Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2010 Financial Results

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–(Marketwire – Apr 1, 2011) – Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the Company or Universal) (NYSE Amex: UVE), a vertically integrated insurance holding company, reported net income of $6.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to a net loss of $2.8 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the same period in 2009. For the full year of 2010, the Company reported net income of $37.0 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared to $28.8 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the full year of 2009.

Fourth-Quarter 2010 Results

Net income and diluted earnings increased $9.0 million and $0.22 per share, respectively, for the 2010 fourth quarter compared to the same period last year. The improvement in operating results is primarily attributable to an increase in net premiums earned, and to a lesser degree, lower operating costs and expenses. Net realized gains on investments, which were partially offset by net unrealized losses on investments, also positively contributed to overall financial results. The improved profitability was moderated by state-mandated wind mitigation credits within the state of Florida, and lower foreign currency transaction gains.

Homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance policies serviced by Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, and the related direct premiums written, increased during the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009. Fourth-quarter 2009 premium rate increases in Florida, which were 14.6 percent statewide for UPCIC’s homeowners’ program and 14.8 percent statewide for its dwelling fire policies, increased premiums and improved profitability in 2010. During the fourth quarter, UPCIC also continued to recoup a portion of the $4.1 million Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) assessment incurred in 2009.

During the 2010 fourth quarter, UPCIC’s policy count continued to grow. At December 31, 2010, UPCIC serviced approximately 584,000 homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance policies, up from 576,000 policies at September 30, 2010, and 541,000 policies at December 31, 2009. The increase in the number of policies in-force is the result of strengthened relationships with existing agents, an increase in the number of new agents, as well as continued expansion within Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Hawaii. Within South Carolina, North Carolina, and Hawaii, UPCIC had approximately 9,500 policies totaling approximately $13.0 million of in-force premiums at December 31, 2010.

Net premiums earned increased 39.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the same quarter in 2009, primarily as a result of greater net premiums written, which were positively affected by policy count growth and the fourth-quarter 2009 premium rate increases in Florida.

Fourth-quarter 2010 operating costs and expenses were lower compared to the fourth quarter of last year, as losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) decreased 5.2 percent, and general and administrative expenses decreased 4.2 percent. The decrease in losses and LAE is related to lower adverse loss and LAE development in the 2010 fourth quarter as compared to the same quarter in 2009. The decrease was mitigated by the servicing of additional policies due to the growth in policy count on a year-over-year basis. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to the FIGA assessment expense of $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, which did not recur in the fourth quarter of 2010, and a decrease in the Company’s own insurance expenses. The decreased expenses were partially offset by increased compensation expense as a result of business growth. Additionally, the Company had higher policy acquisition costs.

At December 31, 2010, stockholders’ equity increased to $139.8 million from $137.3 million at September 30, 2010, and $113.3 million at December 31, 2009, representing growth of 1.8 percent and 23.4 percent, respectively.

Investment Portfolio Update

For the fourth quarter of 2010, net realized gains on investments were $15.8 million while net unrealized losses on investments were $4.5 million. As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s investments in trading securities totaled $224.5 million, compared to trading securities of $101.9 million at September 30, 2010. At December 31, 2010, approximately 58.0 percent of the investments in trading securities were in debt securities and 42.0 percent were in equity securities.

Full-Year 2010 Results

For the full year of 2010, the Company’s net income and diluted earnings per share increased 28.5 percent and 29.6 percent, respectively, as compared to the full year of 2009. The improvement in operating results is primarily attributable to an increase in net premiums earned. Net realized and net unrealized gains on investments also positively contributed to overall financial results. The improved profitability was moderated by state-mandated wind mitigation credits within the state of Florida, lower foreign currency transaction gains, and increased operating costs and expenses.

Net premiums earned increased 20.3 percent for the full year of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009, primarily as a result of greater net premiums written as previously discussed. Meanwhile, full-year 2010 operating costs and expenses were higher compared to the full year of 2009, as losses and LAE increased 6.8 percent and general and administrative expenses increased 10.2 percent. The increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses is related to the servicing of additional policies due to the growth in policy count on a year-over-year basis. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to several factors including an increase in direct commissions in correlation with the increase in direct premiums written, partially offset by an increase in ceded commissions paid. Also, there was an increase in state taxes on premiums which was directly related to the increase in written premiums. Additionally, compensation expense increased as a result of business growth.

Cash Dividend

On January 6, 2011, Universal’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share payable on April 7, 2011, to shareholders of record as of March 11, 2011.

Premium Rate Update

On February 3, 2011, UPCIC received approval of a rate increase for its homeowners’ insurance program within the state of Florida. The rate increase will result in an average premium increase of approximately 14.9 percent statewide. The effective dates for the rate increase are February 7, 2011, for new business and March 28, 2011, for renewal business. UPCIC expects the approved premium rate increases to have a favorable effect on premiums written and earned in future months as new and renewal policies are written at the higher rates.

About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. is a vertically integrated insurance holding company, which through its subsidiaries, covers substantially all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution, claims processing and exposure management. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is one of the five leading writers of homeowners’ insurance in Florida and is now fully licensed and has commenced its operations in Hawaii, North Carolina and South Carolina. For additional information on the Company, please visit our investor relations website at www.universalinsuranceholdings.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include commentary on plans, products and lines of business, marketing arrangements, reinsurance programs and other business developments and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future results could differ materially from those described and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risk factors that could affect the Company’s operations and future results, refer to the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.