Erie Indemnity Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

Net Income per Diluted Share was $2.91 for the Quarter and $11.48 for the Year

ERIE, Pa., Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: ERIE) today announced financial results for the full year and quarter ending December 31, 2024. Net income was $600.3 million, or $11.48 per diluted share, in 2024, compared to $446.1 million, or $8.53 per diluted share, in 2023. Net income was $152.0 million, or $2.91 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $110.9 million, or $2.12 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2023.

4Q and Full Year 2024

(in thousands)

4Q’24

4Q’23

2024

2023

Operating income

$      167,310

$      127,084

$      676,455

$      520,256

Investment income

20,805

9,771

69,260

28,968

Other income

3,693

3,069

11,564

12,712

Income before income taxes

191,808

139,924

757,279

561,936

Income tax expense

39,779

28,996

156,965

115,875

Net income

$      152,029

$      110,928

$      600,314

$      446,061

                                   2024 Full Year Highlights                                   

Operating income before taxes increased $156.2 million, or 30.0 percent, in 2024 compared to 2023.

Management fee revenue – policy issuance and renewal services increased $452.0 million, or 18.5 percent, in 2024 compared to 2023.
Management fee revenue – administrative services increased $4.7 million, or 7.4% in 2024 compared to 2023.
Cost of operations – policy issuance and renewal services

Commissions increased $252.9 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily driven by the growth in direct and affiliated assumed written premium.
Non-commission expense increased $47.9 million in 2024 compared to 2023. Underwriting and policy processing expense increased $18.5 million primarily due to increased underwriting report and personnel costs. Information technology costs decreased $1.3 million primarily due to a decrease in professional fees and personnel costs, partially offset by an increase in hardware and software costs. Sales and advertising expense increased $7.6 million primarily due to increased agent-related costs and costs from community development initiatives. Customer service costs increased $8.7 million primarily due to increased personnel costs and credit card processing fees. Administrative and other costs increased $14.5 million primarily due to increased personnel costs, charitable contributions and professional fees. Personnel costs in 2024 were impacted by increased compensation.

The administrative services reimbursement revenue and corresponding cost of operations increased both total operating revenue and total operating expenses by $806.3 million in 2024 and $737.1 million in 2023, but had no net impact on operating income. 

Income from investments before taxes totaled $69.3 million in 2024 compared to $29.0 million in 2023. Net investment income was $70.2 million in 2024 compared to $44.6 million in 2023. Net investment income included limited partnership earnings of $2.0 million in 2024 compared to losses of $11.3 million in 2023. Net realized and unrealized gains on investments were $3.2 million in 2024 compared to losses of $5.8 million in 2023. Net impairment losses recognized in earnings were $4.1 million in 2024 compared to $9.8 million in 2023. 

                                   4Q 2024 Highlights                                   

Operating income before taxes increased $40.2 million, or 31.7 percent, in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

Management fee revenue – policy issuance and renewal services increased $96.7 million, or 16.1 percent, in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
Management fee revenue – administrative services increased $0.5 million, or 3.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
Cost of operations – policy issuance and renewal services

Commissions increased $50.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily driven by the growth in direct and affiliated assumed written premium.
Non-commission expense increased $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Underwriting and policy processing expense increased $4.8 million primarily due to increased underwriting report and personnel costs. Information technology costs increased $2.6 million primarily due to increased hardware and software costs, partially offset by a decrease in professional fees. Sales and advertising expense decreased $2.0 million primarily due to decreased agent-related and advertising costs. Customer service costs increased $2.0 million primarily due to increased personnel costs and credit card processing fees. Administrative and other costs decreased $1.2 million primarily due to decreased personnel costs.

The administrative services reimbursement revenue and corresponding cost of operations increased both total operating revenue and total operating expenses by $202.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $192.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, but had no net impact on operating income. 

Income from investments before taxes totaled $20.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $9.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net investment income was $20.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $14.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net investment income included limited partnership earnings of $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to losses of $0.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net realized and unrealized gains on investments were $0.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $3.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net impairment losses recognized in earnings were $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Webcast Information

Indemnity has scheduled a pre-recorded audio broadcast on the Web for 10:00 AM ET on February 28, 2025. Investors may access the pre-recorded audio broadcast by logging on to www.erieinsurance.com.

Erie Insurance Group

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 12th largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 17th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 7 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia.

News releases and more information are available on ERIE’s website at www.erieinsurance.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:Statements contained herein that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements and, as such, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ, perhaps materially, from those discussed herein. Forward-looking statements relate to future trends, events or results and include, without limitation, statements and assumptions on which such statements are based that are related to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources. Examples of forward-looking statements are discussions relating to premium and investment income, expenses, operating results, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Among the risks and uncertainties, in addition to those set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results and future events to differ from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements include the following:

dependence upon our relationship with the Erie Insurance Exchange (“Exchange”) and the management fee under the agreement with the subscribers at the Exchange;
dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the growth of the Exchange, including:

general business and economic conditions;
factors impacting the timing of premium rates charged for policies;
factors affecting insurance industry competition, including technological innovations;
dependence upon the independent agency system; and
ability to maintain our brand, including our reputation for customer service;

dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the financial condition of the Exchange, including:

the Exchange’s ability to maintain acceptable financial strength ratings;
factors affecting the quality and liquidity of the Exchange’s investment portfolio;
changes in government regulation of the insurance industry;
litigation and regulatory actions;
emergence of significant unexpected events, including pandemics and economic or social inflation;
emerging claims and coverage issues in the industry; and
severe weather conditions or other catastrophic losses, including terrorism;

costs of providing policy issuance and renewal services to the subscribers at the Exchange under the subscriber’s agreement;
ability to attract and retain talented management and employees;
ability to ensure system availability and effectively manage technology initiatives;
difficulties with technology, data or network security breaches, including cyber attacks;
ability to maintain uninterrupted business operations;
compliance with complex and evolving laws and regulations and outcome of pending and potential litigation;
factors affecting the quality and liquidity of our investment portfolio; and
ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital.

A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and reflects our analysis only as of that date. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.

Erie Indemnity Company

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Three months ended
December 31,

Twelve months ended
December 31,

2024

2023

2024

2023

(Unaudited)

Operating revenue

Management fee revenue – policy issuance and renewal services

$        698,340

$        601,595

$     2,894,074

$     2,442,073

Management fee revenue – administrative services

17,216

16,693

68,355

63,669

Administrative services reimbursement revenue

201,987

192,728

806,336

737,139

Service agreement revenue

6,547

6,651

26,350

26,059

Total operating revenue

924,090

817,667

3,795,115

3,268,940

Operating expenses

Cost of operations – policy issuance and renewal services

554,793

497,855

2,312,324

2,011,545

Cost of operations – administrative services

201,987

192,728

806,336

737,139

Total operating expenses

756,780

690,583

3,118,660

2,748,684

Operating income

167,310

127,084

676,455

520,256

Investment income

Net investment income

20,920

14,212

70,155

44,572

Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)

246

3,408

3,229

(5,838)

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

(361)

(7,849)

(4,124)

(9,766)

Total investment income

20,805

9,771

69,260

28,968

Other income

3,693

3,069

11,564

12,712

Income before income taxes

191,808

139,924

757,279

561,936

Income tax expense

39,779

28,996

156,965

115,875

Net income

$        152,029

$        110,928

$        600,314

$        446,061

Net income per share

Class A common stock – basic

$              3.26

$              2.38

$            12.89

$              9.58

Class A common stock – diluted

$              2.91

$              2.12

$            11.48

$              8.53

Class B common stock – basic

$               490

$               357

$            1,934

$            1,437

Class B common stock – diluted

$               490

$               357

$            1,933

$            1,437

Weighted average shares outstanding – Basic

Class A common stock

46,189,060

46,189,041

46,189,044

46,188,981

Class B common stock

2,542

2,542

2,542

2,542

Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted

Class A common stock

52,310,894

52,301,676

52,306,266

52,299,411

Class B common stock

2,542

2,542

2,542

2,542

Dividends declared per share

Class A common stock

$            1.365

$            1.275

$            5.190

$            4.845

Class B common stock

$          204.75

$          191.25

$          778.50

$          726.75

Erie Indemnity Company

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(in thousands)

December 31, 2024

December 31, 2023

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents (includes restricted cash of $23,559 and $12,542, respectively)

$                   298,397

$                   144,055

Available-for-sale securities

44,604

82,017

Receivables from Erie Insurance Exchange and affiliates, net

707,060

625,338

Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net

83,902

69,321

Accrued investment income

11,069

9,458

Total current assets

1,145,032

930,189

Available-for-sale securities, net

991,726

879,224

Available-for-sale securities lent

7,285

Equity securities

85,891

84,253

Fixed assets, net

513,494

442,610

Agent loans, net

80,597

58,434

Defined benefit pension plan

21,311

34,320

Other assets, net

43,278

42,934

Total assets

$                2,888,614

$                2,471,964

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

Current liabilities:

Commissions payable

$                   408,309

$                   353,709

Agent incentive compensation

75,458

68,077

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

190,028

175,622

Dividends payable

63,569

59,377

Contract liability

42,761

41,210

Deferred executive compensation

14,874

10,982

Securities lending payable

7,513

Total current liabilities

802,512

708,977

Defined benefit pension plan

28,070

26,260

Contract liability

21,170

19,910

Deferred executive compensation

19,721

20,936

Deferred income taxes, net

6,418

11,481

Other long-term liabilities

23,465

21,565

Total liabilities

901,356

809,129

Shareholders’ equity

1,987,258

1,662,835

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$                2,888,614

$                2,471,964

SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company

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