Global Indemnity (GBLI) 8-K Global Indemnity plc Reports Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results

Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

For release:	August 3, 2010
Contact:	Media Linda Hohn Associate General Counsel (610) 660-6862 lhohn@global-indemnity.com

Global Indemnity plc Reports Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results

Dublin, Ireland (August 3, 2010)— Global Indemnity plc (NASDAQ:GBLI) today reported net income for the three months ended June 30, 2010 of $24.5 million or $0.81 per share compared to net income of $16.3 million or $0.64 per share for the same period in 2009. Results for the six months ended June 30, 2010 include net income of $43.4 million or $1.44 per share compared to net income of $23.4 million or $1.09 per share for the same period of 2009. Operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was $20.7 million or $0.69 per share compared to operating income of $12.7 million or $0.50 per share for the same period of 2009. Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was $28.6 million or $0.95 per share compared to operating income of $26.2 million or $1.22 per share for the same period of 2009.

Selected Operating and Balance Sheet Data

	For the Three Months				For the Six Months
	Ended June 30,				Ended June 30,
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)	2010		2009		2010		2009
Net income	$	24.5	$	16.3	$	43.4	$	23.4
Net income per share	$	0.81	$	0.64	$	1.44	$	1.09
Operating income	$	20.7	$	12.7	$	28.6	$	26.2
Operating income per share	$	0.69	$	0.50	$	0.95	$	1.22

Operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure, is equal to net income excluding after-tax net realized investment gains / (losses). A reconciliation of operating income is set forth at the end of this press release.

	As of		As of		As of
	June 30,		March 31,		December 31,
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)	2010		2010		2009
Book value per share	$	28.73	$	28.05	$	27.48
Shareholders’ equity	$	872.3	$	850.6	$	832.0
Cash and invested assets	$	1,683.5	$	1,731.1	$	1,731.3

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Selected Financial Data for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010:

• Net income of $24.5 million or $0.81 per share.

• Operating income of $20.7 million or $0.69 per share.

• Gross premiums written of $92.1 million.

• Current accident year combined ratio of 101.9.

• Calendar year combined ratio of 82.5.

• After tax investment return of 2.9%, including $3.8 million of realized investment gains, net of tax.

• Shareholders’ equity growth of 2.6%.

• Book value per share growth of 2.4%.

Selected Financial Data for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010:

• Net income of $43.4 million or $1.44 per share.

• Operating income of $28.6 million or $0.95 per share.

• Gross premiums written of $184.9 million.

• Current accident year combined ratio of 102.7.

• Calendar year combined ratio of 91.9.

• After tax investment return of 4.1%, including $14.8 million of realized investment gains, net of tax.

• Shareholders’ equity growth of 4.8%.

• Book value per share growth of 4.6%.

Global Indemnity plc’s Combined Ratio for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

The combined ratio is a key measure of insurance profitability. The components comprising the combined ratio are as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2010			2009
Loss Ratio:
Current Accident Year		64.9			61.8
Changes to Prior Accident Year		(21.2	)		(2.9	)
Loss Ratio — Calendar Year		43.7			58.9
Expense Ratio		38.8			40.1
Combined Ratio		82.5			99.0

For the three months ended June 30^th, the calendar year loss ratio decreased by 15.2 points to 43.7 points in 2010 from 58.9 points in 2009.

• The current accident year loss ratio increased by 3.1 points to 64.9 points in 2010 from 61.8 in 2009.

• The property loss ratio increased by 8.4 points to 60.3 points in 2010 from 51.9 points in 2009 primarily due to increased frequency of storms and higher reinsurance costs.

• The casualty loss ratio improved 0.8 points to 68.5 points in 2010 from 69.3 points in 2009 due primarily to the growth and improved performance of the casualty business in reinsurance operations and improved performance of the casualty business in insurance operations.

• Current year results include an 18.3 point reduction in the loss ratio due to better than anticipated emergence of $15.8 million of loss and loss adjustment expenses in the insurance operation’s casualty lines.

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For the three months ended June 30^th, the expense ratio decreased from 40.1 points in 2009 to 38.8 points in 2010.

• The expense ratio decrease is mainly attributable to an increase in business from reinsurance operations, which has a lower expense ratio than insurance operations.

Global Indemnity plc’s Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 Gross and Net Premiums Written Results by Business Unit

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	Gross Premiums Written				Net Premiums Written
(Dollars in thousands)	2010		2009		2010		2009
Insurance Operations	$	61,531	$	72,687	$	49,011	$	58,791
Reinsurance Operations		30,519		18,793		30,512		18,687
Total	$	92,050	$	91,480	$	79,523	$	77,478

Insurance Operations:Gross premiums written for the three months ended June 30, 2010 decreased 15.3%, and net premiums written for the three months ended June 30, 2010 decreased 16.6%, compared to the same period in 2009. The reduction in gross premium is comprised mainly of the following:

• $3.4 million due to terminated programs and agents.

• Price decreases in aggregate of approximately 2.7%.

• Continued soft market conditions.

Reinsurance Operations:Gross premiums written for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased 62.4%, and net premiums written increased 63.3%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase in gross and net premiums written is primarily due to new excess of loss and quota share treaties.

Global Indemnity plc’s Combined Ratio for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

The combined ratio is a key measure of insurance profitability. The components comprising the combined ratio are as follows:

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2010			2009
Loss Ratio:
Current Accident Year		64.0			61.8
Changes to Prior Accident Year		(12.8	)		(1.9	)
Loss Ratio — Calendar Year		51.2			59.9
Expense Ratio		40.7			39.7
Combined Ratio		91.9			99.6

For the six months ended June 30^th, the calendar year loss ratio decreased by 8.7 points to 51.2 points in 2010 from 59.9 points in 2009.

• The current accident year loss ratio increased by 2.2 points to 64.0 points in 2010 from 61.8 in 2009.

• The property loss ratio increased by 6.4 points to 58.6 points in 2010 from 52.2 points in 2009 primarily due to increased frequency of storms and higher reinsurance costs.

• The casualty loss ratio improved 0.6 points to 68.1 points in 2010 from 68.7 points in 2009 due primarily to the growth and improved performance of the casualty business in reinsurance operations and improved performance of the casualty business in insurance operations.

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• Current year results include a 10.9 point reduction in the loss ratio due to better than anticipated emergence of $17.9 million primarily in the insurance operation’s casualty lines and $0.8 million in the reinsurance operations property lines.

For the six months ended June 30^th, the expense ratio increased from 39.7 points in 2009 to 40.7 points in 2010.

• The expense ratio increase is mainly attributable to a decline in net premiums earned and the incurrence of infrastructure costs related to new product development, information technology upgrades, and redomestication expenses, partially offset by an increase in business from reinsurance operations, which has a lower expense ratio than insurance operations.

Global Indemnity plc’s Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 Gross and Net Premiums Written Results by Business Unit

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	Gross Premiums Written				Net Premiums Written
(Dollars in thousands)	2010		2009		2010		2009
Insurance Operations	$	115,602	$	140,307	$	92,489	$	114,260
Reinsurance Operations		69,301		50,361		68,515		49,831
Total	$	184,903	$	190,668	$	161,004	$	164,091

Insurance Operations:Gross premiums written for the six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased 17.6%, and net premiums written for the six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased 19.1%, compared to the same period in 2009. The reduction in gross premium is comprised mainly of the following:

• $6.5 million due to terminated programs and agents.

• Price decreases in aggregate of approximately 2.5%.

• Continued soft market conditions.

Reinsurance Operations:Gross premiums written for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased 37.6%, and net premiums written increased 37.5%, compared to the same period in 2009. The increase in gross and net premiums written is primarily due to new excess of loss and quota share treaties.

# # #
Note: Tables Follow

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

	For the Three Months				For the Six Months
	Ended June 30,				Ended June 30,
	2010		2009		2010			2009
Gross premiums written	$	92,050	$	91,480	$	184,903		$	190,668
Net premiums written	$	79,523	$	77,478	$	161,004		$	164,091
Net premiums earned	$	74,702	$	74,732	$	145,490		$	153,272
Investment income, net		13,941		16,605		28,520			38,782
Net realized investment gains (losses)		5,597		5,398		19,801			(3,198	)
Other income		342		—		342			—
Total revenues		94,582		96,735		194,153			188,856
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		32,675		44,047		74,464			91,787
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses		29,008		29,972		59,156			60,786
Corporate and other operating expenses		5,063		3,663		9,959			7,638
Interest expense		1,833		1,832		3,572			3,686
Income before income taxes		26,003		17,221		47,002			24,959
Income tax expense		1,491		2,758		3,560			3,481
Net income before equity in net income (loss) of partnership		24,512		14,463		43,442			21,478
Equity in net income (loss) of partnership, net of tax		—		1,798		(29	)		1,933
Net income	$	24,512	$	16,261	$	43,413		$	23,411
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic		30,207		25,401		30,196			21,482
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted		30,237		25,420		30,219			21,499
Net income per share — basic	$	0.81	$	0.64	$	1.44		$	1.09
Net income per share — diluted	$	0.81	$	0.64	$	1.44		$	1.09
Combined ratio analysis:
Loss ratio		43.7		58.9		51.2			59.9
Expense ratio		38.8		40.1		40.7			39.7
Combined ratio		82.5		99.0		91.9			99.6

In computing the basic and diluted weighted share counts the number of shares outstanding prior to May 5, 2009 (the date that the common stock was issued in conjunction with the stockholders’ rights offering) was adjusted by a factor of 1.114 to reflect the impact of a bonus element associated with the rights offering in accordance with GAAP.

Per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 1-for-2 stock exchange effective July 2, 2010 when the Company completed its redomestication to Ireland.

The loss ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio are non-GAAP financial measures that are generally viewed in the insurance industry as indicators of underwriting profitability. The loss ratio is the ratio of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net premiums earned. The expense ratio is the ratio of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and expense ratios.

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	As of			As of
	June 30,			December 31,
	2010			2009
ASSETS
Bonds:
Available for sale securities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2010 - $1,427,771 and 2009 - $1,423,052)	$	1,480,834		$	1,471,572
Preferred shares:
Available for sale securities, at fair value (cost: 2010 - $930 and 2009 - $1,509)		2,098			2,599
Common shares:
Available for sale securities, at fair value (cost: 2010 - $86,838 and 2009 - $50,709)		89,029			63,057
Other invested assets:
Available for sale securities, at fair value (cost: 2010 - $4,255 and 2009 - $4,323)		5,390			6,854
Securities classified as trading, at fair value (cost: 2010 - $1,100 and 2009 - $1,145)		1,100			1,145
Total investments		1,578,451			1,545,227
Cash and cash equivalents		105,097			186,087
Agents’ balances		70,483			69,711
Reinsurance receivables		485,636			543,351
Federal income taxes receivables		3,795			3,521
Deferred federal income taxes		16,134			13,819
Deferred acquisition costs		34,727			33,184
Goodwill		4,820			—
Intangible assets		19,271			9,236
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		11,727			16,546
Other assets		26,076			25,098
Total assets	$	2,356,217		$	2,445,780
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	1,168,759		$	1,257,741
Unearned premiums		142,278			131,582
Ceded balances payable		4,769			16,009
Contingent commissions		5,927			11,169
Notes and debentures payable		121,427			121,569
Payable for securities		8,968			37,258
Other liabilities		31,821			38,476
Total liabilities		1,483,949			1,613,804
Shareholders’ equity:
Common shares, $0.0001 par value, 450,000,000 common shares authorized; Class A common shares issued: 21,340,929 and 21,243,345 respectively; Class A common shares outstanding: 18,302,169 and 18,215,239, respectively; Class B common shares issued and outstanding: 12,061,372 and 12,061,372, respectively		3			3
Additional paid-in capital		621,294			619,473
Accumulated other comprehensive income		43,702			48,481
Class A common shares in treasury, at cost: 3,038,760 and 3,028,106 shares, respectively		(100,883	)		(100,720	)
Retained earnings		308,152			264,739
Total shareholders’ equity		872,268			831,976
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,356,217		$	2,445,780

Share amounts have been restated to reflect the 1-for-2 stock exchange effective July 2, 2010 when the Company completed its redomestication to Ireland.

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC
SELECTED INVESTMENT DATA
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)

	Market Value as of
	June 30,		Dec 31,
	2010		2009
Fixed Maturities	$	1,480.8	$	1,471.6
Cash and cash equivalents		105.1		186.1
Total bonds and cash and cash equivalents		1,585.9		1,657.7
Equities and other invested assets		97.6		73.6
Total cash and invested assets	$	1,683.5	$	1,731.3

	June 30, 2010 (a)
	Three Months			Six Months
	Ended			Ended
Net investment income	$	11.8		$	24.1
Net realized investment gain		3.8			14.8
Net unrealized investment (loss)		(3.5	)		(4.6	)
Net realized and unrealized investment		0.3			10.2
Total investment return	$	12.1		$	34.3
Average total cash and invested assets (b)	$	1,684.8		$	1,684.3
Total investment return % annualized		2.9	%		4.1	%

(a)	Amounts in this table are shown on an after-tax basis.
(b)	Simple average of beginning and end of period, net of payable for securities.

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC
SUMMARY OF OPERATING INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

	For the Three Months				For the Six Months
	Ended June 30,				Ended June 30,
	2010		2009		2010		2009
Operating income	$	20,711	$	12,712	$	28,619	$	26,183
Adjustments:
Net realized investment gains (losses), net of tax		3,801		3,549		14,794		(2,772	)
Total after-tax adjustments		3,801		3,549		14,794		(2,772	)
Net income	$	24,512	$	16,261	$	43,413	$	23,411
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic		30,207		25,401		30,196		21,482
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted		30,237		25,420		30,219		21,499
Operating income per share — basic	$	0.69	$	0.50	$	0.95	$	1.22
Operating income per share — diluted	$	0.68	$	0.50	$	0.95	$	1.22

In computing the basic and diluted weighted share counts the number of shares outstanding prior to May 5, 2009 (the date that the common stock was issued in conjunction with the stockholders’ rights offering) was adjusted by a factor of 1.114 to reflect the impact of a bonus element associated with the rights offering in accordance with GAAP.

Per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 1-for-2 stock exchange effective July 2, 2010 when the Company completed its redomestication to Ireland.

Note Regarding Operating Income

Operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure, is equal to net income excluding after-tax net realized investment gains (losses). Operating income is not a substitute for net income determined in accordance with GAAP, and investors should not place undue reliance on this measure.

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About Global Indemnity plc and its subsidiaries

Global Indemnity plc (NASDAQ:GBLI), through its several direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiary insurance and reinsurance companies, provides both admitted and nonadmitted specialty property and casualty insurance coverages in the United States, as well as reinsurance throughout the world. Global Indemnity plc’s five principal divisions include:

• United States Based Insurance Operations:

• Penn-America, which includes property and general liability products for small commercial businesses distributed through a select network of wholesale general agents with specific binding authority;

• United National, which includes property, general liability, and professional lines products distributed through program administrators with specific binding authority;

• Diamond State, which includes property, general liability, and professional lines products distributed through wholesale brokers and program administrators with specific binding authority;

• CompGlobal, which provides workers’ compensation insurance.

• International Reinsurance Operations:

• Wind River Reinsurance Company, Ltd., a Bermuda based treaty and facultative reinsurer of excess and surplus lines and specialty property and casualty insurance.

For more information, visit the Global Indemnity plc website at http://www.globalindemnity.ie.

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Teleconference and Webcast for Interested Parties

Larry A. Frakes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Global Indemnity plc, and Thomas McGeehan, Chief Financial Officer of Global Indemnity plc, will conduct a teleconference for interested parties on August 4, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the second quarter 2010 results.

To participate in the teleconference, please telephone (800) 230-1059 (U.S. and Canada) or (612) 234-9959 (International) and you will be greeted by an operator. Please reference Global Indemnity plc Earnings Release Call or reference Larry Frakes.

The teleconference is being webcast by AT&T and can be accessed at the Company’s website at www.globalindemnity.ie. Please access the site at least 15 minutes prior to the teleconference to register, download and install any necessary software. The webcast is also being distributed over AT&T’s Audio-Only Web ConferenceCast. To access live or archived event, please use this URL: http://205.144.147.162/cgi-bin/confCast, Conference ID#: 165712 and click GO.

The teleconference will be available for replay beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on August 4, 2010 until 11:59 p.m. September 4, 2010. To listen to the replay, please telephone (800) 475-6701 (U.S. and Canada) or (320) 365-3844 (International) then enter 165712.

Forward-Looking Information

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made under “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The types of risks and uncertainties which may affect the Company are set forth in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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