EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

 

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Kaastra

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.

231-924-0300

 

LOGO   

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Reports Third

Quarter 2010 Earnings and Announces

Quarterly Cash Dividend

 

Fremont, Michigan, Nov. 8, 2010 – Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (OTC BB: FMMH), a Michigan-exclusive property and casualty insurance carrier, today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2010. The Company reported revenues of $17.0 million for the quarter, an increase of 18.9% from the third quarter of 2009, reflecting strength in net premiums earned from its product offerings, as well as a significant increase in realized gains on investments during the quarter.

Fremont also announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share on the Company’s common stock, payable on Dec. 30, 2010 to shareholders of record on Dec. 16, 2010.

Highlights for the quarter and nine months:

 

   

Net income of $0.55 per diluted share for the quarter, down from $0.82 last year, driven by underwriting loss offset by investment income and realized gains

 

   

Combined ratio of 103.4% for the quarter, up from 89.8% in the third quarter 2009, resulting from higher loss and loss adjustment expense (LAE) ratio across all business lines

 

   

Net income of $1.21 per diluted share for the 2010 nine months, down from $1.31 last year, driven by higher underwriting losses and softer investment income partially offset by realized gains

 

   

Combined ratio of 102.8% for the 2010 nine months, up from 97.4% for first nine months of 2009

 

   

Book value per share increased to $27.77, up from $26.33 as of Dec. 31, 2009

“The third quarter marked a continuation of soft market conditions, dominated by increased price competition,” said Richard E. Dunning, President and CEO. “Despite the current soft market, we remain committed to our disciplined underwriting philosophy of only accepting risks which we feel are appropriately priced. In this more competitive market, we managed to grow direct premiums written across all major lines, thanks to the strong partnerships we have cultivated with our agents and our focused efforts to provide competitive products and pricing within our target markets.”

Net income for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2010 was $1.0 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, compared to $1.5 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, in the 2009 quarter. Fremont generated direct premiums written of $20.3 million during the quarter, compared to $18.0 million in the 2009 quarter, an increase of 13.0%. Growth in direct premiums written was driven by growth in the personal segment, which increased by $1.9 million, or 14.4%, and the commercial segment, which increased by $347,000, or 14.0%.

For the first nine months of 2010, net income was $2.2 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, compared with net income of $2.3 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2009. Revenues for the first nine months grew 14.7%, to $47.9 million, from $41.8 million in the year-ago period. For the first


nine months of the year, Fremont generated direct premiums written of $56.6 million, compared to $49.7 million in 2009, an increase of 14.0%.

Kevin G. Kaastra, Vice President of Finance, added: “The increase in our third quarter combined ratio to 103.4%, compared with 89.8% last year, was driven by an increase in the loss and LAE ratio to 72.8% in the quarter, up from 58.6% a year ago. The resulting underwriting loss and its impact on our bottom line results were mitigated by a significant increase in realized gains on investments, though we still reported lower profits for the quarter.”

 

Consolidated Highlights    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
(Unaudited)    2010     2009     %     2010     2009     %  

Consolidated revenues

   $ 17,013,079      $ 14,310,809        18.9   $ 47,949,376      $ 41,804,308        14.7

Net income

   $ 997,543      $ 1,467,885        -32.0   $ 2,187,311      $ 2,330,700        -6.2

Weighted average shares outstanding

     1,769,119        1,746,202          1,760,992        1,749,718     

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.56      $ 0.84        -33.3   $ 1.24      $ 1.33        -6.8

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.55      $ 0.82        -32.9   $ 1.21      $ 1.31        -7.6

Direct premiums written

   $ 20,313,328      $ 17,979,342        13.0   $ 56,646,898      $ 49,698,844        14.0

Loss and LAE ratio

     72.8     58.6       69.8     65.5  

Expense ratio

     30.6     31.2       33.0     31.9  

Combined ratio

     103.4     89.8       102.8     97.4  

Net investment income

   $ 388,147      $ 533,649        -27.3   $ 1,242,297      $ 1,473,814        -15.7

Realized investment gains

   $ 1,404,816      $ 51,974        2602.9   $ 2,626,824      $ 263,468        897.0

Operating (loss) income (1)

   $ 36,480      $ 2,080,223        -98.2   $ 476,573      $ 2,997,078        -84.1

Operating (loss) income per share (1)

   $ 0.02      $ 1.19        -98.3   $ 0.27      $ 1.71        -84.2

Cash dividends declared per share

   $ 0.04      $ 0.03        33.3   $ 0.12      $ 0.09        33.3

Book value per share

   $ 27.77      $ 25.54        8.7   $ 27.77      $ 25.54        8.7

 

(1) Operating (loss) income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as pre-tax income excluding net realized gains (losses) on investments.

In the third quarter of 2010, direct premiums written increased 13.0% over the prior year quarter, as personal and commercial lines showed solid gains, along with much smaller gains in farm and marine premiums. Direct premiums written for the personal segment increased 14.4%, with personal auto up 23.5% and homeowners up 7.2%. New business for personal auto increased 39.6%, while renewals were up 20.5%. Homeowner new business premiums were up 19.9%, with renewal premiums up 5.5%. Fremont said it implemented an overall 9.6% rate change in the homeowners’ product line on Sept. 15, 2010 and an overall 7.2% rate change in the personal auto product line on Oct. 1, 2010. Direct premiums written for the commercial segment increased 14.0%, as renewal business was up 15.5% and new business was up 3.6%. Farm direct premiums written grew by 3.3%, driven by a 6.4% increase in renewals offset by a 33.6% decrease in new business. Premiums for the marine segment were flat in the third quarter.

For the first nine months of 2010, direct premiums written increased 14.0% compared with the same period of 2009, with personal and commercial lines showing solid gains, farm showing a more modest gain and marine premiums declining slightly. Direct premiums written for the personal segment increased 15.0%, and direct premiums written for the commercial segment increased 18.0%, due mainly to strong new business growth supplemented by higher renewals. Farm direct premiums written increased 4.2%, driven by renewals growth offset by a decrease in new business, while direct premiums written for the marine segment were down 1.2% in the first nine months of 2010.

In the third quarter 2010, Fremont generated a loss and LAE ratio of 72.8% compared to 58.6% in the third quarter of 2009. The 2010 loss ratio was impacted by an increase in weather-related claims – primarily from wind and hail damage, higher losses in personal auto, and increased fire losses in the farm segment.


 

In the first nine months of 2010, Fremont generated a loss and LAE ratio of 69.8%, which was a modest increase from the 65.5% reported in the comparable period of 2009. The 2010 loss ratio was impacted by an increase in losses in personal auto as well as weather-related losses.

Fremont’s expense ratio for the third quarter 2010 decreased to 30.6% from 31.2% in the year-ago quarter. The decrease was a result of lower assessments from state-mandated pools and associations, a decrease in allowances to agents, and continued growth in net premiums earned. For the first nine months of 2010, the expense ratio increased to 33.0% from 31.9% in the first nine months of 2009, due primarily to increased legal expenses.

Net investment income decreased in the third quarter 2010 to $388,000, compared to $534,000 in 2009. The decrease was a result of realized gains from sales which have occurred over the past two years, and which are excluded from gross investment income. During the third quarter, sales and maturities of fixed income securities generated realized gains of $1.4 million. Also during the quarter, sales of equity securities generated realized gains of approximately $28,000. For the first nine months of 2010, net investment income was $1.2 million, down 15.7% from $1.5 million a year ago. The decrease in net investment income was primarily a result of realized gains from sales that have occurred over the past two years and was partially offset by increased dividend income from the equity portfolio.

Dunning concluded: “As we survey the economic conditions in our state, we see reason for optimism as we continue to execute our strategic plan and grow our business in Michigan and beyond. We will continue to rely on our dedicated team of experienced associates and independent agents, who have supported the Company during the recent downturn, and who will be important sources of support as we move forward.

“With regard to recent SEC filings by certain shareholders, we issued a news release on Oct. 14, 2010 indicating that the Board of Directors had asked its previously appointed Special Committee to review the matter and make an appropriate recommendation to the Board on what it believes to be in the best interests of all shareholders and the Company. The Special Committee is undertaking a careful examination of the issues in fulfillment of its fiduciary duties and will make a recommendation when it is feasible to do so. In the meantime, we will continue to operate Fremont in a way that enhances shareholder value.”

About Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. is the holding company for Fremont Insurance Company. Headquartered in Fremont, Michigan, the company provides property and casualty insurance to individuals, farms and small businesses exclusively in Michigan. Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp’s common stock trades under the symbol “FMMH.”


 

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Consolidated Statement of Income

(Unaudited)

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Direct premiums written

   $ 20,313,328       $ 17,979,342       $ 56,646,898       $ 49,698,844   
                                   

Net premiums written

   $ 16,800,160       $ 15,120,470       $ 46,838,616       $ 41,473,505   
                                   

Revenues

           

Net premiums earned

   $ 15,059,899       $ 13,561,708       $ 43,608,316       $ 39,580,197   

Net investment income

     388,147         533,649         1,242,297         1,473,814   

Net realized gains on investments

     1,404,816         51,974         2,626,824         263,468   

Other income

     160,217         163,478         471,939         486,829   
                                   

Total revenues

     17,013,079         14,310,809         47,949,376         41,804,308   

Expenses

           

Loss and LAE

     10,965,808         7,940,906         30,447,540         25,935,476   

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses

     4,605,975         4,237,706         14,398,439         12,608,286   
                                   

Total expenses

     15,571,783         12,178,612         44,845,979         38,543,762   

Income before federal income tax expense

     1,441,296         2,132,197         3,103,397         3,260,546   

Federal income tax expense

     443,753         664,312         916,086         929,846   
                                   

Net income

   $ 997,543       $ 1,467,885       $ 2,187,311       $ 2,330,700   
                                   

Earnings per share

           

Basic

   $ .56       $ .84       $ 1.24       $ 1.33   

Diluted

   $ .55       $ .82       $ 1.21       $ 1.31   


 

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 
Assets      

Investments:

     

Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value

   $ 58,698,879       $ 56,483,580   

Equity securities available for sale, at fair value

     16,769,379         11,183,580   

Mortgage loans on real estate from related parties

     233,836         239,303   
                 

Total investments

     75,702,094         67,906,463   

Cash and cash equivalents

     6,848,776         7,063,679   

Premiums due from policyholders, net

     11,896,753         10,087,998   

Receivable from sale of investments

     11,914,817         —     

Amounts due from reinsurers

     9,541,258         7,859,452   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     2,486,184         1,856,343   

Accrued investment income

     513,779         600,648   

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     4,394,054         3,913,551   

Deferred federal income taxes

     2,870,194         3,155,625   

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

     3,561,267         2,787,134   

Other assets

     43,715         33,175   
                 
   $ 129,772,891       $ 105,264,068   
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      

Liabilities:

     

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 26,233,133       $ 21,331,243   

Unearned premiums

     32,652,233         28,886,128   

Reinsurance funds withheld and premiums ceded payable

     67,958         96,697   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     21,560,607         8,905,213   
                 

Total liabilities

     80,513,931         59,219,281   
                 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholders’ Equity

     

Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 4,500,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding

     —           —     

Class A common stock, no par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares, 1,773,567 and 1,749,032 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

     —           —     

Class B common stock, no par value, authorized 500,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding

     —           —     

Additional paid-in capital

     9,631,339         9,037,405   

Retained earnings

     38,205,414         36,332,648   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,422,207         674,734   
                 

Total stockholders’ equity

     49,258,960         46,044,787   
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 129,772,891       $ 105,264,068