Safety Announces Third Quarter 2021 Results and Declares Fourth Quarter 2021 Dividend

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAFT) (“the Company”) today reported third quarter 2021 results.

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 was $24.8 million, or $1.64 per diluted share, compared to net income of $44.7 million, or $2.96 per diluted share, for the comparable 2020 period. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $98.7 million, or $6.58 per diluted share, compared to net income of $85.2 million, or $5.58 per diluted share, for the comparable 2020 period. Non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) operating income, as defined below, for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 was $1.70 per diluted share, compared to $2.53 per diluted share, for the comparable 2020 period. Non-GAAP operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $5.51 per diluted share, compared to $6.02 per diluted share, for the comparable 2020 period.

Safety’s book value per share increased to $61.94 at September 30, 2021 from $59.40 at December 31, 2020. Safety paid $0.90 per share in dividends to investors during the quarters ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Safety paid $3.60 per share in dividends to investors during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Direct written premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 decreased by $2.3 million, or 1.1%, to $211.1 million from $213.4 million for the comparable 2020 period. Direct written premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by $4.5 million, or 0.7% to $620.6 million from $616.1 million for the comparable 2020 period. The nine months ended September 30, 2020 direct written premium reflects the Safety Personal Auto Relief Credit, a 15% policyholder credit that was applied to personal auto policies for the months of April, May and June 2020 and was booked as an adjustment to premiums during the second quarter of 2020.

Net written premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 decreased by $3.1 million, or 1.5%, to $202.6 million from $205.7 million for the comparable 2020 period. Net written premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by $1.1 million, or 0.2%, to $593.6 million from $592.5 million for the comparable 2020 period. Net earned premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 decreased by $0.4 million, or 0.2%, to $194.4 million from $194.8 million for the comparable 2020 period. Net earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by $6.9 million, or 1.2%, to $581.5 million from $574.6 million for the comparable 2020 period. The changes in both periods are a result of the changes in direct written premiums as described above.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2021, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $22.0 million, or 22.7%, to $119.1 million from $97.1 million for the comparable 2020 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $32.0 million, or 10.4%, to $340.8 million from $308.8 million for the comparable 2020 period. The 2020 losses and loss adjustment expenses in both periods reflect a decrease in frequency, primarily in our private passenger automobile line of business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 was $15.4 million compared to $15.3 million for the comparable 2020 period. Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $41.2 million compared to $34.6 million for the comparable 2020 period.

Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 were 61.3%, 32.6%, and 93.9%, respectively, compared to 49.8%, 35.2%, and 85.0%, respectively, for the comparable 2020 period. Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were 58.6%, 33.3%, and 91.9%, respectively, compared to 53.7%, 34.0%, and 87.7%, respectively, for the comparable 2020 period.

Net investment income for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 increased by $1.4 million, or 14.3%, to $11.1 million from $9.7 million for the comparable 2020 period. Net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by $2.1 million, or 6.8%, to $32.4 million from $30.3 million for the comparable 2020 period. The increase in both periods is a result of an increase in the average invested asset balance and an increase in the equity in earnings of other invested assets compared to the prior year. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 was 3.1% compared to 2.8% for the comparable 2020 period. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was 3.0% compared to 2.9% for the comparable 2020 period. Our duration on fixed maturities was 3.5 years at September 30, 2021 compared to 3.2 years at December 31, 2020, respectively.

Today, our Board of Directors approved a $0.90 per share quarterly cash dividend on its issued and outstanding common stock payable on December 15, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 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 better 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 (expense) benefit and taxes related thereto. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $3.4 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized within income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $7.5 million recognized in the comparable 2020 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $11.4 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized in income before income taxes, compared to a decrease of $5.6 million recognized in the comparable 2020 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, 2020 Form 10-K with the SEC on February 26, 2021 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;
  • Our possible need for and availability of additional financing, and our dependence on strategic relationships, among others;
  • The effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on the Company’s business are uncertain, and court decisions or legislative or regulatory changes that take place after the Company issues its policies, including those taken in response to COVID-19 (such as requiring insurers to cover business interruption claims irrespective of terms or other conditions included in the policies that would otherwise preclude coverage), can result in an unexpected increase in the number of claims and have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations;
  • The possibility that civil litigation and/or the Commissioner may require additional premium relief payouts related to COVID-19;
  • The impact of COVID-19 and related risks, including on the Company's employees, agents or other key partners, could materially affect the Company's results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity; 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, 2020 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021.

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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,235,207 and $1,189,951,

allowance for expected credit losses of $729 and $1,054)

 

$

1,277,402

 

$

1,256,653

Short term investments, at fair value (cost: $0 and $441)

 

 

 

 

441

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $204,243 and $168,289)

 

 

252,623

 

 

205,254

Other invested assets

 

 

66,323

 

 

45,239

Total investments

 

 

1,596,348

 

 

1,507,587

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

44,703

 

 

53,769

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for expected credit losses of $2,409 and $1,754

 

 

183,774

 

 

179,147

Receivable for securities sold

 

 

7,113

 

 

1,311

Accrued investment income

 

 

9,289

 

 

8,045

Taxes recoverable

 

 

 

 

279

Receivable from reinsurers related to paid loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

11,269

 

 

13,432

Receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

99,248

 

 

106,311

Ceded unearned premiums

 

 

22,567

 

 

22,406

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

 

76,445

 

 

74,962

Equity and deposits in pools

 

 

38,955

 

 

30,429

Operating lease right-of-use-assets

 

 

27,313

 

 

31,000

Other assets

 

 

27,704

 

 

25,595

Total assets

 

$

2,144,728

 

$

2,054,273

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

 

$

578,547

 

$

567,581

Unearned premium reserves

 

 

434,167

 

 

421,901

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

64,413

 

 

79,486

Payable for securities purchased

 

 

28,224

 

 

7,144

Payable to reinsurers

 

 

18,623

 

 

8,236

Deferred income taxes

 

 

11,561

 

 

17,611

Taxes payable

 

 

2,643

 

 

Debt

 

 

30,000

 

 

30,000

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

27,313

 

 

31,000

Other liabilities

 

 

21,160

 

 

6,635

Total liabilities

 

 

1,216,651

 

 

1,169,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock: $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 17,813,573 and 17,724,866 shares issued

 

 

178

 

 

178

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

214,576

 

 

209,779

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes

 

 

33,909

 

 

53,527

Retained earnings

 

 

803,248

 

 

745,029

Treasury stock, at cost: 2,831,168 shares

 

 

(123,834)

 

 

(123,834)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

928,077

 

 

884,679

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,144,728

 

$

2,054,273

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earned premiums

 

$

194,395

 

$

194,843

 

$

581,542

 

$

574,640

Net investment income

 

 

11,112

 

 

9,718

 

 

32,418

 

 

30,344

Earnings from partnership investments

 

 

5,720

 

 

4,699

 

 

12,625

 

 

2,589

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

 

2,226

 

 

669

 

 

8,507

 

 

(683)

Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities

 

 

(3,447)

 

 

7,521

 

 

11,414

 

 

(5,639)

Credit loss (expense) benefit

 

 

(49)

 

 

182

 

 

325

 

 

(2,289)

Finance and other service income

 

 

3,751

 

 

4,768

 

 

11,660

 

 

12,252

Total revenue

 

 

213,708

 

 

222,400

 

 

658,491

 

 

611,214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

119,129

 

 

97,054

 

 

340,785

 

 

308,774

Underwriting, operating and related expenses

 

 

63,291

 

 

68,596

 

 

193,404

 

 

195,192

Interest expense

 

 

131

 

 

131

 

 

390

 

 

308

Total expenses

 

 

182,551

 

 

165,781

 

 

534,579

 

 

504,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

31,157

 

 

56,619

 

 

123,912

 

 

106,940

Income tax expense

 

 

6,337

 

 

11,877

 

 

25,251

 

 

21,694

Net income

 

$

24,820

 

$

44,742

 

$

98,661

 

$

85,246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per weighted average common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.65

 

$

2.99

 

$

6.63

 

$

5.62

Diluted

 

$

1.64

 

$

2.96

 

$

6.58

 

$

5.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per common share

 

$

0.90

 

$

0.90

 

$

2.70

 

$

2.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares used in computing earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

14,982,405

 

 

14,907,809

 

 

14,826,515

 

 

15,085,914

Diluted

 

 

15,080,029

 

 

15,030,277

 

 

14,922,870

 

 

15,204,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

24,820

 

$

44,742

 

$

98,661

 

$

85,246

Exclusions from net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized (gains) losses on investments

 

 

(2,226)

 

 

(669)

 

 

(8,507)

 

 

683

Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities

 

 

3,447

 

 

(7,521)

 

 

(11,414)

 

 

5,639

Credit loss expense (benefit)

 

 

49

 

 

(182)

 

 

(325)

 

 

2,289

Income tax (benefit) expense on exclusions from net income

 

 

(267)

 

 

1,758

 

 

4,252

 

 

(1,808)

Non-GAAP operating income

 

$

25,823

 

$

38,128

 

$

82,667

 

$

92,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per diluted share

 

$

1.64

 

$

2.96

 

$

6.58

 

$

5.58

Exclusions from net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized (gains) losses on investments

 

 

(0.15)

 

 

(0.04)

 

 

(0.57)

 

 

0.04

Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities

 

 

0.23

 

 

(0.50)

 

 

(0.76)

 

 

0.37

Credit loss expense (benefit)

 

 

-

 

 

(0.01)

 

 

(0.02)

 

 

0.15

Income tax (benefit) expense on exclusions from net income

 

 

(0.02)

 

 

0.12

 

 

0.28

 

 

(0.12)

Non-GAAP operating income per diluted share

 

$

1.70

 

$

2.53

 

$

5.51

 

$

6.02

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Additional Premium Information

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

Written Premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

211,098

 

$

213,438

 

$

620,568

 

$

616,085

Assumed

 

 

7,585

 

 

5,675

 

 

23,345

 

 

20,781

Ceded

 

 

(16,079)

 

 

(13,355)

 

 

(50,265)

 

 

(44,414)

Net written premiums

 

$

202,604

 

$

205,758

 

$

593,648

 

$

592,452

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned Premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

204,429

 

$

205,421

 

$

608,448

 

$

608,517

Assumed

 

 

7,202

 

 

6,542

 

 

23,199

 

 

23,411

Ceded

 

 

(17,236)

 

 

(17,120)

 

 

(50,105)

 

 

(57,288)

Net earned premiums

 

$

194,395

 

$

194,843

 

$

581,542

 

$

574,640

 

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