0.57 ) 2.85 (1.00 ) Credit loss (benefit) expense - (0.01 ) - (0.03 ) Income tax expense on exclusions from net income (0.37 ) 0.17 (0.49 ) 0.30 Non-GAAP operating income per diluted share $ 1.91 $ 1.85 $ 2.92 $ 3.78 Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Additional Premium Information (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended June 30 , Six Months Ended June 30 , 2022 2021 2022 2021 Written Premiums Direct $ 214,576 $ 217,233 $ 404,069 $ 409,470 Assumed 7,967 8,429 14,708 15,760 Ceded (19,819 ) (18,836 ) (38,001 ) (34,186 ) Net written premiums $ 202,724 $ 206,826 $ 380,776 $ 391,044 Earned Premiums Direct $ 198,953 $ 202,964 $ 395,472 $ 404,019 Assumed 7,584 7,970 15,338 15,997 Ceded (18,204 ) (16,637 ) (35,389 ) (32,869 ) Net earned premiums $ 188,333 $ 194,297 $ 375,421 $ 387,147 View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220803005945/en/ Safety Insurance Group, Inc. Office of Investor Relations 877-951-2522 [email protected] Source: Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

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