Profit improvement actions and mild weather benefit results

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter of 2023.

“Allstate had strong profitability in the quarter with net income of $1.5 billion due to improved auto profitability and mild weather,” said Tom Wilson, Chair, President and CEO of The Allstate Corporation. “Improved underwriting performance and higher investment income generated adjusted net income* of $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter, or $5.82 per diluted common share. Property-Liability written premiums increased to $12.6 billion, 10.1% over the prior year quarter driven by rate increases in auto and home insurance and growth in policies at National General. Property-Liability underwriting income totaled $1.3 billion in the quarter with a combined ratio of 89.5. The investment portfolio return was 4.6% as proactive actions, including fixed income duration extension, resulted in excellent investment returns.”

“The transformation of Allstate’s personal property-liability business to generate higher growth also made significant progress by reducing expenses, expanding customer access and leveraging technology. Allstate exclusive agent bundling and productivity increased, excluding three states where profit actions reduced new business, and National General is growing through independent agents. The new affordable, simple and connected auto insurance product is now available in seven states, offering a differentiated customer experience built on an agile technology ecosystem. Allstate Protection Plans is broadening protection solutions in the U.S. and through international growth. Allstate will continue increasing shareholder value by improving profitability and generating long-term profitable growth,” concluded Wilson.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

• Total revenues of $14.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 8.7%, or $1.2 billion, compared to the prior year quarter driven by a $1.2 billion increase in Property-Liability earned premium due to higher average premiums.

• Net income applicable to common shareholders was $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a loss of $303 million in the prior year quarter, due to improved Property-Liability underwriting results. Adjusted net income* was $1.5 billion, or $5.82 per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net loss* of $351 million in the prior year quarter.

• Property-Liability earned premiums of $12.6 billion increased 10.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by higher average premiums from rate increases. Underwriting income of $1.3 billion in the quarter increased by $2.4 billion compared to the prior year quarter, due to increased premiums earned, improved underlying losses and lower catastrophe losses due to favorable weather.

• Premiums written of $12.6 billion increased 10.1% compared to the prior year quarter driven by both the Allstate brand and National General. Allstate brand increased 7.5% primarily due to higher auto and homeowners average premium, partially offset by the impact of profitability actions on personal auto and commercial lines policies in force. National General increased 24.0% reflecting higher average premium and policies in force growth.

• Allstate brand underwriting income in the fourth quarter of 2023 improved to $1.3 billion compared to a $990 million loss in the prior year quarter, driven by higher earned premiums, lower catastrophe losses and improved underlying loss experience.

• National General underwriting income of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by $47 million compared to a loss in the prior year quarter, reflecting higher earned premiums, a 6.1 point improvement in the expense ratio and lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by higher non-catastrophe losses and unfavorable prior year reserve reestimates.

• Property-Liability underlying combined ratio* of 86.9 in the fourth quarter of 2023 improved 12.3 points compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by higher earned premiums, improved loss experience partially due to mild weather conditions and operating efficiencies. While loss trends have stabilized, claim severity increases remain elevated relative to historical levels.

• Allstate Protection auto insurance results reflect the impact of inflation in loss costs and the comprehensive plan to restore margins through higher rates, lower expenses, underwriting actions and claims process enhancements. National General’s distribution capacity and a broader product portfolio is generating growth through independent agents.

• Earned and written premiums increased 10.7% and 10.2% compared to the prior year quarter, respectively. The increase was driven by higher average premium from rate increases, partially offset by a decline in policies in force.

• Allstate brand auto net written premium growth of 7.3% compared to the prior year quarter reflects a 13.8% increase in average gross written premium driven by rate increases, partially offset by a decline in policies in force from lower new business and retention.

• National General auto net written premiums grew 25.9% compared to the prior year quarter driven by higher average premium and a 13.3% increase in policies in force.

• Allstate brand auto rate increases were implemented in 33 locations in the fourth quarter at an average of 13.5%, resulting in an annualized total brand premium impact of 6.9% in the quarter and 16.4% for the year. National General auto rate increases were implemented in 39 locations in the fourth quarter at an average of 10.2%, resulting in an annualized total brand premium impact of 4.0% in the quarter and 12.8% for the year. Rate increases will continue to be implemented to keep pace with loss trends and improve margins in states where we have not yet achieved rate adequacy.

• The recorded auto insurance combined ratio of 98.9 in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 13.7 points lower than the prior year quarter, reflecting higher earned premiums, improved underlying loss experience, operating efficiencies and lower unfavorable prior year reserve reestimates.

• Prior year non-catastrophe reserve reestimates were unfavorable $148 million in the fourth quarter, reflecting adverse reserve development of $116 million in the Allstate brand, driven principally by costs related to claims in litigation, and $32 million for National General.

• The underlying combined ratio* of 96.4 improved by 12.8 points compared to the prior year quarter from higher average premium, operating efficiencies and the favorable influence of milder weather conditions on accident frequency. These impacts more than offset historically elevated claim severity levels. Weighted average current report year incurred severity for Allstate brand major coverages is estimated to increase by 8-9% compared to report year 2022, a slightly lower increase from 2023 estimates as of the third quarter. The improvement in severity from claims reported in the first three quarters of the year represent a favorable impact of approximately 1.8 points on the fourth quarter underlying combined ratio. Excluding this impact, the fourth quarter underlying combined ratio* would have been 98.2.

• Allstate Protection homeowners insurance growth reflects higher rates and policies in force growth, driven by National General and Allstate brand. Underwriting income was favorably impacted by lower catastrophe losses and non-catastrophe claim frequency due to the mild weather experienced in the quarter.

• Earned premiums increased by 13.1% and written premiums increased 13.3% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting higher average premium and policies in force growth of 1.1%.

• Allstate brand net written premiums grew 12.5% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by implemented rate increases and inflation in insured home replacement costs, along with modest policies in force growth.

• National General net written premiums grew 19.6% compared to the prior year quarter due to policies in force growth, driven by the new middle market and preferred product offering, and higher average premiums from implemented rate increases.

• Allstate brand homeowners implemented rate increases in 20 locations in the fourth quarter at an average of 9.0%, resulting in an annualized total brand premium impact of 1.8% in the quarter and 11.3% in 2023. National General homeowners rate increases were implemented in 17 locations in the fourth quarter at an average of 18.5%, resulting in an annualized total brand premium impact of 4.5% in the quarter and 11.0% in 2023.

• The recorded homeowners insurance combined ratio of 62.0 was 30.8 points below the fourth quarter of 2022, due to lower catastrophe losses and higher earned premiums.

• Catastrophe losses of $21 million in the quarter decreased $582 million compared to the prior year quarter reflecting milder weather conditions and favorable development from prior events in 2023 and prior years.

• The underlying combined ratio* of 61.3 decreased by 8.2 points compared to the prior year quarter, driven by higher earned premium and favorable non-catastrophe claim frequency from milder weather, partially offset by higher non-catastrophe claim severity reflecting increases in labor and materials costs. The underlying combined ratio* was 67.3 in 2023, improving 3.0 points compared to the prior year.

• Protection Services continues to broaden the protection provided to an increasing number of customers largely through embedded distribution programs. Revenues increased to $719 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, 11.8% higher than the prior year quarter, primarily due to Allstate Protection Plans. Adjusted net income of $4 million decreased by $34 million compared to the prior year quarter, as a result of an increase in state income taxes and deferred tax liabilities. This tax adjustment generated a net tax benefit for the enterprise, but adversely impacted Protection Services income in the fourth quarter, particularly Allstate Dealer Services.

• Allstate Protection Plans’ expanded products and international growth resulted in revenue of $439 million, $72 million or 19.6% higher than the prior year quarter. Adjusted net income of $38 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $4 million lower than the prior year quarter, primarily due to the proportion of lower margin business, investments in technology and higher major appliance claim costs.

• Allstate Dealer Services generated revenue of $146 million through auto dealers, which was 0.7% higher than the fourth quarter of 2022 due to higher earned premium. Adjusted net loss of $33 million in the fourth quarter was $41 million lower than the prior year quarter driven by an increase in state income taxes and deferred tax liabilities.

• Allstate Roadside revenue of $66 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 3.1% compared to the prior year quarter driven by price increases and new business growth. Adjusted net income was $4 million higher than the prior year quarter, primarily driven by increased pricing, improved provider capacity and lower claim frequency.

• Arity revenue of $32 million decreased $1 million compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower third-party lead sales. Adjusted net loss was $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a $7 million loss in the prior year quarter.

• Allstate Identity Protection revenue of $36 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 5.9% higher than the prior year quarter due to growth from new and existing clients. Adjusted net loss of $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to an $8 million loss in the prior year quarter reflects lower expenses.

• Allstate Health and Benefits premiums and contract charges increased 7.1%, or $31 million, compared to the prior year quarter driven by growth in individual health and group health. Adjusted net income of $60 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 3.4%, or $2 million, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher individual health results, partially offset by group health.

• Allstate Investments $66.7 billion portfolio generated net investment income of $604 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $47 million from the prior year quarter due to higher market-based income, partially offset by lower performance-based income.

• Total return on the investment portfolio was 4.6% for the fourth quarter and 6.7% for 2023.

• Market-based investment income was $604 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $140 million, or 30.2%, compared to the prior year quarter, reflecting higher yields in the $48.9 billion fixed income portfolio. Fixed income duration ended 2023 at 4.8 years compared to 3.4 years at the prior year end. Investment portfolio allocations, including duration extension and lower equity risk, are informed by expected risk adjusted returns and the enterprise risk and return position.

• Performance-based investment income totaled $60 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of $87 million compared to the prior year quarter. Current quarter results reflect lower valuation increases and less income from the sale of underlying investments compared to the prior year. The portfolio allocation to performance-based assets provides a diversifying source of higher long-term returns, despite volatility in reported results.
  

• Net losses on investments and derivatives were $77 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to gains of $95 million in the prior year quarter. Net losses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were driven by sales of fixed income securities and losses on derivatives, partially offset by valuation increases on equity investments.
  

• Unrealized net capital losses were $791 million, reflecting an improvement of $2.4 billion compared to the prior quarter and $2.1 billion compared to prior year end, as lower interest rates resulted in higher fixed income valuations.

Proactive Capital Management

“Allstate’s financial condition and capital position remain strong, with fourth quarter results demonstrating the company’s capital generation capabilities. Statutory surplus in the insurance companies increased compared to the prior quarter to $14.6 billion(1), and $3.4 billion of assets are held at the holding company,” said Jess Merten, Chief Financial Officer. “We continue to make progress on the comprehensive profit improvement plan and remain confident strategic actions will generate attractive shareholder returns,” concluded Merten.

(1) December 31, 2023 statutory results are preliminary with final results expected to be filed by the end of February 2024.

Visit www.allstateinvestors.com for additional information about Allstate’s results, including a webcast of its quarterly conference call and the call presentation. The conference call will be at 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, February 8. Financial information, including material announcements about The Allstate Corporation, is routinely posted on www.allstateinvestors.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “seeks,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “likely,” “targets” and other words with similar meanings. We believe these statements are based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans. However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from those communicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements may be found in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements are as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures

We believe that investors’ understanding of Allstate’s performance is enhanced by our disclosure of the following non-GAAP measures. Our methods for calculating these measures may differ from those used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited.

Adjusted net income is net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders, excluding:

• Net gains and losses on investments and derivatives
• Pension and other postretirement remeasurement gains and losses
• Amortization or impairment of purchased intangibles
• Gain or loss on disposition
• Adjustments for other significant non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items, when (a) the nature of the charge or gain is such that it is reasonably unlikely to recur within two years, or (b) there has been no similar charge or gain within the prior two years
• Related income tax expense or benefit of these items

Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders is the GAAP measure that is most directly comparable to adjusted net income.

We use adjusted net income as an important measure to evaluate our results of operations. We believe that the measure provides investors with a valuable measure of the Company’s ongoing performance because it reveals trends in our insurance and financial services business that may be obscured by the net effect of net gains and losses on investments and derivatives, pension and other postretirement remeasurement gains and losses, amortization or impairment of purchased intangibles, gain or loss on disposition and adjustments for other significant non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items and the related tax expense or benefit of these items. Net gains and losses on investments and derivatives, and pension and other postretirement remeasurement gains and losses may vary significantly between periods and are generally driven by business decisions and external economic developments such as capital market conditions, the timing of which is unrelated to the insurance underwriting process. Gain or loss on disposition is excluded because it is non-recurring in nature and the amortization or impairment of purchased intangibles is excluded because it relates to the acquisition purchase price and is not indicative of our underlying business results or trends. Non-recurring items are excluded because, by their nature, they are not indicative of our business or economic trends. Accordingly, adjusted net income excludes the effect of items that tend to be highly variable from period to period and highlights the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability of our business. A byproduct of excluding these items to determine adjusted net income is the transparency and understanding of their significance to net income variability and profitability while recognizing these or similar items may recur in subsequent periods. Adjusted net income is used by management along with the other components of net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders to assess our performance. We use adjusted measures of adjusted net income in incentive compensation. Therefore, we believe it is useful for investors to evaluate net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders, adjusted net income and their components separately and in the aggregate when reviewing and evaluating our performance. We note that investors, financial analysts, financial and business media organizations and rating agencies utilize adjusted net income results in their evaluation of our and our industry’s financial performance and in their investment decisions, recommendations and communications as it represents a reliable, representative and consistent measurement of the industry and the Company and management’s performance. We note that the price to earnings multiple commonly used by insurance investors as a forward-looking valuation technique uses adjusted net income as the denominator. Adjusted net income should not be considered a substitute for net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders and does not reflect the overall profitability of our business.

The following tables reconcile net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders and adjusted net income (loss). Taxes on adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders and adjusted net income (loss) generally use a 21% effective tax rate.

Adjusted net income (loss) return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity is a ratio that uses a non-GAAP measure. It is calculated by dividing the rolling 12-month adjusted net income by the average of Allstate common shareholders’ equity at the beginning and at the end of the 12-months, after excluding the effect of unrealized net capital gains and losses. Return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. We use adjusted net income as the numerator for the same reasons we use adjusted net income, as discussed previously. We use average Allstate common shareholders’ equity excluding the effect of unrealized net capital gains and losses for the denominator as a representation of common shareholders’ equity primarily applicable to Allstate's earned and realized business operations because it eliminates the effect of items that are unrealized and vary significantly between periods due to external economic developments such as capital market conditions like changes in equity prices and interest rates, the amount and timing of which are unrelated to the insurance underwriting process. We use it to supplement our evaluation of net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders and return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity because it excludes the effect of items that tend to be highly variable from period to period. We believe that this measure is useful to investors and that it provides a valuable tool for investors when considered along with return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity because it eliminates the after-tax effects of realized and unrealized net capital gains and losses that can fluctuate significantly from period to period and that are driven by economic developments, the magnitude and timing of which are generally not influenced by management. In addition, it eliminates non-recurring items that are not indicative of our ongoing business or economic trends. A byproduct of excluding the items noted above to determine adjusted net income return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity from return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity is the transparency and understanding of their significance to return on common shareholders’ equity variability and profitability while recognizing these or similar items may recur in subsequent periods. We use adjusted measures of adjusted net income return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity in incentive compensation. Therefore, we believe it is useful for investors to have adjusted net income return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity and return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity when evaluating our performance. We note that investors, financial analysts, financial and business media organizations and rating agencies utilize adjusted net income return on common shareholders’ equity results in their evaluation of our and our industry’s financial performance and in their investment decisions, recommendations and communications as it represents a reliable, representative and consistent measurement of the industry and the company and management’s utilization of capital. We also provide it to facilitate a comparison to our long-term adjusted net income return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity goal. Adjusted net income return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity should not be considered a substitute for return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity and does not reflect the overall profitability of our business.

The following tables reconcile return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity and adjusted net income (loss) return on Allstate common shareholders’ equity.

Combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes, prior year reserve reestimates and amortization or impairment of purchased intangibles (“underlying combined ratio”) is a non-GAAP ratio, which is computed as the difference between four GAAP operating ratios: the combined ratio, the effect of catastrophes on the combined ratio, the effect of prior year non-catastrophe reserve reestimates on the combined ratio, and the effect of amortization or impairment of purchased intangibles on the combined ratio. We believe that this ratio is useful to investors, and it is used by management to reveal the trends in our Property-Liability business that may be obscured by catastrophe losses, prior year reserve reestimates and amortization or impairment of purchased intangibles. Catastrophe losses cause our loss trends to vary significantly between periods as a result of their incidence of occurrence and magnitude, and can have a significant impact on the combined ratio. Prior year reserve reestimates are caused by unexpected loss development on historical reserves, which could increase or decrease current year net income. Amortization or impairment of purchased intangibles relates to the acquisition purchase price and is not indicative of our underlying insurance business results or trends. We believe it is useful for investors to evaluate these components separately and in the aggregate when reviewing our underwriting performance. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio should not be considered a substitute for the combined ratio and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of our business.

The following tables reconcile the respective combined ratio to the underlying combined ratio. Underwriting margin is calculated as 100% minus the combined ratio.

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Al Scott

Media Relations

(847) 402-5600

Brent Vandermause

Investor Relations

(847) 402-2800

Source: The Allstate Corporation