[8-K] SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP INC Reports Material Event
Safety Insurance Group, Inc. reported significantly stronger results for 2025, with full-year net income of $99.3 million and diluted EPS of $6.70, up from $70.7 million and $4.78 in 2024.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Safety Insurance Group, Inc. reported significantly stronger results for 2025, with full-year net income of $99.3 million and diluted EPS of $6.70, up from $70.7 million and $4.78 in 2024. The combined ratio improved to 99.0% from 101.1%, showing better underwriting performance despite inflationary pressure on auto claims.
Book value per share rose to $60.98, a 9.2% increase year-over-year, supported by higher investment income and gains. Direct written premiums grew 7.2% to $1,278.6 million, driven by rate increases across auto and homeowners lines. The company returned capital through $20 million of share repurchases in the fourth quarter and paid $3.64 per share in dividends for the year, with a new quarterly dividend of $0.92 declared for March 2026.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
2025 results show stronger profitability, capital returns, and premium growth.
Safety Insurance delivered a notable earnings step-up in 2025. Net income increased to $99.3 million and diluted EPS to $6.70, helped by a combined ratio improving to 99.0% from 101.1%. Premium growth remained solid, with direct written premiums up 7.2% to $1,278.6 million, largely from rate increases.
Investment income added support, rising to $62.7 million as the portfolio’s effective yield edged higher and fixed-maturity duration extended to 3.9 years at December 31, 2025. Book value per share increased 9.2% to $60.98, reflecting earnings and higher fixed-income values, partly offset by dividends.
Capital management was active, with $20 million of share repurchases in Q4 and total 2025 dividends of $3.64 per share, alongside a new $0.92 quarterly dividend approved for payment on March 13, 2026. Inflation in private passenger auto still pressures loss costs, but the improved combined ratio and premium growth indicate current pricing and underwriting are offsetting much of that headwind.
8-K Event Classification
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
In a press release dated February 25, 2026, Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (the “Registrant”) announced its fourth quarter and year ended 2025 results. The Registrant’s press release dated February 25, 2026 is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished herewith:
Exhibit Number | Description |
99.1 | Text of press release issued by the Registrant dated February 25, 2026 |
104The cover page from this Current Report on form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (Registrant) | ||
Date: February 25, 2026 | By: | /s/ CHRISTOPHER T. WHITFORD |
Christopher T. Whitford | ||
V.P., Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | ||
Exhibit 99.1
SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC. ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED 2025 RESULTS
Boston, Massachusetts, February 25, 2026. Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAFT) (“Safety” or the “Company”) today reported fourth quarter and year ended 2025 results.
George M. Murphy, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “In 2025, Safety achieved a combined ratio of 99.0% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 101.1% from the prior year. The year-over-year improvement in combined ratio reflects the impact of our prior year growth in policy counts and rate increases earning into top-line results. Our improved underwriting results, coupled with favorable results in other revenue lines, positively impacted earnings per share, which improved to $6.72 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $4.79 for the same period in the prior year. For the year ended December 31, 2025, we saw our book value per share increase to $60.98, from $55.83 for the same period in the prior year, an increase of 9.2% year-over-year.
We continue to generate positive cash flows from operations and acted during the fourth quarter to strengthen our investment portfolio and support long-term value creation. In our earnings release for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, I communicated our intent to recommence share repurchases. During the quarter ended December 31, 2025, we repurchased $20 million of shares. This action reflects our confidence in the durability of our business and our commitment to delivering shareholder value.”
Fourth Quarter and Year Ended 2025 Results and Recent Developments
Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 was $20.1 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.1 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for the comparable 2024 period. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $99.3 million, or $6.70 per diluted share, compared to net income of $70.7 million, or $4.78 per diluted share, for the comparable 2024 period. Non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) operating income, as defined below, for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 was $1.51 per diluted share, compared to $0.94 per diluted share for the comparable 2024 period. Non-GAAP operating income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $5.71 per diluted share compared to $4.16 per diluted share for the comparable 2024 period.
Safety’s book value per share increased to $60.98 at December 31, 2025 from $55.83 at December 31, 2024 resulting from net income and increases in the value of our fixed maturity portfolio, offset by dividends paid. Safety paid $0.92 per share in dividends to investors during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to $0.90 for the comparable 2024 period. Safety paid $3.64 per share in dividends to investors during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $3.60 for the comparable 2024 period.
On February 17, 2026, our Board of Directors approved a $0.92 per share quarterly cash dividend on our issued and outstanding common stock payable on March 13, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2026.
Direct written premiums for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 increased by $7.6 million, or 2.6%, to $299.6 million from $292.0 million for the comparable 2024 period. Direct written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased by $85.5 million, or 7.2%, to $1,278.6 million from $1,193.1 million for the comparable 2024 period. Net written premiums for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 increased by
$16.7 million, or 6.5%, to $272.2 million from $255.5 million for the comparable 2024 period. Net written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased by $82.2 million, or 7.5%, to $1,175.7 million from $1,093.5 million for the comparable 2024 period.
The increases in direct written premiums and net written premiums are a result of rate increases. For the year ended December 31, 2025, average written premium per policy increased 8.1%, 4.6% and 9.7% in Private Passenger Automobile, Commercial Automobile and Homeowners lines, respectively, compared to the same period in 2024.
Net earned premiums for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 increased by $24.1 million, or 9.0%, to $293.2 million from $269.1 million for the comparable 2024 period. Net earned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased by $128.3 million, or 12.7%, to $1,139.0 million from $1,010.7 million for the comparable 2024 period. The increase in net earned premium is the result of prior year growth in direct written premiums earning into top-line results.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $14.7 million, or 7.6%, to $207.7 million from $193.0 million for the comparable 2024 period. For the year ended December 31, 2025, losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred increased by $80.6 million, or 11.2%, to $797.2 million from $716.6 million for the comparable 2024 period. The increase in losses is driven by our larger policy counts and current market conditions, specifically inflationary impacts on our Private Passenger Automobile book of business.
Loss, expense, and combined ratios calculated for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 were 70.8%, 28.6%, and 99.4%, respectively, compared to 71.7%, 30.2%, and 101.9%, respectively, for the comparable 2024 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 year ended December 31, 2025 were 70.0%, 29.0%, and 99.0%, respectively, compared to 70.9%, 30.2%, and 101.1%, respectively, for the comparable 2024 period.
Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 was $11.4 million compared to $13.0 million for the comparable 2024 period. Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $44.6 million compared to $51.9 million for the comparable 2024 period. Included within prior year development for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $8.6 million related to a restructuring of the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association.
Net investment income for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 increased by $2.1 million, or 14.3%, to $16.9 million from $14.8 million for the comparable 2024 period. Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased by $7.0 million, or 12.6%, to $62.7 million from $55.7 million for the comparable 2024 period. The increase is a result of increases in interest rates on our fixed maturity portfolio compared to the prior year. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio was 4.2% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to 4.0% for the comparable 2024 period. Net effective annualized yield on the investment portfolio was 4.0% for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to 3.9% for the comparable 2024 period. The investment portfolio’s duration on fixed maturities was 3.9 years at December 31, 2025 compared to 3.5 years at December 31, 2024.
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 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 December 31, 2025, a decrease of $14.0 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized in income before income taxes, compared to a decrease of $10.9 million recognized in the comparable 2024 period. For the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $0.8 million for the change in unrealized gains on equity securities was recognized in income before income taxes, compared to an increase of $4.0 million recognized in the comparable 2024 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, 2024 Form 10-K with the SEC on February 27, 2025 and urges shareholders to refer to this document for more complete information concerning Safety’s financial results.
Contacts:
Safety Insurance Group, Inc.
Office of Investor Relations
877-951-2522
InvestorRelations@SafetyInsurance.com
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; |
| ● | The possibility of losses due to claims resulting from severe weather; |
| ● | 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; 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, 2024 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2025. |
We are not under any obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. You 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)
| | December 31, | | December 31, | ||
| | 2025 | | 2024 | ||
| | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Investments: | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,337,235 and $1,181,038, allowance for expected credit losses of $0 and $1,198) | | $ | 1,315,548 | | $ | 1,115,218 |
Short-term investments, at fair value (cost: $0 and $19,970) | |
| — | |
| 19,975 |
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $201,591 and $201,258) | |
| 220,953 | |
| 221,422 |
Other invested assets | |
| 151,020 | |
| 156,444 |
Total investments | |
| 1,687,521 | |
| 1,513,059 |
Cash and cash equivalents | |
| 73,901 | |
| 58,974 |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for expected credit losses of $802 and $918 | |
| 320,187 | |
| 306,465 |
Receivable for securities sold | |
| 4,269 | |
| 568 |
Accrued investment income | |
| 12,169 | |
| 7,426 |
Receivable from reinsurers related to paid loss and loss adjustment expenses | |
| 9,433 | |
| 26,386 |
Receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses | |
| 149,441 | |
| 130,792 |
Ceded unearned premiums | |
| 39,674 | |
| 41,413 |
Deferred policy acquisition costs | |
| 111,791 | |
| 105,474 |
Deferred income taxes | |
| 4,116 | |
| 11,200 |
Equity and deposits in pools | |
| 4,197 | |
| 3,740 |
Operating lease right-of-use-assets | | | 11,861 | |
| 15,733 |
Goodwill | | | 17,093 | | | 17,093 |
Intangible assets | | | 6,783 | | | 7,730 |
Other assets | |
| 18,672 | |
| 24,037 |
Total assets | | $ | 2,471,108 | | $ | 2,270,090 |
| | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves | | $ | 761,739 | | $ | 671,669 |
Unearned premium reserves | |
| 654,803 | |
| 619,916 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
| 80,461 | |
| 77,276 |
Payable for securities purchased | |
| 846 | |
| 6,949 |
Payable to reinsurers | |
| 15,184 | |
| 19,074 |
Taxes payable | | | 3,903 | | | 1,009 |
Short-term debt | | | — | | | 30,000 |
Long-term debt | | | 50,000 | | | — |
Operating lease liabilities | | | 11,861 | | | 15,733 |
Total liabilities | |
| 1,578,797 | |
| 1,441,626 |
| | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity | | | | | | |
Common stock: $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 18,051,631 and 17,995,584 shares issued | | | 181 | | | 180 |
Additional paid-in capital | |
| 235,693 | |
| 230,864 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes | |
| (17,133) | |
| (51,047) |
Retained earnings | |
| 844,063 | |
| 798,760 |
Treasury stock, at cost: 3,419,947 and 3,157,577 shares | |
| (170,493) | |
| (150,293) |
Total shareholders’ equity | |
| 892,311 | |
| 828,464 |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 2,471,108 | | $ | 2,270,090 |
Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
| | Three Months Ended December 31, | | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| | 2025 | | 2024 |
| 2025 | | 2024 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earned premiums | | $ | 293,187 | | $ | 269,050 | | $ | 1,139,011 | | $ | 1,010,704 |
Net investment income | |
| 16,899 | |
| 14,779 | |
| 62,732 | |
| 55,720 |
Earnings from partnership investments | |
| 3,074 | |
| 1,674 | |
| 8,461 | |
| 10,271 |
Net realized gains on investments | |
| 10,250 | |
| 3,199 | |
| 17,982 | |
| 7,720 |
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities | | | (14,035) | | | (10,929) | | | (802) | | | 3,951 |
Credit loss benefit (expense) | | | 966 | | | 346 | | | 1,198 | | | 9 |
Commission income | | | 2,703 | | | 2,144 | | | 9,498 | | | 7,942 |
Finance and other service income | |
| 6,291 | |
| 6,456 | |
| 25,652 | |
| 23,700 |
Total revenue | |
| 319,335 | |
| 286,719 | | | 1,263,732 | | | 1,120,017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | |
| 207,678 | |
| 193,007 | |
| 797,182 | |
| 716,637 |
Underwriting, operating and related expenses | |
| 83,722 | |
| 81,266 | |
| 330,396 | |
| 305,322 |
Other expense | |
| 1,961 | |
| 2,203 | |
| 7,941 | |
| 7,683 |
Interest expense | |
| 558 | |
| 124 | |
| 1,530 | |
| 509 |
Total expenses | |
| 293,919 | |
| 276,600 | |
| 1,137,049 | |
| 1,030,151 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | |
| 25,416 | |
| 10,119 | | | 126,683 | | | 89,866 |
Income tax expense | |
| 5,304 | |
| 1,988 | |
| 27,428 | |
| 19,132 |
Net income | | $ | 20,112 | | $ | 8,131 | | $ | 99,255 | | $ | 70,734 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per weighted average common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 1.37 | | $ | 0.55 | | $ | 6.72 | | $ | 4.79 |
Diluted | | $ | 1.36 | | $ | 0.55 | | $ | 6.70 | | $ | 4.78 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash dividends paid per common share | | $ | 0.92 | | $ | 0.90 | | $ | 3.64 | | $ | 3.60 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Number of shares used in computing earnings per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | |
| 14,638,570 | |
| 14,701,222 | |
| 14,711,942 | |
| 14,692,089 |
Diluted | |
| 14,674,829 | |
| 14,722,190 | |
| 14,745,125 | |
| 14,717,118 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |||
Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Operating Income | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 20,112 | | $ | 8,131 | | $ | 99,255 | | $ | 70,734 |
Exclusions from net income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gains on investments | | | (10,250) | | | (3,199) | | | (17,982) | | | (7,720) |
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities | | | 14,035 | | | 10,929 | | | 802 | | | (3,951) |
Credit loss (benefit) expense | | | (966) | | | (346) | | | (1,198) | | | (9) |
Income tax expense | | | (592) | | | (1,551) | | | 3,859 | | | 2,453 |
Non-GAAP operating income | | $ | 22,339 | | $ | 13,964 | | $ | 84,736 | | $ | 61,507 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income per diluted share | | $ | 1.36 | | $ | 0.55 | | $ | 6.70 | | $ | 4.78 |
Exclusions from net income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gains on investments | | | (0.70) | | | (0.22) | | | (1.22) | | | (0.52) |
Change in net unrealized gains on equity securities | | | 0.96 | | | 0.74 | | | 0.05 | | | (0.27) |
Credit loss (benefit) expense | | | (0.07) | | | (0.02) | | | (0.08) | | | - |
Income tax expense | | | (0.04) | | | (0.11) | | | 0.26 | | | 0.17 |
Non-GAAP operating income per diluted share | | $ | 1.51 | | $ | 0.94 | | $ | 5.71 | | $ | 4.16 |
Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Additional Premium Information
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
| | Three Months Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | ||||
Written Premiums | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct | | $ | 299,625 | | $ | 292,025 | | $ | 1,278,605 | | $ | 1,193,057 |
Assumed | |
| 5,412 | |
| (2,606) | |
| 23,765 | |
| 20,279 |
Ceded | |
| (32,870) | |
| (33,856) | |
| (126,733) | |
| (119,931) |
Net written premiums | | $ | 272,167 | | $ | 255,563 | | $ | 1,175,637 | | $ | 1,093,405 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earned Premiums | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct | | $ | 320,793 | | $ | 301,987 | | $ | 1,244,722 | | $ | 1,102,695 |
Assumed | |
| 5,305 | |
| (2,810) | |
| 22,760 | |
| 18,874 |
Ceded | |
| (32,911) | |
| (30,127) | |
| (128,471) | |
| (110,865) |
Net earned premiums | | $ | 293,187 | | $ | 269,050 | | $ | 1,139,011 | | $ | 1,010,704 |