Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Reports Second-Quarter and First Six-Months 2011 Financial Results

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–(Marketwire – Aug 8, 2011) – Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the Company or Universal) (NYSE Amex: UVE), a vertically integrated insurance holding company, reported net income of $7.5 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2011, compared to net income of $10.8 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the same period in 2010. For the first six months of 2011, the Company reported net income of $21.4 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared to $17.7 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the same period of 2010.

Second-Quarter 2011 Results
Net income and diluted earnings per share declined approximately 29.9 percent and 29.6 percent, respectively, in the 2011 second quarter compared to the same period last year. Notwithstanding higher net premiums earned, the Company’s profitability decreased primarily due to net unrealized losses on investments and lower net realized gains on investments during the 2011 second quarter. Additionally, the Company’s profitability was further moderated by state-mandated wind mitigation credits within the state of Florida.

Homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance policies serviced by Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), the Company’s wholly-owned insurance company subsidiary currently writing business, and the related direct premiums written, increased during the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010. The fourth-quarter 2009 premium rate increases in Florida, which were 14.6 percent statewide for UPCIC’s homeowners’ program and 14.8 percent statewide for its dwelling fire policies, increased direct premiums written and net premiums earned while contributing to profitability in the second quarter of 2011. Additionally, the premium rate increase of 14.9 percent statewide for UPCIC’s homeowners’ insurance program within the state of Florida announced in February 2011 continues to flow through UPCIC’s book of business. The effective dates for the most recent rate increase were February 7, 2011, for new business and March 28, 2011, for renewal business. UPCIC expects the approved premium rate increase to have a favorable effect on premiums written and earned in future months, as new and renewal policies are written at the higher rates.

During the 2011 second quarter, UPCIC’s policy count continued to grow on a year-over-year basis. At June 30, 2011, UPCIC serviced approximately 591,000 homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance policies, a nominal decline from approximately 593,000 policies at March 31, 2011, and an increase from approximately 566,000 policies at June 30, 2010. Within South Carolina, North Carolina, and Hawaii, UPCIC had approximately 11,800 policies totaling approximately $14.8 million of in-force premiums at June 30, 2011.

Net premiums earned increased 19.7 percent in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same quarter in 2010, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of policies written generated by UPCIC’s agent network and rate increases which became effective in February 2011 as well as those that became effective in the latter part of 2009.

Operating costs and expenses for the second quarter of 2011 were higher compared to the second quarter of last year, as losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) increased 4.1 percent and general and administrative expenses increased 9.8 percent. The increase in losses and LAE is due to the growth in policy count on a year-over-year basis. Despite the increase, the net loss and LAE ratio, or net losses and LAE as a percentage of net earned premiums, improved to 52.2 percent in the second quarter of 2011 compared to 60.0 percent in the second quarter of 2010 as a result of the increase in premiums earned in the second quarter of 2011. General and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of an increase in the amortization of deferred acquisition costs and an increase in other general administrative expenses. The increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costs is in response to an increase in commissions paid on direct written premium and the associated premium taxes thereon. Commissions and premium taxes are directly related to the volume of direct written premium. As noted previously, direct written premium has increased in response to an increase in the number of policies-in-force and the increase in in-force premium per policy. Increased expenses were partially offset by an increase in ceding commissions. Other general and administrative expenses primarily included higher expenses related to Florida Insurance Guarantee Association (FIGA) assessments, which were offset by lower stock-based compensation and performance bonuses.

At June 30, 2011, stockholders’ equity increased to $158.2 million from $150.1 million at March 31, 2011, and $123.6 million at June 30, 2010, representing growth of 5.4 percent and 28.0 percent, respectively.

Investment Portfolio Update
For the second quarter of 2011, net realized gains on investments were $3.0 million, and net unrealized losses on investments were $9.6 million. As of June 30, 2011, the Company’s investment securities, at fair value, totaled $95.9 million, compared to $139.1 million at March 31, 2011. At June 30, 2011, 96 percent of the investment securities, at fair value, were in equity securities and 4 percent were in debt securities. At June 30, 2011, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $356.7 million as compared to $281.1 million at March 31, 2011.

First Six-Months 2011 Results
For the first six months of 2011, the Company’s net income and diluted earnings per share increased 21.1 percent and 20.5 percent, respectively, as compared to the same period of 2010. The improvement is primarily attributable to an increase in net premiums earned, which more than offset the impact of lower investment portfolio results in the first six months of 2011. For the first six months of 2011, net realized gains on investments of $6.6 million and net unrealized losses on investments of $7.1 million contributed a $0.4 million loss to the Company’s income before income taxes. Improved profitability was also moderated by state-mandated wind mitigation credits within the state of Florida.

Net premiums earned increased 30.6 percent for the first six months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of policies written generated by the Company’s agent network, as well as the previously mentioned rate increases. Meanwhile, first six-months 2011 operating costs and expenses were higher compared to the same period of 2010, as losses and LAE increased 7.3 percent and general and administrative expenses increased 26.3 percent. The increase in losses and LAE is related to the servicing of additional policies due to the growth in policy count on a year-over-year basis. Despite the increase, the net loss and LAE ratio, or net losses and LAE as a percentage of net earned premiums, improved to 53.4 percent in the first six months of 2011 compared to 64.9 percent in the same period of 2010 as a result of the increase in premiums earned in the first half of 2011. General and administrative expenses increased in the first six months of 2011 due to higher amortization of deferred acquisition costs and an increase in other general and administrative expenses compared to the same period of 2010. As stated above, the increase in the amortization of deferred acquisition costs is primarily in response to an increase in commissions paid on direct premium and the associated premium taxes thereon. Higher expenses were partially offset by an increase in ceding commissions. Other general and administrative expenses increased in the first six months of 2011 due to higher expenses related to FIGA assessments, legal fees for corporate matters, performance bonuses and insurance compared to the same period of 2010.

About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. is a vertically integrated insurance holding company, which through its subsidiaries, covers substantially all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution, claims processing and exposure management. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is one of the three leading writers of homeowners’ insurance in Florida and is now fully licensed and has commenced its operations in Hawaii, North Carolina and South Carolina. For additional information on the Company, please visit our investor relations website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include commentary on plans, products and lines of business, marketing arrangements, reinsurance programs and other business developments and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future results could differ materially from those described and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company’s operations and future results, refer to the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.