Liberty Mutual Holding Co. Inc. swung to a $1.54 billion net attributable income in the first quarter from a $74 million attributable net loss a year earlier on improved losses and the sale of GRM West operations, according to President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Sweeney.
Policies in force declined at their greatest percentage in five quarters in the company’s U.S. retail markets, as the segment recorded its strongest renewal rate increases since the start of 2023. The segment rebounded to a $626 million pretax operating income from a $310 million operating loss in the prior year. Sweeney noted targeted rate actions earning in and favorable frequency trends.
Net written premium declined 5.7% in U.S. retail markets to $6.55 billion.
U.S. private passenger automobile business renewed at rates that were 21.7% higher in quarter and policies-in-force declined 15.4%.
Personal property rates in the United States, excluding inflation guards, renewed 24.4% higher in the quarter. Policies in force declined 8.8%.
The retention rate for U.S. business lines worsened nearly 4% to 74.6% while renewal rates kept rising.
Overall underwriting results continue to improve, Sweeney said in a statement. Catastrophe losses were in line with expectations for the quarter and lower than last year.
Consolidated net premiums written decreased 1.8% to $10.96 billion. The consolidated combined ratio improved 8.4 points to 95.8. Catastrophe losses declined to $824 million from $1.07 billion a year earlier.
Net written premium increased in the company’s global risk solutions segment by 3.7% to $4.38 billion and pretax operating income more than doubled to $639 million from $289 million a year earlier.
Sweeney said an ongoing expense management program reduced the consolidated expense ratio.
The company has been realigning business over the past year, most recently creating a new international insurance business division. The company also instituted multiple rounds of layoffs.
Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. closed during the quarter on its $2.49 billion acquisition of Liberty Seguros Compañia de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A. from Liberty Mutual Inc., expanding Generali’s reach in Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Northern Ireland.