Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On September 23, 2020 an article was published in the Erie Reader, a weekly newspaper that covers news, arts and entertainment in Erie, Pennsylvania, titled “Living and Making a Living Through the Pandemic.” As one of the region’s largest employers, Erie Indemnity Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Timothy G. NeCastro, was interviewed for that article. Although Mr. NeCastro’s interview responses are not governed by Regulation FD, Erie Indemnity Company is furnishing the information under this Item 7.01 to clarify a statement attributed to Mr. NeCastro in that article.
The article stated, “In addition to the campus growth, Erie Insurance had been projecting bottom-line growth, this year at 5 percent, but expects to finish less than 1 percent overall given the pandemic's impact, according to NeCastro.”
Erie Indemnity Company does not normally provide guidance on any financial measures involving top-line or bottom-line performance for future periods. Mr. NeCastro’s statement with respect to projected growth was made in comparison to an industry-wide projected decline in direct premiums written as a result of COVID-19. As such, the statement attributed to Mr. NeCastro is inaccurate to the extent it refers to projected bottom-line growth at the Company as opposed to projected changes in the direct premium written by the Property and Casualty Group of insurance companies.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Statements contained herein that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements and, as such, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ, perhaps materially, from those discussed herein. Forward-looking statements relate to future trends, events or results and include, without limitation, statements and assumptions on which such statements are based that are related to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources. Examples of forward-looking statements are discussions relating to premium and investment income, expenses, operating results, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Among the risks and uncertainties, in addition to those set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results and future events to differ from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements include the following:
•potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth and financial condition of the Erie Insurance Exchange ("Exchange");
•potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations, the business operations of our customers and/or independent agents, or our third-party vendor operations;
•dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the management fee under the agreement with the subscribers at the Exchange;
•dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the growth of the Exchange, including:
◦general business and economic conditions;
◦factors affecting insurance industry competition;
◦dependence upon the independent agency system; and
◦ability to maintain our reputation for customer service;
•dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the financial condition of the Exchange, including:
◦the Exchange's ability to maintain acceptable financial strength ratings;
◦factors affecting the quality and liquidity of the Exchange's investment portfolio;
◦changes in government regulation of the insurance industry;
◦emerging claims and coverage issues in the industry; and
◦severe weather conditions or other catastrophic losses, including terrorism;
•costs of providing policy issuance and renewal services to the Exchange under the subscriber's agreement;
•ability to attract and retain talented management and employees;
•ability to ensure system availability and effectively manage technology initiatives;
•difficulties with technology or data security breaches, including cyber attacks;
•ability to maintain uninterrupted business operations;
•factors affecting the quality and liquidity of our investment portfolio;
•our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital; and
•outcome of pending and potential litigation.
A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and reflects our analysis only as of that date. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.