Global Indemnity Group, LLC (GBLI) has recently completed an extensive reorganization of its business, codenamed "Project Manifest," which is a significant milestone positioning the company for enhanced operational efficiency and growth. The company's strategic initiatives demonstrate its commitment to adapting to the evolving insurance landscape and better serving its customers and distribution partners.
Business Overview and History
Global Indemnity Group, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company that provides diversified specialty property and casualty insurance products primarily in the excess and surplus lines market through its two main subsidiaries. The company has been publicly traded since 2003 when its predecessor, United America Indemnity, Ltd., became a publicly listed entity.
Belmont Holdings GX, Inc., one of the company's subsidiaries, is an insurance holding company that manages both core and non-core insurance portfolios through its wholly owned specialty insurance companies. The other subsidiary, Penn-America Underwriters, LLC, serves as the company's distribution and specialized services group, focusing on underwriting, growth, and distribution of insurance products, as well as technology and claims services.
Prior to 2001, Global Indemnity primarily underwrote multi-peril business insuring general contractors, developers, and sub-contractors involved in residential construction. This focus resulted in significant exposure to construction defect claims. The company continues to closely monitor its asbestos and environmental exposures, which have presented ongoing challenges due to the complex and evolving nature of these claims.
In December 2024, Global Indemnity underwent a significant internal corporate reorganization. This restructuring involved de-stacking the five specialty insurance companies under Belmont Holdings GX, Inc. and forming Penn-America Underwriters, LLC to create separate businesses for each of Penn-America's business divisions. Additionally, the reorganization established separate entities for technology services (Kaleidoscope Insurance Technology, Inc.) and claims services (Liberty Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc.).
Financials
In 2024, Global Indemnity reported revenue of $441.19 million and net income of $43.2 million, a 70% increase from the previous year's $25.4 million. This growth was largely attributed to the strong performance of the company's core business segment, Penn-America, which saw an 8% increase in gross written premiums to $400 million. The company's investment income also rose 13% to $62.4 million, reflecting its prudent management of its investment portfolio.
The company's operating cash flow for 2024 was $38.84 million, with free cash flow of $39.51 million. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Global Indemnity reported revenue of $111.76 million and net income of $12.76 million.
Global Indemnity's book value per share increased 5.2% to $49.98 as of December 31, 2024. The company's accident year combined ratio improved to 94.4% in 2024 compared to 95.2% in 2023, driven by stronger underwriting results.
Penn-America Segment Expansion and Restructuring
The centerpiece of Global Indemnity's strategic reorganization is the enhancement of its Penn-America business divisions. The company has created separate and distinct businesses for each of Penn-America's divisions, including Wholesale Commercial, Vacant Express, Collectibles, and Specialty Products. This move is aimed at improving branding, attracting talent, and expanding relationships with the company's distribution partners.
Penn-America, which is Global Indemnity's core business, distributes specialty property and casualty insurance products in the excess and surplus lines marketplace. It targets small businesses across various industries such as Artisan Contractors, Habitational Landlord, General Services, Vacant Properties, Mercantile Restaurants, Bars Taverns, Commercial Buildings, and Collectibles. Penn-America has been a major provider of insurance to Main Street businesses for over 40 years.
The segment underwrites commercial coverages for 900 classes of casualty business and 200 classes of property business. Penn-America's insurance companies are eligible to write on a surplus lines non-admitted basis as well as an admitted basis in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Penn-America's primary business divisions include:
1. Wholesale Commercial: Distributes property and general liability products for small commercial businesses through a select network of wholesale general agents.
2. Specialty Products: Distributes property and general liability niche products through program administrators with specific binding authority.
3. InsurTech: Offers property and general liability products distributed using company-administered systems, including Collectibles and VacantExpress.
4. Assumed Reinsurance: Composed of individual treaties with small-to-medium sized financially sound insurers in niche product lines.
Additionally, Global Indemnity has established separate businesses for its technology and claims services operations. Kaleidoscope Insurance Technologies, Inc. will focus on developing and maintaining the company's technology platforms, while Liberty Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc. will provide specialized claims services. This restructuring is expected to improve the company's operational efficiency and allow it to better support its core insurance operations.
Investing in Technology and Talent
As part of its strategic reorganization, Global Indemnity has made significant investments in modernizing its technology infrastructure. The company's transition to cloud-based systems has progressed rapidly, with over 75% of the migration completed by the end of 2024. This technological transformation is expected to enhance the company's underwriting capabilities, improve data analytics, and streamline its operations.
Moreover, the company has demonstrated its commitment to talent acquisition and development. The appointment of Praveen K. Reddy as the new President and CEO of Penn-America Underwriters, LLC is a testament to this focus. Reddy brings over 20 years of industry experience and will play a crucial role in driving the growth and expansion of the company's core insurance operations.
Geographic and Product Diversification
Global Indemnity's business is geographically diversified, with a presence across the United States. In 2024, the company's top states by gross written premiums were California (14.3%), Florida (12.8%), and Texas (10.4%). The company has also been actively diversifying its product offerings, adding new specialty products and expanding its assumed reinsurance business, which grew by 83% in 2024.
Non-Core Operations Segment
Global Indemnity's Non-Core Operations segment represents lines of business that have been de-emphasized or are no longer being written. This includes the company's manufactured and dwelling home business, farm, ranch and equine business, specialty personal lines products, property brokerage, non-renewed retrocessional reinsurance treaties, several smaller casualty lines, and terminated commercial products.
The two key activities of the Non-Core Operations segment are managing transition service agreements related to the sales of the company's renewal rights and handling claims activity and loss reserves on de-emphasized and terminated business. Net earned premiums in this segment decreased 94% in 2024 compared to 2023, primarily due to the non-renewal of a casualty treaty and a reduction in earned premiums from the sale of the Farm, Ranch Stable renewal rights in 2022.
Risks and Challenges
While Global Indemnity has demonstrated its ability to navigate industry challenges, the company faces several risks that require ongoing attention. These include regulatory changes, potential reinsurer insolvency, and the impact of natural disasters, such as the recent California wildfires, which resulted in $15 million in catastrophe losses for the company in the first quarter of 2025.
Additionally, the company's growth strategy, which includes acquiring new businesses and expanding product offerings, carries inherent integration and execution risks. The company's ability to effectively manage these risks will be crucial to its long-term success.
Outlook and Guidance
Global Indemnity's strategic reorganization, investments in technology, and focus on talent development position the company well for future growth. The company's management team has demonstrated its ability to adapt to industry changes and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
For 2025, Global Indemnity expects to see continued improvement in their non-catastrophe accident year loss ratios. The company also anticipates revenue growth of 10% from Penn America. In terms of catastrophe losses, the company saw a decrease from $13.8 million in 2023 to $12.7 million in 2024, a 26% reduction.
Global Indemnity expects to reinvest a significant amount of their $1 billion in fixed income maturities in 2025 into longer-dated, higher-yielding securities. This is expected to increase the portfolio duration to around 1.25 years by the end of Q1 2025, potentially boosting investment income.
Liquidity
Global Indemnity's financial position remains strong, with no outstanding debt as of the end of 2024. The company's cash and cash equivalents stood at $17.01 million as of December 31, 2024. Additionally, the company's discretionary capital increased to $255 million at the end of 2024, up from $200 million at the end of 2023, providing ample resources to support its growth initiatives, particularly in the Penn America Underwriters segment.
Overall, Global Indemnity's strategic initiatives and operational improvements suggest a positive outlook for the company. As it continues to enhance its capabilities and diversify its product offerings, Global Indemnity is well-positioned to capitalize on the evolving insurance landscape and deliver value to its shareholders.