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8-K

Amerisafe Inc (AMSF)

8-K 2022-02-22 For: 2022-02-22
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 22, 2022

AMERISAFE, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Texas 001-12251 75-2069407
(State or Other Jurisdiction<br>of Incorporation) (Commission<br>File Number) (IRS Employer<br>Identification No.)

2301 Highway 190 West

DeRidder, Louisiana 70634

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (337) 463-9052

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

Title of each class Trading<br> <br>Symbol(s) Name of each exchange<br> <br>on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share AMSF Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
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On February 22, 2022, AMERISAFE, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

On February 22, 2022, AMERISAFE, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.31 per share. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit<br>No. Description
99.1 Press Release of AMERISAFE, Inc. dated February 22, 2022 (Financial Results)
99.2 Press Release of AMERISAFE, Inc. dated February 22, 2022 (Dividend)
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

AMERISAFE, INC.
By: /s/ Neal A. Fuller
Neal A. Fuller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 22, 2022

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

<br><br><br>LOGO<br><br> <br><br> <br>Neal A. Fuller,EVP & CFO<br> <br>AMERISAFE<br><br><br>337.463.9052

AMERISAFE ANNOUNCES 2021 FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR-END RESULTS

Increases loss ratio as result of catastrophic claim

Reports $65.8 Million of Net Income and Return on Equity of 15.7% in 2021

Increases quarterly dividend by 6.9%

DeRidder, LA – February 22, 2022—AMERISAFE, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF), a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on high hazard industries, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021.

Three Months EndedDecember 31, Twelve Months EndedDecember 31,
2021 2020 % Change 2021 2020 % Change
(in thousands, except pershare data) (in thousands, except pershare data)
Net premiums earned $ 67,733 $ 74,702 -9.3 % $ 275,993 $ 304,427 -9.3 %
Net investment income 6,073 7,228 -16.0 % 25,435 29,364 -13.4 %
Net realized gains (losses) on investments (pretax) 205 (332 ) NM 1,695 1,132 NM
Net unrealized gains on equity securities (pre-tax) 4,289 6,553 NM 12,315 4,204 NM
Net income 3,541 28,501 -87.6 % 65,756 86,602 -24.1 %
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.18 $ 1.47 -87.8 % $ 3.39 $ 4.47 -24.2 %
Operating net income (9 ) 23,586 -100.0 % 54,688 82,387 -33.6 %
Operating earnings per share $ $ 1.22 -100.0 % $ 2.82 $ 4.25 -33.6 %
Book value per share $ 20.62 $ 22.70 -9.2 % $ 20.62 $ 22.70 -9.2 %
Net combined ratio 112.9 % 70.4 % 85.7 % 76.3 %
Return on average equity 3.2 % 24.8 % 15.7 % 19.9 %

G. Janelle Frost, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our specialty is underwriting and servicing high-hazard workers’ compensation and in 2021, our strength in those specialties counterbalanced slow economic growth, strong competition, declining rates, and a variety of pandemic-related uncertainties. We were responsive to the competitive environment, while applying disciplined pricing, and continued our long-held commitment to personalized claims management. Despite experiencing our first catastrophic claim, we are pleased to report a combined ratio of 85.7% and a return on average equity of 15.7% for 2021.”

INSURANCE RESULTS

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
2021 2020 % Change 2021 2020 % Change
(in thousands) (in thousands)
Gross premiums written $ 55,871 $ 63,082 -11.4 % $ 278,294 $ 303,090 -8.2 %
Net premiums earned 67,733 74,702 -9.3 % 275,993 304,427 -9.3 %
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred 59,197 36,260 63.3 % 160,798 157,226 2.3 %
Underwriting and certain other operating costs, commissions, salaries and benefits 16,714 15,589 7.2 % 72,051 71,906 0.2 %
Policyholder dividends 515 768 -32.9 % 3,715 3,453 7.6 %
Underwriting profit (pre-tax) $ (8,693 ) $ 22,085 -139.4 % $ 39,429 $ 71,842 -45.1 %
Insurance Ratios:
Current accident year loss ratio 107.4 % 72.5 % 80.7 % 72.5 %
Prior accident year loss ratio -20.0 % -24.0 % -22.4 % -20.9 %
Net loss ratio 87.4 % 48.5 % 58.3 % 51.6 %
Net underwriting expense ratio 24.7 % 20.9 % 26.1 % 23.6 %
Net dividend ratio 0.8 % 1.0 % 1.3 % 1.1 %
Net combined ratio 112.9 % 70.4 % 85.7 % 76.3 %
Voluntary premiums on policies written in the quarter were 9.4% lower than the fourth quarter of 2020, primarily<br>due to continued declines in approved loss costs in the states in which we write business. For the full year, voluntary premiums decreased by 6.3%.
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Payroll audits and related premium adjustments increased premiums written by $0.1 million in the fourth<br>quarter of 2021, compared to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full year 2021, audits and related premium adjustments reduced premiums by $1.2 million, compared to an increase in premiums of $6.4 million in 2020.<br>
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As a result of information just developed on a fourth quarter catastrophic claim, the Company increased its<br>accident year loss ratio from 72.0% to 80.7% for the full year. This claim involved several individuals who were severely injured in the same incident. The Company’s catastrophic reinsurance program covers amounts up to $10 million per<br>individual, but amounts greater than $10 million per individual are retained by the Company. As a result, AMERISAFE has increased its net estimate after reinsurance for this loss by $24 million and has increased its net accident year loss<br>ratio. As with all AMERISAFE claims, this reserve will be evaluated periodically as the claim develops. This is the first catastrophic claim on the Company’s catastrophe reinsurance layer in our history.
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During the quarter, the Company experienced favorable net loss reserve development for prior accident years,<br>which reduced loss and loss adjustment expenses by $13.6 million, primarily from accident years 2019 through 2016. For the full year, the company experienced favorable development on prior accident years of $61.9 million, compared with<br>$63.5 million in 2020. The Company currently is estimating that its current accident year loss ratio will be 71.0% for 2022.
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For the quarter ended December 31, 2021, the underwriting expense ratio was 24.7% compared with 20.9% in the<br>same quarter in 2020, as a result of lower earned premium, increased bad debt from NCCI pools and increased loss- based assessments. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the underwriting expense ratio was 26.1%, compared with 23.6% in 2020,<br>largely due to lower earned premium as underwriting and other expenses for the full year were largely unchanged.
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The effective tax rate for the full year 2021 was 17.2% compared with 19.0% for 2020. The rate was lower than<br>last year due to an increase in the proportion of tax-exempt interest income relative to underwriting profit and also due to a reduction in a valuation allowance on deferred state tax assets.<br>
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INVESTMENT RESULTS

Three Months Ended<br>December 31, Twelve Months Ended<br>December 31,
2021 2020 % Change 2021 2020 % Change
(in thousands) (in thousands)
Net investment income $ 6,073 $ 7,228 -16.0 % $ 25,435 $ 29,364 -13.4 %
Net realized gains (losses) on investments (pre-tax) 205 (332 ) NM 1,695 1,132 NM
Net unrealized gains on equity securities (pre-tax) 4,289 6,553 NM 12,315 4,204 NM
Pre-tax investment yield 2.2 % 2.4 % 2.3 % 2.5 %
Tax-equivalent yield (1) 2.7 % 2.9 % 2.7 % 2.9 %
(1) The tax equivalent yield is calculated using the effective interest rate and the appropriate marginal tax rate.<br>
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Net investment income for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, decreased 16.0% to $6.1 million from<br>$7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, due to lower interest rates on fixed income securities. For the full year 2021, net investment income was $25.4 million compared with $29.4 million for 2020, a decrease of 13.4%, due to<br>lower yields on fixed income securities.
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Net unrealized gains on equity securities were $4.3 million in the fourth quarter and $12.3 million for<br>the full year 2021.
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As of December 31, 2021, the carrying value of AMERISAFE’s investment portfolio, including cash and<br>cash equivalents, was $1.1 billion.
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CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

In an accompanying announcement, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the regular quarterly dividend by 6.9% from $0.29 per share to $0.31 per share, payable on March 25, 2022 to shareholders of record as of March 11, 2022.

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Three Months Ended<br>December 31, Twelve Months Ended<br>December 31,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Net income $ 3,541 $ 28,501 $ 65,756 $ 86,602
Less:
Net realized gains (losses) on investments 205 (332 ) 1,695 1,132
Net unrealized gains on equity securities 4,289 6,553 12,315 4,204
Tax effect (1) (944 ) (1,306 ) (2,942 ) (1,121 )
Operating net income (2) $ (9 ) $ 23,586 $ 54,688 $ 82,387
Average shareholders’ equity (3) $ 439,740 $ 460,363 $ 419,070 $ 434,516
Less:
Average accumulated other comprehensive income 14,262 20,466 17,278 16,615
Average adjusted shareholders’ equity (2) $ 425,478 $ 439,897 $ 401,792 $ 417,901
Diluted weighted average common shares 19,420,757 19,380,109 19,408,619 19,363,809
Return on average equity (4) 3.2 % 24.8 % 15.7 % 19.9 %
Operating return on average adjusted equity (2) 0.0 % 21.4 % 13.6 % 19.7 %
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.18 $ 1.47 $ 3.39 $ 4.47
Operating earnings per share (2) $ $ 1.22 $ 2.82 $ 4.25
(1) The tax effect of net realized losses on investments and net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities is<br>calculated with an effective tax rate of 21%.
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(2) Operating net income, operating return on average adjusted equity and operating earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that investors’ understanding of core operating performance is enhanced by AMERISAFE’s disclosure of these financial measures.
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(3) Average shareholders’ equity is calculated by taking the average of the beginning and ending<br>shareholders’ equity.
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(4) Return on average equity is calculated by dividing the annualized net income by the average shareholders’<br>equity.
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CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

AMERISAFE has scheduled a conference call for February 23, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results for the quarter and comment on future periods. To participate in the conference call, dial 773-305-6853 (Conference Code 7786013) at least ten minutes before the call begins.

5

Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet by visiting the “Investor Relations Home” page of the “Investors” section of the Company’s website (http://www.amerisafe.com). To listen to the live call on the web, please visit the website at least fifteen minutes before the call begins to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call at the same website location.

ABOUT AMERISAFE

AMERISAFE, Inc. is a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, agriculture, and manufacturing. AMERISAFE actively markets workers’ compensation insurance in 27 states.

6

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” or similar words are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding AMERISAFE’s plans and performance. These statements are based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance and include statements regarding management’s views and expectations of the workers’ compensation market, the Company’s growth opportunities, underwriting margins and actions by competitors. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these statements if the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect or as the results of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business and operations of the Company and our policyholders and the market value of our investment portfolio. Additional factors that may affect our results are set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including AMERISAFE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. AMERISAFE cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. AMERISAFE does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

- Tables to Follow -

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AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands)

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Revenues:
Gross premiums written $ 55,871 $ 63,082 $ 278,294 $ 303,090
Ceded premiums written (3,059 ) (2,348 ) (10,469 ) (10,276 )
Net premiums written $ 52,812 $ 60,734 $ 267,825 $ 292,814
Net premiums earned $ 67,733 $ 74,702 $ 275,993 $ 304,427
Net investment income 6,073 7,228 25,435 29,364
Net realized gains (losses) on investments 205 (332 ) 1,695 1,132
Net unrealized gains on equity securities 4,289 6,553 12,315 4,204
Fee and other income 81 70 496 350
Total revenues 78,381 88,221 315,934 339,477
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred 59,197 36,260 160,798 157,226
Underwriting and other operating costs 16,714 15,589 72,051 71,906
Policyholder dividends 515 768 3,715 3,453
Provision for investment related credit loss expense (benefit) 23 (14 ) (79 ) (27 )
Total expenses 76,449 52,603 236,485 232,558
Income before taxes 1,932 35,618 79,449 106,919
Income tax expense (1,609 ) 7,117 13,693 20,317
Net income $ 3,541 $ 28,501 $ 65,756 $ 86,602
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AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (cont.)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
2021 2020 2021 2020
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Basic EPS:
Net income $ 3,541 $ 28,501 $ 65,756 $ 86,602
Basic weighted average common shares 19,345,324 19,309,055 19,332,391 19,288,996
Basic earnings per share $ 0.18 $ 1.48 $ 3.40 $ 4.49
Diluted EPS:
Net income $ 3,541 $ 28,501 $ 65,756 $ 86,602
Diluted weighted average common shares:
Weighted average common shares 19,345,324 19,309,055 19,332,391 19,288,996
Restricted stock and stock options 75,433 71,054 76,228 74,813
Diluted weighted average common shares 19,420,757 19,380,109 19,408,619 19,363,809
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.18 $ 1.47 $ 3.39 $ 4.47
9
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AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

December 31,2021 December 31,2020
(unaudited)
Assets
Investments $ 1,012,571 $ 1,088,744
Cash and cash equivalents 70,722 61,757
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers 120,561 105,803
Premiums receivable, net 135,100 156,760
Deferred income taxes 14,384 13,665
Deferred policy acquisition costs 17,059 17,810
Other assets 32,327 26,316
$ 1,402,724 $ 1,470,855
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses $ 745,278 $ 760,561
Unearned premiums 121,092 129,260
Insurance-related assessments 16,850 17,995
Other liabilities 120,181 124,223
Shareholders’ equity 399,323 438,816
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,402,724 $ 1,470,855

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EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

<br><br><br>LOGO<br><br> <br><br><br><br>Neal A. Fuller, EVP & CFO<br><br><br>AMERISAFE<br> <br>337.463.9052

AMERISAFE INCREASES DIVIDEND BY 6.9%

Increases Quarterly Dividend from $0.29 to $0.31 per Share

DeRidder, LA – February 22, 2022 - AMERISAFE, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF), a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on high hazard industries, today announced that its Board of Directors has increased the quarterly dividend by 6.9%, from $0.29 to $0.31 per share.

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.31 per share, payable on March 25, 2022 to shareholders of record as of March 11, 2022.

The Company began paying dividends in 2013. Since that time, the Company has paid $32.79 in dividends per share, comprising $7.04 in regular dividends and $25.75 in special dividends.

Additional information on the Company’s fourth quarter and 2021 full year earnings can be found in AMERISAFE’s accompanying earnings release issued today.

ABOUT AMERISAFE

AMERISAFE, Inc. is a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, agriculture, and manufacturing. AMERISAFE actively markets workers’ compensation insurance in 27 states.