ICC Holdings, Inc. Reports 2020 Third Quarter and Nine Months Results

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Nov. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ICC Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICCH) (the Company), parent company of Illinois Casualty Company, a regional, multi-line property and casualty insurance company focusing on the food and beverage industry, today reported preliminary, unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

THIRD QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 – FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net earnings totaled $404,000, or $0.13 per share, for the third quarter of 2020, compared to a net loss of $14,000, or $0.00 per share, for the third quarter of 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company reported a net loss of $787,000, or $0.26 per share, compared to net earnings of $717,000, or $0.24 per share, for the same period in 2019. Additionally, book value per share increased 8.3% to $20.66 at September 30, 2020, from $19.08 at September 30, 2019.

Direct premiums written decreased by $1,771,000, or 10.9%, to $14,534,000 for the third quarter of 2020 from $16,305,000 for the same period in 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, direct premiums written decreased by $4,109,000, or 8.5%, to $44,240,000 from $48,349,000 for the same period in 2019. Net premiums earned decreased by 8.4% to $12,533,000 for the third quarter of 2020, from $13,680,000 for the same period in 2019. Net premiums earned decreased by 5.9% to $36,922,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $39,220,000 for the same period in 2019. These results were due to policy exposure decreases resulting from state mandated shutdowns of restaurants and taverns and increased reinstatement costs associated with the civil unrest and protests occurring in Minneapolis, MN and the greater Chicago area in Illinois.

For the third quarter of 2020, the Company ceded to reinsurers $2,344,000 of earned premiums, compared to $2,392,000 of earned premiums for the third quarter of 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company ceded earned premiums of $7,905,000, compared to $7,665,000 for the same period in 2019.

Net realized investment losses net of other-than-temporary impairment losses were $59,000 for the third quarter of 2020, compared to gains of $141,000 for the same period in 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net realized investment losses net of other-than-temporary impairment losses were $402,000, compared to gains of $741,000 for the same period in 2019.

Net investment income increased by $90,000, or 11.1%, to $901,000 for the third quarter of 2020, as compared to $811,000 for the same period in 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net investment income increased $238,000, or 9.9%, to $2,645,000, from $2,407,000 for the same period in 2019.

Losses and settlement expenses decreased by $746,000, or 7.8%, to $8,863,000 for the third quarter of 2020, from $9,609,000 for the same period in 2019. Losses and settlement expenses decreased by $2,203,000, or 7.8%, to $25,914,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $28,117,000 for the same period in 2019. The primary driver for the year-to-date decrease in claims expenses was insureds' business closures during the first, second and a portion of the third quarter as a result of COVID-19 stay-at-home state mandates. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has received 1,283 claims for business interruption related to COVID-19. Although a few court cases involving other carriers have sided with policyholders in their claims for coverage for these losses, the Company does not anticipate that property claims of this nature will be found to trigger coverage under its policy language, and therefore does not anticipate being required to make any loss payments.

Policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses decreased by $11,000, or 0.2%, to $4,722,000 for the third quarter of 2020 from $4,733,000 for the same period in 2019. Policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses decreased by $800,000, or 5.5% to $13,742,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $14,542,000 for the same period in 2019.

Total assets increased by 10.4% from $163,004,000 at December 31, 2019 to $179,984,000 at September 30, 2020. Our investment portfolio, which consists of fixed income securities, common stocks, preferred stock, property held for investment, and other invested assets, increased by 11.7% from $111,768,000 at December 31, 2019, to $124,848,000 at September 30, 2020.

THIRD QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 – FINANCIAL RATIOS

The Company's losses and settlement expense ratio (defined as losses and settlement expenses divided by net premiums earned) was 70.7% and 70.2% in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, compared with 70.2% and 71.7% in the same periods of 2019, respectively.

The expense ratio (defined as the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and underwriting and administrative expenses divided by net premiums earned) was 37.7% and 37.2% in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, compared to 34.6% and 37.1% in the same periods of 2019, respectively.

The Company's GAAP combined ratio (defined as the sum of the losses and settlement expense ratio and the expense ratio) was 108.4% and 107.4% in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, compared to 104.8% and 108.8% in the same periods of 2019, respectively.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

"The third quarter generated positive earnings per share despite challenging economic conditions impacting the food and beverage industry. The Company's equity investments experienced a surge in unrealized gains, and, even with the derecho windstorm event moving across the Midwest in August, we managed to hold net losses down.

"Despite the premium challenges associated with COVID-19, the loss and settlement ratio has improved year over year. Due to continued cost cutting measures the Company has maintained a consistent expense ratio. This has led to a 1.4% improvement in the year-to-date combined ratio.

"Second quarter's civil unrest combined with third quarter's derecho windstorm contributed to effective utilization of the Company's 2020 reinsurance program. We ceded $7.9 million of earned premium and in return received claims coverage of $11.6 million. 

"The Company's accelerated expansion into Arizona has proven to be a positive strategic move, with related written premiums offsetting a good portion of premium lost due to the impact of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The Company continues streamlining its operational processes and implementing initiatives that will allow future profitable growth in our niche," stated Arron Sutherland, President and Chief Executive Officer.

ABOUT ICC HOLDINGS, INC.

ICC Holdings, Inc. is a vertically integrated company created to facilitate the growth, expansion, and diversification of its subsidiaries in order to maximize value to its stakeholders. The group of companies consolidated under ICC Holdings, Inc. engages in diverse, yet complementary business activities, including property and casualty insurance, real estate, and information technology.

The Company's common shares trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol "ICCH". For more information about ICC Holdings, visit http://ir.iccholdingsinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release, and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release, contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or the Reform Act, which may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's, plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements identified by words such as "believe," "plan," "seek," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "will," and similar expressions. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including statements relating to revenue and profit growth; future responses to and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including their effects on our business operations and claims activity; new theories of liability; judicial, legislative, regulatory and other governmental developments; litigation tactics and developments; product and segment expansion; regulatory approval in connection with expansion; and market share, as well as statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. The forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

Although the Company does not make forward-looking statements unless it believes it has a reasonable basis for doing so, the Company cannot guarantee their accuracy. The foregoing factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. For a list of other factors which could affect the Company's results, see the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," including "Forward-Looking Information," set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. No undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE ICC Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://ir.iccholdingsinc.com