EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITED INSURANCE HOLDINGS CORP. REPORTS 2009 FOURTH QUARTER AND

YEAR-END FINANCIAL RESULTS

2009 Fourth Quarter and Year-to-Date Highlights

 

  *  

The Company had 93,000 policies-in-force at December 31, 2009, reflecting a 16% increase over December 31, 2008, and a 3% decrease over September 30, 2009

 

  *  

Gross premiums written for 2009 were $155.8 million representing at 10% year-over-year increase, and were $27.3 million for the fourth quarter representing a 21% decrease over last year’s fourth quarter

 

  *  

Book value per share increased 12% to $4.55 at December 31, 2009, compared to $4.07 at December 31, 2008

 

  *  

Cash and investment holdings increased to $160.1 million at December 31, 2009, compared to $155.7 million at December 31, 2008

St. Petersburg, FL – March 25, 2010: United Insurance Holdings Corp. (OTCBB: UIHC; UIHCW; UIHCU) (“United” or “the Company”), a property and casualty insurance holding company, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2009.

For the fourth quarter, United reported a net loss of $1.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to recording net income of $6.8 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, during the same period last year. For the year ended December 31, 2009, United generated net income of $4.1 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to generating net income of $33.4 million, or $3.08 per diluted share, during 2008.

“While the state of Florida did not sustain a hurricane in 2009, we were dealt a perfect storm,” said Don Cronin, United’s CEO. “The combination of the impact of the wind-mitigation credits mandated by the State, a change in the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund attachment point which required us to purchase additional private reinsurance, an overall increase in reinsurance rates and lower investment returns contributed to the decline in income in 2009.”

The Company took actions to reduce the downward pressure on earnings caused by the wind-mitigation credits and the increase in reinsurance costs. First, United filed for a rate increase on its homeowner product to offset the effects of the wind-mitigation credits, and the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) approved the average 12.7% increase which took effect on September 15, 2009. Then the Company filed for another rate increase on its homeowner product to offset the effects of the increase in reinsurance costs, and the OIR approved the average 14.0% increase which took effect on March 15, 2010. Additionally, United slowed the writing of new policies in the second half of 2009 to control risk exposure that increased as a result of strong policy growth in late 2008 and early 2009.


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

March 25, 2010

 

“We have acted to reverse the downward pressure on our results, and we should begin to see an improvement in our margins in 2010,” said Mr. Cronin.

2009 Fourth Quarter Financial Review

 

   

Gross written premiums decreased to $27.3 million from $34.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company did not assume policies from Citizens during the fourth quarter of 2009, whereas it assumed policies from Citizens during the fourth quarter of 2008 totaling $5.7 million of premiums.

 

   

Net premiums earned decreased to $16.3 million from $20.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 due to the decrease in gross written premiums and the increase in monthly reinsurance costs. Reinsurance costs have increased since the Company entered into its reinsurance contracts in June 2009 for the 2009 storm season, and that increase includes a $1.0 million charge in the fourth quarter for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.

 

   

Losses and LAE increased to $9.8 million from $3.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2008. The fourth quarter of 2008 benefited from a $4.0 million reduction in losses and LAE related to favorable loss development on claims submitted and paid during 2008, whereas the 2009 redundancy was recognized more smoothly throughout that year.

 

   

Policy acquisition costs increased to $6.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $4.8 million in the prior year period primarily as a result of the increase in polices written in late 2008 and early 2009.

 

   

Operating and underwriting expenses increased $0.9 million to $2.5 million due to a $1.0 million assessment from the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (“FIGA”). The FIGA assessment raised funds to cover ongoing losses that FIGA continues to incur related to claims from the policyholders of insolvent insurers. In February, the Company began collecting a surcharge from policyholders that it believes will allow for full recovery of this assessment in the coming months.

 

   

As a result of the aforementioned factors, the Company reported a net loss of $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to net income of $6.8 million reported during 2008.

2009 Year End Financial Review

 

   

Gross written premiums increased to $155.8 million from $141.6 million in the prior year period, primarily resulting from the growth in new business and improved policy retention.

 

   

Net premiums earned decreased $2.9 million to $78.2 million primarily due to the increase in reinsurance costs for the June 2009 – May 2010 reinsurance contract period.


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

March 25, 2010

 

   

United incurred an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 related to certain equity investments. The Company did not incur any additional impairment charges during the year.

 

   

The Company recorded approximately $6.5 million of policy assumption bonuses from Citizens during 2008, while no such bonus was available during 2009.

 

   

Losses and LAE increased by $12.7 million to $40.8 million primarily due to the 16% year-over-year increase in policies-in-force.

 

   

Policy acquisition costs increased to $23.5 million from $17.6 million in the prior year resulting from the significant growth in new policies.

 

   

Other income decreased by approximately $2.6 million. In the third quarter of 2008, United reversed a $2.6 million liability related to a put option which ceased to exist by operation of law as a result of the Company’s merger with United Insurance Holdings, L.C.

 

   

As a result of the aforementioned factors, United reported net income of $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to net income of $33.4 million during 2008.

Balance Sheet Highlights

United’s cash and investment holdings totaled $160.1 million at December 31, 2009, compared to $155.7 million at December 31, 2008. United’s cash and investment holdings consist primarily of investments in high-quality money market instruments, U.S. Government and agency securities and high-quality corporate debt. Fixed maturities represented approximately 96% and 93% of United’s total investments at December 31, 2009, and 2008, respectively.

Conference Call

The Company will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss these results on Friday, March 26, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. ET.

The dial-in numbers are:

(866) 861-6730 (US)

(706) 679-0882 (International)

A recorded replay of the call will be available until 11:00 p.m. EDT on March 31, 2010. Listeners may dial 800-642-1687 (Domestic) or 706-645-9291 (International) and use the code 55217732 for the replay.

A live webcast of the call can be accessed at www.upcic.com in the “Events & Presentations” section. If you are unable to participate in the live call, the webcast version of the conference call will be available at the same link following the call. Listeners interested in participating in the Q&A session should go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software.


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

March 25, 2010

 

About United Insurance Holdings Corp.

Founded in 1999, United Property & Casualty Insurance Company, a subsidiary of United Insurance Holdings Corp., primarily underwrites homeowners insurance in 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: the impact of the additional rate increases, the impact of reinsurance costs on our operating results, 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 Federal and State regulations that 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; our 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 losses 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 Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. 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.

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CONTACT:    -OR-      INVESTOR RELATIONS:
United Insurance Holdings Corp.         The Equity Group Inc.
Joe Peiso         Adam Prior
Chief Financial Officer         Vice President
(727) 895-7737 / jpeiso@upcic.com         (212) 836-9606 / aprior@equityny.com
John Rohloff        
SEC Reporting Manager        
(727) 895-7737 / jrohloff@upcic.com        


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

March 25, 2010

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
   

Year Ended

December 31,

 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (unaudited)              

REVENUE:

        

Gross premiums written

   $ 27,312      $ 34,748      $ 155,840      $ 141,556   

Gross premiums ceded

     (2,355     (2,750     (91,979     (59,251
                                

Net premiums written

     24,957        31,998        63,861        82,305   

Decrease (increase) in net unearned premiums

     (8,635     (11,228     14,320        (1,161
                                

Net premiums earned

     16,322        20,770        78,181        81,144   

Net investment income

     1,115        1,583        4,831        6,632   

Net realized investment gains (losses)

     1,057        (40     1,837        1,116   

Other-than-temporary impairment of investments

     —          —          (1,878     —     

Commission and fees

     720        748        3,180        2,778   

Policy assumption bonus

     —          51        —          6,493   

Other revenue

     236        568        2,318        2,899   
                                

Total revenue

     19,450        23,680        88,469        101,062   
                                

EXPENSES:

        

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     9,823        3,089        40,755        28,063   

Policy acquisition costs

     6,917        4,788        23,482        17,616   

Operating and underwriting expenses

     2,490        1,572        8,010        6,460   

Salaries and wages

     685        1,131        3,473        3,466   

General and administrative expenses

     593        1,311        3,245        3,607   

Interest expense

     817        848        3,177        2,811   
                                

Total expenses

     21,325        12,739        82,142        62,023   
                                

Income (loss) before other income

     (1,875     10,941        6,327        39,039   

Other income

     —          —          —          2,564   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (1,875     10,941        6,327        41,603   

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (694     4,092        2,270        8,184   
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,181   $ 6,849      $ 4,057      $ 33,419   
                                

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:

        

Change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) on investments

     2,182        (1,685     4,152        (2,465

Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment (gains) and losses

     (1,057     40        (1,837     (1,116

Reclassification adjustment for recognized other-than- temporary impairments

     —          —          1,878        —     

Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income

     (434     619        (1,595     1,347   
                                

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (490   $ 5,823      $ 6,655      $ 31,185   
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding

        

Basic

     10,573,932        10,548,932        10,568,247        10,548,932   
                                

Diluted

     10,573,932        10,548,932        10,568,247        10,854,743   
                                

Earnings per share

        

Basic

   $ (0.11   $ 0.65      $ 0.38      $ 3.17   
                                

Diluted

   $ (0.11   $ 0.65      $ 0.38      $ 3.08   
                                

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.05      $ —        $ 0.15      $ —     
                                
PRO FORMA COMPUTATION OF INCOME TAXES FOR HISTORICAL PERIOD PRIOR TO THE MERGER (Unaudited):   

Historical income before income taxes

         $ 41,603   

Pro forma provision for income taxes

           16,048   
              

Pro forma net income

         $ 25,555   
              

Pro forma earnings per share

        

Basic

         $ 2.42   
              

Diluted

         $ 2.35   
              


United Insurance Holdings Corp.

March 25, 2010

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

In thousands, except share and par value amounts

 

     December 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008
 

ASSETS

     

Investments available for sale, at fair value:

     

Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $125,920 and $116,845, respectively)

   $ 128,020    $ 117,694   

Equity securities (cost of $5,000 and $11,462, respectively)

     4,704      8,224   

Other long-term investments

     300      300   
               

Total investments

     133,024      126,218   
               

Cash and cash equivalents

     27,086      29,494   

Accrued investment income

     1,119      1,392   

Premiums receivable, net

     7,544      10,216   

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses

     25,477      22,604   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     40,285      26,518   

Deferred policy acquisition costs, net

     9,256      10,214   

Property and equipment at cost, net

     322      294   

Capitalized software, net

     1,203      1,232   

Income tax receivable

     1,605      —     

Deferred income tax assets, net

     —        2,744   

Other assets

     837      1,139   
               

Total Assets

   $ 247,758    $ 232,065   
               

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Liabilities:

     

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 44,112    $ 40,098   

Unearned premiums

     73,831      74,384   

Reinsurance payable

     28,162      16,694   

Advance premiums

     3,824      2,152   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     6,761      10,676   

Income taxes payable

     —        1,366   

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     106      —     

Other liabilities

     1,463      2,465   

Notes payable, net

     41,428      41,303   
               

Total Liabilities

     199,687      189,138   
               

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 income (loss)

     1,108      (1,490

Retained earnings

     46,887      44,416   
               

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     48,071      42,927   
               

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 247,758    $ 232,065