ROCK ISLAND, Ill., May 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ICC Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICCH) (the Company), parent company of Illinois Casualty Company, a regional, multi-line property and casualty insurance company focusing exclusively on the food and beverage industry, today reported unaudited results for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2022 – FINANCIAL RESULTS

Direct premiums written grew by $4,394,000, or 29.0%, to $19,566,000 for the first quarter of 2022 from $15,172,000 for the same period in 2021. The first quarter growth reflects increased rate taken on renewals coupled with new business. Net premiums earned grew by $3,968,000, or 32.9%, to $16,017,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, from $12,049,000 for the same period in 2021. The increase in net premiums earned is consistent with prior year's increased premium writings coupled with less earned premium ceded to reinsurers.

Net loss totaled $160,000, or $0.05 per share, for the first quarter of 2022, compared to net earnings of $1,162,000, or $0.38 per share, for the first quarter of 2021. The change in first quarter's net loss as compared to the same quarter last year was driven primarily from an increase in unrealized equity losses prompted by increased Treasury yields and widening of corporate bond rate spreads. Book value per share decreased to $21.16 at March 31, 2022, from $22.69 at December 31, 2021, as a result of both the current quarter's net loss and a significant decrease in comprehensive income driven by a large decline in our fixed security portfolio.

For the first quarter of 2022, the Company ceded to reinsurers $2,290,000 of earned premiums, compared to $2,472,000 of earned premiums for the first quarter of 2021. The slight decrease in the premium cessions reflects lower ceding rates by about 4.5% offset in part by increased direct premiums.

Net investment income increased by $116,000, or 14.5%, to $917,000 for the first quarter of 2022, as compared to $801,000 for the same period in 2021. Our bond portfolio, which is sensitive to interest rate changes, experienced an increase in interest income received during the first quarter.

Losses and settlement expenses increased by $2,392,000, or 30.7%, to $10,195,000 for the first quarter of 2022, from $7,803,000 for the same period in 2021. The current quarter's increase in losses is commensurate with growth in earned premium.

Policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses increased by $1,304,000, or 29.2%, to $5,772,000 for the first quarter of 2022 from $4,468,000 for the same period in 2021. Direct commissions, a key component of policy acquisition costs, increased 31.5% compared to a 28.6% increase in written premiums and reflect a necessary cost of organic growth. These commissions are expensed as premiums are earned and therefore the increase in first quarter's acquisition costs is consistent with 2022's earned premium growth. In addition, the Company provided non-executive employees cost of living adjustments in recognition of inflation's current impact on employees.

Total assets decreased by 0.7% from $200,002,000 at December 31, 2021, to $198,610,000 at March 31, 2022. Our investment portfolio, which consists of fixed income securities, common stocks, preferred stock, property held for investment, and other invested assets, decreased by 3.0% from $140,826,000 at December 31, 2021, to $136,572,000 at March 31, 2022.

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2022 – FINANCIAL RATIOS

The Company's losses and settlement expense ratio (defined as losses and settlement expenses divided by net premiums earned) was 63.7% for the first quarter compared with 64.8% for the same period of 2021.

The expense ratio (defined as the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and underwriting and administrative expenses divided by net premiums earned) was 36.0% for the first quarter compared to 37.1% for the same period of 2021.

The Company's GAAP combined ratio (defined as the sum of the losses and settlement expense ratio and the expense ratio) was 99.7% for the first quarter compared to 101.8% for the same period of 2021.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

"We are very pleased with generating positive operating results thus far in 2022. The first quarter's premium writings have set the stage for another exciting year, outpacing a typical first quarter by about 20%. The focus has been on retaining business of existing policyholders and ensuring the Company has adequate renewal rates to support future loss experience.

"Our positive growth in quality insurance policies continues to be instrumental in reducing our loss ratio as demonstrated in the first quarter compared to the same quarter last year. The equity and bond market declines experienced by the insurance industry, outpaced the Company's first quarter profits. As the markets continue to react to inflationary pressures, we are committed to maintaining investment portfolio diversity and exploring new investment property opportunities.

"The Company's geographic expansion efforts have gained traction and a selected handful of potential new states are currently undergoing a healthy dose of scrutiny. We are positioned to provide ICC expertise to more policyholders in the coming year," 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, as well the distribution and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including their effects on our business operations and claims activity; new theories of liability; judicial, legislative, regulatory and other governmental developments, including, but not limited to, liability related to business interruption claims related to COVID-19; litigation tactics and developments; product and segment expansion; regulatory approval in connection with expansion; downturns and volatility in global economies and equity and credit markets, including as a result of inflation and supply chain disruptions and continued labor shortages; interest rates and changes in rates could adversely affect the Company's business and profitability;  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, 2021. No undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements.

Contact Info: Arron K. Sutherland, President and CEO 
Illinois Casualty Company
(309) 732-0105
arrons@ilcasco.com
225 20^th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201

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SOURCE ICC Holdings, Inc.