Safety Insurance Group, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2026 Results and Declares Fourth Quarter 2026 Dividend

Quarterly underwriting improved, but nine-month earnings declined as two severe winter weather events increased claims costs.

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BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAFT) (“Safety” or the “Company”) today reported third quarter 2026 results.

George M. Murphy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “For the quarter ended September 30, 2026, our combined ratio improved to 96.3% compared to 98.9% in the same period in the prior year. The combined ratio of 96.3% reflects the impact of previous written premium growth earning into top-line revenue, as well as a decrease in losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred, driven by improved loss frequency in our private passenger automobile line. Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 was $30.0 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, compared to net income of $28.3 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, for the comparable 2025 period. The increase in net income reflects the impact of improved underwriting results and the largest quarterly net investment income results in our Company’s history.

As previously communicated, on July 23, 2026, the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which an affiliate of Mapfre S.A. (“Mapfre”) will acquire Safety in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.54 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Safety shareholders will receive $105 for each Safety common share in cash, which represents a premium of 44% on Safety’s stock price as of July 23, 2026. On November 3, 2026, Safety’s shareholders voted in favor of the transaction which remains subject to regulatory approval.”

Third Quarter 2026 Results and Recent Developments

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 was $30.0 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, compared to net income of $28.3 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, for the comparable 2025 period. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was $50.2 million, or $3.43 per diluted share, compared to net income of $79.1 million, or $5.33 per diluted share, for the comparable 2025 period. Non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) operating income, as defined below, for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 was $1.95 per diluted share, compared to $1.48 per diluted share for the comparable 2025 period. Non-GAAP operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was $3.28 per diluted share compared to $4.19 per diluted share for the comparable 2025 period.

Safety’s book value per share decreased to $58.29 at September 30, 2026 from $60.98 at December 31, 2025, primarily due to decreases in the value of our fixed maturity portfolio. Safety paid $0.92 per share in dividends to investors during the quarters ended September 30, 2026 and 2025. Safety paid $3.64 per share in dividends to investors during the year ended December 31, 2025.

Today, our Board of Directors approved a $0.92 per share quarterly cash dividend on our issued and outstanding common stock payable on December 15, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2026.

Direct written premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 decreased by $14.5 million, or 4.3%, to $319.7 million from $334.2 million for the comparable 2025 period. Direct written premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 decreased by $17.7 million, or 1.8%, to $961.3 million from $979.0 million for the comparable 2025 period. Net written premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 decreased by $13.0 million, or 4.2%, to $296.2 million from $309.2 million for the comparable 2025 period. Net written premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 decreased by $18.4 million, or 2.0%, to $885.1 million from $903.5 million for the comparable 2025 period.

The decreases in direct written premiums and net written premiums are due to a softening, more competitive market, in addition to the cancellation of certain underperforming agency relationships. For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, the Company experienced policy count declines in Private Passenger Automobile and Homeowners lines, partially offset by growth in Commercial Automobile policies, compared to the same period in 2025. Average written premium per policy increased 2.0%, 6.0% and 9.7% in Private Passenger Automobile, Commercial Automobile and Homeowners lines, respectively, compared to the same period in 2025 reflecting the result of rate increases.

Net earned premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 increased by $2.9 million, or 1.0%, to $293.9 million from $291.0 million for the comparable 2025 period. Net earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 increased by $30.7 million, or 3.6%, to $876.5 million from $845.8 million for the comparable 2025 period. The increase in net earned premium is the result of rate increases earning into top-line results.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2026, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred decreased by $7.4 million, or 3.6%, to $197.6 million from $205.0 million for the comparable 2025 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $50.7 million, or 8.6%, to $640.2 million from $589.5 million for the comparable 2025 period. The increase in losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2026 is due to the impact of two severe winter weather events that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2026.

Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 were 67.2%, 29.1%, and 96.3%, respectively, compared to 70.4%, 28.5%, and 98.9%, respectively, for the comparable 2025 period. The decrease in loss and expense ratios is driven by the increase in net earned premiums. Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were 73.0%, 28.7%, and 101.7%, respectively, compared to 69.7%, 29.2%, and 98.9%, respectively, for the comparable 2025 period. The increase in the combined ratio during the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was primarily driven by the increase in losses discussed above. Other expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 included approximately $3.8 million of legal fees incurred in connection with the proposed transaction, which are excluded from the calculation of the expense ratio.

Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 was $10.1 million compared to $9.7 million for the comparable 2025 period. Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was $31.3 million compared to $33.2 million for the comparable 2025 period.

Net investment income for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 increased by $2.4 million, or 15.0%, to $17.9 million from $15.5 million for the comparable 2025 period. Net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 increased by $5.7 million, or 12.3%, to $51.5 million from $45.8 million for the comparable 2025 period. The increase is primarily driven by higher assets under management, reinvestment rates that exceeded the yields on maturing securities, and strong alternative asset returns. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio was 4.2% for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 compared to 4.0% for the comparable 2025 period. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio was 4.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 compared to 4.0% for the comparable 2025 period. The investment portfolio’s duration on fixed maturities was 3.8 years at September 30, 2026 compared to 3.9 years at December 31, 2025.

Non-GAAP Measures

Management has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in presenting the Company’s results. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful to explain the Company’s results of operations because they facilitate period-to-period comparisons of our performance and allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s business. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition, our definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies.

Non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating income per diluted share consist of our GAAP net income adjusted by the net realized gains on investments, change in net unrealized gains on equity securities, credit loss benefit (expense) and taxes related thereto. For the quarter ended September 30, 2026, a decrease of $8.5 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized in income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $6.3 million recognized in the comparable 2025 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, a decrease of $15.3 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized in income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $13.2 million recognized in the comparable 2025 period. Net income and earnings per diluted share are the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating income per diluted share, respectively. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial measures to these non-GAAP measures is included in the financial highlights below.

About Safety: Safety Insurance Group, Inc., based in Boston, MA, is the parent of Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Safety Northeast Insurance Company, and Safety Northeast Insurance Agency. Operating exclusively in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, Safety is a leading writer of property and casualty insurance products, including private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, umbrella and business owner policies.

Additional Information: Press releases, announcements, U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Filings and investor information are available under “About Safety,” “Investor Information” on our Company website located at www.SafetyInsurance.com. Safety filed its December 31, 2025 Form 10-K with the SEC on February 27, 2026 and urges shareholders to refer to this document for more complete information concerning Safety’s financial results.

Cautionary Statement under "Safe Harbor" Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This press release contains, and Safety may from time to time make, written or oral "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “aim,” “projects,” or words of similar meaning and expressions that indicate future events and trends, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may”. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company’s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expenditures and financial results, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual future conditions, events, results or trends to differ significantly and/or materially from historical results or those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to:

• The competitive nature of our industry and the possible adverse effects of such competition;
• Conditions for business operations and restrictive regulations in Massachusetts;
• Severe weather and catastrophe events, such as the winter storms that affected our results in the first quarter of 2026, have caused and may in the future cause losses;
• The impact of inflation, changes in tariffs and supply chain delays on loss severity;
• The possibility that the Commissioner of Insurance may approve future rule changes that change the operation of the residual market;
• The possibility that existing insurance-related laws and regulations will become further restrictive in the future;
• The impact of investment, economic and underwriting market conditions, including interest rates and inflation;
• Our possible need for and availability of additional financing, and our dependence on strategic relationships, among others;
• Risks related to the pending merger with Mapfre, including the risk that required regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed, or are subject to conditions that are not anticipated; the risk that other conditions to closing are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the occurrence of any event that could give rise to termination of the merger agreement, including circumstances requiring us to pay a termination fee; disruption from the pendency of the merger to our relationships with employees, independent agents, policyholders and others; restrictions on the conduct of our business prior to closing; the costs of the transaction; litigation relating to the merger; and the risk that our stock price may decline significantly if the merger is not completed; and
• Other risks and factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC, such as those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2026.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and should carefully consider the possibility that actual results may differ materially from our forward-looking statements.

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
		September 30,				December 31,
		2026				2025
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,468,572 and $1,337,235, allowance for expected credit losses of $351 and $0)		$	1,383,059			$	1,315,548
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $156,549 and $201,591)			160,635				220,953
Other invested assets			160,202				151,020
Total investments			1,703,896				1,687,521
Cash and cash equivalents			56,017				73,901
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for expected credit losses of $819 and $802			324,551				320,187
Receivable for securities sold			43				4,269
Accrued investment income			12,654				12,169
Taxes recoverable			5,976				—
Receivable from reinsurers related to paid loss and loss adjustment expenses			23,428				9,433
Receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses			153,552				149,441
Ceded unearned premiums			43,232				39,674
Deferred policy acquisition costs			113,624				111,791
Deferred income taxes			16,577				4,116
Equity and deposits in pools			11,460				4,197
Operating lease right-of-use-assets			9,093				11,861
Goodwill			17,093				17,093
Intangible assets			6,072				6,783
Other assets			17,575				18,672
Total assets		$	2,514,843			$	2,471,108
Liabilities
Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves		$	820,025			$	761,739
Unearned premium reserves			666,959				654,803
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			70,913				80,461
Payable for securities purchased			9,325				846
Payable to reinsurers			32,756				15,184
Taxes payable			—				3,903
Long-term debt			50,000				50,000
Operating lease liabilities			9,093				11,861
Total liabilities			1,659,071				1,578,797
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock: $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 18,100,429 and 18,051,631 shares issued			181				181
Additional paid-in capital			239,692				235,693
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes			(67,278	)			(17,133	)
Retained earnings			853,670				844,063
Treasury stock, at cost: 3,419,947 shares			(170,493	)			(170,493	)
Total shareholders’ equity			855,772				892,311
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	2,514,843			$	2,471,108

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2026				2025				2026				2025
Net earned premiums		$	293,870			$	291,021			$	876,509			$	845,824
Net investment income			17,872				15,535				51,469				45,833
Earnings from partnership investments			6,078				2,929				13,312				5,387
Net realized gains on investments			10,353				1,338				18,402				7,732
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities			(8,499	)			6,310				(15,276	)			13,233
Credit loss (expense) benefit			4				487				(351	)			232
Commission income			2,298				2,415				6,700				6,795
Finance and other service income			5,794				6,589				17,353				19,361
Total revenue			327,770				326,624				968,118				944,397
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			197,625				204,982				640,234				589,504
Underwriting, operating and related expenses			85,377				83,027				251,541				246,674
Other expense			5,763				1,979				10,010				5,980
Interest expense			621				426				2,053				972
Total expenses			289,386				290,414				903,838				843,130
Income before income taxes			38,384				36,210				64,280				101,267
Income tax expense			8,365				7,900				14,067				22,124
Net income		$	30,019			$	28,310			$	50,213			$	79,143
Earnings per weighted average common share:
Basic		$	2.06			$	1.91			$	3.44			$	5.35
Diluted		$	2.05			$	1.91			$	3.43			$	5.33
Cash dividends paid per common share		$	0.92			$	0.92			$	2.76			$	2.72
Number of shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic			14,522,102				14,745,008				14,514,078				14,736,279
Diluted			14,593,607				14,778,416				14,566,214				14,768,558
Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Operating Income
Net income		$	30,019			$	28,310			$	50,213			$	79,143
Exclusions from net income:
Net realized gains on investments			(10,353	)			(1,338	)			(18,402	)			(7,732	)
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities			8,499				(6,310	)			15,276				(13,233	)
Credit loss (benefit) expense			(4	)			(487	)			351				(232	)
Income tax expense			390				1,708				583				4,451
Non-GAAP operating income		$	28,551			$	21,883			$	48,021			$	62,397
Net income per diluted share		$	2.05			$	1.91			$	3.43			$	5.33
Exclusions from net income:
Net realized gains on investments			(0.71	)			(0.09	)			(1.26	)			(0.52	)
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities			0.58				(0.43	)			1.05				(0.90	)
Credit loss (benefit) expense			-				(0.03	)			0.02				(0.02	)
Income tax expense			0.03				0.12				0.04				0.30
Non-GAAP operating income per diluted share		$	1.95			$	1.48			$	3.28			$	4.19

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Additional Premium Information (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
		Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2026				2025				2026				2025
Written Premiums
Direct		$	319,703			$	334,181			$	961,313			$	978,980
Assumed			8,588				5,873				21,303				18,353
Ceded			(32,124	)			(30,839	)			(97,508	)			(93,863	)
Net written premiums		$	296,167			$	309,215			$	885,108			$	903,470
Earned Premiums
Direct		$	319,284			$	318,209			$	950,966			$	923,929
Assumed			6,794				5,444				19,494				17,455
Ceded			(32,208	)			(32,632	)			(93,951	)			(95,560	)
Net earned premiums		$	293,870			$	291,021			$	876,509			$	845,824

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261104475794/en/

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.
Office of Investor Relations
877-951-2522
InvestorRelations@SafetyInsurance.com

Source: Safety Insurance Group, Inc.