NEW YORK, May 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National General Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:NGHC) today reported first quarter 2016 operating earnings⁽¹⁾ of $53.7 million or $0.50 per diluted share, compared to $43.0 million or $0.45 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2015. Net income was $52.7 million or $0.49 per diluted share, compared to $41.7 million or $0.43 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2015. 

First Quarter 2016 Highlights Versus First Quarter 2015*

• Net written premium grew $233.2 million or 45.6% to $744.6 million, driven by added premiums from the National General Lender Services (formerly QBE Lender-Placed Insurance) and Assurant Health transactions which closed on October 1, 2015, the addition of ARS premium volume which is now written on National General paper beginning this quarter, underlying organic growth within our P&C business, and continued expansion of our A&H segment.
• The overall combined ratio was 91.3% compared to 91.2% in the prior year's quarter, excluding non-cash amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill.  P&C underwriting profitability improved, with the combined ratio declining to 91.0% from 91.5%, while the A&H segment reported an increase in the combined ratio to 93.1% from 87.0% in the prior year’s quarter, but contributed meaningful profit to the quarter’s results as the segment has experienced substantial growth. 
• Total revenues grew by $259.1 million or 50.1% to $776.0 million, driven by the aforementioned premium growth, service and fee income growth of $34.3 million or 54.7% (including Attorney-in-Fact management fees of $9.6 million), and net investment income growth of $7.6 million or 53.6%, partially offset by a $2.9 million decline in ceding commission income.
• Shareholders' equity was $1.56 billion and fully diluted book value per share was $12.34 at March 31, 2016, growth of 23.7% and 12.6%, respectively, from March 31, 2015.  Annualized operating return on average equity (ROE) was 16.3% for the first quarter of 2016.
• First quarter 2016 operating earnings exclude the following items, net of tax: $3.7 million or $0.03 per share of non-cash amortization of intangible assets, $2.4 million or $0.02 per share of realized investment gains, $0.4 million or less than $0.01 per share of foreign exchange gains, and $0.1 million or less than $0.01 per share of equity in losses of unconsolidated subsidiaries (other than LSC Entities and Real Estate investments). 
• First quarter 2016 operating earnings include approximately $5.0 million or $0.03 per share of losses related to hail storms that occurred in Dallas, Texas in late March 2016. 

On April 27, National General announced with deep sadness the passing of Michael Karfunkel, who founded National General in 2009 and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  His extraordinary leadership and passionate commitment will be remembered by those who were fortunate to work with him.  The Board of Directors has appointed Barry Karfunkel, National General's President, to serve as Chief Executive Officer.  The Board is confident in Barry’s ability to work cohesively with the Company’s senior management team to ensure the continuity of National General's strategic plan.  Barry has been part of the management team at National General since its founding, and during that time worked closely with Michael to craft and execute the Company’s strategic vision.

*NOTE: Unless specified otherwise, discussion of our first quarter 2016 and 2015 results do not include financial results from the Reciprocal Exchanges, which are presented within our consolidated financial results within this release but are not included in net income available to NGHC common stockholders. Attorney-in-Fact management fees referenced within this release are eliminated in consolidated financial results.

Overview of First Quarter 2016 as Compared to First Quarter 2015

Gross written premium grew 39.3% to $816.2 million, net written premium grew 45.6% to $744.6 million, and net earned premium grew 49.8% to $654.9 million. Premium growth was driven by several key factors: underlying organic growth within our P&C business, continued expansion of our A&H segment, additional premiums from the National General Lender Services (formerly QBE Lender-Placed Insurance) and Assurant Health acquisitions which closed on October 1, 2015, and added premium volume from Assigned Risk Solutions (ARS), which we began writing on National General paper during the quarter.

Ceding commission income was a loss of $1.9 million reflecting a sliding scale adjustment related to third-party quota share which was terminated in 2013. Service and fee income grew 54.7% to $96.9 million, driven by added service and fee income from recently completed acquisitions, underlying growth within our A&H segment, and growth in management fees related to the Attorneys-in-Fact that manage the Reciprocal Exchanges (which were $9.6 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $8.6 million in the prior year’s quarter).

Excluding non-cash amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill, the combined ratio was 91.3% with a loss ratio of 62.5% and an expense ratio of 28.8%, compared to a prior year combined ratio of 91.2% with a loss ratio of 63.7% and an expense ratio of 27.5%. The P&C segment reported an improved combined ratio, while the A&H segment reported an increase in the combined ratio from the prior year’s quarter. 

Underwriting results detailed by each of our business segments are as follows:

• Property & Casualty - Gross written premium grew by 29.6% to $661.3 million, net written premium grew by 35.2% to $600.8 million, and net earned premium grew by 36.4% to $554.0 million. P&C premium growth was driven by several key factors: underlying organic growth of approximately 5.1%, the addition of $112.0 million of net written premium from the National General Lender Services acquisition, and the addition of $22.0 million of net written premium from ARS, which we began writing on National General paper during the first quarter. Ceding commission income was a loss of $2.3 million compared to $0.8 million of income in the prior year's quarter, with the current quarter reflecting a sliding scale adjustment related to our terminated third-party quota share.  Service and fee income grew 40.4% to $63.5 million, driven by increased premium volume in the quarter, the addition of service and fee income from acquisitions completed during the past year (including ARS and National General Lender Services), and $9.6 million of fees earned by the Attorneys-in-Fact that manage the Reciprocal Exchanges, compared to $8.6 million in the prior year’s quarter. Excluding non-cash amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill, the combined ratio was 91.0% with a loss ratio of 60.0% and an expense ratio of 30.9%, versus a prior year combined ratio of 91.5% with a loss ratio of 63.7% and an expense ratio of 27.8%. The improved loss ratio was driven primarily by business mix changes, partially offset by losses of approximately $5.0 million related to hail storms that occurred in Dallas, Texas in late March 2016.  The increase in the expense ratio is the result of business mix changes, in particular the higher expense ratio which is typical within the lender placed business. 
   
• Accident & Health - Gross written premium grew to $154.9 million, net written premium grew to $143.8 million, and net earned premium grew to $100.9 million, from $75.4 million, $67.1 million, and $31.2 million, respectively, in the prior year's quarter.  A&H premium growth was driven by the addition of $50.9 million of net written premium from the Assurant Health acquisition, as well as continued growth from both our domestic and international businesses, with $26.3 million in net written premium at our U.S. underwriting subsidiaries compared to $13.0 million in the prior year’s quarter, and $66.7 million of premium from EuroAccident (our Swedish group life and health MGA) compared to $54.1 million in the prior year’s quarter.  Service and fee income grew to $33.5 million from $17.4 million in the prior year’s quarter, driven by the addition of service and fee income from the Assurant Health acquisition, and strong growth at VelaPoint (our call center general agency) and TABS (our domestic stop loss business).  Excluding non-cash amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill, the combined ratio was 93.1% with a loss ratio of 75.7% and an expense ratio of 17.4%, versus a prior year combined ratio of 87.0% with a loss ratio of 64.5% and an expense ratio of 22.5%. The increased loss ratio reflects a higher level of losses within the small group self-funded product, as well as a higher proportion of this product following the closing of the Assurant Health transaction, while the reduced expense ratio reflects the continued maturation of the A&H business coupled with increased service and fee income. 
   
• Reciprocal Exchanges - Results for the Reciprocal Exchanges are not included in net income available to NGHC common stockholders.  Gross written premium was $68.3 million, net written premium was $34.2 million, and net earned premium was $35.2 million.  Excluding non-cash amortization of intangible assets, the combined ratio was 80.2% with a loss ratio of 60.4% and an expense ratio of 19.8%.   

Investment income grew 53.6% to $21.7 million, reflecting an increase in the size of our investment portfolio as compared to the prior year’s quarter. First quarter 2016 results included $3.6 million of net realized investment gains compared with a gain of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2015.  The first quarter included no other than temporary impairment losses versus OTTI losses of $1.0 million in the prior year’s quarter. Total investments and cash equivalents were $2.8 billion as of March 31, 2016.  Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) increased to $4.5 million at March 31, 2016 from $(19.4) million at December 31, 2015. 

Other revenue was $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $1.2 million in the prior year’s quarter, with the current quarter driven by a $0.6 million foreign exchange gain from currency fluctuations within our European subsidiaries. 

Interest expense was $9.1 million, up from $5.4 million in the prior year’s quarter due to an increased amount of debt on our balance sheet. Debt was $446.2 million at March 31, 2016, up from $255.0 million at March 31, 2015 as a result of our August 2015 issuance of $100 million of subordinated notes and our October 2015 issuance of $100 million of senior unsecured notes. 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries (predominantly our investment in Life Settlement Entities and Real Estate investments) was a $6.7 million gain in the first quarter of 2016 versus a $5.0 million gain in the prior year's quarter, reflecting fair value adjustments on life settlement contracts and income from our real estate investments. 

The first quarter 2016 provision for income taxes was $18.1 million and the effective tax rate for the quarter was 26.5%. Included in the first quarter 2016 provision for income taxes was a $1.8 million benefit attributable to a reduction of the deferred tax liability associated with the equalization reserves of our Luxembourg Reinsurance Company (LRC) subsidiaries.  Excluding this benefit, the adjusted 2016 first quarter effective tax rate was 29.2%.  As of March 31, 2016, the remaining DTL associated with our LRC subsidiaries was $12.0 million.

National General Holding Corp.'s shareholders' equity was $1.56 billion at March 31, 2016, growth of 23.7% from $1.26 billion at March 31, 2015.  Fully diluted book value per share was $12.34 at March 31, 2016, growth of 12.6% from $10.96 at March 31, 2015.  Annualized operating return on average equity (ROE) was 16.3% for the first quarter 2016.

Additional Items

• Century-National Insurance Company Acquisition - On January 25, 2016 we announced an agreement to acquire Century-National Insurance Company (CNIC), a California based property and casualty underwriter.  The purchase price for the transaction is currently expected to be approximately $315 million, based on September 30, 2015 results, with the actual purchase price calculated based upon financial position at closing. The estimated purchase price equates to a $50 million premium to tangible book value, and includes an upfront cash payment of approximately $140 million with the remaining balance deferred over two years.  The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
• New Credit Agreement - On January 25, 2016, we entered into a $225 million revolving credit facility with a letter of credit sub-limit of $25 million and an expansion feature not to exceed $50 million. The New Credit Agreement has a maturity date of January 25, 2020, and replaces our previous $135 million credit agreement.
• Standard Mutual Insurance Company Acquisition - On January 27, 2016 we announced that we had entered into a definitive agreement, pending regulatory and policyholder approval, to acquire Standard Mutual Insurance Company (SMIC), an Illinois based property and casualty underwriter, following the completion of the conversion of SMIC to a stock company from a mutual company. The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Conference Call

On Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 11:00 AM ET Chief Financial Officer Mike Weiner will review results and discuss business conditions via a conference call that may be accessed as follows:

Toll-Free U.S. Dial-in: 888-267-2860
International Dial-in: 973-413-6102
Conference Entry Code: 445263
Webcast Registration: http://ir.nationalgeneral.com/events.cfm

A replay of the conference call will be accessible from 2:00 PM ET on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 to 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 by dialing either 800-332-6854 (toll-free) within the U.S. or 973-528-0005 outside the U.S. and entering passcode 445263. In addition, a replay of the webcast can also be retrieved at
http://ir.nationalgeneral.com/events.cfm. 

About National General Holdings Corp.

National General Holdings Corp., headquartered in New York City, is a specialty personal lines insurance holding company. National General traces its roots to 1939, has a financial strength rating of A- (excellent) from A.M. Best, and provides personal and commercial automobile, homeowners, umbrella, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, supplemental health, and other niche insurance products.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate" and "believe" or their variations or similar terminology. There can be no assurance that actual developments will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, non-receipt of expected payments from insureds or reinsurers, changes in interest rates, a downgrade in the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, the effect of the performance of financial markets on our investment portfolio, estimates of the fair value of life settlement contracts, development of claims and the effect on loss reserves, accuracy in projecting loss reserves, the cost and availability of reinsurance coverage, the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues, changes in the demand for our products, our degree of success in integrating acquired businesses, the effect of general economic conditions, state and federal legislation, regulations and regulatory investigations into industry practices, risks associated with conducting business outside the United States, developments relating to existing agreements, disruptions to our business relationships, breaches in data security or other disruptions involving our technology, heightened competition, changes in pricing environments, and changes in asset valuations. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement except as may be required by law. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Income Statement - First Quarter
$ in thousands
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2016													2015
		NGHC				Reciprocal Exchanges				Consolidated					NGHC				Reciprocal Exchanges				Consolidated
Revenues:
Gross written premium		$	816,194			$	68,322			$	883,626		(A)		$	585,808			$	61,237			$	643,455		(H)
Ceded premiums (related parties $408, $890, $408 for 2016; $348, $3,590, $348 for 2015)		(71,607		)		(34,121		)		(104,838		)	(B)		(74,420		)		(42,600		)		(113,430		)	(I)
Net written premium		744,587				34,201				778,788					511,388				18,637				530,025
Net earned premium		654,920				35,168				690,088					437,269				41,896				479,165
Ceding commission income/(loss)		(1,895		)		17,324				15,429					1,053				4,027				5,080
Service and fee income		96,944				2,611				89,965			(C)		62,653				795				54,870			(J)
Net investment income		21,670				2,172				23,842					14,109				2,039				16,148
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments		3,617				(1,440		)		2,177					1,510				693				2,203
Other than temporary impairment loss		—				—				—					(1,016		)		—				(1,016		)
Other revenue		701				—				701					1,245				—				1,245
Total revenues		$	775,957			$	55,835			$	822,202		(D)		$	516,823			$	49,450			$	557,695		(K)
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expense		$	409,050			$	21,249			$	430,299				$	278,682			$	28,004			$	306,686
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses		112,899				12,287				125,158			(E)		86,629				3,261				89,885			(L)
General and administrative expenses		176,627				14,640				181,705			(F)		99,876				14,384				105,687			(M)
Interest expense		9,141				2,052				11,193					5,383				3,697				9,080
Total expenses		$	707,717			$	50,228			$	748,355		(G)		$	470,570			$	49,346			$	511,338		(N)
Income before provision/(benefit) for income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated subsidiaries		$	68,240			$	5,607			$	73,847				$	46,253			$	104			$	46,357
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes		18,083				(301		)		17,782					8,419				(32		)		8,387
Income before equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated subsidiaries		50,157				5,908				56,065					37,834				136				37,970
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated subsidiaries		6,682				—				6,682					4,958				—				4,958
Net income before non-controlling interest and dividends on preferred shares		56,839				5,908				62,747					42,792				136				42,928
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest		12				5,908				5,920					24				136				160
Net income before dividends on preferred shares		56,827				—				56,827					42,768				—				42,768
Less: dividends on preferred shares		4,125				—				4,125					1,031				—				1,031
Net income available to common stockholders		$	52,702			$	—			$	52,702				$	41,737			$	—			$	41,737

NOTE: Consolidated column includes eliminations as follows: (A) $(890), (B) $890, (C) $(9,590), (D) $(9,590), (E) $(28), (F) $(9,562), (G) $(9,590), (H) $(3,590), (I) $3,590, (J) $(8,578), (K) $(8,578), (L) $(5), (M) $(8,573), and (N) $(8,578).

Earnings and Per Share Data
$ in thousands, except shares and per share data
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016				2015
Net income available to common stockholders	$	52,702			$	41,737
Basic net income per common share	$	0.50			$	0.45
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.49			$	0.43
Operating earnings attributable to NGHC(1)	$	53,734			$	43,017
Basic operating earnings per common share(1)	$	0.51			$	0.46
Diluted operating earnings per common share(1)	$	0.50			$	0.45
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.03			$	0.02
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding	105,597,594				93,454,236
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding	108,266,508				96,087,952
Shares outstanding, end of period	105,714,916				93,495,258
Fully diluted shares outstanding, end of period	108,383,830				96,128,974
Book value per share	$	12.65			$	11.27
Fully diluted book value per share	$	12.34			$	10.96

Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Earnings (Non-GAAP)
$ in thousands, except per share data
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016				2015
Net income available to common stockholders	$	52,702			$	41,737
Add (subtract) net of tax:
Net realized (gain)/loss on investments	(2,351		)		(982		)
Other than temporary impairment losses	—				661
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss	(403		)		(277		)
Equity in (earnings)/losses of unconsolidated subsidiaries (other than LSC Entities and Real Estate investments)	104				104
Non-cash amortization of intangible assets	3,682				1,774
Non-cash impairment of goodwill	—				—
Operating earnings attributable to NGHC (1)	$	53,734			$	43,017
Operating earnings per common share:
Basic operating earnings per common share	$	0.51			$	0.46
Diluted operating earnings per common share	$	0.50			$	0.45

Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
(Unaudited)
		March 31, 2016 (unaudited)													December 31, 2015 (audited)
ASSETS		NGHC				Reciprocal Exchanges				Consolidated					NGHC				Reciprocal Exchanges				Consolidated
Total investments		$	2,538,144			$	255,601			$	2,738,662		(A)		$	2,425,168			$	242,542			$	2,667,710
Cash and cash equivalents		272,076				2,673				274,749					273,884				8,393				282,277
Premiums and other receivables, net (2)		834,385				52,922				886,417			(B)		702,439				56,194				758,633
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses (3)		794,485				43,401				837,886					794,091				39,085				833,176
Intangible assets, net		338,466				4,710				343,176					344,073				4,825				348,898
Goodwill		119,553				—				119,553					112,414				—				112,414
Other		478,930				101,506				580,436					459,619				100,665				560,284
Total assets		$	5,376,039			$	460,813			$	5,780,879		(C)		$	5,111,688			$	451,704			$	5,563,392
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		$	1,646,440			$	137,093			$	1,783,533				$	1,623,232			$	132,392			$	1,755,624
Unearned premiums		1,144,830				143,194				1,288,024					1,046,313				146,186				1,192,499
Reinsurance payable (4)		71,370				11,982				82,462			(D)		54,815				14,357				69,172
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (5)		298,305				16,400				305,277			(E)		265,057				19,845				284,902
Notes payable (6)		446,244				45,655				446,244			(F)		446,061				45,476				491,537
Other		211,336				72,764				284,100					162,189				70,829				233,018
Total liabilities		$	3,818,525			$	427,088			$	4,189,640		(G)		$	3,597,667			$	429,085			4,026,752
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock (7)		$	1,057			$	—			$	1,057				$	1,056			$	—			$	1,056
Preferred stock (8)		220,000				—				220,000					220,000				—				220,000
Additional paid-in capital		870,116				—				870,116					900,114				—				900,114
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)		4,534				—				4,534					(19,414		)		—				(19,414		)
Retained earnings		461,574				—				461,574					412,044				—				412,044
Total National General Holdings Corp. stockholders' equity		1,557,281				—				1,557,281					1,513,800				—				1,513,800
Non-controlling interest		233				33,725				33,958					221				22,619				22,840
Total stockholders’ equity		1,557,514				33,725				1,591,239					1,514,021				22,619				1,536,640
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	5,376,039			$	460,813			$	5,780,879		(H)		$	5,111,688			$	451,704			$	5,563,392

NOTE: Consolidated column includes eliminations as follows: (A) $(55,083), (B) $(890), (C) $(55,973), (D) $(890), (E) $(9,428), (F) $(45,655), (G) $(55,973), and (H) $(55,973)

Segment Information - First Quarter
$ in thousands
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2016																				2015
		P&C				A&H						NGHC					Reciprocal Exchanges					P&C				A&H				NGHC					Reciprocal Exchanges
Gross written premium		$	661,337			$	154,857					$	816,194				$	68,322				$	510,451			$	75,357			$	585,808				$	61,237
Net written premium		600,774				143,813						744,587					34,201					444,260				67,128				511,388					18,637
Net earned premium		554,048				100,872						654,920					35,168					406,094				31,175				437,269					41,896
Ceding commission income/(loss)		(2,264		)		369						(1,895		)			17,324					771				282				1,053					4,027
Service and fee income		63,488				33,456						96,944					2,611					45,234				17,419				62,653					795
Total underwriting revenue		615,272				134,697						749,969					55,103					452,099				48,876				500,975					46,718
Loss and loss adjustment expense		332,659				76,391						409,050					21,249					258,579				20,103				278,682					28,004
Acquisition costs and other		91,659				21,240						112,899					12,287					75,337				11,292				86,629					3,261
General and administrative		144,694				31,933						176,627					14,640					85,729				14,147				99,876					14,384
Total underwriting expenses		569,012				129,564						698,576					48,176					419,645				45,542				465,187					45,649
Underwriting income/(loss)		46,260				5,133						51,393					6,927					32,454				3,334				35,788					1,069
Non-cash impairment of goodwill		—				—						—					—					—				—				—					—
Non-cash amortization of intangible assets		3,847				1,817						5,664					35					2,019				710				2,729					2,252
Underwriting income/(loss) before amortization and impairment		$	50,107			$		6,950				$	57,057				$	6,962				$	34,473			$	4,044			$	38,517				$	3,321
Underwriting ratios
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio (9)		60.0		%		75.7			%			62.5		%			60.4		%			63.7		%		64.5		%		63.7		%			66.8		%
Operating expense ratio  (Non-GAAP) (10,11)		31.6		%		19.2			%			29.7		%			19.9		%			28.3		%		24.8		%		28.1		%			30.6		%
Combined ratio (Non-GAAP) (10,12)		91.7		%		94.9			%			92.2		%			80.3		%			92.0		%		89.3		%		91.8		%			97.4		%
Underwriting ratios (before amortization and impairment)
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio (9)		60.0		%		75.7			%			62.5		%			60.4		%			63.7		%		64.5		%		63.7		%			66.8		%
Operating expense ratio  (Non-GAAP) (10,13)		30.9		%		17.4			%			28.8		%			19.8		%			27.8		%		22.5		%		27.5		%			25.2		%
Combined ratio (Non-GAAP) (10,12)		91.0		%		93.1			%			91.3		%			80.2		%			91.5		%		87.0		%		91.2		%			92.1		%

NOTE: Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and operating expense ratio may not sum to combined ratio due to rounding.

Reconciliation of Operating Expense Ratio (Non-GAAP)
$ in thousands
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2016																		2015
		P&C				A&H				NGHC					Reciprocal Exchanges					P&C				A&H				NGHC					Reciprocal Exchanges
Total underwriting expenses		$	569,012			$	129,564			$	698,576				$	48,176				$	419,645			$	45,542			$	465,187				$	45,649
Less: Loss and loss adjustment expense		332,659				76,391				409,050					21,249					258,579				20,103				278,682					28,004
Less: Ceding commission income/(loss)		(2,264		)		369				(1,895		)			17,324					771				282				1,053					4,027
Less: Service and fee income		63,488				33,456				96,944					2,611					45,234				17,419				62,653					795
Operating expense		175,129				19,348				194,477					6,992					115,061				7,738				122,799					12,823
Net earned premium		$	554,048			$	100,872			$	654,920				$	35,168				$	406,094			$	31,175			$	437,269				$	41,896
Operating expense ratio (Non-GAAP)		31.6		%		19.2		%		29.7		%			19.9		%			28.3		%		24.8		%		28.1		%			30.6		%
Total underwriting expenses		$	569,012			$	129,564			$	698,576				$	48,176				$	419,645			$	45,542			$	465,187				$	45,649
Less: Loss and loss adjustment expense		332,659				76,391				409,050					21,249					258,579				20,103				278,682					28,004
Less: Ceding commission income/(loss)		(2,264		)		369				(1,895		)			17,324					771				282				1,053					4,027
Less: Service and fee income		63,488				33,456				96,944					2,611					45,234				17,419				62,653					795
Less: Non-cash impairment of goodwill		—				—				—					—					—				—				—					—
Less: Non-cash amortization of intangible assets		3,847				1,817				5,664					35					2,019				710				2,729					2,252
Operating expense before amortization and impairment		171,282				17,531				188,813					6,957					113,042				7,028				120,070					10,571
Net earned premium		$	554,048			$	100,872			$	654,920				$	35,168				$	406,094			$	31,175			$	437,269				$	41,896
Operating expense ratio before amortization and impairment (Non-GAAP)		30.9		%		17.4		%		28.8		%			19.8		%			27.8		%		22.5		%		27.5		%			25.2		%

Premiums by Business Line
$ in thousands
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		Gross Written Premium															Net Written Premium															Net Earned Premium
			2016					2015				Change						2016					2015				Change						2016					2015				Change
Property & Casualty
Personal Auto		$	385,198				$	339,334					13.5	%			$	335,326				$	295,243					13.6	%			$	271,997				$	267,531					1.7	%
Homeowners				70,301				87,824					(20.0	)%				65,876					70,390					(6.4	)%					74,439					64,123				16.1	%
RV/Packaged				39,603				37,550					5.5	%				39,456					36,894					6.9	%					37,519					35,976				4.3	%
Commercial Auto				50,151				41,346					21.3	%				44,993					37,993					18.4	%					43,844					34,622				26.6	%
Lender-placed insurance				111,997				—					NA					111,997					—					NA						122,806					—				NA
Other				4,087				4,397					(7.1	)%				3,126					3,740					(16.4	)%					3,443					3,842				(10.4	)%
Property & Casualty Total				661,337				510,451					29.6	%				600,774					444,260					35.2	%					554,048					406,094				36.4	%
Accident & Health				154,857				75,357					105.5	%				143,813					67,128					114.2	%					100,872					31,175				223.6	%
Total National General				816,194				585,808					39.3	%				744,587					511,388					45.6	%					654,920					437,269				49.8	%
Reciprocal Exchanges
Personal Auto				22,973				17,691					29.9	%				12,025					16,606					(27.6	)%					12,541					22,930				(45.3	)%
Homeowners				43,614				41,613					4.8	%				20,704					(36		)			NA						20,986					17,716				18.5	%
Other				1,735				1,933					(10.2	)%				1,472					2,067					(28.8	)%					1,641					1,250				31.3	%
Reciprocal Exchanges Total				68,322				61,237					11.6	%				34,201					18,637					83.5	%					35,168					41,896				(16.1	)%
Consolidated Total		$	883,626				$	643,455					37.3	%			$	778,788				$	530,025					46.9	%			$	690,088				$	479,165					44.0	%

NOTE: Consolidated Total includes elimination of $(890) and $(3,590) within 2016 and 2015 Gross Written Premium, respectively.

Additional Disclosures

(1) References to operating earnings and basic and diluted operating EPS are Non-GAAP financial measures defined by the Company as net income and basic earnings per share excluding after-tax net realized investment gain or loss on securities, other than temporary impairment losses, foreign exchange gain or loss, equity in earnings or losses of unconsolidated subsidiaries (other than LSC Entities and Real Estate investment gains or losses), non-cash amortization of intangible assets, and non-cash impairment of goodwill. The Company believes operating earnings and basic and diluted operating EPS are more relevant measures of the Company’s profitability because operating earnings and basic and diluted operating EPS contain the components of net income upon which the Company’s management has the most influence and excludes factors outside management’s direct control and non-recurring items.  Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by National General. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table within this release for the reconciliation of these Non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

(2) Premiums and other receivables, net (NGHC) includes $27,974 and $62,304 from related parties at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

(3) Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses (NGHC) includes $37,412 and $42,774 from related parties at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

(4) Reinsurance payable (NGHC) includes $30,964 and $31,923 due to related party at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

(5) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (NGHC) includes $41,849 and $51,755 to related parties at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

(6) Notes payable (Reciprocal Exchanges) includes $0 and $45,476 owed to related party at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

(7) Common stock: $0.01 par value - authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 105,714,916 shares - March 31, 2016; authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 105,554,331 shares - December 31, 2015.

(8) Preferred stock: $0.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2,365,000 shares, at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014.

(9) Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses by net earned premium.

(10) Operating expense ratio and combined ratio are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable SEC rules because a component of those ratios, operating expense, is calculated by offsetting acquisition and other underwriting costs and general and administrative expense by ceding commission income and service and fee income.  Management uses operating expense ratio (non-GAAP) and combined ratio (non-GAAP) to evaluate financial performance against historical results and establish targets on a consolidated basis.  The Company believes this presentation enhances the understanding of our results by eliminating what we believe are volatile and unusual events and presenting the ratios with what we believe are the underlying run rates of the business. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and, therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by National General.  Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table within this release for the reconciliation of these Non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

(11) Operating expense ratio (non-GAAP) is calculated by dividing operating expense by net earned premium.  Operating expense consists of the sum of acquisition and other underwriting costs and general and administrative expense less ceding commission income and service and fee income.

(12) Combined ratio (non-GAAP) is calculated by adding the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and the operating expense ratio (non-GAAP) together.

(13) Operating expense ratio (non-GAAP) before amortization and impairment is calculated by dividing the operating expense before amortization and impairment by net earned premium.  Operating expense before amortization and impairment consists of the sum of acquisition and other underwriting costs and general and administrative expense less ceding commission income and service and fee income less non-cash amortization of intangible assets and non-cash impairment of goodwill.

Investor Contact

Dean Evans
Director of Investor Relations
Phone: 212-380-9462
Email: Dean.Evans@NGIC.com

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