The Difference is in the Details.

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT 2012

2 The Difference is in the Details. An old Chinese proverb states that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Considering this bit of wisdom in the context of what it takes to execute a comprehensive business plan, you gain respect for giving diligent attention to a multitude of details to get it just right. In 2012 the employees and agents of Society Insurance paid attention to the details of serving our policyholders, and it made all the difference in our results. Returning to profitability after consecutive years of unprecedented storm losses was a key goal for 2012, and a variety of strategies produced results that were right on our targets. Policyholder surplus ended at $102,100,913, an increase of 9.6% for the year. This was a new record for Society and also marked the first time the company exceeded $100 million in surplus. Strong net income of $5,083,544 drove most of this result, along with favorable appreciation in our investment holdings. The combined ratio of 103.4% was a five-point improvement from both 2010 and 2011 and met our goal for the year. Growth in premium continued even as we gave strong attention to improving profitability. Direct written premium finished at $146,580,986 for a growth rate of +3.6%. This was another all-time high for Society. Executing our business plan in 2012 didn t happen from one initiative or from the efforts of a few people. Each of Society s 262 employees and 3,261 contracted agents had a role to play in this financial success and in serving policyholders. Kelly Roberts, Workers Compensation Claims Rep, contributed by arranging vocational training for an injured worker. He was then able to start a new career as a truck driver when he was physically unable to return to his prior position. Kristine Lathrop, Commercial Lines Underwriter, found a way to grow business with a key agent while achieving pricing goals, resulting in strengthened relations and a profit sharing check for the agent. Mike O Connell, Senior Field Claims Rep, was at the scene of a fire loss less than an hour after it ignited. He walked a very anxious policyholder through the process of hiring a contractor to begin repairs, adding some comfort to an otherwise traumatic day. R&R Insurance of Waukesha, Wisconsin, found that Society could fill a valuable role for their agency and its customers. They paired significant premium growth with extraordinary profitability to finish as the top agency in our Society s Best standings. Input from employees, agents and policyholders gave us direction in 2012 to more clearly articulate what Society is all about as a company. A new branding initiative Small details. Big difference. was developed and will be introduced this year. It will showcase our expertise and market leadership in the niche businesses we serve. A refined Mission Vision Goals statement was created that clearly defines our devotion to serving policyholders in partnership with our agents. Society s employees stepped up their involvement in the community by taking leadership roles in a variety of non-profits and volunteering their time to a host of organizations. This focus on service to policyholders, claimants, agents and the community has energized our company and employees. Society s outlook for 2013 is positive. Our strategic plan balances the need for financial strength with the needs of policyholders and agents. Regardless of market or economic conditions we follow our mission to operate for the benefit of policyholders and to support the independent agents who are our most important business partners. Challenges exist, but I m confident we ll continue to pay attention to the details that make a big difference for our policyholders, agents, employees and the communities where we live and work. Rick W. Parks President & CEO

3 Kristine Lathrop, Commercial Lines Underwriter Colleen Hahn, Property, Auto & Liability Claims Manager Mike O Connell, Senior Field Claims Rep R&R Insurance of Waukesha, Wisconsin Pictured with Kevin Wondra, Regional Sales Manager

4 ASSETS Bonds, Amortized Value $216,962,031 $202,001,615 Stocks, Market Value $22,257,869 $25,324,620 Real Estate, Cost Less Depreciation $3,383,942 $3,545,487 Cash and Short-Term Investments $7,863,925 $4,827,845 Premiums Receivable $57,565,186 $54,138,908 Reinsurance Recoverable $2,405,719 $2,767,903 Accrued Interest and Dividends $2,049,255 $2,088,746 Other Assets $7,706,655 $8,264,482 Total Assets $320,194,582 $302,959,606 liabilities Unpaid Losses and Expenses $133,796,583 $127,378,215 Agents Contingent Commission $3,360,236 $3,286,420 Unearned Premiums $68,566,120 $67,586,494 Ceded Reinsurance Payable $7,729,935 $5,629,521 Dividends Declared and Unpaid $3,781,893 $4,819,718 Other Liabilities $858,902 $1,101,843 Total Liabilities $218,093,670 $209,802,211 Policyholder Surplus $102,100,913 $93,157,396 Total Liabilities and Surplus $320,194,582 $302,959,607

5 Direct Written Premiums 2012 $146,580, $141,528, $132,586, $133,401, $126,153, $118,225, $111,865, $110,867, $120,692, $116,538,223 POLICYHOLDERs SURPLUS 2012 $102,100, $93,157, $94,641, $91,583, $86,713, $90,845, $80,801, $65,594, $52,292, $56,267,522 TOTAL ASSETS 2012 $320,194, $302,956, $295,999, $285,823, $271,577, $277,264, $265,154, $247,231, $230,022, $198,400,267

6 Senior officers RICK W. PARKS, CPCU PRESIDENT & CEO WILLIAM F. REEVES, CPCU SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & COO officers JOHN A. BAROUSKI VICE PRESIDENT WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIMS STEVEN J. BINKLEY, JD VICE PRESIDENT PROPERTY, AUTO & LIABILITY CLAIMS THOMAS E. KONOP VICE PRESIDENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS D. HOLLY LIFKE, MBA, CIC, AIC VICE PRESIDENT COMMERCIAL UNDERWRITING DINA S. SCHULTZ, VICE PRESIDENT SALES & MARKETING EDWIN W. STORER, CPA, CGMA VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE & TREASURER directors ERIC ENGLUND, JD SUSAN M. FINCO THOMAS J. GROSS, CPA GREGORY C. KROHM, PHD, CPCU LINDA L. NEWBERRY FERGUSON RICK W. PARKS, CPCU STEPHEN M. PETERSON CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD JAMES P. THOMAS, CPCU SECRETARY JEFFREY M. TIMLER, CPA

7 Our Mission We operate and exist for the benefit of our policyholders by protecting their dreams, passions and livelihoods with tailor-made insurance solutions. Our Vision To continually improve our service, our expertise, our products and our technology Our Goals to be the preferred choice of policyholders and agents Practice responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us by our policyholders Ensure long term financial strength through consistent, profitable growth Demonstrate unwavering commitment to prompt, professional and personal service Be experts in managing risk for the classes of business we insure Embrace innovation in our products, services, processes and technology to enhance our role as an industry thought leader Offer independent agents solutions and tools that make Society the market for our chosen classes of business Recruit, develop and retain exceptional employees who are committed to living Society s corporate values Be an outstanding corporate citizen through a strong, consistent commitment to the communities in which we live and work

8 150 Camelot Drive P.O. Box 1029 Fond du Lac, WI SOCIETY ( ) societyinsurance.com 2013 Society Insurance