RLI CORP. Forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 appear
throughout this report. These statements relate to our current expectations,
beliefs, intentions, goals or strategies regarding the future and are based on
certain underlying assumptions by the Company. These forward looking statements
generally include words such as "expect," "predict," "estimate," "will,"
"should," "anticipate," "believe" and similar expressions. Such assumptions are,
in turn, based on information available and internal estimates and analyses of
general economic conditions, competitive factors, conditions specific to the
property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industries, claims development
and the impact thereof on our loss reserves, the adequacy and financial security
of our reinsurance programs, developments in the securities market and the
impact on our investment portfolio, regulatory changes and conditions and other
factors. These assumptions are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other
factors, including, without limitation those set forth in "Item 1A. Risk
Factors" within the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
OVERVIEW
We measure the results of our insurance operations by monitoring growth and profitability across three distinct business segments: casualty, property and surety. Growth is measured in terms of gross premiums written, and profitability is analyzed through combined ratios, which are further subdivided into their respective loss and expense components.
The property and casualty insurance business is cyclical and influenced by many factors, including price competition, economic conditions, natural or man-made disasters (for example, earthquakes, hurricanes, pandemics and terrorism), interest rates, state regulations, court decisions and changes in the law. One of the unique and challenging features of the property and casualty insurance business is that coverages must be priced before costs have fully developed, because premiums are charged before claims are incurred. This requires that liabilities be estimated and recorded in recognition of future loss and settlement obligations. Due to the inherent uncertainty in estimating these liabilities, there can be no assurance that actual liabilities will not be more or less than recorded amounts; if actual liabilities differ from recorded amounts, there will be an adverse or favorable effect on net earnings.
The casualty portion of our business consists largely of commercial excess, personal umbrella, general liability, transportation and executive products coverages, as well as package business and other specialty coverages, such as professional liability and workers' compensation for office-based professionals. We also assume a limited amount of hard-to-place risks through a quota share reinsurance agreement. The casualty business is subject to the risk of estimating losses and related loss reserves because the ultimate settlement of a casualty claim may take several years to fully develop. The casualty segment is also subject to inflation risk and may be affected by evolving legislation and court decisions that define the extent of coverage and the amount of compensation due for injuries or losses.
Our property segment is comprised primarily of commercial fire, earthquake,
difference in conditions and marine coverages. We also offer select personal
lines policies, including homeowners' coverages. Property insurance results are
subject to the variability introduced by perils such as earthquakes, fires,
hurricanes and other storms. Our major catastrophe exposure is to losses caused
by earthquakes, primarily on the
The surety segment specializes in writing small to large-sized commercial and contract surety coverages, including payment and performance bonds. We also offer miscellaneous bonds including license and permit, notary and court bonds. Often, our surety coverages involve a statutory requirement for bonds. While these bonds typically maintain a relatively low
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loss ratio, losses may fluctuate due to adverse economic conditions affecting the financial viability of our principals. The contract surety product guarantees the construction work of a commercial contractor for a specific project. Generally, losses occur due to the deterioration of a contractor's financial condition. This line has historically produced marginally higher loss ratios than other surety lines during economic downturns.
The insurance marketplace is competitive across all of our segments. However, we believe that our business model is built to create underwriting income by focusing on sound risk selection and discipline. Our primary focus will continue to be on underwriting profitability, with a secondary focus on premium growth where we believe underwriting profit exists, as opposed to general premium growth or market share measurements.
GAAP, non-GAAP and Performance Measures
Throughout this quarterly report, we include certain non-generally accepted
accounting principles (non-GAAP) financial measures. Management believes that
these non-GAAP measures further explain the Company's results of operations and
allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the
Company's business. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for
those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in
The following is a list of non-GAAP measures found throughout this report with their definitions, relationships to GAAP measures and explanations of their importance to our operations.
Underwriting Income
Underwriting income or profit represents one measure of the pretax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses from net premiums earned, which are all GAAP financial measures. Each of these captions is presented in the statements of earnings but is not subtotaled. However, this information is available in total and by segment in note 6 to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and in note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, regarding operating segment information. The nearest comparable GAAP measure is earnings before income taxes which, in addition to underwriting income, includes net investment income, net realized gains or losses, net unrealized gains or losses on equity securities, general corporate expenses, debt costs and our portion of earnings from unconsolidated investees. A reconciliation of net earnings to underwriting income follows:
For the Three Months For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
(in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020
Net earnings $ 29,243 $ 42,387 $ 184,070 $ 73,286
Income tax expense 6,194 9,122 43,222 13,738
Earnings before income taxes $ 35,437 $ 51,509 $ 227,292 $ 87,024
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
investees (9,043 ) (8,745 ) (29,407 ) (18,359 )
General corporate expenses 2,505 2,668 9,533 6,417
Interest expense on debt 1,906 1,901 5,711 5,701
Net unrealized (gains) losses on equity
securities 2,592 (28,126 ) (29,526 ) 27,564
Net realized gains (1,829 ) (1,512 ) (52,442 ) (14,555 )
Net investment income (17,844 ) (16,543 ) (50,929 ) (51,238 )
Net underwriting income $ 13,724 $ 1,152 $ 80,232 $ 42,554
Combined Ratio
The combined ratio, which is derived from components of underwriting income, is a common industry performance measure of profitability for underwriting operations and is calculated in two components. First, the loss ratio is losses and settlement expenses divided by net premiums earned. The second component, the expense ratio, reflects the sum of policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses divided by net premiums earned. All items included in these components of the combined ratio are presented in our GAAP consolidated financial statements. The sum of the loss and expense ratios is the combined ratio. The difference between the combined ratio and 100 reflects the per-dollar rate of underwriting income or loss.
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Table of Contents Critical Accounting Policies
In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
The most critical accounting policies involve significant estimates and include those used in determining the liability for unpaid losses and settlement expenses, investment valuation, recoverability of reinsurance balances, deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred taxes. For a detailed discussion of each of these policies, refer to our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
There have been no significant changes to critical accounting policies during the year.
IMPACT OF COVID-19
Our processes and controls continue to operate effectively and we have been able to maintain the highest service and support levels possible for our customers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. While we have welcomed many of our team members back to our offices, a number of our associates are still working from home.
It is difficult to predict how and to what extent COVID-19, and its effects on the economy, will impact our revenues in the coming quarters. To date, the product line that has experienced the greatest impact has been public transportation. Many of our passenger transportation customers had been unable to effectively operate under social-distancing protocols and stay-at-home orders. Although transportation premium is up from pre-pandemic levels in the first nine months of 2021 in total, public transportation may be challenged until the use of public transportation increases. Additionally, a number of our products support the construction industry, and revenues may be impacted if disruption in this sector does not continue to ease.
The loss exposure arising out of the spread of COVID-19 and the resulting shutdown will take time to resolve. We do not offer event cancellation, travel, trade credit or pandemic-related coverages, which would be more directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The derivative implications that COVID-19 had on the economy may have negative implications on products that are correlated with the credit cycle, including, but not limited to, some of our surety and executive products offerings. Additionally, the professional services and executive product groups may be affected by claims made against companies who are reopening or returning to work.
Actuarial models base future emergence on historic experience, with adjustments
for current trends, and the appropriateness of these assumptions involved
greater uncertainty as of
Investment yields decreased throughout 2020, which resulted in lower
reinvestment rates and, in turn, lower investment income in the first nine
months of 2021. Additionally, the fair value of the fixed income portfolio will
decline as interest rates rise, as we observed with our
We produced solid operating results in the first nine months of 2021 and our
financial position remains strong. We generated
Ultimately, the extent to which COVID-19 will affect our business will be influenced by its impact on the economy. We continue to evaluate all aspects of our operations and are making necessary adjustments to manage our business. Our diversified portfolio of products and financial strength have allowed us to remain on solid footing. We believe we have a strong and sustainable underwriting approach that will allow us to weather the economic environment and uncertainty we continue to experience.
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Table of Contents RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Nine Months Ended
Consolidated revenue for the first nine months of 2021 increased
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