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Sep 30, 2020

Selective Insurance Q3 2020 Earnings Report

Selective Insurance reported strong results in Q3 2020, with a profitable combined ratio despite catastrophe losses, driven by growth in net premiums written and investment income.

Key Takeaways

Selective Insurance Group reported strong third-quarter results with net income per diluted share of $1.16 and non-GAAP operating income per diluted share of $1.06. The company achieved a 97.0% combined ratio despite significant catastrophe losses. Net premiums written grew by 6%, and investment income increased by 22%.

Net premiums written grew by 6% compared to Q3 2019.

GAAP combined ratio was a profitable 97.0%, despite 11.4 percentage points of catastrophe losses.

Annualized return on equity was 11.9%, and non-GAAP operating ROE was 10.9%.

After-tax net investment income increased by 22% to $55 million compared to Q3 2019.

Total Revenue
$720M
Previous year: $677M
+6.3%
EPS
$1.06
Previous year: $0.97
+9.3%
Total Combined Ratio
97%
Previous year: 95.2%
+1.9%
Commercial Lines Combined
92.3%
Previous year: 94.2%
-2.0%
Personal Lines Combined
119%
Previous year: 100.8%
+18.1%
Gross Profit
$759M
Previous year: $697M
+9.0%
Cash and Equivalents
$15.9M
Previous year: $10.2M
+56.4%
Free Cash Flow
$178M
Previous year: $144M
+24.1%
Total Assets
$9.51B
Previous year: $8.72B
+9.1%

Selective Insurance

Selective Insurance

Selective Insurance Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Selective Insurance revised its full-year guidance for 2020 to reflect the current estimated full-year impact of COVID-19.

Positive Outlook

  • A GAAP combined ratio, excluding catastrophe losses, between 88% and 89%.
  • Combined ratio estimate assumes no additional prior-year casualty reserve development in the fourth quarter.
  • After-tax net investment income of $175 million, including $10 million to $15 million from alternative investments.
  • Overall effective tax rate of approximately 18.5%.
  • Weighted average shares of 60.5 million on a diluted basis.

Challenges Ahead

  • Catastrophe losses of 8.0 points on the combined ratio.
  • COVID-19 losses are not included as catastrophes.
  • Potential reduction in premium due to voluntary credits and regulatory directives.
  • Possible increase in loss and loss expenses due to litigation or changes in statutory or common law.
  • Net investment income may be impacted by financial market volatility.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income