Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 2025, the company reported net income of $8.9 million or $0.47 per diluted share, down from $16.9 million or $0.88 per diluted share in Q1 2024 [12] - Operating net income decreased to $11.4 million or $0.60 per diluted share from $13.3 million or $0.69 per diluted share year-over-year [12] - Gross written premiums increased by 4.6% to $83.8 million compared to $80.1 million in Q1 2024 [12] - Net premiums earned rose by 60 basis points to $68.9 million from $68.4 million in the prior year [13] - The expense ratio increased to 29.9% from 27.3% due to higher expenses related to business investments [13][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Premiums on policies written in the quarter grew by 7.1% compared to the prior year quarter [8] - Policy retention rate was strong at 93.1% in Q1 2025, contributing to policy count growth [9] - The company experienced $5 million from payroll audits and other premium adjustments, down from $6.4 million in the previous year [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The competitive environment remains strong, driven by declining workers' compensation rates and challenges in other property and casualty lines [6] - The company noted that economic conditions affecting payrolls could influence premium levels, with factors such as unemployment and wage inflation being monitored closely [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on incremental growth within its existing geographic footprint and risk appetite, leveraging relationships with agents and policyholders [6] - The management emphasized the importance of proactive claims handling, which contributed to favorable case development [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution regarding economic uncertainties, including tariffs and inflation, but noted that niche industries have historically performed well during mild recessions [7] - The company expects favorable frequency trends to continue, with modest severity trends anticipated [11] Other Important Information - The investment portfolio is of high quality, with an average credit rating of double A minus and a duration of 4.48 years [15] - Book value per share was reported at $13.69, with a statutory surplus of $243.6 million, up 3.6% from the previous year [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Audit premium impact on previous quarters - Management provided audit premium figures for the previous year: Q1 was $6.4 million, Q2 was $7.3 million, Q3 was $4 million, and Q4 was $2.5 million [22][24] Question: Impact of recent hurricanes on work activity - A slight increase in audit premiums was noted in rebuilding classifications in North Carolina and Georgia, but not significantly in Florida [26] Question: Potential tariff impacts on business - Management speculated that tariffs could impact medical costs, particularly in pharmacy and durable medical equipment, but the overall effect on premiums would depend on whether costs are passed through to customers [30][31] Question: Changes in competitive dynamics - No significant changes in competitive dynamics were reported in the first quarter [35][36] Question: Expense ratio and future expectations - The increase in the expense ratio was attributed to investments for growth, with expectations that costs will moderate throughout the year [37] Question: Trends in state loss costs - The trend of declining rates continues, with average decreases expected to be in the 6% to 8% range [39][40] Question: Medical inflation and physician care costs - Increases in physician care costs were noted, attributed to labor costs rather than tariffs [41][42] Question: Industry redundancy and loss costs - Management anticipated that overall redundancy in the industry should be declining, with concerns about confidence in more current accident years [45][46] Question: Wage inflation trends - Wage inflation indications are slightly above the national average, with a potential increase in employee count [48][49] Question: Large losses in the quarter - Only two large losses were reported, which is below trend [56]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - AMERISAFE reported a net income of $13.2 million or $0.69 per diluted share for Q4 2024, down from $19.2 million or $1 per diluted share in Q4 2023 [13] - For the full year, net income was $55.4 million compared to $62.1 million in 2023, while net operating income decreased to $48.4 million from $55.9 million [14] - Gross premiums written increased by 3.9% in Q4 and 3.1% for the full year, with net premiums earned growing by 1.2% in Q4 and 1.3% for the year [6][14] - The combined ratio was reported at 88.7% with a return on equity (ROE) of 20.2% [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Voluntary premiums on policies written rose by 8.5% in Q4 and 4.6% for the year compared to 2023, with enforced policy count growing by 9.6% [6][7] - The accident year loss ratio remained steady at 71% for the full year, consistent with the prior year [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strong premium retention with a policy retention rate of 94.1% on a policy basis and 88% on a premium basis for the quarter [37] - The investment portfolio had a net investment income decrease of 14.4% to $6.9 million for Q4 and 6.8% to $29.2 million for the full year [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - AMERISAFE is focused on top-line growth while maintaining consistent underwriting margins, emphasizing profitable growth in a competitive landscape [6][11] - The company aims to improve agent relationships and enhance its sales-driven culture to capitalize on profitable opportunities [7][8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining profitable growth despite industry-wide challenges, including rate reductions [7][11] - The company anticipates favorable development from prior accident years and aims to continue identifying profitable high-risk opportunities [10][11] Other Important Information - The Board of Directors approved a 5.4% increase in the regular dividend to $0.39 per share [11] - The investment portfolio is high quality with an average AA- credit rating and a duration of 4.4 years [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide context on the policy count growth of 9.6%? - Management clarified that the 9.6% growth was for the entire year, with a 2.6% growth in the fourth quarter [24][28] Question: How has the average size per policy trended? - The average policy size for 2024 was slightly lower than in 2023, with a noted slowdown in average wages in Q4 [34] Question: What impact did renewal rates have on the top line? - Renewal rates were strong, with a policy retention rate of 94.1% and premium retention at 88% [37] Question: How are the claims from 2021 and 2022 shaping up? - Management indicated that 2021 and 2022 are expected to be good accident years, with favorable development from these years [39] Question: What is the outlook for the construction industry? - Management believes the construction industry remains strong, with continued payroll growth and opportunities for business [74][79] Question: Any updates on large claims for the year? - The company ended the year with 18 claims over a million dollars, which is consistent with the five-year average [81] Question: How is medical inflation affecting costs? - There have been no significant developments regarding medical inflation, but home health costs are being monitored closely [86] Question: What is the outlook for audit premiums? - Management expects audit premiums to remain positive in 2025, despite potential deceleration in year-over-year comparisons [100][102] Question: Have competitors become more aggressive in the workers' comp market? - The market remains competitive, but AMERISAFE is prepared for competitors entering the high hazard space [104]