AF Group

People.
Passion.
Purpose.

2022 Annual Report

From Our
President
& CEO

Lisa Corless

Strategies without action are simply words on paper, which is why our success is reflective of a team committed to execution. As a passionate, people-first organization driven to outperform, we are truly unique in the marketplace.

2022

Throughout a year of dramatic change in the market and workforce, our performance was guided by focused business strategies that once again led to results outpacing the industry.

In 2022, we further established our workers’ compensation core processes, strategically expanded into new industry segments and geographies and achieved excellent underwriting results.

Our unrelenting focus on the customer led to the exploration of new technologies that improved injured worker outcomes, enabled quicker identification of new market opportunities and provided agility in responding to rapid market changes toward long-term profitable growth.

All of this laid a solid foundation for our acquisition of AmeriTrust Group, generating momentum to accelerate our five-year strategy toward further growth and diversification.

In April 2022, AF Group announced its intent to purchase AmeriTrust Group – a nationally recognized Property and Casualty insurer headquartered in Southfield, MI. With decades of success, strong agent partnerships and a financial rating of “A-” from A.M. Best, AmeriTrust further strengthens AF Group’s portfolio and adds more than 800 high-performing teammates nationwide. The acquisition was formally completed on Jan. 3, 2023.

Our Greatest Value:
People
First

As tireless representatives of our People First culture, our teammates were celebrated in 2022 for their immense contributions to the organization. Their efforts continue to distinguish us in the industry, as evidenced by their commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience to our agent partners, customers, injured workers and to each other.

Employee of the Year, Cindy Hall; Leader of the Year, Kim Drew

Each year, we celebrate these achievements by recognizing teams and individuals from across the organization with our annual employee awards — which was capped by the naming of our Employee of the Year Cindy Hall and Leader of the Year Kim Drew.

As a clear reflection of our People First and diverse culture, more than 1,000 teammates joined together to engage in our employee resource networks, which create awareness through dynamic educational opportunities to increase competency in inclusion and diversity — knowledge we believe is critical to our business.

1,000
teammates
joined together
Logos of AAIMUp, WE Lead, RAICES, Veterans Employee Resource Network, and Empowr Employee Resource Network

Financial
Strength

Logos of Ward’s 50 and AM Best

Collective Financial Performance (dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31

Gross Written Premium

2022
2,202,702
2021
2,312,031
2020
2,281,130
2022 2021 2020
Net Income (13,629)* 174,432 149,287
Return on Equity -0.3% 10.6% 9.7%
Statutory Net Written Premium/Surplus 0.95 1.18 1.32
Underwriting Ratios as a Percentage of Net Earned Premium

Calendar Year Combined Ratio
2022 2021 2020
93.8% 93.5% 98.6%
Net Income
2022 (13,629)*
2021 174,432
2020 149,287
Return on Equity
2022 -0.3%
2021 10.6%
2020 9.7%
Statutory Net Written Premium/Surplus
2022 0.95
2021 1.18
2020 1.32
Underwriting Ratios as a Percentage of Net Earned Premium

Calendar Year Combined Ratio
2022 93.8%
2021 93.5%
2020 98.6%

* Reflective of significant volatility in the investment market in 2022.

Workers’ Compensation Division

Our newly defined Workers’ Compensation Division entered 2022 with a number of growth-focused initiatives, including a broadened appetite and the exploration of new ways to write middle market business — toward the goal of achieving increased success in a challenging marketplace.

Efforts to streamline and build strong partnerships across our Loss Control and Claim teams led to a positive response from the market, which further demonstrated our brand value to agent partners and our shared customers.

Selected Financial Data
(dollars in thousands)

Gross Written Premium

2022
806,815
2021
841,005
2020
874,655

GAAP CY Combined Ratio

2022 2021 2020
90.4% 92.7% 94.9%
GAAP CY Combined Ratio
2022 90.4%
2021 92.7%
2020 94.9%

Gross Written Premium

2022
323,375
2021
347,781
2020
336,345

GAAP CY Combined Ratio

2022 2021 2020
91.0% 91.6% 109.0%
GAAP CY Combined Ratio
2022 91.0%
2021 91.6%
2020 109.0%

Gross Written Premium

2022
138,882
2021
146,765
2020
153,880

GAAP CY Combined Ratio

2022 2021 2020
122.0% 102.8% 108.0%
GAAP CY Combined Ratio
2022 122.0%
2021 102.8%
2020 108.0%

Gross Written Premium

2022
69,806
2021
85,652
2020
98,147

GAAP CY Combined Ratio

2022 2021 2020
100.3% 100.4% 103.1%
GAAP CY Combined Ratio
2022 100.3%
2021 100.4%
2020 103.1%
Diversification Brands

In 2022, our diversification brands benefited from a growing reputation in the market — the result of our commitment to partnership and delivering on our promises. Our focus on building relationships with an analytics-driven, personalized sales approach continues to serve as a market differentiator.

Selected Financial Data
(dollars in thousands)

Gross Written Premium

2022
669,267
2021
695,008
2020
615,493

Underwriting Margin as a Percentage of GEP

2022 2021 2020
3.9% 3.8% 3.9%
Underwriting Margin as a Percentage of GEP
2022 3.9%
2021 3.8%
2020 3.9%

Fee Income Earned

2022
62,509
2021
67,354
2020
70,222

Fee Income Earned

2022 2021 2020
11,709 13,620 13,939
Fee Income Earned
2022 11,709
2021 13,620
2020 13,939

Gross Written Premium

2022
72,697
2021
58,446
2020
41,911

GAAP CY Combined Ratio

2022 2021 2020
112.0% 97.8% 99.2%
GAAP CY Combined Ratio
2022 112.0%
2021 97.8%
2020 99.2%

Passion in
Community
Engagement

Together with our Emerging Markets teammates, our focus on impacting, influencing and giving back to the communities in which we work and live remains paramount.

With an award-winning culture and lasting commitment to others, we’re proud of the spirit of benevolence we’ve established as a caring, dedicated community partner.

Community-Focused Strategic Pillars:

  • Diversity
  • Economic Development
  • Education
  • Health and Human Services

Here are a few ways we made a difference in 2022:

$1M
in corporate donations
$325K
in employee donations
96
pints of blood donated
147
charitable groups supported

Ele’s Place and AF Group have walked hand in hand since our founding in 1991. We are so grateful for the partnership and the support of AF Group, Emergent Holdings and their associates for helping us to ensure no Michigan children and teens have to grieve alone.

Kate Powers, Chief Operating Officer, Ele's Place Michigan

Because of AF Group’s generous donation of funds and handmade blankets, MOWWM continues to fill the bellies and warm the hearts of our seniors. Thank you for helping us realize our vision of a community where no senior is hungry or forgotten!

Tammy Mick, Director of Programs and Services, Meals on Wheels Western Michigan

The Dalai Lama said, ‘The intelligent way to be selfish is to work for the welfare of others.’ AF Group repackaged 10,600 diapers that will help 212 babies and Nashville Diaper Connection couldn’t be more happy for the support provided by this group for simply showing up. Thank you, a million times!

Renee Watkins, Volunteer Recruiter and Engagement Leader, Nashville Diaper Connection