Selective Insurance
SIGI
#3193
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C$6.71 B
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C$111.77
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Change (1 year)

Selective Insurance - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2001

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 0-8641


SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
New Jersey 22-2168890
State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)


40 Wantage Avenue
Branchville, New Jersey 07890
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
</TABLE>

973 948-3000
(Registrant's telephone number,
including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such report), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No [ ]


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock as of the latest practicable date:

Common stock, par value $2 per share, outstanding as of April 30, 2001:
25,279,730


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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC
Consolidated Balance Sheets


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31 December 31
($ in thousands, except share amounts) 2001 2000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments:
Debt securities, held-to-maturity - at amortized cost
(fair value: $212,315 - 2001; $231,057 - 2000) $ 204,388 225,177
Debt securities, available-for-sale - at fair value
(amortized cost: $1,253,517 - 2001; $1,184,698 - 2000) 1,290,721 1,202,758
Equity securities, available-for-sale - at fair value
(cost of: $107,076 - 2001; $104,830 - 2000) 219,502 239,578
Short-term investments - (at cost which approximates fair value) 48,380 95,908
Other investments 13,671 13,642
----------- -----------
Total investments 1,776,662 1,777,063


Cash 8,482 8,759
Interest and dividends due or accrued 20,748 22,808
Premiums receivables 298,170 274,031
Other trade receivables 26,557 24,915
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses and loss expenses 12,226 9,332
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses 170,511 160,869
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 32,815 33,097
Current Federal income tax 611 1,681
Deferred Federal income tax 9,928 8,971
Real estate, furniture, equipment, and software development 57,036 57,820
Deferred policy acquisition costs 125,509 118,413
Goodwill 48,504 49,338
Other assets 36,332 25,905
----------- -----------
Total assets $ 2,624,091 2,573,002
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Reserve for losses $ 1,114,428 1,099,929
Reserve for loss expenses 169,153 172,727
Unearned premiums 463,123 436,506
Convertible subordinated debentures 3,845 3,848
Notes payable 159,786 159,786
Other liabilities 138,608 122,409
----------- -----------
Total liabilities 2,048,943 1,995,205
----------- -----------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock of $2 par value per share:
Authorized shares: 180,000,000
Issued: 39,073,699 - 2001; 38,783,742 - 2000 78,147 77,568
Additional paid-in capital 68,479 63,074
Retained earnings 530,178 525,669
Accumulated other comprehensive income 97,259 99,325
Treasury stock - at cost (shares: 13,903,125 - 2001; 13,577,266 - 2000) (188,785) (181,552)
Deferred compensation expense and notes receivable from stock sales (10,130) (6,287)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 575,148 577,797
----------- -----------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,624,091 2,573,002
=========== ===========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited
Quarter ended
March 31
---------------------------
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) 2001 2000
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Net premiums written $ 239,916 212,961
Net increase in unearned premiums and prepaid
reinsurance premiums (26,899) (13,135)
--------- ---------
Net premiums earned 213,017 199,826
Net investment income earned 23,808 23,300
Net realized gains 840 2,273
Diversified insurance services revenue 21,723 17,668
Other income 773 780
--------- ---------

Total revenues 260,161 243,847
--------- ---------

Expenses:
Losses incurred 137,624 127,787
Loss expenses incurred 19,334 18,521
Policy acquisition costs 65,366 61,856
Dividends to policyholders 1,755 1,881
Interest expense 3,647 2,708
Diversified insurance services expenses 20,160 16,391
Other expenses 2,820 2,126
--------- ---------
Total expenses 250,706 231,270
--------- ---------

Income before Federal income tax 9,455 12,577
--------- ---------

Federal income tax expense(benefit) :
Current 1,172 1,688
Deferred (16) (21)
--------- ---------
Total Federal income tax expense 1,156 1,667
--------- ---------

Net income $ 8,299 10,910
========= =========

Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.34 0.43
Diluted $ 0.32 0.40
Dividends to stockholders $ 0.15 0.15
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited Unaudited
March 31 March 31
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) 2001 2000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common stock:
Beginning of year $ 77,568 75,929
Dividend reinvestment plan
(shares: 13,456-2001; 19,128-2000) 26 38
Convertible subordinated debentures
(shares: : 423-2001; 172,451-2000) 1 345
Stock purchase and compensation plans
(shares: 276,078-2001; 197,533-2000) 552 395
----------- -------
End of period 78,147 76,707
----------- -------

Additional paid-in capital:
Beginning of year 63,074 53,470
Dividend reinvestment plan 263 255
Convertible subordinated debentures 2 864
Stock purchase and compensation plans 5,140 2,447
----------- -------
End of period 68,479 57,036
----------- -------

Retained Earnings:
Beginning of year 525,669 514,477
Net income 8,299 8,299 10,910 10,910
Cash dividends to stockholders ($.15 per share) (3,790) (3,922)
----------- -------
End of period 530,178 521,465
----------- -------

Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Beginning of year 99,325 76,694
Other comprehensive income-decrease in net
unrealized gains, net of deferred income tax
effect (2,066) (2,066) (3,267) (3,267)
------ ------ ------ ------
End of period 97,259 73,427
----------- -------
Comprehensive income 6,233 7,643
===== =====

Treasury stock:
Beginning of year (181,552) (143,875)
Acquisition of treasury stock
(shares: 325,859-2001; 827,240-2000) (7,233) (12,966)
----------- -------
End of period (188,785) (156,841)
----------- -------

Deferred compensation expense and notes receivable
from stock sales:
Beginning of year (6,287) (6,731)
Deferred compensation expense (4,492) (2,531)
Amortization of deferred compensation expense
and amounts received on notes 649 685
----------- -------
End of period (10,130) (8,577)
----------- -------

Total stockholders' equity $ 575,148 563,217
=========== =======
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited
($ in thousands) Quarter ended March 31
2001 2000
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income $ 8,299 10,910
--------- ---------
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Increase (decrease) in reserves for losses and loss expenses, net of
reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses 1,283 (3,632)
Net increase in unearned premiums and prepaid reinsurance premiums 26,899 13,135
Federal income tax 1,226 1,712
Depreciation and amortization 3,509 3,891
Increase in premiums receivables (24,139) (11,164)
Increase in other trade receivables (1,642) (573)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs (7,096) (3,176)
Decrease in interest and dividends due or accrued 2,060 1,725
Increase in reinsurance recoverable on paid losses and loss expenses (2,894) (3,629)
Net realized gains on investments (841) (2,273)
Other--net (5,763) (6,058)
--------- ---------
Net adjustments (7,398) (10,042)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 901 868
--------- ---------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of debt securities, available-for-sale (111,452) (64,606)
Purchase of equity securities, available-for-sale (4,329) (10,863)
Purchase of other investments (31) (38)
Purchase adjustments of Selective HR Solutions, Inc. (97) (5,816)
Sale of debt securities, available-for-sale 11,200 11,030
Redemption and maturities of debt securities, held-to-maturity 20,810 15,354
Redemption and maturities of debt securities, available-for-sale 31,534 18,571
Sale of equity securities, available-for-sale 2,936 8,309
Proceeds from other investments 2 57
Increase (decrease) in net payable for security transactions 11,593 (218)
Net additions to real estate, furniture, equipment and software
development (1,371) (2,817)
Net cash used in investing activities --------- ---------
(39,205) (31,037)
--------- ---------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends to stockholders (3,790) (3,922)
Acquisition of treasury stock (7,233) (12,966)
Proceeds from short-term debt -- 15,050
Net proceeds from dividend reinvestment plan 289 293
Net proceeds from stock purchase and compensation plans 5,692 2,842
Increase in deferred compensation expense and amounts received on notes
receivable from stock sales
(4,459) (2,490)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (9,501) (1,193)
--------- ---------

Net decrease in short-term investments and cash (47,805) (31,362)
Short-term investments and cash at beginning of year 104,667 57,395
--------- ---------
Short-term investments and cash at end of year $ 56,862 26,033
========= =========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 2,536 3,479
Federal income tax -- --
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activity:
Conversion of convertible subordinated debentures 3 1,221
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim financial statements are unaudited but reflect all
adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to
provide a fair statement of the results of the Selective Insurance
Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries for the interim periods
presented. References herein to "Selective" are to Selective Insurance
Group, Inc. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The
results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily
indicative of results for a full year. These financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2000.

2. RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain amounts in our prior year consolidated financial statements
have been reclassified to conform with the 2001 presentation. Such
reclassification had no effect on our net income or stockholders'
equity.

3. ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

During First Quarter 2001, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards
Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (FASB 133) and
Financial Accounting Standards No. 138, "Accounting for Certain
Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities" (FASB 138). FASB
133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts, (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging
activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as
either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and
measure those instruments at fair value. FASB 138 amends the accounting
and reporting standards of FASB 133 for certain derivative instruments
and certain hedging activities. The adoption of these standards had no
material effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
condition.

4. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We are primarily engaged in writing property and casualty insurance. We
have classified our business into three segments, which are Insurance
Operations (commercial lines underwriting, personal lines
underwriting), Investments, and Diversified Insurance Services. We
evaluate the performance of the insurance segments based on their
underwriting results prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), we evaluate
Investment performance based on after-tax investment returns, and we
evaluate performance in Diversified Insurance Services in terms of net
income and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA) returns on revenue.

The GAAP underwriting results of the Insurance Operations segment are
determined taking into account net premiums earned, incurred losses and
loss expenses, policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses
and policyholders dividends. Management of the investment portfolio is
separate from the insurance underwriting segment and, therefore, has
been classified as a segment. The operating results of the Investments
segment take into account net investment income and net realized gains
and losses. The Diversified Insurance Services business is managed
independently from


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the other segments and, therefore, has been classified separately. The
Diversified Insurance Services segment consists of the flood business
managed for the National Flood Insurance Program, medical cost
containment operations, professional employer organization operations,
software development and program administration operations, and fee
based income from alternative market affiliation programs. The
segment's results are determined taking into account the net revenues
generated in each of the businesses, less the costs of operations.

In computing the results of each segment, no adjustment is made for
interest expense, net general corporate expenses or federal income
taxes. We do not maintain separate investment portfolios for the
segments and, therefore, do not allocate assets to the segments.

The following summaries present revenues (net investment income and net
realized gains or losses in the case of the investments segment) and
pre-tax income for the individual segments:


Revenue by segment

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited, Quarter ended
March 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ in thousands) 2001 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
INSURANCE OPERATIONS:

Commercial lines net premiums earned $162,671 145,879
Personal lines net premiums earned 50,346 53,947
-------- --------
Total insurance operations revenues 213,017 199,826

INVESTMENTS:

Net investment income 23,808 23,300
Net realized gains on investments 840 2,273
-------- --------
Total investment revenues 24,648 25,573


DIVERSIFIED INSURANCE SERVICES REVENUES 21,723 17,668
-------- --------

TOTAL REVENUES ALL SEGMENTS $259,388 243,067
======== ========
</TABLE>


Income or (loss) before Federal income tax by segment

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited, Quarter ended
March 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ in thousands) 2001 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C>
INSURANCE OPERATIONS:

Commercial lines underwriting $ (8,288) (8,217)
Personal lines underwriting (3,983) (2,344)
-------- --------
Underwriting loss, before Federal income tax (12,271) (10,561)

INVESTMENTS:
Net investment income 23,808 23,300
Net realized gains on investments 840 2,273
-------- --------
Total investment income, before Federal
income tax 24,648 25,573

DIVERSIFIED INSURANCE SERVICES:

Income before federal income tax 1,563 1,277
-------- --------

Total all segments 13,940 16,289

Interest expense (3,647) (2,708)

General corporate expenses (838) (1,004)
-------- --------

Income before Federal income tax $ 9,455 12,577
======== ========
</TABLE>


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5. REINSURANCE

The following is a table of assumed and ceded amounts by income
statement caption:

<TABLE>
Unaudited, Quarter ended
March 31
- --------------------------------------------------------
($ in thousands) 2001 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Premiums written:
Assumed $ 5,160 4,803
Ceded (24,812) (21,272)

Premiums earned:
Assumed 3,497 3,438
Ceded (25,094) (22,491)

Losses incurred:
Assumed(1) 5,746 476
Ceded(1) (23,986) (18,039)

Loss expenses incurred:
Assumed 180 239
Ceded (344) (576)
</TABLE>

(1) Assumed and ceded losses increased compared to the prior year due to a
large commercial property fire loss.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements in this report are not historical facts and are
"forward-looking statements" (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995). These statements use words such as "believes," "expects,"
"intends," "may," "will," "should," "anticipates," and other similar words, or
the negative thereof, and, among other things, describe our current strategies,
opinions, expectations of future results and other forward-looking information.
We derive forward-looking information from information which we currently have
and numerous assumptions which we make. We cannot assure that results which we
anticipate will be achieved, since results may differ materially because of both
known and unknown risks and uncertainties which we face. Factors which could
cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are
not limited to: the effects of economic conditions and conditions which affect
the market for property and casualty insurance; laws, rules and regulations
which apply to insurance companies, including the impact of personal automobile
reform legislation in New Jersey; the effects of competition from other insurers
and banks, and the trend toward self-insurance; risks we face in entering new
markets and diversifying the products and services we offer; weather-related
events and other catastrophes affecting our insureds, our ability to obtain rate
increases and to retain business; the performance of our independent insurance
agencies; and other risks and uncertainties we identify in filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to the Annual
Report on Form 10-K, although we do not promise to update such forward-looking
statements to reflect actual results or changes in assumptions or other factors
that could affect these statements.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion relates to our results of operations, financial
condition and liquidity for the interim periods indicated.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion is a comparison of First Quarter ended March 31, 2001
(First Quarter 2001) to First Quarter ended March 31, 2000 (First Quarter 2000).

Our net income was $8.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for First Quarter
2001 compared to $10.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for First Quarter
2000. Operating income was $7.8 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for First
Quarter 2001 compared to $9.4 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for First
Quarter 2000. Operating income, which differs from net income by the exclusion
of realized gains or losses on investment sales, is used as an important
financial measure by management, analysts and investors but is not intended as a
substitute for net income prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) announced, in connection with
finalizing the new accounting standard for business combinations, its tentative
conclusion that goodwill arising from business combinations, including prior
business combinations, would no longer be required to be amortized. Goodwill
would instead be reviewed for impairment, and the value would be written down
only in periods in which the carrying value of goodwill is more than fair value.
The final standard on business combinations is expected to be issued by the FASB
in the third quarter of 2001, but the FASB's tentative conclusion is subject to
change, and there can be no assurance when or if a final standard will be
issued.

Goodwill amortization expense, which is included in other expenses, was $835,000
in First Quarter 2001, $829,000 in First Quarter 2000, $3,320,000 in 2000,
$2,153,000 in 1999 and $1,346,000 in 1998.

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OPERATING SEGMENTS

We are primarily engaged in writing property and casualty insurance. We have
classified our business into three segments, each of which is managed
separately. The three segments are Insurance Operations (commercial lines
underwriting and personal lines underwriting), Investments and Diversified
Insurance Services. We evaluate the performance of the insurance segments based
on their underwriting results prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), we evaluate
Investment performance based on after-tax investment returns, and we evaluate
performance in Diversified Insurance Services in terms of net income and
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) returns
on revenue. For an additional description of accounting policies, refer to Note
1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements on pages 42 through 44 of the Annual
Report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2000. See Note 4 to the
March 31, 2001 Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements on pages 6 and 7 of
this report on Form 10-Q for revenues and related income before Federal income
taxes for each individual segment discussed below.

Insurance Operations Segment

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited, Quarter
ended March 31
($ in thousands) 2001 2000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
TOTAL INSURANCE OPERATIONS
Net premiums written $ 239,916 212,961
============ =======
Net premiums earned 213,017 199,826
Losses and loss expenses incurred 156,958 146,308
Net underwriting expenses incurred 66,575 62,198
Dividends to policyholders 1,755 1,881
------------ -------
Underwriting loss $ (12,271) (10,561)
------------ -------
GAAP RATIOS:
Loss and loss expense ratio 73.7 73.2
Underwriting expense ratio 31.3 31.1
Dividends to policyholders ratio 0.8 1.0
----- -----
Combined ratio 105.8 105.3
===== =====
</TABLE>

Net premiums written for First Quarter 2001 increased approximately $27 million,
or 13% to $240 million, including $52 million in net new business, when compared
to the same period one year ago. Net premiums written for commercial lines grew
17% compared to First Quarter 2000, driven by renewal premium increases that
averaged 16% (including estimated exposure growth of five points) during First
Quarter 2001. Personal lines net premiums written were down about 1%. The
combined ratio increased .5 points to 105.8%, for First Quarter 2001 from the
First Quarter 2000 primarily as a result of higher personal lines ratio of
losses and loss expenses incurred to net premiums earned.

The underwriting expense ratio increased slightly to 31.3% for First Quarter
2001 compared to 31.1% for the same period one year ago. Costs that vary with
premium volume, including commissions, taxes licenses and fees, and board bureau
dues declined. Offsetting this decrease, labor costs increased due to increased
employee benefit costs, including incentive based rewards, and new hires.
Overall, productivity in First Quarter 2001, as measured by fiscal year net
premiums written per Insurance Operations employee, was approximately $486,000,
up from $464,000 for First Quarter 2000. Our strategic initiatives which are
designed to either reduce costs or increase business include: i) the Mobile
Claim System; ii) streamlined processing for small commercial lines accounts
(One & Done); and iii) the consolidation of the two New Jersey offices and the
consolidation of the Richmond, Virginia and Chesapeake, Maryland regional
offices in conjunction with the formation of a service center in Richmond. These
initiatives are expected to reduce our expense ratio and increase our
productivity measure.


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Commercial Lines Underwriting

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited, Quarter
COMMERCIAL LINES ended March 31
($ in thousands) 2001 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
GAAP INSURANCE OPERATION RESULTS
Net premiums written $ 189,559 162,064
========= =========
Net premiums earned 162,671 145,879
Losses and loss expenses incurred 117,794 105,343
Net underwriting expenses incurred 51,410 46,872
Dividends to policyholders 1,755 1,881
--------- ---------
Underwriting loss $ (8,288) (8,217)
--------- ---------
GAAP RATIOS:
Loss and loss expense ratio 72.4% 72.2
Underwriting expense ratio 31.6% 32.1
Dividends to policyholders ratio 1.1% 1.3
--------- ---------
Combined ratio 105.1% 105.6
========= =========
</TABLE>

Commercial Lines Underwriting accounted for approximately 79% of net premiums
written during First Quarter 2001. Net premiums written increased $27 million,
or 17%, to $190 million for First Quarter 2001 compared to $162 million for the
same period in 2000. Net premiums written included approximately $44 million in
net new business for First Quarter 2001, compared to $37 million for the same
period one year ago. Growth in all regions was driven by a 16% average increase
in renewal premiums (including estimated exposure growth of five points) for
First Quarter 2001 compared to an 8% increase during the same period in 2000.

Overall claim measures indicated an increase in claim frequency of approximately
5%, while claim severity was down about 2%, compared to First Quarter 2000. Our
ongoing pricing initiatives more than offset the changes we are seeing on the
loss side.

For First Quarter 2001, the Commercial Lines combined ratio decreased .5 points
to 105.1% when compared to the same period one year ago. The lower combined
ratio reflected: (i) our commercial lines pricing initiatives, as the higher
rates are earned over the duration of the policies; (ii) the positive effects of
specific underwriting initiatives targeted to enhance under-performing classes
of business, in particular the contractors' SBU; and (iii) automation, service
and expense control strategies to eliminate processing duplication and reduce
overhead expense. The Commercial Lines combined ratio for the full year 2000 was
107.5%. The 105.1% this quarter is beginning to reflect the positive impact of
our commercial lines pricing initiatives, as these rate increases are earned
into our business.

Personal Lines Underwriting

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited, Quarter
Personal Lines ended March 31
($ in thousands) 2001 2000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
GAAP Insurance Operation Results
Net premiums written $ 50,357 50,897
-------- --------
Net premiums earned 50,346 53,947
Losses and loss expenses incurred 39,164 40,965
Net underwriting expenses incurred 15,165 15,326
-------- --------
Underwriting (loss) $ (3,983) (2,344)
======== ========
GAAP Ratios:
Loss and loss expense ratio 77.8% 75.9
Underwriting expense ratio 30.1% 28.4
-------- --------
Combined ratio 107.9% 104.3
======== ========
</TABLE>



Personal Lines Underwriting net premiums written decreased $.5 million, or 1 %,
to $50 million for First Quarter 2001 when compared to $51 million for the same
period in 2000. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in our South
Carolina policies in-force as a result of a highly competitive personal lines
marketplace and our reluctance to participate at inadequate rates. Overall,


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personal lines net premiums written included net new business written of $8
million in First Quarter 2001 compared with $12 million during the same period
one year ago.

The Personal Lines combined ratio was 107.9% for First Quarter, up 3.6 points
from First Quarter 2000. This increase was primarily due to unsatisfactory New
Jersey personal automobile results that increased to a 111.6% combined ratio in
2001 from a 104.8% in First Quarter last year. The 6.8 point increase was
primarily the result of under-priced involuntary Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ)
business. In addition, loss cost savings resulting from legislation and
regulations enacted under the New Jersey Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction
Act, for the purpose of reducing insurer's loss costs, have fallen significantly
short of offsetting the mandatory 15% premium rate roll back in New Jersey.

The UEZ Program mandated by the State of New Jersey Department of Insurance
requires New Jersey automobile insurers to write, at our voluntary rate levels,
an amount of auto insurance in designated urban areas proportionate to our
voluntary market share, currently estimated at 2.7% compared with 3.1% last
year. The UEZ business represented about 16% of our New Jersey net premiums
earned in First Quarter 2001, or $4 million for both First Quarter 2001 and
2000. This business generated a combined ratio of about 180% in First Quarter
2001 compared to 195% in First Quarter 2000. As of March 31, 2001 we have
slightly more UEZ exposures than required; and therefore, do not believe we will
be assigned additional UEZ policies in 2001.

In personal lines, New Jersey automobile insurance is still a major challenge
for the entire industry. We are pursuing our personal automobile rate filing for
an increase in premium rates of an average of 18.9%, but believe this will be a
long and difficult process. The New Jersey personal automobile market has been
further complicated by the recent exemption of the state's largest automobile
insurer, with 17% market share, from the "take all comers" provision of the law
by the New Jersey Insurance Department. We are uncertain at present what impact
this new development may have on our New Jersey marketshare or results.


Diversified Insurance Services Segment

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unaudited, Quarter ended
March 31, 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ in thousands) 2001 2000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
FLOOD INSURANCE
Net Revenue $ 3,089 2,597
Income Before Federal Income Tax 351 471
MEDICAL COST CONTAINMENT
Net Revenue 4,613 3,100
Income Before Federal Income Tax 1,050 429
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATION
Net Revenue 8,939 7,125
Income Before Federal Income Tax 119 298
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
Net Revenue 4,692 4,542
Loss Before Federal Income Tax (67) (1)
OTHER
Net Revenue 390 304
Income Before Federal Income Tax 111 80
TOTAL
Net Revenue 21,723 17,668
Income Before Federal Income Tax 1,563 1,277
Net Income 1,003 795
EBITDA 3,025 2,711
Return on Net Revenue 4.6 4.5
</TABLE>



Diversified Insurance Services businesses generated $21.7 million of revenue and
$1.0 million of net income for First Quarter 2001, compared with $17.7 million
of revenue and $0.8 million of net income for the same period one year earlier.
Earnings before


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interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased 12% to $3
million for First Quarter 2001 compared to the same period in 2000. The segment
generated a return on net revenue of 4.6% for First Quarter 2001, consistent
with the prior year. We expect continued revenue growth in this segment and
increased opportunities for these businesses working together with the Insurance
Operations.

Flood Insurance

During First Quarter 2001, flood direct premiums written increased 18.2% to $9.0
million compared to the same period one year ago. In addition to underwriting
fees, we receive fees for handling claims. Together these fees generated $3.1
million of revenue in First Quarter 2001 compared to $2.6 million of revenue a
year ago. The positive impact of increased premium volume on revenue was
partially offset by a .7 point decrease in the commission rate received from the
National Flood Insurance Program to 31%, from 31.7% during 2000. This factor
combined with increased expenses due to start-up costs associated with Flood
Connect, LLC reduced pre-tax profit for this unit to $0.4 million in First
Quarter 2001 compared to $0.5 million in First Quarter 2000.


Medical Cost Containment - Alta Services LLC (Alta) and Consumer Health Network
Plus, LLC (CHN) During First Quarter 2001, Alta increased its client base and
generated revenue of $2.6 million compared with $1.7 million in the same period
of 2000. Pre-tax net income was $0.6 million in the First Quarter 2001 compared
to $0.4 million in the same period of 2000.

CHN has continued to expand its number of network providers, which now includes
53,000 locations as of the end of the first quarter 2001 compared to 44,000 a
year ago. An increase in the number of locations coupled with an increase in
network utilization has generated $1.9 million in revenue compared with $1.4
million for the same period of 2000. CHN's pre-tax net income was $0.5 million
during First Quarter 2001 and $32,000 during the same period a year ago.

Professional Employer Organization (PEO) - Selective HR Solutions Inc.
We continued to introduce the PEO product in our operating territories during
First Quarter 2001, building on existing agent/business owner relationships.
During the past year, 210 agents signed on to sell the PEO product with 65
agents making PEO sales. The number of PEO worksite employees has increased 40%
over First Quarter 2000 to just over 20,000. In First Quarter 2001, Selective HR
Solutions generated $8.9 million in revenue compared with $7.1 million in the
same period of 2000. Increased infrastructure costs more than offset the revenue
growth, which resulted in pre-tax net income of $0.1 million during First
Quarter 2001 compared to $0.3 million in the same period of 2000.


Software Development and Program Administration -- PDA Software Services, Inc.
(PDA)

PDA incurred a pre-tax loss of $0.1 million in First Quarter 2001 compared to
break even during the same period a year ago. These results included
acquisition-related costs such as retention bonuses and the amortization of
goodwill of $.5 million in both First Quarter 2001 and 2000. The retention
bonuses will continue as charges against income through 2002. Revenues for First
Quarter 2001 were $4.7 million, compared with $4.5 million for First Quarter
2000.

Investments Segment

Net investment income earned after-tax for First Quarter 2001 of $18 million, is
consistent with First Quarter 2000. We had a 4.3% annualized after-tax
investment yield, down slightly from 4.4% for the same period in 2000. Net
realized gains after-tax for First Quarter 2001 decreased $1 million to $.5
million. Realized investment gains and losses fluctuate based on investment
decisions regarding individual securities as well as tax planning
considerations.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

Total Federal income tax expense decreased by $.5 million to $1 million for
First Quarter 2001. The decrease reflects lower capital gains recognized for the
quarter. Our effective tax rate was 12% for First Quarter 2001, compared with
13% for First Quarter 2000. Our effective tax rate differs from the Federal
corporate rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Selective Insurance Group, Inc., (the Parent) is a holding company, the
principal assets of which are investments in Insurance and Diversified Insurance
Services subsidiaries. The Parent's primary means of meeting its liquidity
requirements is through dividends


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from these subsidiaries. The payment of dividends from the insurance
subsidiaries is governed by state regulatory requirements, and these dividends
are generally payable only from earned surplus as reported on our statutory
annual statements as of the preceding December 31.

The Parent's cash requirements include principal and interest payments on its
senior notes and subordinated debentures, dividends to stockholders, and general
operating expenses as well as the cost of shares of common stock repurchased
under our common stock repurchase program, which commenced in 1996. As of March
31, 2001, we had repurchased a total of 7.2 million shares at a total cost of
$138 million under the program, of which 0.2 million shares were repurchased
during First Quarter 2001 at a total cost of $5 million. On May 4, 2001, the
Board of Directors extended the expiration date of the stock repurchase program
to May 31, 2002. There are 800,000 shares remaining under the current
authorization of 8,000,000 shares.

In addition to the cash requirements of the Parent, our overall obligations and
cash outflow also include: claim settlements; commissions; labor costs; premium
taxes; general and administrative expenses; investment purchases and capital
expenditures. The insurance subsidiaries satisfy their obligations and cash
outflow through premium collections, interest and dividend income and maturities
of investments.

For First Quarter 2001, cash provided by operating activities was $0.9 million
compared to $0.8 million for First Quarter 2000. While there have been
improvements in our casualty lines, we have not seen more of an improvement in
operating cash flow because of a slight deterioration in the quicker paying
property lines, and an increase in workers' compensation disposal rates.

Total assets increased 2%, or $51 million, from December 31, 2000 to March 31,
2001. The increase was due to increases in premium receivables of $24 million
and deferred policy acquisition costs of $ 8 million primarily driven by the
increased premium volume; and increased reinsurance recoverables of $13 million
due to increased large property losses compared to the fourth quarter of 2000.

The increase in total liabilities of 3%, or $54 million, from December 31, 2000
to March 31, 2001 was mainly attributable to an increase in unearned premium
reserves of $27 million and $15 million in loss reserves due primarily to the
increase in premiums written. Securities payable, classified within other
liabilities, increased $15 million due to bonds purchased in late March that did
not settle until April 2001.

RECENT LEGISLATION AND REGULATION

On June 1, 2000, federal regulators issued final regulations implementing the
provisions of the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, also known as
the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the Act), governing the privacy of consumer
financial information. The regulations became effective on November 13, 2000,
and compliance with the regulations is required by July 1, 2001. The regulations
limit disclosure by financial institutions of "nonpublic personal information"
about individuals who obtain financial products or services for personal,
family, or household purposes. The Act and the regulations generally apply to
disclosures to nonaffiliated third parties, subject to specified exceptions, but
not to disclosures to affiliates. Some of the states in which we are licensed
already had or have adopted laws that are at least as restrictive as the Act and
its regulations. This is an evolving area of regulation requiring the Company's
continued monitoring. While we believe that we are in compliance with all
currently effective and applicable laws affecting our operations, we will review
the steps necessary to comply with applicable privacy laws and regulations under
the Act prior to the mandatory date of compliance. We do not believe satisfying
this regulatory requirement will have a significant financial impact to our
operations.

Effective January 1, 2001, we adopted a codified set of statutory accounting
principles as required by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
The changes to the statutory accounting principles reduce the differences within
statutory accounting permitted practices between states. The adoption of the
codified statutory accounting principles will not have a material impact to the
Risk Based Capital ratios for the insurance subsidiaries and will not
significantly impact the dividend paying capabilities of the insurance
subsidiaries. For a more complete discussion of statutory accounting, see Note
12 on page 52 of our Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December
31, 2000.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in the information about market risk set
forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.


PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - NONE


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ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES - NONE

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES - NONE

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Selective's Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 4, 2001. At the
Annual Meeting, C. Edward Herder, Gregory E. Murphy, William M. Rue and Thomas
D. Sayles, Jr. were elected as directors to serve for a term of three years and
until their successors are elected and qualified. Votes cast and withheld for
the election of directors were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Votes for Votes withheld
--------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
C. Edward Herder 18,238,025 301,725
Gregory E. Murphy 18,304,849 234,910
William M. Rue 18,075,018 464,732
Thomas D. Sayles, Jr. 18,250,266 289,484
</TABLE>

The directors whose terms of office continued after the Annual meeting are; Paul
D. Bauer, A. David Brown, William A. Dolan II, William C. Gray, William M.
Kearns Jr., Joan M. Lamm-Tennant, S. Griffin McClellan III, and J. Brian
Thebault.


No other matters were voted on at the Annual meeting.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits:
The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in
the Exhibit Index.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the period covered
by this report.



INDEX TO EXHIBITS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.
- -----------


<S> <C>
11 Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings, filed herewith.
</TABLE>


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
REGISTRANT




By: /s/ Dale A. Thatcher May 10, 2001
---------------------------------------------
Dale A. Thatcher
Senior Vice President of Finance,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer




By: /s/ Gregory E. Murphy May 10, 2001
---------------------------------------------
Gregory E. Murphy
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer


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