EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm BURKENROAD REPORTS INVESTMENT CONFERENCE PRESENTATION BURKENROAD REPORTS Investment Conference Presentation
BURKENROAD REPORTS
Investor Conference
April 25, 2008
New Orleans, LA
C. Allen Bradley, Jr.
Chairman, President & CEO
Geoffrey R. Banta
EVP & CFO
Exhibit 99.1


2
Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this presentation that are not historical facts, including
statements
accompanied
by
words
such
as
“will,”
“believe,”
“anticipate,”
“expect,”
“estimate,”
“preliminary,”
or similar words are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 regarding AMERISAFE’s plans and performance.  These statements
are based on management’s estimates, assumptions, and projections as of
the date of this presentation and are not guarantees of future performance.  
Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in
these statements as the result of risks, uncertainties, and other factors,
including the factors set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and
Exchange
Commission,
including
in
Item
1A
“Risk
Factors”
in
AMERISAFE’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. 
AMERISAFE cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking
statements contained in this presentation.  AMERISAFE does not undertake
any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to
reflect
future
events,
information,
or
circumstances
that
arise
after
the
date of
this presentation.


3
Overview
Specialty
provider
of
workers’
compensation
insurance
Workers’
compensation insurance is statutorily required coverage and
includes
Medical expenses
Temporary or permanent disability benefits
Death benefits
Focus on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries
Principally construction, trucking, logging, agriculture, oil and gas, maritime and
sawmills
As of 12/31/07, over 7,300 voluntary policyholders with an average annual premium
of more than $39,400 per policy
Distribution network of both independent agents and captive agency
$328 MM in gross premiums written in twelve months ended 12/31/07
At 12/31/07, net combined ratio of 85.9% and ROE of 24.1%
A.M. Best “A-”
(Excellent) rating


4
Other
14.3%
Construction
41.7%
Logging
5.3%
Trucking
22.3%
Agriculture
4.8%
Maritime
2.6%
Oil And Gas
3.8%
Sawmills
1.6%
Assigned Risk
Business
2.3%
Assumed
1.3%
Focus on Hazardous Industries
Employers
in
hazardous
industries
pay
substantially
higher
workers’
comp
rates
Our
2007
average
premium
rate
per
$100
of
payroll
is
much
higher
than
the
national
average
Nature of work performed and inherent workplace danger of our target employers
Less frequent but more severe claims
Hazardous industries provide greatest opportunity for underwriting risk selection and use of
safety services
Estimated
hazardous
comp
market
size
of
over
$15
B
for
the
class
codes
we
write
Underserved market with barriers to entry
Premium Distribution by Industry as of 12/31/07


5
Geographically Diverse Book of Business
No state represents more than 11% of gross premiums written as of 12/31/07
Market share did not exceed 5% in any state through 12/31/07
Due
to
nature
of
our
policyholders’
businesses,
we
have
minimal
terrorism
exposure
Competition is fragmented
Distribution by State of Gross Premiums Written as of 12/31/07
AKAK
3.6%3.6%
MN
3.8%
DE   1.8%
DC   0.2%
MD   2.0%
IL
5.2%
IN
2.1%
PA  4.7%
WI
3.4%
IA
0.8%
AR
2.9%
LA
10.6%
TX
4.1%
OK
4.9%
KS
1.6%
GA
9.9%
FL
4.6%
AL
2.1%
MS
4.6%
MO
2.2%
TN   3.9%
SC
4.8%
KY
0.9%
VA
5.8%
NC 9.5%
AK
3.6%
AK
3.5%
Greater than 5%
5% or less
NV
0.1%
AKAK
3.6%3.6%
MN
3.8%
DE   1.8%
DC   0.2%
MD   2.0%
IL
5.2%
IN
2.1%
PA  4.7%
WI
3.4%
IA
0.8%
AR
2.9%
LA
10.6%
TX
4.1%
OK
4.9%
KS
1.6%
GA
9.9%
FL
4.6%
AL
2.1%
MS
4.6%
MO
2.2%
TN   3.9%
SC
4.8%
KY
0.9%
VA
5.8%
NC 9.5%
AK
3.6%
AK
3.5%
Greater than 5%
5% or less
NV
0.1%


6
Risk Selection –
Underwriting & Safety
Underwriting authority not
delegated to agents
Industry-specific risk analysis
and rating tools developed
over 22 years of underwriting
history
Underwriter bonuses tied to
actual loss ratios as developed
over 30 months
Experienced underwriters most
focused on hazardous
industries
Our Field Safety Professionals
(“FSPs”) work from mobile
locations and visit employer
worksites
In-depth knowledge of insureds’
industry practices and loss
exposures
More than 90% of new voluntary
policyholders subject to pre-
quotation, worksite safety
inspection as of 12/31/07
FSP’s
bonus tied to actual loss
ratios as developed over 33
months


7
Risk Selection -
Specialized Underwriting Process
Multiple supplemental applications require industry-specific information
Risk matrices generated from these applications
Internal and online resources used for industry-specific account evaluation
Multi-level review and consultative procedures
Standard and Supplementary Applications Received
Initial Underwriting Review
Worksite Safety Inspection and UW Report
Final Underwriting Review and Consultation
ACCOUNT DECLINED
Quote
ACCOUNT BOUND


8
High-Touch Service Model -
Claims & Premium Audit
Field Case Managers (“FCMs”)
located throughout the markets
Approximately 53 open indemnity
claims per FCM as of 12/31/2007
Utilize a full complement of medical
cost containment tools
99% of our pre-2006 reported claims
were closed as of 12/31/2007
We believe our claims management
practices allow us to:
Accelerate an employee’s return to
work
Lessen the likelihood of litigation and
more rapidly close claims
Achieve more favorable outcome and
lower overall costs
Field Audit Professionals perform
annual premium audits on expired
voluntary policies, most performed
at insured’s facilities
Selective interim premium audits
on policies with certain classes of
business or unusual claims activity
On-line reporting of premium and
payment options
Monthly reporting of premium
closely matches client’s activities
and cash flow
Security deposit at policy inception
offsets losses from non-payment
of premium


9
Underwriting Environment -
Loss Cost Trends
DE  -17.8%
DC  -7.6%
MD -1.7%
TX
-7.7%
NV
-10.5%
CO
-8.8%
KS
5.6%
OK
7.2%
MN
-2.6%
IA
-0.3%
MO
-10.1%
AR
2.7%
LA
-8.6%
MS
-4.7%
IL
4.0%
IN
-0.2%
VA
2.5%
PA -10.2%
AL
-9.5%
GA
4.2%
TN -7.2%
KY -6.1%
NC  1.6%
SC 18.4%
FL
-18.4%
AK
-10.9%
NOTES:
1)  LA not yet approved
2)  The effective dates of the filings in these states range from 07/07 to 05/08
Loss Cost Decreases
Loss Cost Increases
WI
-2.5%
DE  -17.8%
DC  -7.6%
MD -1.7%
TX
-7.7%
NV
-10.5%
CO
-8.8%
KS
5.6%
OK
7.2%
MN
-2.6%
IA
-0.3%
MO
-10.1%
AR
2.7%
LA
-8.6%
MS
-4.7%
IL
4.0%
IN
-0.2%
VA
2.5%
PA -10.2%
AL
-9.5%
GA
4.2%
TN -7.2%
KY -6.1%
NC  1.6%
SC 18.4%
FL
-18.4%
AK
-10.9%
NOTES:
1)  LA not yet approved
2)  The effective dates of the filings in these states range from 07/07 to 05/08
Loss Cost Decreases
Loss Cost Increases
WI
-2.5%


10
Underwriting Environment -
Pricing Trends
Most
states
set
expected
costs
of
medical
and
indemnity
benefits
(“loss
costs”);
we then apply a state filed loss cost multiplier (“LCM”)
Even
under
increasingly
competitive
market,
we
remain
focused
on
pricing
discipline
Policy Year Effective LCM
1.51
1.54
1.14
1.37
1.56
1.53
1.43
0.93
0.90
1.00
1.10
1.20
1.30
1.40
1.50
1.60
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007


11
Strong Financial Performance
Consistent returns over the last nine quarters
2007 Operating ROE of 24.1%
1
$7.42
$7.86
$8.18
$8.64
$10.25
$10.84
$9.23
$11.66
$9.65
17.1%
17.9%
22.8%
22.3%
33.0%
24.6%
19.3%
17.9%
15.8%
$7.00
$7.50
$8.00
$8.50
$9.00
$9.50
$10.00
$10.50
$11.00
$11.50
$12.00
4Q05
1Q06
2Q06
3Q06
4Q06
1Q07
2Q07
3Q07
4Q07
15%
18%
20%
23%
25%
28%
30%
33%
35%
BVPS
Operating ROE (%)
Oper Inc.
$4.7 MM
$6.4 MM
$7.0 MM
1.
Excludes after-tax effect of net realized gains on investments using effective tax rate (35%).
$8.0 MM
$11.0 MM
$8.4 MM
$11.3 MM
$11.8 MM
$18.6 MM
1


12
Scalable Infrastructure
Investments in technology have enhanced our ability to select risk, write
profitable business, and cost-effectively administer our billing, claims, and
audit functions.
Net Underwriting Expense Ratio
$204.8
$185.1
$223.6
$265.0
$290.9
$332.5
$327.8
24.7%
21.3%
23.8%
24.8%
27.3%
32.1%
29.7%
20.0%
22.0%
24.0%
26.0%
28.0%
30.0%
32.0%
34.0%
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
Gross Premiums Written
Net Underwriting Expense Ratio
(1)
1 -
Includes gains of $3.7 mm from commutations


13
Selected Balance Sheet Data
As of
As of
As of
31-Dec-
05
31-Dec-
06
31-Dec-
07
Investments, Cash and Cash Equivalents
582,904
665,528
759,074
Amounts Recoverable from Reinsurers
122,562
109,603
76,915
Premiums Receivable, Net and Accrued Interest Receivable
128,531
150,305
159,229
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
16,973
18,486
18,414
Deferred Income Taxes
22,413
29,466
26,418
Total Assets
892,320
994,146
1,061,853
Reserves for Loss & LAE
484,485
519,178
537,403
Unearned Premiums Reserve
124,524
137,761
138,402
Insurance Related Assessments
35,135
40,886
42,234
Subordinated Debt Securities
36,090
36,090
36,090
Redeemable Preferred Stock
50,000
25,000
25,000
Shareholders' Equity
97,346
158,784
208,570
Metrics
Tangible Book Value Per Share
1
$7.42
$9.24
$11.66
Debt to Capital
1
19.7
%
16.4
%
14.3
%
1
Includes redeemable preferred stock.
($ Thousands)


14
Income Statement
2005
2006
2007
Revenues
:
Gross premiums written
$290,891
$332,491
$327,761
Ceded premiums written
(21,541)
(19,950)
(20,215)
Net premiums written
$269,350
$312,541
$307,546
Net premiums earned
$256,568
$299,303
$306,906
Net investment income
16,882
25,383
30,208
Net realized gains on investments
2,272
7,389
147
Fee and other income
561
645
1,058
Total revenues
276,283
332,720
338,319
Expenses
:
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred
204,056
199,484
198,531
Underwriting and other operating costs
63,384
71,288
65,515
Interest expense
2,844
3,496
3,545
Policyholder dividends
4
6,006
(367)
Total expenses
270,288
280,274
267,224
Income before taxes
5,995
52,446
71,095
Income tax expense
65
15,088
20,876
Net income
$5,930
$37,358
$50,219
Net Operating Ratios:
Loss ratio
79.5%
66.6%
64.7%
Underwriting ratio
24.7%
23.8%
21.3%
Dividend ratio
0.0%
2.0%
(0.1)%
Combined ratio
104.2%
92.4%
85.9%


15
Investment Portfolio Mix at December 31, 2007
Investment Portfolio -
Profile
Carrying value of cash and investments was $759 MM at
December 31, 2007
Equities
5.2%
Cash &
Cash Equivalents
6.3%
Variable Rate Demand
Obligations
4.3%
Asset-Backed
Securities
1.9%
U.S. Agency Mortgage-
Backed Securities
13.1%
Corporates
2.6%
U.S. Treasuries /
Agencies
6.3%
Municipals
53.5%
Commercial Mortgage-
Backed Securities
6.8%


16
Investment Opportunity
Niche focus on small to midsized employers
engaged in hazardous industries
Strong operating cash flows and operational
leverage
Specialized underwriting expertise developed over
22-year history
Efficient expense structure and scalable business
model
Comparatively high investment leverage