Infinity Property and Casualty Reports 10.4% Gross Written Premium Growth for the First Quarter of 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation (NASDAQ: IPCC), a national provider of personal automobile insurance, today reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2011:

Gross written premium grew 10.4% during the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010 with growth in six of the eight Focus States.  California, Infinity's largest state, grew 14.5% in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.

Net and operating earnings declined in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010 primarily as a result of less favorable development on prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense reserves recognized in the first quarter of 2011.  Favorable development recognized in earnings during the first quarter of 2011 was $3.4 million, pre-tax ($0.18 per diluted share after-tax) and resulted primarily from bodily injury coverage in California and related to accident years prior to 2009.  Favorable development recognized in earnings during the first quarter of 2010 was $16.7 million, pre-tax ($0.80 per diluted share after-tax).  

"This quarter marks the sixth consecutive quarter of gross written premium growth for Infinity," stated James Gober, Infinity's Chairman, President and CEO.  "From a profitability perspective, while our current accident year combined ratio is slightly outside of our target range due in part to winter weather-related losses, we expect by midyear that it will fall back in line with our expectations."

2011 Earnings Guidance

Infinity is increasing its operating earnings guidance to $2.20 - $2.70.  The operating earnings guidance reflects favorable development on prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense reserves recognized in earnings during the first quarter of 2011 but does not include any additional development in earnings during the remaining nine months of the year.  The current guidance assumes gross written premium growth between 7.5% and 12.5% compared with the prior year, and an accident year combined ratio, which excludes favorable development on prior accident period loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, between 98.0% and 99.0%.  Infinity's previously issued operating earnings guidance was $2.00 - $2.50 and assumed the same premium growth and accident year combined ratio ranges.

Share and Debt Repurchase Program

During the first quarter of 2011, Infinity repurchased 112,000 shares at an average price, excluding commissions, of $60.39.  Infinity has $31.3 million of capacity left under its share and debt repurchase program, which expires December 31, 2011.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, notably "2011 Earnings Guidance," contains certain "forward looking statements" which anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty.  These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release not dealing with historical results or current facts are forward-looking and are based on estimates, assumptions, and projections. Statements which include the words "assumes," "believes," "seeks," "expects," "may," "should," "intends," "likely," "targets," "plans," "anticipates," "estimates" or the negative version of those words and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements.

The primary events or circumstances that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected by Infinity include determinations with respect to reserve adequacy, realized gains or losses on the investment portfolio (including other-than-temporary impairments for credit losses), rising bodily injury loss cost trends, undesired business mix or risk profile for new business, elevated unemployment rates, and the proliferation of illegal immigration legislation in key focus states. Infinity undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of some of the foregoing risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Infinity's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss first quarter 2011 results at 11:00 a.m. (ET) today, May 5.  There are two alternative communication modes available to listen to the call. Telephone access will be available by dialing 1-888-680-0890 and providing the confirmation code 74931855.  Please dial 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A replay of the call will also be available two hours following the completion of the call, at around 2:00 p.m. (ET), and will run until Thursday, May 12, 2011. To listen to the replay, dial 1-888-286-8010 and provide the confirmation code 11565429.  The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet. To listen to the call via the Internet, go to Infinity's website, http://www.infinityauto.com, click on Investor Relations and follow the instructions at the webcast link. The archived webcast will be available on Infinity's website approximately two hours following the completion of the call and will be available for one year.

Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial and Operating Measures

Operating earnings are defined as net earnings, before realized gains and losses on investments and the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, after tax.  Infinity reports this non-GAAP measure because realized gains and losses on investments can be volatile and because it is a measure used often by investors in evaluating insurance companies.  Net earnings are the most comparable GAAP measure.  

Underwriting income measures the insurer's profit on insurance sales after all losses and expenses have been paid.  It is calculated by deducting losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses from premiums earned.  Infinity reports this non-GAAP measure to show profitability before inclusion of net investment income, other income, interest expense, corporate general and administrative expenses, other expenses and taxes and because it is a measure used often by investors in evaluating insurance companies.  Net earnings are the most comparable GAAP measure.  

Below is a schedule that reconciles operating earnings and underwriting income to net earnings:

Gross written premium is the amount of premium charged for policies issued during a fiscal period.  Earned premium is a GAAP measure and represents the portion of gross written premium (after cessions to reinsurers) that has been recognized in income in the financial statements for the periods presented as earned on a pro-rata basis over the term of the policies.

Below is a schedule that reconciles gross written premium to earned premium:

Tangible capital is defined as total capital (long-term debt plus total shareholders' equity) less intangible assets.  Infinity reports this non-GAAP measure because it is a measure often used by debt-holders and rating agencies when evaluating financial leverage.  Total capital is the most comparable GAAP measure.

Below is a schedule that reconciles tangible capital to total capital:

Infinity also makes available an investor supplement on its website.  To access the supplemental financial information, go to www.infinityauto.com and click on "Investor Relations" followed by "Quarterly Reports."  

SOURCE Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation