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Hagerty, Inc. (HGTY)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Hagerty delivered a strong Q3 with total revenue up 18% to $380.0M and net income up 143% to $46.2M, driven by insurance written premium growth (+16%), improved underwriting (loss ratio 42%), and Marketplace acceleration; adjusted EBITDA rose 106% to $49.7M .
- The company raised FY2025 guidance for the second straight quarter: total revenue growth to 14–15%, net income to $124–$129M, and adjusted EBITDA to $170–$176M, while keeping written premium growth at 13–14%; this embeds ~$20M elevated tech spend and ~$10M pre-tax CAT impact .
- Results beat Wall Street consensus: revenue $380.0M vs $354.4M*, Adjusted EPS $0.13 vs $0.08*, and EBITDA $43.7M vs $40.8M*; strength came from Marketplace (live auctions/private sales) and improved insurance profitability (loss ratio normalization vs hurricane-impacted prior year) .
- Strategic catalysts: new Liberty Mutual/Safeco partnership (“tens of thousands” of customers expected) starting in 2026 , and progression toward a Markel fronting arrangement to control 100% of premium and risk beginning in 2026, positioning FY2026–2027 for higher underwriting and investment income .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Insurance and Marketplace momentum: total revenue +18% to $380.0M; Marketplace revenue +58% to $34.2M; operating income +240% to $34.3M; adjusted EBITDA +106% to $49.7M .
- Underwriting normalization and efficiency: loss ratio improved to 42.0% vs 60.0% last year (Hurricane Helene impacted 2024); combined ratio at Hagerty Re 89.6% vs 107.7% prior year .
- Strategic partnerships and distribution: Liberty Mutual/Safeco partnership signed; management emphasized omnichannel distribution, brand strength (NPS 82), and State Farm conversions driving PIF growth; “October delivered the highest PIF growth in our history” .
- Quote: “We now expect to deliver total revenue growth of 14–15% and net income growth of 58–65% in 2025… and we continue to develop our growth pipeline through 2030, including new partnerships.” — McKeel Hagerty .
What Went Wrong
- Expense pressure: salaries and benefits +44% Y/Y (incentive comp accruals) and G&A +17% (software licenses, secondary offering/professional fees); management clarified core growth ex these items is mid- to high-single digits .
- TRA and tax items created volatility below the line: $29.2M TRA liability expense and $38.1M valuation allowance release yielding a $32.8M tax benefit; net interest & other swung to a -$21.0M expense .
- Membership attach rates and mix: HDC attach rates lower on State Farm channel vs “front-door” process; pricing per policy expected to decelerate near term due to State Farm mix (single-car, lower premium), partially offset over time by Enthusiast Plus .
Financial Results
Quarterly P&L Snapshot (USD Millions except per share; periods ordered oldest → newest)
Q3 Year-over-Year Comparison
Segment/Revenue Mix Detail
Note: Marketplace specifics are disclosed for Q2 and Q3 2025; Q3 2024 Marketplace not separately provided in the release .
KPIs and Underwriting
Consensus vs Actual (Q3 2025 and Forward)
Values with asterisk retrieved from S&P Global via GetEstimates.
Guidance Changes
Notes: Profit ranges incorporate ~$20M elevated technology investments (Duck Creek) and ~$10M pre-tax impact from Southern California wildfires; net income includes net benefit from $38.1M valuation allowance release partially offset by $32.3M TRA liability change .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We now expect to deliver total revenue growth of 14–15% and net income growth of 58–65% in 2025… we continue to develop our growth pipeline through 2030, including new partnerships.” — McKeel Hagerty .
- “We delivered 18% growth in total revenue to $380 million… operating margins jumped 590 bps to 9%… adjusted EBITDA increased 106% to $50 million… we ended the quarter with $160 million in unrestricted cash.” — Patrick McClymont .
- “Liberty Mutual… think of it as tens of thousands of customers… it’s a combination of a book roll… another important step as we build out the omnichannel distribution.” — Patrick McClymont .
- “We are excited… new fronting arrangement with Markel… allow Hagerty to control 100% of the premium and risk commencing in 2026… drive increased profitability from additional underwriting and investment income.” — McKeel Hagerty .
Q&A Highlights
- Partnership scale and mechanics: Liberty/Safeco seen as “tens of thousands” of customers with book roll dynamics, economics shared; State Farm remains the larger program .
- Mix/pricing nuance: Written premium per PIF expected to trend down near term driven by State Farm (single-car, lower premium), offset longer term by Enthusiast Plus; caution on quarterly metrics due to seasonality .
- Marketplace outlook: Strong 2025; growth to decelerate in 2026 as calendar stabilizes; focus on higher throughput per event; private sales remain episodic .
- Loss ratio seasonality and true-ups: Book to plan in Q1–Q2; initial adjustments in Q3 (to reflect driving/CAT season), final true-up in Q4; Q4 is seasonally quieter .
- FY2026 reporting changes: Transition to Article 7 insurer-like disclosures; investment income moves above the line; commission income eliminated on consolidation; DAC deferrals will impact earnings recognition .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025 beat: revenue $380.0M vs $354.4M*; “Primary EPS” aligned to Adjusted EPS $0.13 vs $0.08*; EBITDA $43.7M vs $40.8M*. Marketplace strength and normalized loss ratio were key drivers .
- Near-term setup: Q4 2025 consensus revenue $324.9M* and EPS $0.036* reflect seasonal slowdown and tighter margins, consistent with management commentary that Q4 margins are seasonally lower .
- 2026 implications: Fronting arrangement and Article 7 reporting likely to change EBITDA presentation (investment income above the line, DAC deferrals), warranting estimate model updates for mix and margin trajectory .
Values with asterisk retrieved from S&P Global via GetEstimates.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Two consecutive guidance raises with accelerating profit trajectory in 2025; underwriting results normalized and Marketplace outperformed, supporting margin expansion despite elevated tech spend .
- Structural catalysts into 2026: Markel fronting to 100% risk/premium control and insurer-like reporting should lift the quality and visibility of earnings (underwriting plus investment income), but will alter revenue and commission line items (modeling adjustments required) .
- Distribution flywheel: State Farm conversions and Liberty/Safeco partnership expand the funnel; near-term mix dilutes premium per PIF, but expands the installed base for future cross-sell (membership, marketplace, financing) .
- Marketplace scaling: After a breakout 2025 (live auctions/private sales), growth likely normalizes in 2026 as the calendar matures; focus shifts to higher throughput per event and private sale execution .
- Expense lens: Watch incentive comp accruals and professional fees; core salaries/G&A growth ex one-time/professional fees targeted at mid- to high-single digits (efficiency narrative intact) .
- Trading implications (near term): Q3 beats and guidance raise are positive; Q4 seasonality and reporting shifts ahead may temper near-term momentum; focus on 2026 underwriting/investment income synergy and distribution catalysts .
- Medium-term thesis: Durable double-digit written premium growth, omnichannel distribution, and expanding addressable market via Enthusiast Plus and international Marketplace underpin a multi-year compounding margin story .