CLEARWATER, Fla., Aug. 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Homeowners Choice, Inc. (Nasdaq:HCII), a Florida-based provider of homeowners' insurance, today announced its results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

Income available to common stockholders for the second quarter of 2011 was $1,940,000, or $0.30 diluted earnings per common share, compared with $1,282,000, or $0.19 diluted earnings per common share, for the second quarter of 2010. Income available to common stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was $2,716,000, or $0.43 diluted earnings per common share, compared with $1,980,000, or $0.29 diluted earnings per common share, for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Results for 2011 include a one-time bargain purchase gain of $575,000 (net of income taxes), or $0.07 and $0.08 diluted earnings per common share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The gain resulted from an investment in a marina property treated as a business acquisition for accounting purposes in which the fair value of the net assets acquired exceeded the purchase price paid.

Gross premiums earned were $31.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared with $30.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010. Gross premiums earned for the six months ended June 30, 2011 were $62.1 million compared with $60.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Net premiums earned (gross premiums earned reduced by premiums ceded to reinsurance companies that cover certain of the risks from hurricanes and other catastrophes) for the second quarter of 2011 increased approximately nine percent to $17.0 million from $15.6 million in the prior year quarter. Net premiums earned for the six months ended June 30, 2011 increased approximately six percent to $33.7 million from $31.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses (the expenses associated with investigating and settling claims) for the three months ended June 30, 2011 were $10.5 million compared with $10.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and $20.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared with $20.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2011 were $2.8 million compared with $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and were $7.0 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010.

"We are pleased to report our 15th consecutive profitable quarter," said Homeowners Choice Chief Executive Officer Paresh Patel. "We have achieved growth and consistent profitability and are now a dividend-paying company. We look forward to bigger things to come."

Financial information is below.

Conference Call

The Company will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, Aug. 4 at 4:30 ET to discuss its second quarter 2011 results. Interested parties are invited to listen to the call live over the Internet at http://www.ir-site.com/hcpci/events.asp. The call is also available by dialing (877) 407-9210 (toll-free). International participants should instead call (201) 689-8049. Participants should dial into the conference call approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. Replays of the webcast will be available until Sept. 4, 2011.

About Homeowners Choice, Inc.

Homeowners Choice, Inc. is a Florida-based insurance holding company headquartered in Tampa. Through its subsidiary corporations, Homeowners Choice provides property and casualty homeowners' insurance, condominium owners' insurance and tenants' insurance. Founded in 2006, Homeowners Choice today serves approximately 59,500 policyholders throughout Florida representing approximately $130 million in annualized premiums. The company's common shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol HCII and are included in the Russell Microcap Index. Its warrants trade on the same market under the ticker symbol HCIIW. Its Series A, 7 percent cumulative convertible preferred shares trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol HCIIP. More information about Homeowners Choice, Inc. is available at www.hcpci.com.

The Homeowners Choice, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6712

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan" and "project" and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. For example, there can be no assurance the company will continue profitability. Some of these risks and uncertainties are identified in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should any risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have material adverse effects on the company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Homeowners Choice, Inc. disclaims all obligations to update any forward-looking statements.

HOMEOWNERS CHOICE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
At June 30, 2011At December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)
Assets
Investment in fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $23,276 and $28,456) 23,404 28,564
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value 5,025 884
Time deposits 14,306 14,033
Total investments 42,735 43,481
Cash and cash equivalents 80,256 54,849
Accrued interest and dividends receivable 186 180
Premiums receivable 10,263 5,822
Assumed reinsurance balances receivable 26
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 8,866 17,787
Deferred policy acquisition costs 10,062 9,407
Income taxes receivable 3,033
Property and equipment, net 15,778 7,755
Deferred income taxes 584
Other assets 1,665 1,057
Total assets $ 172,844 140,948
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 24,973 22,146
Unearned premiums 70,530 65,034
Advance premiums 6,900 1,114
Deferred income taxes 1,432
Payable for securities purchased 3,002
Accrued expenses 2,848 2,385
Assumed reinsurance balances payable 51
Dividends payable 218
Income taxes payable 310
Other liabilities 4,857 3,330
Total liabilities 114,811 94,319
Stockholders' equity:
7% Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock (liquidation preference $10.00 per share), no par value, 1,500,000 shares authorized, 1,247,700 shares issued and outstanding in 2011
Preferred stock (no par value 18,500,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding)
Common stock, (no par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 6,101,802 and 6,205,396 shares issued and outstanding in 2011 and 2010)
Additional paid-in capital 28,532 18,606
Retained earnings 29,559 28,065
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (58) (42)
Total stockholders' equity 58,033 46,629
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 172,844 140,948
HOMEOWNERS CHOICE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,
2011201020112010
Revenue
Gross premiums earned $ 31,218 29,978 $ 62,114 60,322
Premiums ceded (14,174) (14,333) (28,396) (28,436)
Net premiums earned 17,044 15,645 33,718 31,886
Net investment income 509 569 1,073 1,100
Realized investment gains 140 505 293 505
Gain on bargain purchase 936 936
Other 1,155 692 1,813 908
Total revenue 19,784 17,411 37,833 34,399
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 10,523 10,863 20,926 20,676
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses 2,780 2,668 7,043 6,960
Other operating expenses 2,660 1,886 4,787 3,583
Total expenses 15,963 15,417 32,756 31,219
Income before income taxes 3,821 1,994 5,077 3,180
Income taxes 1,520 712 1,983 1,200
Net income $ 2,301 1,282 $ 3,094 1,980
Preferred stock dividends (361) (378)
Income available to common stockholders $ 1,940 1,282 $ 2,716 1,980
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.32 0.21 $ 0.44 0.32
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.30 0.19 $ 0.43 0.29
Dividends per common share $ 0.10 $ 0.20
CONTACT: Media Contact:
         Suzie Boland
         RFB Communications Group
         813.259.0345
         sboland@rfbcommunications.com
         
         Investor Relations Contact:
         Jay Madhu
         Homeowners Choice, Inc.
         727.213.3660
         jmadhu@hcpci.com