Press Release - October 8, 2004
EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. REPORTS 2004 THIRD QUARTER ESTIMATED LOSSES FOR HURRICANE JEANNE
DES MOINES, Iowa (October 8, 2004) - EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Nasdaq/NM:EMCI) today reported that the Company’s reinsurance segment anticipates that losses associated with Hurricane Jeanne, which hit the State of Florida on September 25, 2004, will be capped at $1.5 million (or $0.08 per share, after tax) under the terms of the quota share agreement with Employers Mutual Casualty Company, as were the losses from Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan. Hurricane losses in the property and casualty insurance segment, the majority of which are associated with damage caused by Hurricane Ivan in the Gulf States, continue to be estimated at approximately $2.4 million. Total losses associated with the four hurricanes are estimated to be approximately $8.4 million. On an after-tax basis, these hurricane losses will reduce third quarter earnings by approximately $5.5 million or $0.47 per share.
EMC Insurance Group Inc., the publicly-held insurance holding company of EMC Insurance Companies, owns subsidiaries with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. EMC Insurance Companies is one of the largest property and casualty entities in Iowa and among the top 60 insurance entities nationwide.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides issuers the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any forward-looking statement contained in this report is based on management’s current expectations and actual results of the Company may differ materially from such expectations. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include but are not limited to the following: catastrophic events and the occurrence of significant severe weather conditions; state and federal legislation and regulations; rate competition; changes in interest rates and the performance of financial markets; the adequacy of loss and settlement expense reserves, including asbestos and environmental claims; rating agency actions and other risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company’s business. When we use the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate” or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
EMC Insurance Group Inc., Des Moines
Anita Novak (Investors)
515-280-2515
Lisa Hamilton (Media)
515-362-7589
717 Mulberry Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
