• Donegal Group Inc. Announces Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2021 Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 27 Oct 2021 15:05:01   America/Chicago

    MARIETTA, Pa., Oct. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ:DGICA) and (NASDAQ:DGICB) today reported its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021.

    Significant items (all comparisons to third quarter of 2020):

    • Net loss of $6.7 million, or 22 cents per Class A share, compared to net income of $11.8 million, or 41 cents per diluted Class A share
    • Net premiums earned increased 6.1% to $196.2 million
    • Net premiums written1 increased 9.0% to $197.0 million
    • Combined ratio of 107.7%, compared to 98.3%, largely due to elevated weather-related and fire loss activity
    • Net loss included after-tax net investment losses of $1.2 million, or 4 cents per Class A share, compared to after-tax net investment gains of $2.6 million, or 9 cents per diluted Class A share
    • Book value per share of $17.21 at September 30, 2021, compared to $16.96 at September 30, 2020
     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2021   2020  % Change  2021   2020  % Change
     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                
    Income Statement Data           
    Net premiums earned$196,235  $184,926   6.1% $575,975  $556,552  3.5%
    Investment income, net 7,764   7,403   4.9   22,926   21,952  4.4 
    Net investment (losses) gains (1,570)  3,268   NM2   5,140   (940) NM 
    Total revenues 203,106   196,512   3.4   606,222   580,323  4.5 
    Net (loss) income (6,712)  11,837   NM   19,982   38,247  -47.8 
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income1 (5,471)  9,255   NM   15,922   39,151  -59.3 
    Annualized return on average equity -4.9%  9.5%  NM   5.0%  10.7% -5.7 pts 
                           
    Per Share Data                      
    Net (loss) income – Class A (diluted)$(0.22) $0.41   NM  $0.66  $1.33  -50.4%
    Net (loss) income – Class B (0.20)  0.37   NM   0.59   1.21  -51.2 
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class A (diluted) (0.18)  0.32   NM   0.52   1.36  -61.8 
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class B (0.16)  0.29   NM   0.47   1.24  -62.1 
    Book value 17.21   16.96   1.5%  17.21   16.96  1.5 
                

    1The “Definitions of Non-GAAP and Operating Measures” section of this release defines and reconciles data that we prepare on an accounting basis other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

    2Not meaningful.

    Management Commentary

    Overview

    Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc., noted, “We achieved our premium growth objectives for the third quarter of 2021 due in part to excellent premium retention and commercial premium rate increases. However, our quarterly underwriting results were impacted by elevated weather-related, large fire and large workers’ compensation losses. In addition, personal automobile loss frequency returned closer to historical averages, resulting in a higher third quarter of 2021 loss ratio compared to the prior-year quarter. Net favorable development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years continued in the third quarter of 2021, related primarily the lower-than-anticipated claim emergence in our personal and commercial automobile lines of business.”

    Growth Trends

    Mr. Burke continued, “Donegal Group achieved net premiums written growth of 9.0% during the third quarter of 2021, with a 17.6% increase in our commercial lines business segment compared to the prior-year quarter. In addition to new business growth, solid premium retention and renewal premium increases, the quarterly commercial growth reflected the inclusion of $10.4 million of commercial premiums from four Southwestern states. In late August 2021, we successfully deployed the second major release within our ongoing systems modernization project. This release will facilitate the phased roll-out of new personal lines products in ten states over the next year. We expect the new products to begin generating an increase in personal lines new business premium writings in 2022.”

    Underwriting Results

    Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented on the third quarter underwriting results, “Our insurance subsidiaries’ combined ratio increased to 107.7% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to 98.3% for the prior-year quarter in which we experienced lower claim frequency due in large part to pandemic conditions. While weather-related losses were elevated for the third quarter of 2021, the loss ratio impact was consistent with our historical third-quarter average. As economic activity increased compared to the prior-year quarter, we incurred large fire losses that exceeded our historical quarterly average, including $6.0 million from three individual losses that exceeded our per-risk reinsurance retention amount. We also experienced higher loss severity in our workers’ compensation line of business, primarily due to a handful of unrelated severe injury claims. Our expense ratio for the third quarter of 2021 declined slightly compared to the prior-year quarter, due to lower underwriting-based incentive costs for our agents and employees that were partially offset by increased expenses related to our continuing investment in technology systems that we anticipate will benefit us over time.”

    Book Value Appreciation

    Mr. Burke concluded, “Our book value per share increased to $17.21 at September 30, 2021, compared to $17.13 at December 31, 2020, largely due to profitable year-to-date results that were largely offset by dividend payments and a decrease in unrealized gains within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio related to comparatively higher market interest rates at September 30, 2021.”

    Insurance Operations

    Donegal Group is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in three Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania), three New England states (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont), six Southern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and four Southwestern states (Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah). Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group.

     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2021   2020  % Change  2021   2020  % Change
     (dollars in thousands)
                
    Net Premiums Earned           
    Commercial lines$119,709  $103,436   15.7% $344,234  $307,080  12.1%
    Personal lines 76,526   81,490   -6.1   231,741   249,472  -7.1 
    Total net premiums earned$196,235  $184,926   6.1% $575,975  $556,552  3.5%
                
    Net Premiums Written           
    Commercial lines:           
    Automobile$36,604  $31,172   17.4% $126,417  $104,083  21.5%
    Workers' compensation 26,265   25,467   3.1   89,773   86,329  4.0 
    Commercial multi-peril 43,869   34,220   28.2   143,584   112,461  27.7 
    Other 9,157   7,714   18.7   29,578   25,007  18.3 
    Total commercial lines 115,895   98,573   17.6   389,352   327,880  18.7 
    Personal lines:           
    Automobile 44,711   46,794   -4.5   132,014   143,610  -8.1 
    Homeowners 30,978   30,716   0.9   84,035   85,975  -2.3 
    Other 5,431   4,697   15.6   17,081   15,255  12.0 
    Total personal lines 81,120   82,207   -1.3   233,130   244,840  -4.8 
    Total net premiums written$197,015  $180,780   9.0% $622,482  $572,720  8.7%
                

    Net Premiums Written

    The 9.0% increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2020, as shown in the table above, represents 17.6% growth in commercial lines net premiums written, partially offset by a 1.3% decline in personal lines net premiums written. The $16.2 million increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2020 included:

    • Commercial Lines: $17.3 million increase that we attribute primarily to the allocation from the Donegal Mutual underwriting pool of $10.4 million of business Donegal Mutual and its subsidiaries wrote in four Southwestern states, new commercial accounts our insurance subsidiaries wrote throughout their operating regions and a continuation of renewal premium increases.
    • Personal Lines: $1.1 million decline that we attribute to net attrition as a result of underwriting measures our insurance subsidiaries implemented to slow new policy growth, partially offset by premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries have implemented over the past four quarters.

    Underwriting Performance

    We evaluate the performance of our commercial lines and personal lines segments primarily based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries as determined under statutory accounting practices. The following table presents comparative details with respect to the GAAP and statutory combined ratios1 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

     Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
     September 30, September 30,
      2021   2020   2021   2020 
            
    GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)       
    Loss ratio (non-weather) 66.3%  56.3%  59.8%  54.1%
    Loss ratio (weather-related) 9.2   9.1   6.4   7.6 
    Expense ratio 31.5   31.9   33.9   33.2 
    Dividend ratio 0.6   1.0   0.7   1.0 
    Combined ratio 107.6%  98.3%  100.8%  95.9%
            
    Statutory Combined Ratios       
    Commercial lines:       
    Automobile 111.9%  109.9%  106.7%  110.5%
    Workers' compensation 109.0   86.8   96.0   85.9 
    Commercial multi-peril 116.9   109.2   106.5   98.1 
    Other 64.0   93.5   67.2   79.5 
    Total commercial lines 109.4   102.4   101.1   97.3 
    Personal lines:       
    Automobile 102.0   89.0   95.4   88.6 
    Homeowners 117.5   97.7   107.4   99.3 
    Other 65.4   84.0   72.2   76.5 
    Total personal lines 105.2   91.9   98.2   91.6 
    Total lines 107.7%  97.7%  100.0%  94.7%
            

    Loss Ratio

    For the third quarter of 2021, the loss ratio increased to 75.5%, compared to 65.4% for the third quarter of 2020. Weather-related losses of approximately $18.0 million, or 9.2 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2021, increased from $16.9 million, or 9.1 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2020. Weather-related losses from Tropical Storm Ida totaled $2.2 million, with the remainder of the weather-related losses attributable primarily to typical severe summer storm activity. The impact of weather-related loss activity to the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2021 was generally in line with our previous five-year average of 9.0% for third quarter weather-related losses.

    Large fire losses, which we define as individual fire losses in excess of $50,000, for the third quarter of 2021 were $12.7 million, or 6.5 percentage points of the loss ratio. That amount represented a significant increase compared to the large fire losses of $3.9 million, or 2.1 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2020 that we believe reflected lower economic activity related to pandemic conditions. The frequency and severity of commercial fire losses increased in the third quarter of 2021 relative to the prior-year quarter and historical averages.

    Net favorable development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years of $4.3 million decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2021 by 2.2 percentage points. Net development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years did not have a material impact on the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2020. For the third quarter of 2021, our insurance subsidiaries experienced modest favorable development in their personal and commercial automobile lines of business.

    The expense ratio was 31.5% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to 31.9% for the third quarter of 2020. Relative to the prior-year quarter, the modest decrease in the expense ratio reflected lower underwriting-based incentive costs for our agents and employees, offset partially by an increase in technology systems-related expenses. The increase in technology systems-related expenses was primarily due to an increased allocation of costs from Donegal Mutual Insurance Company to our insurance subsidiaries with respect to our ongoing systems modernization project.

    Investment Operations

    Donegal Group’s investment strategy is to generate an appropriate amount of after-tax income on its invested assets while minimizing credit risk through investment in high-quality securities. As a result, we had invested 94% of our consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at September 30, 2021.

     September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020
     Amount % Amount %
     (dollars in thousands)
    Fixed maturities, at carrying value:       
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.       
    government corporations and agencies$121,115   9.6% $125,250   10.3%
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions 414,663   33.0   381,284   31.2 
    Corporate securities 405,929   32.3   385,978   31.6 
    Mortgage-backed securities 239,863   19.1   249,233   20.4 
    Total fixed maturities 1,181,570   94.0   1,141,745   93.5 
    Equity securities, at fair value 71,183   5.6   58,556   4.8 
    Short-term investments, at cost 4,694   0.4   20,900   1.7 
    Total investments$1,257,447   100.0% $1,221,201   100.0%
            
    Average investment yield 2.5%    2.5%  
    Average tax-equivalent investment yield 2.6%    2.7%  
    Average fixed-maturity duration (years) 4.9     4.2   
            

    Net investment income of $7.8 million for the third quarter of 2021 increased 4.9% compared to $7.4 million in net investment income for the third quarter of 2020. The increase in net investment income reflected primarily an increase in average invested assets relative to the prior-year third quarter.

    Net investment losses were $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to net investment gains of $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2020. Net investment gains and losses for both quarterly periods were primarily related to the net change in unrealized gains or losses in the fair value of equity securities held at the end of the respective periods.

    Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    We prepare our consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. Our insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit (“SAP”). In addition to using GAAP-based performance measurements, we also utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide value in managing our business and for comparison to the financial results of our peers. These non-GAAP measures are net premiums written, operating income or loss and statutory combined ratio.

    Net premiums written and operating income or loss are non-GAAP financial measures investors in insurance companies commonly use. We define net premiums written as the amount of full-term premiums our insurance subsidiaries record for policies effective within a given period less premiums our insurance subsidiaries cede to reinsurers. We define operating income or loss as net income or loss excluding after-tax net investment gains or losses, after-tax restructuring charges and other significant non-recurring items. Because our calculation of operating income or loss may differ from similar measures other companies use, investors should exercise caution when comparing our measure of operating income or loss to the measure of other companies.

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net premiums earned to net premiums written for the periods indicated:

     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2021   2020  % Change  2021   2020  % Change
     (dollars in thousands)
                
    Reconciliation of Net Premiums           
    Earned to Net Premiums Written           
    Net premiums earned$196,235  $184,926   6.1% $575,975  $556,552  3.5%
    Change in net unearned premiums 780   (4,146)  NM   46,507   16,168  187.6 
    Net premiums written$197,015  $180,780   9.0% $622,482  $572,720  8.7%
                

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net (loss) income to operating (loss) income for the periods indicated:

     Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2021   2020  % Change  2021   2020  % Change
     (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                
    Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income           
    to Non-GAAP Operating (Loss) Income           
    Net (loss) income $(6,712) $11,837   NM  $19,982  $38,247  -47.8%
    Investment losses (gains) (after tax) 1,241   (2,582)  NM   (4,060)  743  NM 
    Other, net -   -   -   -   161  -100.0 
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income$(5,471) $9,255   NM  $15,922  $39,151  -59.3%
                  
    Per Share Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income             
    to Non-GAAP Operating (Loss) Income             
    Net (loss) income – Class A (diluted)$(0.22) $0.41   NM  $0.66  $1.33  -50.4%
    Investment losses (gains) (after tax) 0.04   (0.09)  NM   (0.14)  0.02  NM 
    Other, net -   -   -   -   0.01  -100.0 
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class A$(0.18) $0.32   NM  $0.52  $1.36  -61.8%
                  
    Net (loss) income – Class B$(0.20) $0.37   NM  $0.59  $1.21  -51.2%
    Investment losses (gains) (after tax) 0.04   (0.08)  NM   (0.12)  0.02  NM 
    Other, net -   -   -   -   0.01  -100.0 
    Non-GAAP operating (loss) income – Class B$(0.16) $0.29   NM  $0.47  $1.24  -62.1%
                

    The statutory combined ratio is a non-GAAP standard measurement of underwriting profitability that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of:

    • the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year incurred losses and loss expenses, excluding anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries, to premiums earned;
    • the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to premiums written; and
    • the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of dividends to holders of workers’ compensation policies to premiums earned.

    The statutory combined ratio does not reflect investment income, federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A statutory combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.

    Dividend Information

    On October 21, 2021, we declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share for our Class A common stock and $0.1425 per share for our Class B common stock, which are payable on November 15, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2021.

    Conference Call and Webcast

    We will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, October 28, 2021, beginning at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time. You may listen to the webcast of this conference call by accessing the webcast link on our website at http://investors.donegalgroup.com. A supplemental investor presentation and a replay of the conference call will also be available via our website.

    About Donegal Group Inc.

    Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in certain Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England, Southern and Southwestern states. Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group Inc. conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. The Donegal Insurance Group has an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

    The Class A common stock and Class B common stock of Donegal Group Inc. trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols DGICA and DGICB, respectively. We are focused on several primary strategies, including achieving sustained excellent financial performance, strategically modernizing our operations and processes to transform our business, capitalizing on opportunities to grow profitably and delivering a superior experience to our agents and customers.

    Safe Harbor

    We base all statements contained in this release that are not historic facts on our current expectations. These statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include: our ability to attract new business, retain existing business and collect balances due to us as a result of the prolonged economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse and catastrophic weather events, our ability to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, business and economic conditions in the areas in which our insurance subsidiaries operate, interest rates, the availability and cost of labor and materials, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments including those related to COVID-19 business interruption coverage and exclusions, changes in regulatory requirements and other risks we describe in the periodic reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    For Further Information:

    Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    Phone: (717) 426-1931
    E-mail: investors@donegalgroup.com

    Adam Prior, Senior Vice President, The Equity Group Inc.
    Phone: (212) 836-9606
    E-mail: aprior@equityny.com


    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
          
       Quarter Ended September 30,
        2021   2020
          
    Net premiums earned$196,235  $184,926
    Investment income, net of expenses 7,764   7,403
    Net investment (losses) gains (1,570)  3,268
    Lease income 108   108
    Installment payment fees 569   807
     Total revenues 203,106   196,512
          
    Net losses and loss expenses 148,142   120,881
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 31,778   29,605
    Other underwriting expenses 30,102   29,481
    Policyholder dividends 1,287   1,811
    Interest  210   219
    Other expenses, net 217   184
     Total expenses 211,736   182,181
          
    (Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense (8,630)  14,331
    Income tax (benefit) expense (1,918)  2,494
          
    Net (loss) income$(6,712) $11,837
          
    (Loss) earnings per common share:   
     Class A - basic and diluted$(0.22) $0.41
     Class B - basic and diluted$(0.20) $0.37
          
    Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data   
          
    Weighted-average number of shares   
     outstanding:   
     Class A - basic 25,676,313   23,766,778
     Class A - diluted 25,831,343   23,937,173
     Class B - basic and diluted 5,576,775   5,576,775
          
    Net premiums written$197,015  $180,780
          
    Book value per common share   
     at end of period$17.21  $16.96



    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
          
       Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2021  2020 
          
    Net premiums earned$575,975 $556,552 
    Investment income, net of expenses 22,926  21,952 
    Net investment gains (losses) 5,140  (940)
    Lease income 324  326 
    Installment payment fees 1,857  2,433 
     Total revenues 606,222  580,323 
          
    Net losses and loss expenses 381,319  343,477 
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 95,060  89,176 
    Other underwriting expenses 100,113  95,646 
    Policyholder dividends 4,211  5,337 
    Interest  739  871 
    Other expenses, net 962  993 
     Total expenses 582,404  535,500 
          
    Income before income tax expense 23,818  44,823 
    Income tax expense 3,836  6,576 
          
    Net income$19,982 $38,247 
          
    Net income per common share:   
     Class A - basic$0.66 $1.34 
     Class A - diluted$0.66 $1.33 
     Class B - basic and diluted$0.59 $1.21 
          
    Supplementary Financial Analysts' Data   
          
    Weighted-average number of shares   
     outstanding:   
     Class A - basic 25,265,448  23,493,674 
     Class A - diluted 25,443,911  23,679,262 
     Class B - basic and diluted 5,576,775  5,576,775 
          
    Net premiums written$622,482 $572,720 
          
    Book value per common share   
     at end of period$17.21 $16.96 



    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands)
          
       September 30, December 31,
       (unaudited)  
          
    ASSETS
    Investments:   
     Fixed maturities:   
      Held to maturity, at amortized cost$661,080  $586,609 
      Available for sale, at fair value 520,491   555,136 
     Equity securities, at fair value 71,183   58,556 
     Short-term investments, at cost 4,694   20,900 
      Total investments 1,257,448   1,221,201 
    Cash  68,904   103,094 
    Premiums receivable 181,545   169,596 
    Reinsurance receivable 456,651   408,909 
    Deferred policy acquisition costs 70,397   59,157 
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums 184,354   169,418 
    Other assets 32,716   29,145 
      Total assets$2,252,015  $2,160,520 
          
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Liabilities:    
     Losses and loss expenses$1,050,163  $962,007 
     Unearned premiums 598,632   537,190 
     Accrued expenses 10,347   29,115 
     Borrowings under lines of credit 35,000   85,000 
     Subordinated debentures -   5,000 
     Other liabilities 19,740   24,434 
      Total liabilities 1,713,882   1,642,746 
    Stockholders' equity:   
     Class A common stock 287   277 
     Class B common stock 56   56 
     Additional paid-in capital 303,844   289,150 
     Accumulated other comprehensive income 6,825   11,131 
     Retained earnings 268,347   258,386 
     Treasury stock (41,226)  (41,226)
      Total stockholders' equity 538,133   517,774 
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$2,252,015  $2,160,520 

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