Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HRTG) showcased a resilient financial performance in their Q3 2023 earnings call on November 3, 2023, led by the company’s CFO, Kirk Lusk, and CEO, Ernie Garateix. Despite confronting significant challenges, such as wildfires in Maui and Hurricane Idalia in Florida, the company displayed a notable improvement compared to the same quarter the previous year, managing a net loss of $7.4 million, significantly down from the $48.2 million loss in the preceding year.
While experiencing a decrease in policy count by 13.6%, Heritage exhibited an 8.4% increase in premiums-in-force, reaching a total of $1.35 billion. The company’s strategic initiatives led to a substantial average premium increase of 25.5% year-over-year and a 5.1% increase quarter-over-quarter.
In Florida, Heritage strategically expanded its commercial residential premiums-in-force by 75.3%, contributing to a more diversified portfolio without any state representing more than 27% of the company’s total insured value. Notably, this diversification strategy was achieved despite substantial growth in Florida’s commercial segment.
The company also reported a 15.7% decrease in losses and loss adjustment expenses for Q3 2023, primarily attributed to reduced attritional and weather losses. Furthermore, the book value per share soared to $5.65, marking a significant 24.4% increase from Q3 2022.
The marked improvement in financial performance can be credited to multiple factors, including growth in net premiums earned, an upsurge in net investment income, and reduced weather and attritional losses. The annualized return on equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, stood at 13.6%, a noteworthy improvement from the previous year’s loss.
Heritage remains dedicated to enhancing their claim handling, with upgraded systems to bolster efficiency. The company remains steadfast in their commitment to promptly process legitimate claims while diligently scrutinizing and contesting those they do not owe, showcasing their commitment to continual improvement.