EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITED INSURANCE HOLDINGS CORP. REPORTS 2009 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

United Declares Annual Cash Dividend

Financial and Operational Highlights

 

   

Gross premiums written increased $7.9 million, or 27.3% over last year’s first quarter, to $37.0 million; and increased $2.3 million, or 6.6%, over the fourth quarter of 2008

 

   

Homeowner policies-in-force at March 31, 2009 increased 23,300, or 37% over last year’s first quarter, to 85,900; and increased by 5,400, or 6.8%, over the fourth quarter of 2008

 

   

First quarter 2009 net income of $3.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share

 

 

 

Non-GAAP operating income before taxes (1) was $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2009, compared to $10.7 million in the first quarter of 2008

 

   

At March 31, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $47.2 million, total assets of $233.8 million and stockholders’ equity of $46.9 million

St. Petersburg, FL – May 13, 2009 – United Insurance Holdings Corp. (OTCBB: UIHC; UIHCW; UIHCU) (“United” or the “Company”), a property and casualty insurance holding company, announced unaudited financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Don Cronin, United’s CEO, stated, “We continue to see healthy growth throughout our business. Comparing this year’s first quarter to last year’s first quarter, we have increased gross written premium by approximately 27% and we have grown our policyholder base by approximately 37%. We have also filed for a rate increase for our homeowner product that is currently pending with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, which will help support our growth as we bear the costs of providing protection for our policyholders.” Mr. Cronin also stated, “During this period of growth, we have continued to maintain our disciplined underwriting while focusing on diversifying our concentration of risk throughout the state. We are gratified by our results over the past few quarters, and will continue to focus on potential growth for United.”

Annual Cash Dividend Declared

The Company is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has declared an annual cash dividend of $0.15 per share for 2009 to be paid at $0.05 per share per quarter during the next three quarters. The first dividend will be payable on June 15, 2009, to shareholders of record on May 31, 2009. The Board of Directors intends to maintain a similar dividend policy beyond 2009.

Nick Griffin, United’s CFO, stated, “Our success is evidenced by our profitable operations and we are excited to share this success with our stockholders by providing a dividend.” Mr. Griffin further stated, “We continue to have the ability and intent to pursue growth opportunities and acquisitions, and continue to focus on maximizing book value without taking excessive risk.”


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

   Page 2

May 13, 2009

  

 

2009 First Quarter Financial Review

Gross premiums written increased 27.3% to $37.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to $29.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The increase is primarily due to growth in new business, improved policy retention and the assumption of 1,700 policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”) during the quarter. The Company does not plan on assuming any additional policies from Citizens until after the 2009 hurricane season.

For the first quarter of 2009, losses and loss adjustment expenses were $7.2 million, compared to $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. As a result of the increase in homeowner policies-in-force during the last few quarters, we increased our reserves for the risk of loss associated with this growth. Conversely, we reduced loss reserves related to Tropical Storm Fay from $3.3 million at December 31, 2008, to $2.7 million at March 31, 2009 and attributed this favorable loss development to our conservative loss reserving practices.

Net income for the first quarter of 2009 was $3.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.5 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, United’s net realized investment losses were $2.7 million, primarily due to an other-than-temporary impairment charge on certain equity holdings of the Company totaling $1.9 million, or 1.1% of our total cash and investment holdings. United’s cash and investment holdings totaled $172.3 million at March 31, 2009, and consisted primarily of investments in U.S. Treasuries, government agencies and high-quality corporate debt. Fixed maturities and cash represented approximately 94.4% of United’s total investments at March 31, 2009.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company’s Non-GAAP operating income before taxes was $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2009, compared to $10.7 million in the first quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP operating income before taxes is income before income taxes less any realized gains plus any realized losses on securities. The $3.0 million decrease in operating income before taxes is primarily the result of a $2.9 million policy assumption bonus from Citizens in the first quarter of 2008. We did not receive any such bonus in the first quarter of 2009.

Conference Call

The Company will discuss these results in a conference call on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. ET.

The dial-in numbers are:

(866) 861-6730 (US)

(706) 679-0882 (INTERNATIONAL)

The conference call will also be broadcast live via the “Investor Relations” section of United’s website at www.upcic.com. Once at the “Investor Relations” section, interested parties should click on “Events & Presentations”. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to participate in the live call, the conference call will be archived and can be accessed for approximately 90 days.


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

   Page 3

May 13, 2009

  

 

About United Insurance Holdings Corp.

Founded in 1999, United Property and Casualty Insurance Company, a subsidiary of United Insurance Holdings Corp., primarily underwrites homeowners insurance in the state of Florida. From its headquarters in St. Petersburg, United’s team of dedicated employees manages a completely integrated insurance company, including sales, underwriting, customer service and claims. The Company distributes its homeowners, dwelling fire and flood products through many agency groups and conducts business through four wholly-owned subsidiaries. Homeowners insurance constitutes the majority of United’s premiums and policies.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “or “continue” or the other negative variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding: our ability to pay dividends in the future, our ability to obtain approval for a rate increase from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, our assumption of policies from Citizens, and the outlook for our business. The risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed or implied herein include, without limitation, the success of the Company’s marketing initiatives, inflation and other changes in economic conditions (including changes in interest rates and financial markets); the impact of new regulations adopted in Florida which affect the property and casualty insurance market; the costs of reinsurance and the collectibility of reinsurance, assessments charged by various governmental agencies; pricing competition and other initiatives by competitors; or ability to obtain regulatory approval for requested rate changes, and the timing thereof; legislative and regulatory developments; the outcome of litigation pending against us, including the terms of any settlements; risks related to the nature of our business; dependence on investment income and the composition of our investment portfolio; the adequacy of our liability for loss and loss adjustment expense; insurance agents; claims experience; ratings by industry services; catastrophe losses; reliance on key personnel; weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and hail); changes in loss trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; court decisions and trends in litigation, and health care; and other matters described from time to time by us in our filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. In addition, investors should be aware that generally accepted accounting principles prescribe when a company may reserve for particular risks, including litigation exposures. Accordingly, results for a given reporting period could be significantly affected if and when a reserve is established for a major contingency. Reported results may therefore, appear to be volatile in certain accounting periods. The Company undertakes no obligations to update, change or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, additional or subsequent developments or otherwise.

### #### ###

 

CONTACT:    -OR-    INVESTOR RELATIONS:
United Insurance Holdings Corp.       The Equity Group Inc.
Nick Griffin       Adam Prior
Chief Financial Officer       Vice President
(727) 895-7737 / ngriffin@upcic.com       (212) 836-9606 / aprior@equityny.com

 


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

   Page 4

May 13, 2009

  

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

In thousands, except share and par value amounts

 

     March 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 
     Unaudited        

ASSETS

    

Investments available for sale, at fair value:

    

Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $114,658 and $114,078, respectively)

   $ 115,488     $ 115,332  

Equity securities (cost of $11,266 and $14,229, respectively)

     9,297       10,586  

Other long-term investments (cost of $300)

     300       300  
                

Total investments

     125,085       126,218  
                

Cash and cash equivalents

     47,241       31,689  

Accrued investment income

     1,460       1,392  

Premiums receivable, net of allowances for credit losses of $359 and $305, respectively

     10,809       10,216  

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses

     20,168       22,604  

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     13,586       26,518  

Deferred policy acquisition costs, net

     9,731       9,075  

Property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $274 and $254, respectively

     274       294  

Capitalized software, net of accumulated amortization of $109 and $53, respectively

     1,232       1,232  

Deferred income tax assets, net

     2,415       2,744  

Other assets

     1,813       1,139  
                

Total Assets

   $ 233,814     $ 233,121  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Liabilities:

    

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 38,095     $ 40,098  

Unearned premiums

     75,041       74,384  

Reinsurance payable

     9,392       16,694  

Advance premiums

     5,472       2,152  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     14,323       12,871  

Current portion of notes payable

     4,915       4,621  

Income taxes payable

     2,549       1,366  

Other liabilities

     623       1,326  

Long-term notes payable

     36,486       36,682  
                

Total Liabilities

     186,896       190,194  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding for 2009 and 2008

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 10,573,932 and 10,548,932 issued and outstanding for 2009 and 2008, respectively

     1       1  

Additional paid-in capital

     75       —    

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (699 )     (1,490 )

Retained earnings

     47,541       44,416  
                

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     46,918       42,927  
                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 233,814     $ 233,121  
                


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

   Page 5

May 13, 2009

  

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2009     2008  

REVENUE:

    

Gross premiums written

   $ 37,031     $ 29,090  

Gross premiums ceded

     (1,901 )     (1,362 )
                

Net premiums written

     35,130       27,728  

Increase in net unearned premiums

     (13,588 )     (7,093 )
                

Net premiums earned

     21,542       20,635  

Net investment income

     1,395       1,633  

Net realized investment losses

     (2,686 )     (157 )

Commission and fees

     766       647  

Policy assumption bonus

     —         2,912  

Other revenue

     967       780  
                

Total revenue

     21,984       26,450  
                

EXPENSES:

    

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     7,201       7,131  

Policy acquisition costs

     4,928       4,222  

Operating and underwriting expenses

     1,803       1,538  

Salaries and wages

     1,284       808  

General and administrative expenses

     1,013       1,337  

Interest expense

     754       865  
                

Total expenses

     16,983       15,901  
                

Income before income taxes

     5,001       10,549  

Provision for income taxes

     1,876       2,016  
                

Net income

   $ 3,125     $ 8,533  
                

Weighted average shares outstanding

    

Basic

     10,550,876       10,548,932  
                

Diluted

     10,550,876       11,717,303  
                

Earnings per share

    

Basic

   $ 0.30     $ 0.81  
                

Diluted

   $ 0.30     $ 0.73  
                

PRO FORMA COMPUTATION OF INCOME TAXES FOR HISTORICAL PERIOD PRIOR TO THE MERGER:

 

Historical income before income taxes

   $ 10,549

Pro forma provision for income taxes

     4,069
      

Pro forma net income

   $ 6,480
      

Pro forma earnings per share

  

Basic

   $ 0.61
      

Diluted

   $ 0.55
      

 


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

   Page 6

May 13, 2009

  

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

In thousands

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
   2009    2008

Income before income taxes

   $ 5,001    $ 10,549

Adjustment:

     

Net realized investment losses

     2,686      157
             

Non-GAAP operating income before taxes (1)

   $ 7,687    $ 10,706
             

 

(1) Non-GAAP operating income before taxes is used as an important financial measure by management, analysts and investors, because the realization of investment gains and losses in any given period is largely discretionary as to timing and could distort the analysis of trends. Non-GAAP operating income is defined as a non-GAAP financial measure by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This supplemental financial measure is not required by GAAP, nor is the presentation of this financial information intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Management recognizes that non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the items associated with United’s earnings results as determined in accordance with GAAP. United’s management believes that it is important to provide investors with these same tools, together with a reconciliation to GAAP, for evaluating the performance of United’s business, as it may provide additional insight into United’s financial results. A reconciliation of non-GAAP operating income before taxes to GAAP income before income taxes is provided in the table above.