Berkshire's Insurance Backbone: Earnings Soar in Q2 2024

In Q2 2024, Berkshire Hathaway's insurance divisions showcased remarkable growth, driven by GEICO's efficiency and the diversified resilience of the Primary Group and Reinsurance Group. Enhanced interest rates contributed to sustained high investment income.

---

Introduction

Berkshire Hathaway's storied success in the insurance industry is a testament to its strategic vision and financial acumen. This legacy continues to shine brightly in Q2 2024, with the company's insurance operations playing a pivotal role in its soaring earnings. At the helm of this triumph is Warren Buffett, whose renowned investment strategies have consistently aligned with the company's insurance ambitions, ensuring sustained growth and profitability.

In this article, we dive into the impressive performance of Berkshire Hathaway's insurance sub-groups, each contributing uniquely to the overall earnings. We will explore the standout performance of GEICO, the diverse resilience of the Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group, and the risk-balancing prowess of the Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group. Additionally, we will examine the critical role of investment income in bolstering the company's financial health.

Berkshire Hathaway's foray into the insurance business dates back to its acquisition National Indemnity in 197 and GEICO in 1996, moves that have since proven to be masterstrokes. Central to the company's insurance strategy is the concept of "float"—the funds held by insurers from premiums before claims are paid ↗↗. This float has been a significant driver of Berkshire Hathaway's investment income, providing a steady stream of capital to fuel its diverse investment portfolio.

Before we dive into the details, here’s an overview of the insurance business results for Q2 2024 and H1 2024:

Business	Q2 2024	Q2 2023	H1 2024	H1 2023
GEICO	$1,786	$514	$3,714	$1,217
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group	$279	$272	$765	$540
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group	$782	$827	$1,694	$1,058
Total Pre-tax Underwriting Earnings	$2,847	$1,613	$6,173	$2,815
Income Taxes	$584	$366	$1,312	$657
Net Underwriting Earnings	$2,263	$1,247	$4,861 🚀	$2,158

Yes, nearly $5 billion is already in the bank for the first half of 2024. Let's take a look at why!

GEICO: Driving Profits with Efficiency

In Q2 2024, GEICO emerged as the primary driver of Berkshire Hathaway's insurance earnings, showcasing remarkable financial performance ↗. The company's pre-tax underwriting earnings saw a significant boost, driven by higher average premiums per auto policy and lower claims frequencies ². This impressive feat underscores GEICO's ability to navigate the complex landscape of the insurance market with efficiency and precision.

GEICO's marketing strategy, primarily through direct response methods such as the Internet and telephone, continues to be a cornerstone of its success ². This approach not only reduces costs but also enhances customer engagement, contributing to higher retention rates and increased new business. The impact of these strategies is evident in the company's expense ratio (expenses devided by net premiums), which decreased to 8.8% in the first six months of 2024, thanks to improved operating efficiencies ².

Customer satisfaction is another area where GEICO excels. In the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, GEICO surpassed Progressive in customer satisfaction scores, ranking among the top insurers in several regions ⁶. This achievement highlights GEICO's commitment to delivering exceptional service and value to its policyholders.

Strategically, GEICO's renewed multi-year sponsorship with MLB further enhances its brand visibility and customer engagement ⁷. The "More Baseball" fan engagement platform, along with GEICO's sponsorship of the Free Game of the Day on the MLB app and MLB.com, underscores the company's innovative approach to marketing and customer interaction. This partnership not only strengthens GEICO's brand presence but also fosters deeper connections with a diverse audience of baseball fans.

Below is a table presenting key financial metrics for GEICO, illustrating its robust performance in Q2 2024 compared to Q2 2023:

GEICO underwriting results (short)	Q2 2024	Q2 2023
Premiums Earned	$10.5B	$9.7B
Total losses and expenses	$8.7B	$9.2B
Pre-tax underwriting Earnings	$1.8B	$0.5B

For the first six months, GEICO's pre-tax earnings were improved from $1.2 billion in 2023 to a whopping $3.7 billion in 2024. What a move! Remember, Berkshire Hathaway bought GEICO for around $2.3 billion. In other words: GEICO earns more in half a year than Berkshire paid for it.

GEICO's stellar performance in Q2 2024 is a testament to its strategic focus on efficiency, customer satisfaction, and innovative marketing. As the primary driver of Berkshire Hathaway's insurance earnings, GEICO continues to set the benchmark for excellence in the industry.

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group: Diverse and Resilient

The Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group stands as a testament to the power of diversification and resilience in the insurance sector ↗. This group encompasses a multitude of independently managed businesses, each providing a wide array of commercial insurance solutions. These offerings include healthcare professional liability, workers’ compensation, automobile, general liability, property, and specialty coverages ³.

In Q2 2024, the premiums written by BH Primary surged by $174 million, marking a 3.7% increase compared to the same period in 2023. For the first six months of 2024, this figure rose by $509 million, or 5.7% ³. The premiums earned also saw a significant uptick, increasing by 10.0% in Q2 2024 and 12.2% in the first half of the year compared to 2023 ³. This growth underscores the group's robust performance and its ability to adapt to market demands.

The diverse insurance offerings provided by BH Primary cater to a wide range of needs. From healthcare professional liability to specialty coverages, the group ensures comprehensive protection for its clients. This diversity not only enhances the group's market presence but also mitigates risks associated with economic and industry-specific downturns.

However, this growth has not come without challenges. Underwriting expenses for BH Primary increased by $184 million (16.7%) in Q2 2024 and $390 million (18.2%) in the first six months of the year compared to 2023 ³. This rise can be attributed to improved operating efficiencies and increased operating leverage, reflecting the group's commitment to maintaining high service standards and expanding its market reach.

Despite the rise in expenses, the loss ratio for BH Primary decreased by 1.2 percentage points in Q2 2024 and 3.1 percentage points in the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023 ³. This decrease indicates better risk management and favorable loss experiences, showcasing the group's ability to navigate the complexities of the insurance market effectively. Overall, pre-tax earnings were comparable:

BHPG Metric	Q2 2024	Q2 2023
Premiums written	$4.9B	$4,8B
Premiums earned	$4.6B	$4.2B
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	$3.1B	$2.9B
Underwriting expenses	$1.3B	$1.1B
Total losses and expenses	$4.4B	$4.0B
Pre-tax underwriting earnings	$279M	$272M

Historically, BH Primary has evolved its insurance offerings to meet the changing needs of its clients. This strategic evolution has been instrumental in solidifying its position within Berkshire Hathaway and the broader insurance industry. The group's key subsidiaries, each playing a crucial role in its success, include:

1. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI)
2. RSUI Group Inc. and CapSpecialty, Inc. (RSUI and CapSpecialty)
3. Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC)
4. MedPro Group
5. Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies (GUARD)
6. National Indemnity Company (NICO Primary)
7. Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company (BH Direct)
8. U.S. Liability Insurance Company (USLI)³

These subsidiaries collectively contribute to the group's diverse portfolio, ensuring resilience and sustained growth in an ever-evolving market.

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group: Balancing Risks and Rewards

The Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (BHRG) plays a pivotal role in providing reinsurance coverages on a global scale. Offering excess-of-loss and quota-share reinsurance on property and casualty risks, BHRG serves insurers and reinsurers worldwide through its key subsidiaries, including National Indemnity Company (NICO), General Reinsurance Corporation, General Reinsurance AG, and Transatlantic Reinsurance Company⁴.

In Q2 2024, BHRG experienced a 5.4% decline in premiums written for property/casualty, primarily due to reductions in property volumes⁴. However, the premiums earned saw a 5.3% increase in the same period, reflecting the impact of changes in the property business mix⁴. This dichotomy highlights the group's strategic adjustments to balance risks and rewards in a dynamic market environment.

The fluctuations in losses and loss adjustment expenses were notable. While these expenses increased by $331 million (11.9%) in Q2 2024, they decreased by $63 million (1.0%) in the first six months of the year compared to 2023⁴. The absence of significant catastrophe loss events in 2024 played a crucial role in these figures. In contrast, catastrophe losses were approximately $130 million in Q2 2023 and $530 million in the first six months of 2023⁴.

Reductions in liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to prior accident years amounted to $734 million in the first six months of 2024, compared to $883 million in 2023⁴. This reduction underscores BHRG's effective management of its liabilities and its ability to adapt to changing risk landscapes.

Foreign currency exchange gains also had a significant impact on BHRG's underwriting expenses. In Q2 2024, these gains amounted to $25 million, compared to losses of $118 million in Q2 2023⁴. Before accounting for foreign currency exchange effects, underwriting expenses increased by $197 million in Q2 2024, primarily due to increases in premiums earned and changes in the property business mix⁴.

To provide a clearer picture of BHRG's performance, here is a comparison of key financial metrics for property/casualty and life/health reinsurance for Q2 2024 versus Q2 2023 - with dollars in Millions:

BHRG Metric	Premiums Earned Q2 2024	Premiums Earned Q2 2023	Pre-tax Underwriting Earnings (Loss) Q2 2024	Pre-tax Underwriting Earnings (Loss) Q2 2023
Property/casualty	$5,608	$5,325	$1,022	$1,124
Life/health	$1,220	$1,289	$73	$47
Retroactive reinsurance	—	—	$(161)	$(263)
Periodic payment annuity	—	—	$(163)	$(211)
Variable annuity	—	—	$11	$130
Total	$6,828	$6,614	$782	$827

This table illustrates the results from strategic maneuvers BHRG has undertaken to balance risks and rewards, ensuring sustained profitability and resilience in the reinsurance market.

Berkshire Hathaway's reinsurance segment continues to be a cornerstone of its insurance operations, demonstrating the company's adeptness at balancing risks and rewards. Retroactive reinsurance is a prime example of this strategic prowess. This type of reinsurance involves assuming liabilities for past events, often resulting in immediate underwriting losses but providing significant long-term investment opportunities. In Q2 2024, Berkshire saw a decline in pre-tax underwriting losses for retroactive reinsurance, reporting $135 million compared to $245 million in Q2 2023. This improvement was largely due to net reductions in estimated ultimate liabilities, amounting to $119 million ⁴.

Periodic payment annuity contracts are another critical component of Berkshire's reinsurance strategy. These contracts provide a steady stream of payments over time, typically used for structured settlements in legal cases or long-term care insurance. However, Berkshire made a strategic decision not to write new business in this area during 2023 and the first half of 2024, citing "unacceptable levels" of pricing ⁴. This cautious approach underscores the importance of the time-value-of-money in pricing these long-term policies, ensuring that the premiums received today are invested wisely to cover future liabilities ¹. Despite this, the segment still reported pre-tax underwriting losses of $299 million in the first six months of 2024, slightly up from $292 million in the same period of 2023 ⁴.

Berkshire Hathaway's involvement in retroactive reinsurance and periodic payment annuities dates back decades, reflecting Warren Buffett's long-term investment philosophy. These contracts often involve significant initial outlays but are structured to generate substantial returns over time. The strategic importance of these reinsurance activities cannot be overstated, as they allow Berkshire to deploy large sums of capital into investments that can compound over extended periods.

The variable annuity guarantee reinsurance contracts also play a pivotal role in Berkshire's earnings. These contracts provide guarantees on variable annuities, which are investment products that offer a combination of insurance and mutual fund-like features. In Q2 2024, pre-tax earnings from these contracts were $11 million, down from $130 million in Q2 2023 ⁴. The performance of these contracts is highly sensitive to changes in securities markets, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates, making them a barometer for market volatility. Despite the fluctuations, they remain a valuable component of Berkshire's diversified reinsurance portfolio.

Berkshire Hathaway's reinsurance operations, encompassing retroactive reinsurance, periodic payment annuities, and variable annuity guarantee contracts, are a testament to the company's sophisticated risk management and investment strategies. These activities not only provide a buffer against underwriting losses but also create opportunities for substantial long-term gains, aligning perfectly with the company's overarching investment philosophy: for the first half of 2024, BHRG reported pre-tax earnings of $1.7 billion. Not too bad!

Investment Income: The Backbone of Insurance Earnings

Investment income is undeniably the backbone of Berkshire Hathaway's insurance earnings, providing a robust foundation that supports the company's diverse insurance operations. While underwriting decisions are made by unit managers, investment decisions rest in the capable hands of Warren E. Buffett and his team of corporate investment managers ¹. This dual approach ensures that while the underwriting performance is evaluated independently, the investment income significantly bolsters the overall financial health of the insurance segment.

In Q2 2024, Berkshire Hathaway saw a remarkable increase in interest and other investment income, which surged by $1.2 billion (87.0%) compared to Q2 2023. For the first six months of 2024, the increase was $2.0 billion (79.0%) compared to the same period in 2023 ⁵. This impressive growth can be attributed to the company's strategic investments in short-term U.S. Treasury Bills and the benefit of higher interest rates. Berkshire's emphasis on "maintaining ample liquidity" and prioritizing safety over yield for short-term investments reflects its prudent investment philosophy ⁵.

However, not all aspects of investment income saw an upward trajectory. Dividend income declined by $53 million (3.5%) in Q2 2024 and $76 million (2.7%) in the first six months of 2024 compared to the previous year ⁵. This decrease was primarily due to changes in equity security holdings, although it was partially offset by higher dividend rates. Despite this dip, dividend income remains a critical component of Berkshire's investment strategy, providing a steady stream of cash flow that supports the company's expansive insurance operations. Here's an overview - dollars in Millions:

Insurance Investment Income	Q2 2024	Q2 2023
Dividend income	$1,469	$1,522
Interest and other investment income	$2,599	$1,390
Pre-tax net investment income	$4,068	$2,912
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests	$748	$543
Net investment income	$3,320	$2,369

As discussed, The concept of float is central to understanding Berkshire Hathaway's investment prowess. As of June 30, 2024, the float stood at approximately $169 billion, unchanged from December 31, 2023 ⁵. This substantial pool of funds, generated from insurance premiums, is available for investment until claims are paid out. Warren Buffett's ability to deploy this float into high-yielding investments has been a significant driver of Berkshire's long-term success.

Historically, Buffett's investment philosophy has emphasized value investing, focusing on acquiring undervalued assets with strong growth potential ↗ ↗. This approach has consistently generated substantial returns, reinforcing the importance of investment income to Berkshire's overall financial performance. The key components of investment income include:

1. Dividend Income: Cash payments received from equity holdings such as Coca-Cola ↗
2. Interest Income: Earnings from fixed-income securities, primarily U.S. Treasury Bills.
3. Other Investment Income: Gains from various other investments, including real estate and private equity ⁵.

The investment income is the bedrock upon which Berkshire Hathaway's insurance empire is built. The strategic allocation of the float, coupled with a disciplined investment approach, ensures that the company remains financially robust, capable of weathering market fluctuations and underwriting challenges. This dual focus on underwriting excellence and investment acumen continues to drive Berkshire Hathaway's remarkable success in the insurance industry.

---

Conclusion

In Q2 2024, Berkshire Hathaway has once again demonstrated its formidable prowess in the insurance sector, with earnings reflecting a remarkable performance across its key divisions. The standout contributions from GEICO, the Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group, and the Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (BHRG) have collectively driven the company's overall profitability, reinforcing the strategic vision that has underpinned Berkshire's success for decades.

GEICO's exceptional results, characterized by increased premiums, improved underwriting efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction, have solidified its position as the primary engine of Berkshire's insurance earnings. The company's innovative marketing strategies and commitment to operational excellence continue to set a benchmark within the industry. Meanwhile, the Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group has showcased the power of diversification, achieving significant growth in premiums written and earned, while effectively managing underwriting expenses and loss ratios. This resilience highlights the group's ability to adapt to evolving market dynamics and client needs.

The BHRG has adeptly balanced risks and rewards, navigating the complexities of the reinsurance landscape. While facing challenges such as fluctuations in premiums written, the group's strategic maneuvers in retroactive reinsurance and variable annuity contracts have positioned it well for future growth. The decline in pre-tax underwriting losses for retroactive reinsurance is particularly noteworthy, as it underscores BHRG's effective management of liabilities and its commitment to long-term profitability.

Central to these achievements is investment income, the backbone (or reason?!) of Berkshire Hathaway's insurance operations. The substantial increase in interest and other investment income in Q2 2024, coupled with the strategic deployment of the company's float, reinforces the importance of a disciplined investment approach. This dual focus on underwriting excellence and investment acumen has been a hallmark of Warren Buffett's leadership, ensuring that Berkshire remains financially robust and capable of weathering market fluctuations.

Looking ahead, Berkshire Hathaway's insurance businesses will likely encounter both challenges and opportunities ↗. The evolving regulatory landscape, competitive pressures, and potential economic headwinds may pose risks. However, the company's historical resilience, coupled with its strategic focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, positions it well to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the insurance market.

For shareholders and potential investors, understanding these results is crucial. The impressive performance in Q2 2024 not only reaffirms Berkshire Hathaway's enduring legacy but also highlights its unwavering commitment to creating long-term value. As Buffett often emphasizes, the company's success is built on a foundation of sound principles, prudent management, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. This commitment continues to resonate, ensuring that Berkshire Hathaway remains a beacon of stability and growth in the ever-changing landscape of the insurance industry.

References