Unico American Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2008 Financial Results

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Unico American Corp. (NASDAQ:UNAM) (“Unico,” the “Company”), an insurance holding company that, through its subsidiaries, including Crusader Insurance Company, offers a variety of property and casualty insurance products and services, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008. Revenues were $11.8 million and net income was $0.8 million ($0.14 diluted income per share) compared with revenues of $12.7 million and net income of $1.7 million ($0.29 diluted income per share) for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, revenues were $24.1 million and net income was $1.7 million ($0.31 diluted income per share) compared with revenues of $25.6 million and net income of $3.4 million ($0.60 diluted income per share) for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Second Quarter Highlights
●		Growth Through Product Development:
		●		Our implementation of new coverage enhancement options during the first quarter enabled us to penetrate the Apartment Buildings insurance niche still further in the second quarter. This initiative allowed us to add well-priced risk, while at the same time avoided unacceptable pricing in the Used Car Dealership and Auto Body and Auto Repair Markets, where we also had new offerings.
		●		This quarter we introduced a new Commercial Trucking Program that offers a full package of coverages, including Auto Liability, General Liability, and Physical Damage and Motor Cargo, for local and long haul truckers. Distribution will be through our new agency force where we have significant experience in the trucking niche.
		●		We also introduced a new Associated Convenience Store Program, offering a full package of coverages, including general liability, building & contents, and business interruption, targeting owners of liquor stores and mini-markets. The program will have a tailored branding strategy and will be distributed through both our traditional channels and our new agency force.
●		Growth Through Customer Service:
		●		Our implementation of direct-delivery and correspondence options during the first quarter resulted in a 95% take-up rate for those services in the second quarter.
		●		Our implementation of "paperless" distribution options for agents and brokers during the first quarter produced a 90% take-up rate for that service.
		●		Our implementation of an on-line forms library and forms-issuance service during the first quarter resulted in a 100% take-up rate for that service.
		●		Our implementation of simplified risk management and engineering procedures during the first quarter resulted in a 100% reduction of the customer complaints regarding that activity in the second quarter.
		●		Our implementation of revised policy cancellation and reinstatement procedures during the first quarter resulted in a 90% reduction of customer complaints regarding that activity in the second quarter.
		●		Our implementation of revised coverage binding procedures for escrow related transactions during the first quarter resulted in 100% customer satisfaction in that niche.
		●		This quarter we introduced a new promotional program that provides cooperative solicitation tools to our new agency force. The first initiative under that program deployed a comprehensive sales and marketing suite targeting consumers, owners of apartment buildings and bar/tavern businesses.
●		Growth Through Sales Force Development:
		●		We appointed two additional agents during this quarter, bringing the total to seven. Our target is twelve by the end of 2008.

Second Quarter Financial 2008 Results

In the second quarter ended June 30, 2008, revenues were $11.8 million and net income was $0.8 million ($0.14 diluted income per share) compared with revenues of $12.7 million and net income of $1.7 million ($0.29 diluted income per share) for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in revenues was largely the result of lower premiums earned, caused by the Company’s selective risk underwriting stance during the quarter, in the face of what it perceived to be intense competition and inadequate rates in many niche markets.

Net premium earned was $8.6 million or 73% of revenues, compared to net premium earned of $9.5 million or 75% of revenues in the second quarter of 2007.

Net investment income for the quarter was $1.5 million, compared to $1.7 million in the year ago quarter. Annualized yield on average invested assets was 4.1% for the quarter compared to 4.6% in the second quarter last year.

Total insurance company revenues were $10.3 million or 87% of total revenues, compared to total insurance company revenues of $11.2 million or 88% of revenues in the second quarter of 2007.

Gross commissions and fees were $1.4 million in the second quarter, compared to $1.4 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Loss and loss adjustment expenses were $6.1 million or 71% of net premium earned, compared to $5.5 million or 58% of net premiums earned in the second quarter in 2007. The increase was due to both a greater level of property claims and a decrease in favorable development to $0.3 million in the quarter from $1.1 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Policy acquisition costs were $2.1 million in the quarter compared to $2.3 million in the second quarter last year, and commissions to agents and brokers were $0.3 million compared to $0.2 million in the second quarter a year ago.

Total expenses during the quarter were $10.7 million compared to $10.2 million in the same quarter last year.

First Half 2008 Results

In the first six months ending June 30, 2008, revenues were $24.1 million and net income was $1.7 million ($0.31 diluted income per share) compared with revenues of $25.6 million and net income of $3.4 million ($0.60 diluted income per share) for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Net premium earned was $17.5 million or 73% of revenues, compared to net premium earned of $19.2 million or 75% of revenues in the first half of 2007.

Net investment income before realized investment gains or losses for the six month period was $3.1 million, compared to $3.3 million in the year ago period. Annualized yield on average invested assets was 4.3% for the half year compared to 4.6% in the first six months of last year.

Total insurance company revenues were $20.9 million or 87% of total revenues in the first half of the year, compared to total insurance company revenues of $22.5 million or 88% of revenues in the first half of 2007.

Gross commissions and fees were $2.9 million in the first half year, compared to $2.7 million in the first half a year ago.

Loss and loss adjustment expenses were $12.3 million or 70% of net premium earned, compared to $11.4 million or 59% of net premiums earned in the first half of 2007. The increase was due to both a greater level of property claims and a decrease in favorable development to $0.7 million in the first half year from $2.0 million in the first six months of 2007.

Policy acquisition costs were $4.2 million in the first six months compared to $4.3 million in the first six months last year, and commissions to agents and brokers were $0.6 million compared to $0.4 million in the first six months last year.

Total expenses during the first six months were $21.5 million compared to $20.5 million in the six months to June 30, 2007.

Financial Condition

At June 30, 2008, the Company had cash and investments (at amortized cost) of $145 million. $138 million, or 95% of these investments were fixed maturity investments, and 92% of those fixed maturity investments were U.S. treasury securities.

Stockholders’ equity was $70.8 million at June 30, 2008, or $12.58 per common share including unrealized after-tax investment gains of $1.8 million compared to stockholders’ equity of $69.1 million or $12.28 per common share including unrealized after-tax investment gains of $1.9 million at December 31, 2007. Book value per share increased 2.4% between December 31, 2007, and June 30, 2008, or 4.8% on an annualized basis.

“We are pleased to continue our practice of writing business with long-term success in mind,” said Mr. Erwin Cheldin, President of Unico. “Over more than twenty years, that has meant periods of slower growth, balanced by periods of more rapid expansion. In the current slower growth environment, we are pleased to have again been profitable and to have increased book value per share. At the same time we are building for future growth through product enhancement, improved customer service and sales force development.”

About Unico American Corp.

Headquartered in Woodland Hills, California, Unico is an insurance holding company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides property, casualty, and health insurance through its agency subsidiaries; and through its other subsidiaries provides insurance premium financing and membership association services. Unico has conducted the majority of its operations through Crusader Insurance Company since 1985. For more information, please visit the Company’s Web site at www.crusaderinsurance.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking. These statements, which may be identified by forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” ”expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” and “would,” involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include underwriting actions not being effective, rate increases for coverages not being sufficient, premium rate adequacy relating to competition or regulation, actual versus estimated claim experience, regulatory changes or developments, unforeseen calamities, general market conditions, and the Company’s ability to introduce new profitable products.

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) ($ in thousands, except per share)
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30								June 30
		2008				2007				2008				2007
Revenues
Insurance Company Revenues
Premium earned		$	10,805			$	12,392			$	21,952			$	25,133
Premium ceded			2,225				2,909				4,447				5,940
Net premium earned			8,580				9,483				17,505				19,193
Investment income			1,481				1,661				3,078				3,283
Realized investment gains			-				-				6				-
Other income			208				20				322				30
Total Insurance Company Revenues			10,269				11,164				20,911				22,506
Other Revenues from Insurance Operations
Gross commissions and fees			1,415				1,349				2,887				2,715
Investment income			16				40				41				78
Finance charges and fees earned			119				143				244				291
Other income			3				3				7				6
Total Revenues			11,822				12,699				24,090				25,596
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			6,081				5,484				12,276				11,418
Policy acquisition costs			2,077				2,305				4,158				4,301
Salaries and employee benefits			1,398				1,463				2,835				2,885
Commissions to agents/brokers			318				236				640				440
Other operating expenses			782				699				1,568				1,464
Total Expenses			10,656				10,187				21,477				20,508
Income Before Taxes			1,166				2,512				2,613				5,088
Income Tax Expense			385				846				872				1,700
Net Income		$	781			$	1,666			$	1,741			$	3,388
PER SHARE DATA
Basic
Earning Per Share		$	0.14			$	0.30			$	0.31			$	0.60
Weighted Average Shares (000)			5,625				5,611				5,625				5,603
Diluted
Earning Per Share		$	0.14			$	0.29			$	0.31			$	0.60
Weighted Average Shares (000)			5,668				5,683				5,669				5,681
INSURANCE COMPANY STATUTORY OPERATING RATIOS
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses			70.5	%			57.5	%			69.8	%			59.2	%
Underwriting Expenses			30.4	%			30.1	%			30.4	%			30.4	%
Combined Ratio			100.9	%			87.6	%			100.2	%			89.6	%

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ($ in thousands)
		June 30,						December 31,
		2008						2007
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Investments
Available for sale:
Fixed maturities, at market value (amortized cost: June 30, 2008 $138,169; December 31, 2007 $139,992)		$	140,950					$	142,896
Short-term investments, at cost			6,927						7,356
Total Investments			147,877						150,252
Cash			31						109
Accrued investment income			1,333						1,555
Premiums and notes receivable, net			4,940						5,067
Reinsurance recoverable:
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses			425						318
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses			23,217						28,425
Deferred policy acquisition costs			5,319						5,723
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation)			463						557
Deferred income taxes			695						687
Other assets			1,039						1,083
Total Assets		$	185,339					$	193,776
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		$	85,922					$	94,731
Unearned premiums			20,674						22,743
Advance premium and premium deposits			1,217						2,159
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			6,763						5,040
Total Liabilities		$	114,576					$	124,673
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, no par – authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding shares 5,625,308 at June 30, 2008, and 5,625,308 at December 31, 2007		$	3,594					$	3,594
Accumulated other comprehensive gain			1,835						1,916
Retained earnings			65,334						63,593
Total Stockholders’ Equity		$	70,763					$	69,103
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		$	185,339					$	193,776

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2008 AND 2007 ($ in thousands)
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2008								2007
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income		$	1,741							$	3,388
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations
Depreciation			106								121
Bond amortization, net			130								(39	)
Net realized investment gains			(6	)							-
Changes in assets and liabilities
Premium, notes and investment income receivable			349								346
Reinsurance recoverable			5,102								(989	)
Deferred policy acquisitions costs			403								482
Other assets			2								(112	)
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses			(8,809	)							(307	)
Unearned premium reserve			(2,068	)							(2,877	)
Funds held as security and advanced premiums			(943	)							424
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			1,722								598
Tax benefit from disqualified incentive options			-								(49	)
Income taxes current/deferred			77								(1,553	)
Net Cash (Used in) Operations			(2,194	)							(567	)
Investing Activities
Purchase of fixed maturity investments			(30,242	)							(29,646	)
Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity investments			31,435								30,600
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturity investments			506								-
Net (increase) in short-term investments			429								(502	)
Additions to property and equipment			(12	)							(47	)
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities			2,116								405
Financing Activities
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			-								262
Tax benefit from disqualified incentive options			-								49
Repurchase of common stock			-								(115	)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities			-								196
Net increase (decrease) in cash			(78	)							34
Cash at beginning of period			109								35
Cash at End of Period		$	31							$	69
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest			-								-
Income taxes		$	800							$	3,401