American Safety Insurance’s Net Loss
Bermuda-based American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. yesterday [Mar.6] reported a net loss of $6.9 million, or $(0.67) per diluted share, for the 2011 fourth quarter, compared to net earnings of $10.6 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the same period in 2010.
Net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2011, were $10.8 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, compared to $30.5 million, or $2.87 per diluted share, for the year ended 2010.
Financial highlights for the quarter included:
- Gross written premiums decreased 8% to $68.1 million
- Total revenues increased 3% to $68.5 million
- Net earned premiums increased 5% to $60.4 million
- The combined ratio was 124.2% compared to 101.4%
Financial highlights for the year included:
- Gross written premiums increased 8% to $298.5 million
- Total revenues increased 16% to $278.5 million
- Net earned premiums increased 16% to $232.9 million
- The combined ratio was 112.0% compared to 100.3%
- Cash flow from operations increased by 4% to $61.9 million
- Book value increased 6% to $30.80 per diluted share
All comparisons are with the same period last year unless stated otherwise.
Fourth Quarter Results
Excess & Surplus gross written premiums totaled $35.8 million compared to $37.9 million, ART gross written premiums were $19.1 million compared to $21.8 million, and Assumed Reinsurance gross written premiums were $13.2 million compared to $14.0 million.
The increase in total revenue to $68.5 million was driven by increased earned premiums of $3.1 million, partially offset by lower investment income. Investment income was $7.7 million as increased invested assets were offset by lower yields.
The combined ratio was 124.2%, composed of a loss ratio of 85.1% and an expense ratio of 39.1%. The loss ratio increased to 85.1% from 59.8% for the same quarter of 2010 due to pre-tax net loss reserve strengthening in the 2011 quarter of $16.4 million (27.2 points), of which $6.5 million (10.8 points) relates to prior accident years and $9.9 million (16.4 points) relates to current accident year losses. The components of the net loss reserve strengthening are: (1) E&S favorable net loss reserve development of $12.2 million, (2) ART net loss reserve strengthening of $18.7 million, (3) Assumed Reinsurance net loss reserve strengthening of $7.9 million, and (4) Run-off net loss reserve strengthening of $2.0 million.
The favorable net loss reserve development in the E&S division was driven primarily by the construction business. Net loss reserve strengthening in the ART division is primarily attributable to one program that was terminated in 2011. In the Assumed Reinsurance division, the net loss reserve strengthening of $7.9 million includes $3.6 million of catastrophe losses and the remainder is primarily associated with one professional liability contract that was non-renewed in 2010.
Year End Results
E&S gross written premiums were $155.5 million compared to $138.2 million, ART gross written premiums were $83.8 million compared to $88.8 million, and Assumed Reinsurance gross written premiums were $59.2 million compared to $50.6 million.
The increase in total revenue to $278.5 million was due to increases in net earned premiums and net realized gains on sales of investments of $32.1 million and $8.7 million, respectively. Investment income was $31.3 million compared to $32.1 million in 2010.
The combined ratio of 112.0% was composed of a loss ratio of 72.7% and an expense ratio of 39.3%. The 2011 loss ratio includes net loss reserve strengthening of $33.6 million (14.4 points), of which $13.4 million (5.7 points) relates to prior accident year loss reserves and $20.2 million (8.7 points) relates to current accident year losses. The components of the reserve strengthening are: (1) E&S net favorable loss reserve development of $8.8 million, (2) ART net reserve strengthening of $23.6 million, (3) Assumed Reinsurance net loss reserve strengthening of $16.8 million and (4) Run-off net loss reserve strengthening of $2.0 million. Included in the 2011 net loss reserve strengthening are $13.5 million (5.8 points) of losses attributable to property catastrophes and other weather events.
The investment portfolio increased 8% to $883.1 million. The book yield at December 31, 2011, was 4.1% and the duration was approximately four.
The company has completed its 2010 common share repurchase authorization of 500,000 common shares at an average cost of $19.26. On January 24, 2012, the company’s board of directors authorized an additional repurchase of up to 500,000 shares.
Commenting on the results, Stephen R. Crim, Chief Executive Officer, said: “2011 was a difficult year for the property & casualty insurance industry and ASI was not an exception. I am encouraged by our ability to obtain modest rate increases in certain products and the continued favorable performance of our excess and surplus lines business. The execution of our diversification strategy over the past several years has positioned the company well for premium growth and increased profitability as market conditions continue to improve.”
For 25 years, American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd., a Bermuda holding company, has offered innovative solutions outside the US in the reinsurance and alternative risk markets through its subsidiaries, American Safety Reinsurance, Ltd. and American Safety Assurance, Ltd., and in the US for specialty risks and alternative risk markets through its program administrator, American Safety Insurance Services, Inc., and insurance company subsidiaries and affiliates, American Safety Casualty Insurance Company, American Safety Indemnity Company, American Safety Risk Retention Group, Inc. and American Safety Assurance, Inc.
As a group, ASI’s insurance subsidiaries and affiliates are rated “A” [Excellent] IX by A.M. Best.
