UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY CO
10-K, 2000-03-30
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>

                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

[X]   Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
      Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended DECEMBER 31, 1999

[ ]   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  2-39621

                         UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

              IOWA                                       42-0644327
     ------------------------               ---------------------------------
     (State of Incorporation)               (IRS Employer Identification No.)

        118 Second Avenue, S.E.
         Cedar Rapids, Iowa                              52407-3909
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------          ---------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

         Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (319) 399-5700

         Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

         Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

    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 reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
                 YES   [X]         NO [ ]

    Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [X]

    As of March 1, 2000, 10,060,084 shares of common stock were outstanding. The
aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant
as of March 1, 2000, was approximately $78,069,131.
<PAGE>

                           FORM 10-K TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                        PAGE

PART I:
       Item 1.        Business                                            1

       Item 2.        Properties                                          7

       Item 3.        Legal Proceedings                                   7

       Item 4.        Submission of Matters to a Vote of
                      Security Holders                                    7

PART II:

       Item 5.        Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
                      Related Stockholder Matters                         7

       Item 6.        Selected Financial Data                             8

       Item 7.        Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                      Financial Condition and Results of Operations       9

       Item 7a.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
                      About Market Risk                                  15

       Item 8.        Financial Statements and Supplementary Data        17

       Item 9.        Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
                      on Accounting and Financial Disclosure             42

PART III:

       Item 10.       Directors and Executive Officers of the
                      Registrant                                         42

       Item 11.       Executive Compensation                             44

       Item 12.       Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
                      Owners and Management                              49

       Item 13.       Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     49

PART IV:

       Item 14.       Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and
                      Reports on Form 8-K                                50

       Signatures                                                        51

<PAGE>

PART I.
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION

         United Fire & Casualty Company and its subsidiaries (the "Company") are
engaged in the business of writing property, casualty and life insurance. The
Company is an Iowa corporation incorporated in January 1946. Its principal
executive office is located at: 118 Second Avenue SE, P.O. Box 73909, Cedar
Rapids, Iowa 52407-3909. Phone: 319-399-5700.

         The Company has two reportable business segments in its operations;
property and casualty insurance and life insurance. The Company's property and
casualty segment includes the following subsidiaries: Addison Insurance Company,
a wholly owned property and casualty insurer; Addison Insurance Agency, a wholly
owned general agency of Addison Insurance Company; Lafayette Insurance Company,
a wholly owned property and casualty insurer; Insurance Brokers & Managers Inc.,
a wholly owned general agency of Lafayette Insurance Company; American Indemnity
Financial Corporation, a wholly owned holding company; American Indemnity
Company, a wholly owned property and casualty company of American Indemnity
Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries: American Fire and Indemnity Company,
Texas General Indemnity Company, American Computing Company, and the affiliate
American Indemnity Lloyds, which is financially and operationally controlled by
the Company. The Company's life insurance segment subsidiary is United Life
Insurance Company, a wholly owned life insurance company. A table reflecting
premiums, operating results and assets attributable to the Company's segments is
included in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. As of
December 31, 1999, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 727 full-time
employees.

MARKETING

         The Company markets its products principally through the following five
regional locations:

1)  Cedar Rapids, Iowa - 118 Second Avenue SE, P.O. Box 73909, Cedar Rapids, IA
    52407-3909 (which also serves as the Company's home office)
2)  Westminster, Colorado - 7301 N. Federal, Suite 302, P.O. Box 850,
    Westminster, CO 80030-4919
3)  Lincoln, Nebraska - 1314 O Street, Suite 500, P.O. Box 82540, Lincoln, NE
    68501
4)  New Orleans, Louisiana - 2626 Canal Street, P.O. Box 53265, New Orleans, LA
    70153-3265
5)  Galveston, Texas - 2115 Winnie, Galveston, TX 77550

         The Company is licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 43
states, primarily in the Midwest, West and South. Approximately 2,150
independent agencies represent the Company and its property and casualty
subsidiaries. The life insurance subsidiary is licensed in 24 states, primarily
Midwestern and Western, and is represented by approximately 1,200 independent
agencies. The regional offices of the Company are staffed with underwriting,
claims and marketing representatives and administrative technicians, all of whom
provide support and assistance to the independent agencies. In addition, home
office staff technicians and specialists provide support to the subsidiaries and
regional offices as well as to independent agencies. The Company uses management
reports to monitor subsidiary and regional offices for overall results and
conformity to Company policy. In 1999, direct premium writings on a statutory
basis by state were as follows.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Life, Accident and
                                Property and           Health Insurance Segment,
                        Casualty Insurance Segment       Including Annuities
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Percent                          Percent
                          Amount      of Total           Amount        of Total
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arkansas                $  4,287        1.7%           $     --           --%
California                 3,640        1.5                  --           --
Colorado                  15,870        6.5               4,665          2.7
Illinois                  20,749        8.5              14,074          8.1
Iowa                      40,381       16.5              85,646         49.0
Kansas                    11,334        4.6               3,271          1.9
Louisiana                 34,607       14.1                 104          0.1
Minnesota                 14,872        6.1              14,806          8.5
Mississippi                9,252        3.8                 254          0.1
Missouri                  23,169        9.5               5,106          2.9
Nebraska                  14,820        6.0              13,946          8.0
North Dakota               3,336        1.4               5,774          3.3
South Dakota               8,946        3.7               4,286          2.4
Texas                     13,730        5.6               3,163          1.8
Wisconsin                  8,630        3.5              14,944          8.6
Wyoming                    3,272        1.3                 519          0.3
Other                     13,978        5.7               4,037          2.3
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        $244,873      100.0%           $174,595        100.0%
================================================================================

                                       1
<PAGE>

         The insurance industry is highly competitive, and the Company competes
with other stock insurance companies, the underwriters at Lloyds of London and
reinsurance reciprocals. Because the Company relies heavily on independent
agencies, it utilizes a profit-sharing contract with the agencies as an
incentive to place high quality property and casualty business with the Company.
For 1999, property and casualty agencies will receive profit-sharing commissions
of an estimated $6,434,000.

PRODUCTS

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE SEGMENT

         The Company writes both personal and commercial lines of insurance.
Personal lines are comprised mostly of automobile and homeowners, but also
include recreational vehicles, watercraft, dwelling fire and umbrella policies.
The majority of commercial insurance consists of business packages, which
include property, liability, inland marine, commercial automobile, workers'
compensation and umbrella. The Company also writes fidelity and surety bonds.
Specialty policies written include the Commercial Uni-Saver; TRADE-PRO FOR
CONTRACTORS; GARAGE-PRO; Blanket Mortgage and some forms of Errors and Omissions
insurance.

         The following table sets forth statutory property and casualty net
premiums earned, net losses incurred (excluding net loss adjustment expenses)
and the loss ratio (ratio of net losses incurred to net premiums earned), by
lines of insurance written, for the three years ended December 31, 1999, 1998
and 1997.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,                  1999         1998         1997
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire and allied lines (1)
      Net premiums earned              $ 76,557     $ 69,997     $ 69,693
      Net losses incurred                40,176       51,418       41,472
      Loss ratio                           52.5%        73.5%        59.5%
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automobile
      Net premiums earned              $ 64,558     $ 54,042     $ 53,207
      Net losses incurred                44,824       37,828       35,492
      Loss ratio                           69.4%        70.0%        66.7%
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other liability
      Net premiums earned              $ 38,922     $ 31,804     $ 32,394
      Net losses incurred                17,266       12,400        9,418
      Loss ratio                           44.4%        39.0%        29.1%
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Workers' compensation
      Net premiums earned              $ 20,524     $ 20,797     $ 22,324
      Net losses incurred                15,119       16,275       15,492
      Loss ratio                           73.7%        78.3%        69.4%
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity and surety
      Net premiums earned              $ 18,129     $ 17,669     $ 16,893
      Net losses incurred                   387        1,748        2,086
      Loss ratio                            2.1%         9.9%        12.3%
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinsurance
      Net premiums earned              $ 27,739     $ 25,708     $ 30,478
      Net losses incurred                34,003       24,647       18,268
      Loss ratio                          122.6%        95.9%        59.9%
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other
      Net premiums earned              $    625     $    533     $    521
      Net losses incurred                    66            8          105
      Loss ratio                           10.6%         1.5%        20.2%
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total property and casualty
      Net premiums earned              $247,054     $220,550     $225,510
      Net losses incurred               151,841      144,324      122,333
      Loss ratio                           61.5%        65.4%        54.2%
================================================================================

(1) "Fire and allied lines" includes farmowners, homeowners, commercial multiple
    peril and inland marine.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         The combined ratios below, which relate to property and casualty
insurance, are the sum of the following: the loss ratio, calculated by dividing
net losses and net loss adjustment expenses incurred by net premiums earned; and
the expense ratio, calculated by dividing underwriting expenses incurred by net
premiums written. The ratios in the table have been prepared on the basis of
statutory financial information and on the basis of generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP"). Generally, if the combined ratio is below 100
percent, there is an underwriting profit; if it is above 100 percent, there is
an underwriting loss.

[A bar graph displaying statutory combined ratios for the company as compared
with the Insurance Industry from 1995 to 1999 appears here.]

          Statutory Combined Ratios
                  Company    Industry

         1995        95.8       106.5
         1996       104.4       105.8
         1997        98.0       101.8
         1998       114.8       105.0
         1999       109.2       107.5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Statutory                                    GAAP
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,                1999          1998          1997          1999           1998          1997
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>
Net premiums written                  $254,214      $221,002      $226,915      $254,214       $221,002      $226,915
Net premiums earned                    247,054       220,550       225,510       247,054        220,550       225,822
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Losses and loss adjustment expenses       75.6%         81.9%         66.6%         75.1%          81.2%         66.2%
Underwriting expenses                     33.4          32.9          31.8          34.1           34.0          33.0
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined ratios                          109.0%        114.8%         98.4%        109.2%         115.2%         99.2%
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Underwriting margin                       (9.0)%       (14.8)%         1.6%         (9.2)%        (15.2)%         0.8%
======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

LIFE INSURANCE SEGMENT

         United Life Insurance Company underwrites and markets single-premium
whole life insurance, term life and universal life insurance, annuities, credit
insurance and individual disability income products. While United Life Insurance
Company's lead annuity product is a single-premium deferred annuity, it also
offers flexible premium annuities. The credit business involves the sale of
credit life and credit accident and health products, working in conjunction to
satisfy the need for debt protection in the event of disability and/or death.
United Life Insurance Company also offers an individual disability income rider
that is attached to the ordinary life insurance products.

         Total life insurance in force, before reinsurance, is $3,839,897,000 as
of December 31, 1999. Universal life represents 49 percent of insurance in force
at December 31, 1999, compared to 51 percent at December 31, 1998. The following
table presents net premium earned information for the last three years on a GAAP
basis.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,                  1999          1998           1997
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Universal life                         $ 8,696       $10,524        $ 7,495
Ordinary life (other than universal)     5,199         4,917          5,605
Accident and health                      5,271         4,398          2,821
Annuities                                2,264         1,613          1,151
Credit life                              4,493         3,694          1,977
Group accident and health                  177           149            182
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net premiums earned              $26,100       $25,295        $19,231
================================================================================

                                       3
<PAGE>

CONSOLIDATED NET PREMIUMS WRITTEN

The following table shows the statutory consolidated net premiums written and
annuity deposits during the last three years by major category.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,             1999             1998             1997
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire and allied lines (1)        $ 77,270         $ 69,606         $ 70,917
Automobile                         65,730           54,902           53,566
Other liability                    43,433           31,738           32,261
Workers' compensation              21,735           20,332           21,659
Fidelity and surety                18,395           17,839           17,542
Reinsurance                        26,944           26,052           30,430
Other                                 707              533              540
Life and accident and health       27,293           34,961           25,705
Annuities                         145,810          119,717           93,062
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 $427,317         $375,680         $345,682
================================================================================

(1) "Fire and allied lines" includes farmowners, homeowners, commercial multiple
    peril and inland marine.


REINSURANCE

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE SEGMENT

         The Company acts as a reinsurer, assuming both property and casualty
reinsurance from approximately 370 companies. The bulk of the business assumed
is property reinsurance with the emphasis on catastrophe covers. The business
originates through approximately 40 brokers, with the largest producer
accounting for approximately 39 percent of the reinsurance assumed.

         The Company follows the industry practice of reinsuring a portion of
its direct and assumed reinsurance exposure and cedes to reinsurers a portion of
the premium received. Reinsurance is purchased to reduce the net liability on
individual risks to predetermined limits and to protect against catastrophic
losses such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Such catastrophe protection is
purchased on both direct and assumed business. The Company uses many reinsurers,
both domestic and foreign. There are no concentrations of credit risk associated
with reinsurance. Principal reinsurers include American Reinsurance Company,
Employers Reinsurance Corporation, AXA Reassurance, Continental Casualty Company
and Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S.

         The limits on risks retained by the Company's property and casualty
segment vary by line of business, and risks in excess of the retention limits
are reinsured. For the property lines of business, the retention is $1,000,000.

         The following table presents the casualty business retention levels.

              --------------------------- ------------------------
               Accident Years                  Casualty Retention
              --------------------------- ------------------------
               1983 and prior                           $ 225,000
               1984 through 1986                          300,000
               1987 through 1991                          500,000
               1992 through 1994                          750,000
               1995 and later                           1,000,000
              =========================== ========================

         The ceding of reinsurance does not legally discharge the Company from
primary liability under its policies, and the ceding company must pay the loss
if the reinsurer fails to meet its obligation. The Company monitors the
financial condition of its reinsurers. At December 31, 1999 and 1998, there are
no uncollectible reinsurance balances that would result in a material impact on
the Company's financial statements. The Company follows the industry practice of
accounting for insurance written and losses incurred net of reinsurance ceded.

         The table on the following page sets forth the statutory aggregate
direct and assumed premiums written, ceded reinsurance and net premiums written
for the three years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

                                       4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Percent                  Percent                   Percent
Years Ended December 31,                1999     of Total       1998      of Total       1997       of Total
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>      <C>             <C>      <C>              <C>
Fire and allied lines (1)            $ 87,594       34%      $ 81,229        37%      $ 86,200         38%
Automobile                             69,557       27         56,452        26         55,269         24
Other liability                        48,157       19         35,010        16         35,645         16
Workers' compensation                  22,192        9         20,736         9         22,075         10
Fidelity and surety                    19,751        8         19,000         9         18,599          8
Reinsurance assumed                    29,950       12         28,979        13         33,882         15
Other                                   1,044        -            800         -            799          -
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate direct and assumed
  premiums written                   $278,245      109%      $242,206       110%      $252,469        111%
Reinsurance ceded                      24,031        9         21,204        10         25,554         11
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net premiums written                 $254,214      100%      $221,002       100%      $226,915        100%
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1) "Fire and allied lines"" includes farmowners, homeowners, commercial
    multiple peril and inland marine.

LIFE INSURANCE SEGMENT

         United Life Insurance Company reinsures a portion of its exposure and
cedes to reinsurers a portion of the premium received on the policies reinsured.
Reinsurance is purchased to reduce the net liability on individual risks to
predetermined limits. United Life Insurance Company retains $200,000 per insured
and reinsures the excess.

         The ceding of reinsurance does not legally discharge United Life
Insurance Company from primary liability under its policies. The ceding company
must pay the loss if the reinsurer fails to meet its obligation. The Company
monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers. At December 31, 1999 and
1998, there are no uncollectible reinsurance balances that would result in a
material impact on the Company's financial statements. United Life Insurance
Company follows the industry practice of accounting for insurance written and
losses incurred net of reinsurance ceded. United Life Insurance Company's
primary reinsurance companies are ERC Reinsurance Company, RGA Reinsurance
Company and Business Men's Assurance Company of America. These companies insure
both life and disability risks.

RESERVES

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE SEGMENT

         Applicable insurance laws require the Company's property and casualty
segment to maintain reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses with
respect to both reported and unreported losses.

         The Company's property and casualty segment establishes reserves for
reported losses one of two ways. Factor or average reserves are set on some of
the less volatile lines on losses under $5,000. These factors are determined by
averaging claims paid over a 13-month period. Case reserves are set on all other
reported losses. These reserves are based upon policy provisions, accident
facts, injury or damage exposure, trends in the legal system and other factors.
The amount of reserves for unreported losses is determined for each line of
insurance by using the probable number and nature of losses arising from
occurrences on the basis of historical and statistical information. Established
reserves are closely monitored and adjusted as needed.

         Loss reserves are estimates at a given time of the ultimate amount
expected to be paid on incurred losses. Estimates are based on facts and
circumstances known when the estimates are made. Reserves are not discounted for
the time value of money. The loss settlement period on insurance losses may be
many years, and as additional facts regarding individual losses become known, it
often becomes necessary to refine and adjust the estimates of liability on a
loss. Inflation is implicitly provided for in the reserving function through
review of cost trends, historical reserving results and projections of future
economic conditions.

         Reserves for loss adjustment expenses are intended to cover the actual
cost of investigating losses and defending lawsuits arising from losses. These
reserves are continuously revised based on historical analysis and management's
expectations.

         The following table presents a development of net loss and loss
adjustment expense reserve liabilities and payments for the years 1990 through
1999. The top line of the table shows the estimated liability for unpaid losses
and loss adjustment expenses recorded at December 31 for each of the indicated
years. This liability represents the estimated amount of losses and loss
adjustment expenses for losses arising in all prior years that are unpaid at
December 31, including losses that had been incurred but not yet reported, net
of applicable ceded reinsurance. The upper portion of the table shows the
re-estimated amount of the previously recorded liability based on experience as
of the end of each succeeding year. The estimate is increased or decreased as
more information becomes known. Conditions and trends that have affected
development of the liability in the past may not necessarily occur in the
future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate future
redundancies or deficiencies based on this table. The second half of the table
displays cumulative losses paid and loss adjustment expenses paid for each of
the years indicated on a GAAP basis.

                                       5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Years Ended December 31
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        1990        1991        1992       1993       1994      1995       1996       1997       1998       1999
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Liability for Unpaid
Losses and LAE        $113,572   $ 123,219   $ 158,825  $ 170,798  $ 180,653  $188,700  $ 209,876  $ 218,912  $ 243,006  $ 310,637

Liability re-
estimated as of:
  One year later       111,804     128,042     154,572    153,691    160,776   159,571    176,332    192,297    213,047

  Two years later      112,390     125,888     148,507    142,572    172,546   145,486    169,348    185,700

  Three years later    111,276     124,428     144,159    158,312    164,133   142,877    164,030

  Four years later     113,898     122,384     134,309    155,313    161,961   140,639

  Five years later     113,703     118,568     132,075    154,849    162,424

  Six years later      103,303     117,648     132,747    157,005

  Seven years later    102,318     119,123     135,559

  Eight years later    103,418     122,230

  Nine years later     106,844

==================================================================================================================================
Redundancy

(Deficiency)          $  6,728    $    989    $ 23,266   $ 13,793   $ 18,229  $ 48,061   $ 45,846   $ 33,212   $ 29,959

==================================================================================================================================

Cumulative amount of
liability paid through:

  One year later      $ 39,497    $ 44,694    $ 54,291   $ 51,550   $ 80,246  $ 56,618   $ 61,694   $ 62,988   $ 71,251

  Two years later       63,589      69,296      84,074    102,637    109,281    83,071     93,599     97,142

  Three years later     77,141      87,052      96,976    119,349    123,469    97,763    110,531

  Four years later      87,627      95,059     107,420    127,333    132,414   106,770

  Five years later      85,379      99,483     112,360    133,531    137,597

  Six years later       88,558     102,677     116,929    137,295

  Seven years later     90,575     105,907     119,657

  Eight years later     92,967     108,287

  Nine years later      94,398
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

LIFE INSURANCE SEGMENT

         United Life Insurance Company's reserves meet, or exceed, the minimum
statutory Iowa Insurance Law requirements. These reserves are developed and
analyzed by independent consulting actuaries. Their presentation in this report
differs from the statutory basis and is described in Note 1 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVESTMENTS

         Management of the investment portfolio is handled internally by the
Company's chief investment officer. This function involves complying with state
insurance department investment regulations and maintaining adequate assets to
pay Company obligations, while achieving competitive yields.

         The Company considers itself to be a long-term investor and generally
intends, at the time of purchase, to hold to maturity most of the
available-for-sale fixed-income securities that it buys, unless yield
enhancement strategies provide excess returns. The Company re-evaluated the
classification of its current invested assets as of January 1, 1999, and has
moved some fixed-income securities from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale,
pursuant to its adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
No. 133. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
additional discussion.

                                       6
<PAGE>

         The Company's property and casualty segment has historically emphasized
investments in tax-exempt fixed-income securities. At the same time, an attempt
is made to maintain a balanced portfolio that reflects the Company's changing
tax situation, as well as changes in the tax law. Based on the Company's
underwriting philosophy and goals for this segment, the emphasis toward
tax-exempt fixed-income securities will continue. However, recent yields in the
taxable fixed-income markets are relatively attractive, so additional purchases
in this asset class are planned.

         The life insurance segment has emphasized, and will continue to
emphasize, investing in taxable fixed-income securities (primarily bonds issued
by corporations and utilities) that are high quality with an allocation to
medium-grade securities and mortgage-related securities, including
collateralized mortgage obligations.

         The Company strives to maintain diversification in its portfolio among
issues, issuers and industries. Investment results for the years indicated are
summarized in the following table.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Annualized Yield
Years Ended             Average              Investment          on Average
December 31,      Invested Assets (1)      Income, Net (2)     Invested Assets
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999                  $1,157,414              $75,317                6.5%
1998                   1,040,008               67,928                6.5
1997                     928,052               61,686                6.6
================================================================================

 (1) Average of amounts at beginning and end of year.
 (2) Investment income after deduction of investment expenses, but before
     applicable income tax.


ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

         The Company owns two buildings in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which it occupies
as its home office. One building is a five-story building occupied entirely by
the Company. The other is an eight-story office building in which the first
floor is leased to tenants. The Company occupies the second through eighth
floors of this building. The two buildings are connected with a skywalk.

         The Company owns a small parking lot adjacent to the eight-story
building and a parking lot adjacent to the five-story building.

         Lafayette Insurance Company owns one building in New Orleans, Louisiana
which serves as its home office. The building consists of two floors of office
space and a floor of parking, as well as a parking lot located adjacent to the
building.

         American Indemnity Company, a subsidiary of American Indemnity
Financial Corporation, owns two adjacent and connected buildings in Galveston,
Texas, which serve as its home office. One building is seven stories and the
other one is three stories. The facility is substantially occupied by American
Indemnity Company, with a small percentage leased.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         The registrant has no pending legal proceedings other than ordinary
routine litigation incidental to the business.

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

         None

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

         The Company's common stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol UFCS.
On March 1, 2000, there were 939 holders of record of the Company's common
stock. The table on the following page sets forth, for the calendar periods
indicated, the high and low bid quotations for the common stock and cash
dividends declared. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices without retail
markups, markdowns or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions.

         The Company's policy has been to pay quarterly cash dividends, and the
Company intends to continue that policy. Payments of any future dividends and
the amounts of such dividends, however, will depend upon factors such as net
income, financial condition, capital requirements and general business
conditions. The Company has paid dividends every quarter since March 1968.

                                       7
<PAGE>

         State law permits the payment of dividends only from statutory
accumulated earned profits arising from business. The Company's subsidiaries are
also subject to state law restrictions on dividends. See Note 7 in the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Cash
                                    Share Price                 Dividends
                               High             Low             Declared
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999
Quarter Ended
   March 31                  $35 1/2          $25 1/2            $0.17
   June 30                    26 7/8           22 1/4             0.17
   September 30               26 1/2           22 1/5             0.17
   December 31                23 3/8           19 1/4             0.17

1998
Quarter Ended
   March 31                  $45 3/4          $40 1/2            $0.16
   June 30                    44               37 7/8             0.17
   September 30               41 3/4           32 1/8             0.17
   December 31                38 1/2           32                 0.17
================================================================================


ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,                             1999            1998            1997            1996            1995
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>
Total assets                                      $1,467,716      $1,250,594      $1,157,922      $1,024,835       $937,594

Operating revenues
  Net premiums earned                                273,051         245,727         244,939         234,797        207,528
  Investment income, net                              75,317          67,928          61,686          56,936         53,603
  Realized investment gains and other income           2,936          22,796           2,676           6,726          1,698
  Commission and policy fee income                     1,912           1,815           1,829           1,815          1,761

Net income                                            15,384          23,677          28,732          21,960         28,803

Basic and diluted earnings per common share             1.53            2.28            2.68            2.04           2.66

Cash dividends declared
per common share                                         .68            0.67            0.63            0.60           0.55
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

         Earnings per common share and cash dividends declared per common share
have been retroactively restated for additional shares issued as a result of a
three-for-two stock split to stockholders of record as of December 18, 1995.

         The selected financial data herein has been derived from the financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. The data should be read in
conjunction with "The Chairman's Report," "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the "Consolidated
Financial Statements and related Notes."

PAGE 8

[A bar graph displaying earnings per common share and dividends declared for the
five years ended December 31, 1999 appears here.]

Earnings Per Common Share

                  Earnings Per Common Share    Dividends Declared

1995                                   2.66                  0.55
1996                                   2.04                  0.60
1997                                   2.68                  0.63
1998                                   2.28                  0.67
1999                                   1.53                  0.68

                                       8
<PAGE>

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         The information contained in the following Management's Discussion and
Analysis contains forward-looking information as defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is therefore subject to certain
risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from information
within the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including,
but not limited to, market conditions, competition and natural disasters.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, COMPARED TO THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998

         On August 10, 1999, the Company acquired American Indemnity Financial
Corporation ("American Indemnity") as a wholly owned subsidiary for
approximately $30,212,000 in cash in exchange for 1,962,410 shares of common
stock. Common stockholders of American Indemnity received approximately $14.35
per share of common stock at the closing of the transaction and deferred
consideration of up to $1.00 per share to be paid in two years, subject to
adjustments relating to indemnities. An escrow account with a balance of
$1,990,000 is included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets in other
assets for payment of the deferred consideration.

         American Indemnity, based in Galveston, Texas, is a holding company
that is made up of the following regional property and casualty insurance
companies: American Indemnity Company, American Fire and Indemnity Company,
Texas General Indemnity Company, and American Indemnity Lloyds. The American
Indemnity insurers offer personal and commercial lines of insurance through
independent agents.

         The transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. A schedule summarizing the assets acquired and the liabilities
assumed as of August 10, 1999, as well as pro forma results of operations, can
be found in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

         Results presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and
certain tables and charts within this report, include approximately five months
of results of operations of American Indemnity in 1999. Prior year amounts have
not been restated for the effect of the purchase.

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE SEGMENT

         The property and casualty segment reported an increase in net premiums
earned of $26,504,000, or 12 percent in 1999, when compared to 1998. The
purchase of American Indemnity contributed $19,413,000 of the growth. Net
premiums earned in each line of business increased, with the exception of
workers' compensation, which decreased slightly between years. With the purchase
of American Indemnity, and the resulting expansion into southern and
southeastern states, management anticipates property and casualty net premiums
earned to continue to increase into 2000.

         The property and casualty segment's largest expenditures are for losses
and loss adjustment expenses. These costs increased by $6,554,000 in 1999, or 4
percent. Without the American Indemnity purchase, losses and loss adjustment
expenses would have decreased by $8,032,000. Subsequent to the purchase of
American Indemnity, the Company's management reviewed and increased that
subsidiary's direct case loss reserves to a level that was in accordance with
the reserving philosophy of the Company.

         The Company had exposure to 23 catastrophes, in each of 1999 and 1998.
The catastrophes negatively impacted net income (after tax) by $9,561,000, or
$.95 per share in 1999, and $19,188,000, or $1.85 per share in 1998.

         Experience in the Company's property and casualty segment is measured
by the loss ratio (net losses incurred divided by net premiums earned). The
lower the loss ratio, the more favorable the results. All but three lines of
business showed improvement in the loss ratio (lower loss ratios) in 1999,
compared to 1998. The three lines that deteriorated were other liability,
reinsurance and all other. Catastrophe activity negatively impacted the
Company's reinsurance line of business. The loss ratio for net assumed
reinsurance, which constitutes business assumed from other insurance companies,
deteriorated to 122.6 percent in 1999, from 95.9 percent in 1998 and 59.9
percent in 1997.

         To measure total underwriting profitability, the property and casualty
industry uses the statutory combined ratio, which is calculated by dividing net
losses and net loss adjustment expenses incurred by net premiums earned, plus
other underwriting expenses incurred divided by net premiums written. Generally,
if the combined ratio is below 100 percent, the Company experiences an
underwriting profit; if it is above 100 percent, an underwriting loss exists. In
1999, the segment's combined ratio was 109 percent, compared to 115 percent in
1998 and 98 percent in 1997. The catastrophes discussed above added 6 percent to
the combined ratio in 1999 and 11 percent in 1998.

LIFE INSURANCE SEGMENT

         The life insurance segment reported net income after consolidating
eliminations of $9,322,000 in 1999, compared to $10,614,000 in 1998. Investment
income increased by $7,069,000, or 16 percent over 1998.

                                       9
<PAGE>

         The life segment's largest expenditure is interest credited to
annuities and universal life policies. As new premiums and existing account
balances increase, the interest credited to policies will grow proportionately.
The interest credited to these two products during 1999 totaled $32,286,000,
which was a 21 percent increase over 1998. Losses incurred, resulting primarily
from death claims, is the second largest cost incurred by the life insurance
segment. Losses incurred decreased slightly to $11,647,000 in 1999, compared to
$12,299,000 in 1998.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

         The Company reported net investment income of $75,317,000 in 1999,
compared to $67,928,000 in 1998. More than 90 percent of the Company's
investment income originates from interest on fixed income securities. The
remaining investment revenue is derived from dividends on equity securities,
interest on other long-term investments, interest on policy loans and rent
earned from tenants in the Company's home office. The investment yield
(investment income divided by average invested assets) was 6.5 percent in 1999
and 1998 and 6.6 percent in 1997.

         Realized investment gains and other income were $2,936,000 in 1999,
compared to $22,796,000 in 1998. Included as other income in 1999 is accrued
interest of $632,000 related to a refund in connection with a Federal income tax
Revenue Agent Review for previous tax years. During the second quarter of 1998,
the Company took advantage of market conditions and sold some of its equity
securities. The proceeds were used to purchase 625,000 shares of its common
stock. The sales generated realized gains of $16,858,000, which contributed to
the 1998 results.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, COMPARED TO THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE SEGMENT

         A majority of the property and casualty insurance segment's revenue was
generated from personal and commercial insurance premiums. During the last
several years, this industry has faced fierce competition, which has limited
premium growth and squeezed underwriting profits. Under these conditions, the
Company has worked hard to maintain its market share without compromising its
underwriting standards. The Company's property and casualty segment had a slight
decrease in premiums earned of 2 percent in 1998. The reinsurance line of
business had the largest change in net premiums earned, decreasing by
$4,770,000, or 16 percent, between 1998 and 1997. All other lines of business
increased or decreased slightly between years. Looking to the future, management
did not expect significant relief from the intense competition and continued to
respond to market pressures by seeking out profitable business at adequate
rates.

         The property and casualty segment's largest expenditures were for
losses and loss adjustment expenses. According to the Insurance Services Office,
a supplier of property and casualty statistical information, U.S. property and
casualty insurers will have reported catastrophe losses (excluding expenses) of
approximately $10 billion for events occurring in 1998, making 1998 the
third-worst year for catastrophe losses in the last 10 years. The Company's
exposure to 23 of these catastrophes negatively impacted net income by
$19,188,000, or $1.85 per share, net of tax in 1998. This amount includes losses
and expenses, net of ceded reinsurance.

         The largest storms affecting the Company occurred between May 30 and
June 1, 1998, in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. These storms,
although individually not large enough to penetrate our catastrophe reinsurance
cover of $5,000,000, generated net incurred losses of $4,711,000. Other storms
in Iowa and Minnesota, on May 15 and 16, resulted in net incurred losses in
excess of $3,647,000. Severe storms occurring in several Midwestern states
between June 24 and 30 resulted in additional catastrophe net incurred losses of
$3,620,000. Hurricane Georges hit Louisiana and Mississippi September 21 through
September 28, causing over $4,000,000 in net incurred losses for the Company.
Finally, storms occurring November 9 through November 11 in several Midwestern
states resulted in over $1,200,000 in net incurred losses.

         Experience in the Company's property lines of business deteriorated in
1998, as measured by the loss ratio (net losses incurred divided by net premiums
earned). The fire and allied lines loss ratio increased to 73.5 percent,
compared to 59.5 percent in 1997 and 66.1 percent in 1996. These are the lines
of business most affected by catastrophe losses and include personal and
commercial property coverage for homeowners and commercial businesses.
Catastrophe activity negatively impacted the Company's reinsurance business as
well. The loss ratio for net assumed reinsurance, which constitutes business
assumed from other insurance companies, deteriorated to 95.9 percent in 1998,
from 59.9 percent in 1997 and 73.2 percent in 1996. The Company's workers'
compensation business was also experiencing decreasing underwriting profit.
Reserve strengthening in the fourth quarter of 1998, due to adverse legal
decisions, contributed to deteriorating workers' compensation experience. In
addition, tough competition to retain market share also contributed to the
unfavorable results. The Company's corporate workers' compensation claims
manager resigned in January 1999, and a search for

                                       10
<PAGE>

his replacement was underway. The Company's fidelity and surety business
continued to be very profitable, with a loss ratio of 9.9 percent, down from
12.3 percent in 1997 and 12.7 percent in 1996.

         As a profitability measure, the property and casualty industry uses the
statutory combined ratio, which is calculated by dividing net losses and net
loss adjustment expenses incurred by net premiums earned, plus expenses incurred
divided by net premiums written. Generally, if the combined ratio is below 100
percent, the Company experiences an underwriting profit; if it is above 100
percent, an underwriting loss exists. In 1998, the segment's combined ratio was
115 percent, compared to 98 percent in 1997 and 104 percent in 1996. The
catastrophes discussed above added 11 percent to the combined ratio in 1998.

LIFE INSURANCE SEGMENT

         The Company's life insurance segment had record earnings in 1998. The
segment reported net income after consolidating eliminations of $10,614,000,
compared to $6,060,000 in 1997. Growth in net premiums earned of $6,064,000, or
32 percent, was a major factor in the favorable results. Much of the premium
growth came from the segment's single premium credit life and accident and
health products. Management anticipated smaller growth in the life insurance
segment's premium income in 1999.

         The life segment's largest expenditure is interest credited to
annuities and universal life policies. As new premiums and existing account
balances increase, the interest credited to policies will grow proportionately.
Losses incurred, resulting primarily from death claims, is the second largest
cost incurred by the life insurance segment. In 1998, there were a higher number
of death claims and larger benefits were paid out on these claims, as compared
with prior years. In addition, an increase in retention from $100,000 to
$200,000 per insured, effective January 1, 1995, has increased both premium
revenue and losses incurred.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

         Federal Reserve Chairman Dr. Alan Greenspan described the United States
economy as an "oasis of prosperity" in reference to other international
economies that slumped in 1998 and experienced financial turmoil, defaults and
currency devaluations. The United States experienced moderate economic growth of
3.9 percent, combined with low inflation of 1.6 percent, as declining commodity
prices and increased labor productivity led the Dow Jones Industrial Average to
a record high of 9374 and lower interest rates. During 1998, interest rates
declined over 1 percent for various intermediate and longer-term bond maturities
that the Company typically seeks to invest in. For perspective, the 30-year U.S.
Treasury bond yield declined to its lowest level ever during the 21 years that
it has been offered. This generally lower level of interest rates was partially
offset by widening corporate bond spreads over U.S. treasury bonds. Fixed-income
purchases in these corporate bonds, which included additional purchases of
private placements and higher-yielding medium grade obligations (substantially
all United States corporations), minimized the decline in yields added to the
investment portfolio. For 1999, we were more conservative with our forecast on
economic growth. Concerns of deflation, Year 2000 problems, competitiveness of
the new Euro currency/members, and international financial instability are
expected to slow United States earnings and economic growth (mostly in the
second half) and pose further volatility to the financial markets.

         The Company reported net investment income of $67,928,000 in 1998,
compared to $61,686,000 in 1997. More than 90 percent of the income originated
from interest on fixed maturities. The remaining investment revenue was derived
from dividends on equity securities, interest on other long-term investments,
interest on mortgage loans, interest on policy loans and rent earned from
tenants in the Company's home office. The Company's investment yield remained
fairly stable over the three-year period ending in 1998. The yield was 6.5
percent in 1998, 6.6 percent in 1997 and 6.9 percent in 1996.

         Realized gains reported by the Company increased significantly in 1998,
growing to $22,796,000 from $2,676,000 in 1997. During the second quarter of
1998, the Company took advantage of market conditions and sold some of its
equity securities. The proceeds were used to purchase 625,000 shares of its
common stock. The sales generated realized gains of $16,858,000, which
contributed to the 1998 results. During the third quarter of 1998, 600,000 of
the treasury shares were retired and 25,000 shares were contributed to the
Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

INVESTMENTS

         The investment portfolio is comprised primarily of fixed maturity
securities and equity securities. The Company's investment strategy is to invest
principally in long-term, high-quality securities. As of December 31, 1999, 91
percent of the fixed maturity securities were investment grade (as defined by
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners "NAIC" -Securities Valuation
Office and having NAIC ratings of Class 1 or Class 2), compared to 90 percent at
December 31, 1998. The below-investment-grade holdings present opportunities for
much higher returns than with other available debt securities.

                                       11
<PAGE>

Many of the below-investment-grade holdings purchased are securities that the
Company views as having the potential for upgrade in the near future. Also, the
Company minimizes its risk associated with below-investment-grade securities by
monitoring credit risk of the issuers and by spreading the exposure among
various issuers.

         Fixed income securities that the Company has the ability and intent to
hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity. The remaining fixed income
securities and all of the Company's equity securities are classified as
available-for-sale. The Company currently has no securities classified as
trading. At December 31, 1999, 29 percent of the fixed maturity portfolio was
classified as held-to-maturity compared to 65 percent at December 31, 1998. The
held-to-maturity securities are reported at amortized cost, while
available-for-sale securities are reported at market value. Unrealized
appreciation or depreciation of available-for-sale investments is reflected in a
separate component of stockholders' equity.

         Effective January 1, 1999, the Company reclassified a portion of its
held-to-maturity investment portfolio to available-for-sale in conjunction with
the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." Generally,
reclassifications are allowed only in rare circumstances. However, given the new
restrictions that SFAS No. 133 has on hedging interest rate risk for
held-to-maturity securities, all companies adopting SFAS No. 133 will be allowed
to reassess their held-to-maturity portfolios without "tainting" the remaining
securities classified as held-to-maturity. The impact on the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements, due to the reclassification from
held-to-maturity to available-for-sale, increased the carrying value of
available-for-sale fixed-income securities by approximately $9,250,000, and
other comprehensive income by approximately $6,013,000, net of deferred income
taxes.

         The Company has had limited involvement with derivative financial
instruments and does not engage in the derivative market for hedging purposes.
The Company has, at times, written covered call options to generate additional
portfolio income. At December 31, 1999, there were no open covered call options,
compared to options written on approximately 4 percent of the equity portfolio
at December 31, 1998. The Company also has investments in collateralized
mortgage obligations (CMO), though these holdings have decreased during 1999 and
1998. CMO's account for 12 percent of the fixed-income portfolio at December 31,
1999, compared to 16 percent as of December 31, 1998. The decreases have been
the result of sales and prepayments of CMOs in 1999 and 1998, which were
subsequently replaced with corporate bonds.

OTHER ASSETS

         Deferred acquisition costs constitute the Company's second largest
asset, after investments, and represent underwriting and acquisition expenses
associated with writing insurance policies. These expenses are capitalized and
are amortized over the life of the policies written to attain a matching of
revenue to expenses. The Company's life segment had an increase in deferred
acquisition costs of $18,288,000 due principally to its growth in statutory
premium volume. Deferred acquisition costs of the property and casualty segment
increased in 1999 by $4,194,000, with $2,830,000 arising from the deferred
acquisition costs of American Indemnity.

         Accounts receivable are amounts due from property and casualty
insurance agents and brokers for premiums written, less commissions paid. These
receivables increased by 14 percent, or $6,436,000, over December 31, 1998. The
American Indemnity purchase contributed $1,586,000 of the growth. An increase in
property and casualty writings (before considering American Indemnity) accounted
for much of the remainder of the increase in accounts receivable.

         An allowance for doubtful accounts of $899,000 has been established at
December 31, 1999, compared to $731,000 at December 31, 1998. The Company did
not experience difficulties in collecting balances from its agents in 1999 or
1998.

         The Company's other assets are composed primarily of accrued investment
income, property and equipment (primarily land and buildings), and reinsurance
receivables (amounts due from the Company's reinsurers for losses and expenses).

LIABILITIES

         The Company's largest liability is that of future policy benefits,
which relates exclusively to the life segment. The liability increased by
$126,161,000, or 22 percent, between December 31, 1999 and 1998. Future policy
benefits are increased immediately by the full premiums paid by policyholders
for annuity products and most universal life products. As these product lines
have grown, the future policy benefits have grown proportionately. Claims and
settlement expenses, which relate to the property and casualty segment, also
increased in 1999. Direct and assumed reserves established for losses and
expenses have increased $87,126,000, or 35 percent. Of this increase,
$79,370,000 relates to the purchase of American Indemnity.


                                       12
<PAGE>

$18,489,000, or seven percent. Decreases to equity included $26,241,000 of net
unrealized depreciation, $6,852,000 of declared dividends and $780,000 due to
the retirement of 31,637 shares of common stock. The net unrealized depreciation
resulted from unrealized losses of $11,201,000 on the Company's available-for-
sale equity portfolio, unrealized losses of $22,071,000 on the available-for-
sale fixed maturity securities, and unrealized gains of $7,031,000 related to
other investments and adjustments to deferred acquisition costs. The Company has
board authorization to purchase an additional 14,075 shares of the Company's
common stock. Net income increased the Company's stockholders' equity by
$15,384,000.

CASH FLOW AND LIQUIDITY

         Most of the cash the Company receives is generated from insurance
premiums paid by policyholders and from investment income. Premiums are invested
in assets maturing at regular intervals in order to meet the Company's
obligations to pay policy benefits, claims and claim adjusting expenses. Net
cash provided by the Company's operating activities was $34,452,000 in 1999,
compared to $18,061,000 in 1998. Operating cash flows continue to be ample to
meet obligations to policyholders.

         Short-term investments, composed of money market accounts and
fixed-income securities, are available for the Company's short-term cash needs.
In addition, the Company maintains a $20 million line of credit with a local
bank. During 1999, the Company borrowed funds against the line of credit, with a
maximum outstanding balance of $4,000,000. Under the terms of the agreement,
interest on outstanding notes is payable at the lender's prevailing prime rate,
minus one. There is no loan balance outstanding as of December 31, 1999.
Interest expense in connection with the line of credit borrowing was $22,000 in
1999. During 1998, the Company borrowed funds against the line of credit, with a
maximum outstanding balance of $3,450,000. There was no loan balance outstanding
as of December 31, 1998. Interest expense in connection with the line of credit
borrowing was $11,000 in 1998.

REGULATION

         The insurance industry is governed by the NAIC and individual state
insurance departments. These governing agencies are working on a project to
codify insurance statutory accounting practices. Currently, these practices are
prescribed in a variety of publications, as well as state laws, regulations and
general administrative rules. The Company expects the State of Iowa to adopt
codification by January 1, 2001, and the Company expects the new rules to have a
financial effect upon application. The Company has not yet determined this
impact. The changes would not affect the accompanying financial statements,
which are based on GAAP. Prior to implementation of the codified rules,
permitted statutory accounting practices are used when prescribed statutory
practices do not address the accounting for transactions. The Company does not
use permitted practices that individually or in the aggregate materially affect
statutory surplus or risk- based capital.

         As part of the NAIC and state insurance department's solvency
regulations, the Company is required to calculate a minimum capital requirement
based on insurance risk factors. The risk-based capital results are used to
identify companies that merit regulatory attention or the initiation of
regulatory action. At December 31, 1999, the life segment and all but one of the
property and casualty subsidiaries had capital well in excess of their required
levels. American Indemnity Company's risk-based capital was beneath the minimum
level prescribed by the NAIC. In response to the situation, the Company has made
the decision to reinsure the underwriting business of American Indemnity Company
in accordance with a 100 percent quota share reinsurance agreement effective
January 1, 2000, for all American Indemnity Company policies new or renewed on
or after January 1, 2000. This measure should bring American Indemnity Company's
capital back to a point that is in excess of required NAIC levels. The Company
is not aware of any other current recommendations by the NAIC or other
regulatory authorities in the states in which the Company conducts business
that, if or when implemented, would have a material effect on the Company's
liquidity, capital resources or operations.

IMPACT OF YEAR 2000

         In prior filings, the Company discussed the nature and progress of its
plans to become Year 2000 ready. In 1999, the Company completed its final
programming and testing of systems. As a result of those planning and
implementation efforts, the Company experienced no significant disruptions in
mission-critical information technology and non- information technology systems.
The Company believes that its systems successfully responded to the Year 2000
date change. The expenses incurred during 1999 in connection with Year 2000
planning, implementation and testing the Company's systems were not material.
The Company's total costs incurred in connection with the Year 2000 remediation
were approximately $1,500,000.

    The Company's transition into the year 2000 has, to date, been considered
uneventful and successful and did not result in any noteworthy events with the
Company or its suppliers. However, the potential for problems resulting from
Year-2000 issues still exists.

                                       13
<PAGE>

Accordingly, the Company will continue to monitor it's systems, and will
maintain contact with its vendors concerning the status of their Year 2000
transition.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

         In February 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase
of an additional 100,000 shares of the Company's stock. The total
number of shares that are now authorized for repurchase is 114,075.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

         Recently, your Company has been doing very well, but you couldn't tell
it from the performance of its stock. Most financial service stocks have not
done well during the past year and, unfortunately, insurance stocks seem to have
been particularly out of favor. In fact, they are so far out of favor that not
even a dot.com in their name or a corner on the market for black tulip bulbs
would help their price. Many, including your stock in United Fire, are selling
below book value.

         After five quarters of disappointing underwriting results for our
property and casualty business, experience improved in the third quarter of
1999, and the last two quarters have been quite satisfactory. For the year,
earnings were $15,384,000, or $1.53 per share, compared with $23,677,000 or
$2.28 in 1998. Operating earnings, earnings excluding realized gains, increased
52 percent to $13,476,000. In the last six months of the year, your Company
earned $11,879,000, compared with only $2,185,000 in the same period the
previous year. For the year, premiums earned increased 11 percent to
$273,051,000, and investment income also increased 11 percent to $75,317,000.
Total assets increased $217,122,000 to $1,468,000,000.

         For our property and casualty segment, the combined ratio improved six
points to 109 percent, which is approximately in line with what we expect the
industry's results to be. For the last six months, our combined ratio was 106
percent. A better indicator of the improvement in your Company's underwriting
fortunes would be a comparison excluding the business of the American Indemnity,
which we acquired on August 10, 1999. When the business written by the American
Indemnity is excluded from the calculation, our combined ratio improved by eight
points to 107 percent. Excluding the American Indemnity, premiums written
increased 7 percent to $237,000,000. Direct catastrophe losses for the year
totaled $10,000,000 (before tax), down from $21,000,000 (before tax) in 1998.

         United Life Insurance Company continues to contribute significantly to
our earnings. Earnings for the year were $9,322,000, down 12 percent from
$10,614,000 for 1998. 1998's earnings benefited from reserve adjustments made in
the last quarter of that year, which amounted to $1,615,000. Statutory premiums
written, which include $146,000,000 of individual annuities, increased 12
percent to $173,000,000. In the past four years, premiums written have nearly
doubled. The company that one of the rating agencies criticized for becoming an
asset accumulator has now accumulated $825,293,000 in assets and an equity of
$103,993,000. We may not know what we're doing, but we seem to be doing it very
well. United Life's return on average invested assets was 7.5 percent, compared
to 7.7 percent in 1998.

         Last year, we described the development of our Web Site and featured
our Home Page on the cover of our Annual Report. We're so proud of it, we
decided to use it again, but changed the color. Nearly all our agents have now
been trained on the use of our Web Site, and many are using its interactive
capabilities to secure quotes and obtain up to-date claim and account
information. It is averaging 1,750 visits per week. It can be accessed at
www.unitedfiregroup.com. Unlike many companies doing business on the internet,
we make a profit and have had no problem handling our Christmas returns.

         On March 4,1999, we entered into an agreement to acquire the American
Indemnity Financial Corporation of Galveston, Texas. The transaction was
consummated on August 10th. The American Indemnity Group is comprised of four
insurance companies, three of which are domiciled in Texas. In 1999 it wrote
approximately $62,000,000 in direct premiums, principally in the states of
Texas, Florida, Louisiana and Alabama. Despite the Galveston address its coastal
exposures are minimal. Its book of business is predominantly small commercial
risks and is very comparable to our own. The profile of its agencies is similar
to ours and its non-Texas business fits well with that of the Lafayette
Insurance Co., expanding it into two additional states, Alabama and Tennessee.
We concluded it was a good fit and would be a good way to expand our base.

         The acquisition of American Indemnity is the seventh such transaction
in which we've been involved since I joined the Company in the mid-'50s (there
were at least three others of which I am aware prior to then), so growth by
acquisition is not a new strategy for your Company. Some have worked out well
and others have not. This time, as I told our staff,

                                       14
<PAGE>

"I think I finally got it right!" At least I hope so! We're optimistic. One of
our guiding principles has been to never bet the family farm on any one deal. An
AOL/Time-Warner deal is not our style.

         While only five months elapsed between the date the acquisition was
announced and the deal closed, at times, it seemed like an eternity. The
transaction had to be reviewed by the F. T. C., the S. E. C. and three state
insurance departments. To truly appreciate our system of government, everyone
should go through that experience at least once. Then people would understand
what politicians really mean when they cry out for more regulation. No rational
person could create such a system.

         (Recently I read an article that described the Russian bureaucracy as a
labyrinth. Don't worry, the Russians have nothing on us.)

         One of those insurance departments, the department of a state in which
we are licensed and have been doing business for over forty years, required not
only all our Officers and Directors to be fingerprinted, but my mother too. So
one day I went out to the retirement home where she lives and drove her to the
Cedar Rapids Police Station. For her, it was a great adventure and gave her
something to tell the "girls" about that evening. I have no doubt the citizens
of Colorado sleep easier at night knowing their insurance department has the
fingerprints of my 97-year-old mother on file.

         There are many theories on what it will take to reverse the
underwriting cycle. One is the "big blow" theory that postulates what we need is
another hurricane like Andrew. Then there is the "surplus-surplus" theory that
prays for a bad stock market and its corollary, the negative cash flow theory.
With Reliance selling its most profitable operation, its surety business, to The
Travelers, who just a few years ago exited the business, and CGU putting all of
its United States operations up for sale, maybe things are about to get better.
If not, perhaps the ancient Aztecs have it right and what the gods really want
is a human sacrifice.

         Last year, Congress finally enacted legislation revamping how financial
institutions are to be regulated. Apparently the members of Congress and the
lobbyists who have been living off this issue for years finally came to the
conclusion they had milked it for all it was worth, so they might as well take
some action. Among the bill's provisions is one which will permit banks,
insurance companies and securities dealers to acquire each other. This is
supposed to usher in the wonderful world of "one-stop" financial services. The
only problem is that this may be the revolution nobody wants except the
investment bankers who have visions of collecting fat fees for arranging such
deals. Past attempts at bundling financial services together (the concept of
"one-stop" financial services is not new) have not been roaring successes. The
financial services customer knows what he or she wants and we believe that what
he or she wants is suppliers that are good at what they do and not a pretty red
umbrella. Anyway the internet may well make the whole question moot as customers
learn to surf the "net" to find the best deal. This only lays credence to the
proposition that by the time Congress finally addresses a problem, the problem
has probably resolved itself.

         No commentary on the last year of the millenium (although it really
wasn't) would be complete without some mention of the bug that didn't bite, Y2K.
I suppose we will never know how much this foolishness cost. The expenses
incurred can be divided into two categories. The necessary expenses, those
incurred to rewrite computer programs and test the systems (this work had
largely been completed prior to 1999) and the ridiculous ones incurred to
produce paper to fill other people's files. With the preparation of emergency
plans, making of filings and conducting of audits, by year-end this part of the
fiasco took on the appearance of a Chinese fire drill. Then "poof," nothing
happened! Cassandra struck out again. Oh well, our Board Meetings should be a
lot shorter now that we don't have Y2K to talk about.

         Once again, Ward Financial Group named your company one of the 50
outstanding property and casualty companies in the United States, based on
performance and security.

         Last year, I offered some investment advice about insurance stocks. It
was bad advice and I hope no one took it. If you did, I'm sorry, but if it's any
consolation, unfortunately so did I!

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

         The Company has exposure to market risk arising from potential losses
due to adverse changes in interest rates and market prices. The Company's
primary market risk exposure is changes in interest rates, although the Company
has some exposure to changes in equity prices and limited exposure to foreign
currency exchange rates.

         The active management of market risk is integral to the Company's
operations. Investment guidelines are in place that define the overall framework
for managing the Company's market and other investment risks, including
accountability and controls. In addition, the Company has specific investment
policies for each of its subsidiaries that delineate the investment limits and
strategies that are appropriate, given each entity's liquidity, surplus, product
and regulatory requirements. In response to market risk, the Company may respond
by rebalancing its existing asset portfolio, or by changing the character of
future investment purchases.

                                       15
<PAGE>

         The Company's interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a
fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. One of the measures that the
Company uses to quantify this exposure is duration, which relates primarily to
the life insurance segment and measures the sensitivity of the fair value of
assets and liabilities to changes in interest rates. The Company's life segment
had $502,274,000 in deferred annuity liabilities that are specifically allocated
to fixed-income securities. The management of these investments concentrates
mostly upon the proper matching of the duration of the deferred annuity
obligations and that of the assets supporting these obligations. This is done by
projecting asset and liability cash flows under a variety of market
interest-rate scenarios. Duration is calculated by revaluing these cash flows at
alternative levels of interest rates, and determining the change in discounted
value from that developed using current market interest rates. The projections
include assumptions regarding asset prepayment and extension risk, and the
effect of varying market interest rate conditions on lapse and partial
withdrawal activity. Based upon these projections, at current levels of interest
rates, the duration of the assets supporting deferred annuity liabilities is
0.10 years longer than the projected duration of the liabilities. If interest
rates increase by 100 basis points, this difference would be expected to narrow
to .01 years.

         Based upon the information and assumptions in effect at December 31,
1999, management estimates that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in
interest rates for all of its interest-sensitive financial instruments would
result in a net hypothetical loss in fair value of $22,718,000, net of tax. The
Company has included corresponding changes in certain deferred annuity
liabilities in this sensitivity analysis. The selection of a 100 basis point
immediate parallel increase in interest rates should not be construed as a
prediction by the Company's management of future market events; but rather, to
illustrate the potential impact of such an event.

         To the extent that actual results differ from the assumptions utilized,
the Company's duration and rate increase measures could be significantly
impacted. Additionally, the Company's calculation assumes that the current
relationship between short-term and long-term interest rates (the term structure
of interest rates) will remain constant over time. As a result, these
calculations may not fully capture the impact of non-parallel changes in the
term structure of interest rates and/or large changes in interest rates.

         Foreign currency exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that
changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the fair value of
financial instruments. The Company has limited foreign currency exchange rate
risk in its transactions with foreign reinsurers. This activity relates to the
settlement of amounts due to/from foreign reinsurers in the normal course of
business. Management considers this risk to be immaterial to the Company's
operations.

         Equity price risk is the potential loss arising from changes in the
fair value of equity securities. The Company's exposure to this risk relates to
its equity securities portfolio and covered call options that have been written
at various times. Assuming an immediate decrease in market prices of 10 percent
for equity securities, the hypothetical loss in fair value is estimated to be
$10,915,000. Covered call options have been written at various times to generate
additional portfolio income. The market risk associated with the Company's
covered call options is minimized, as the covered call options are written on
common stocks that are held in the portfolio and that are "out of the money"
(written above the stock's market value at time of contract). If the market
price of this underlying common stock were to decline it would be unusual for
the option to be exercised since this exercise price would be higher than the
market price. At December 31, 1999, there were no open covered call options.

                                       16
<PAGE>

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      (Dollars in Thousands
                                                                                     Except Number of Shares)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS                                                                                     1999         1998
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>          <C>
INVESTMENTS (Notes 2 and 3)
  Fixed maturities
    Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (market value $314,168 in 1999
    and $626,180 in 1998)                                                             $  311,152   $  591,237
    Available-for-sale, at market (amortized cost $800,467 in 1999
    and $320,171 in 1998)                                                                768,307      321,966
  Equity securities (cost $38,755 in 1999 and $23,450 in 1998)                           109,148      111,076
  Mortgage loans                                                                              --        2,777
  Policy loans                                                                             8,645        8,707
  Other long-term investments, at market (cost $12,841 in 1999
  and $11,517 in 1998)                                                                    13,328       14,368
  Short-term investments                                                                  20,131       33,985
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      $1,230,711   $1,084,116

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                                  9,749           --
ACCRUED INVESTMENT INCOME (Note 3)                                                        19,857       16,130
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, (net of allowance for doubtful accounts
of $899 in 1999 and $731 in 1998)                                                         51,304       44,868
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS                                                         90,074       67,592
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, primarily land and buildings, at cost,
Less accumulated depreciation of $20,284 in 1999 and $15,984 in 1998                      16,863       13,334
REINSURANCE RECEIVABLES (Note 5)                                                          29,715       12,910
PREPAID REINSURANCE PREMIUMS                                                               3,019        2,923
INTANGIBLES                                                                                8,044          817
INCOME TAXES RECEIVABLE (Note 8)                                                           1,169        3,757
OTHER ASSETS                                                                               7,211        4,147
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                                          $1,467,716   $1,250,594
=============================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

LIABILITIES
  Future policy benefits and losses, claims and settlement expenses (Notes 5 and 6)
    Property and casualty insurance                                                   $  338,243   $  251,117
    Life insurance (Note 3)                                                              701,350      575,189
  Unearned premiums                                                                      148,472      116,418
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                  22,043       18,922
  Employee benefit obligations (Note 9)                                                   12,385        9,813
  Deferred income taxes (Note 8)                                                           7,430       22,853
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                     $1,229,923   $  994,312
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Common stock, $3.33 1/3 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares (Note 12)
    10,060,084 shares issued and outstanding in 1999
    10,091,721 shares issued and outstanding in 1998                                  $   33,534   $   33,639
  Additional paid-in capital                                                               7,252        7,927
  Retained earnings (Note 7)                                                             163,953      155,421
  Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax                                      33,054       59,295
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                            $  237,793   $  256,282
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                            $1,467,716   $1,250,594
=============================================================================================================
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>

                                       17
<PAGE>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data
                                                                            and Number of Shares)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1999          1998          1997
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>           <C>           <C>
REVENUES
  Net premiums earned (Note 5)                                    $   273,051   $   245,727   $   244,939
  Investment income, net (Note 2)                                      75,317        67,928        61,686
  Realized investment gains and other income (Note 2)                   2,936        22,796         2,676
  Commission and policy fee income                                      1,912         1,815         1,829
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  $   353,216   $   338,266   $   311,130
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES
  Losses and settlement expenses                                  $   197,291   $   191,388   $   159,199
  Increase in liability for future policy benefits                      5,157         3,707         5,016
  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                    49,863        47,892        50,269
  Other underwriting expenses                                          51,401        40,315        35,968
  Interest on policyholders' accounts                                  32,286        26,568        22,510
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  $   335,998   $   309,870   $   272,962
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Income before income taxes                                      $    17,218   $    28,396   $    38,168
  Federal income taxes (Note 8)                                         1,834         4,719         9,436
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  NET INCOME                                                      $    15,384   $    23,677   $    28,732
==========================================================================================================
  Earnings available to common shareholders (Note 12)             $    15,834   $    23,677   $    28,732
==========================================================================================================
  Weighted average common shares outstanding (Note 12)             10,079,563    10,393,930    10,727,440
==========================================================================================================
  Basic and diluted earnings per common share (Note 12)           $      1.53   $      2.28   $      2.68
==========================================================================================================

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>

                                       18
<PAGE>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data and Number of Shares)
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Accumulated
                                                                                               Other
                                                                  Additional               Comprehensive
                                                       Common      Paid-In     Retained     Income, Net
                                                       Stock       Capital     Earnings       of Tax       Total
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Balances, December 31, 1996                         $  35,759    $   9,342    $ 139,933    $  42,825    $ 227,859
  Net income                                               --           --       28,732           --       28,732
  Change in net unrealized
  appreciation (1)                                         --           --           --       27,388       27,388
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total comprehensive income (Note 13)                                                                     56,120
  Cash dividend declared on
  common stock $.63 per share                              --           --       (6,759)          --       (6,759)
  Purchase and retirement of
  390 shares of common stock                               (1)         (11)          --           --          (12)
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances, December 31, 1997                         $  35,758    $   9,331    $ 161,906    $  70,213    $ 277,208
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                                               --           --       23,677           --       23,677
  Change in net unrealized
  depreciation (1)                                         --           --           --      (10,918)     (10,918)
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total comprehensive income (Note 13)                                                                     12,759
  Cash dividend declared on
  Common stock $.67 per share                              --           --       (6,964)          --       (6,964)
  Purchase and retirement of
  635,601 shares of common stock                       (2,119)      (1,404)     (23,198)          --      (26,721)
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 1998                         $  33,639    $   7,927    $ 155,421    $  59,295    $ 256,282
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  TRANSITION ADJUSTMENT FOR THE
  EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING
  PRINCIPLE, NET OF TAX (Note 1)                           --           --           --        6,013        6,013
  NET INCOME                                               --           --       15,384           --       15,384
  CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED
  DEPRECIATION (1)                                         --           --           --      (32,254)     (32,254)
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Note 13)                                                                      (10,857)
  CASH DIVIDEND DECLARED ON
  COMMON STOCK $.68 PER SHARE                              --           --       (6,852)          --       (6,852)
  PURCHASE AND RETIREMENT OF
  31,637 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK                          (105)        (675)          --           --         (780)
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 1999                         $  33,534    $   7,252      163,953    $  33,054    $ 237,793
==================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) The change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is net of
    reclassification adjustments and income taxes.

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these
statements.


                                       19
<PAGE>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    1999         1998         1997
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>          <C>          <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net Income                                                      $  15,384    $  23,677    $  28,732
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities
  Net bond discount accretion                                          88       (1,428)        (307)
  Depreciation and amortization                                     3,078          468        1,117
  Realized net investment gains                                    (2,303)     (22,793)      (2,610)
  Realized net gain on sale of property                                --           (3)          --
  Changes in:
     Accrued investment income                                     (2,795)      (1,971)      (1,964)
     Accounts receivable                                            6,338         (808)        (627)
     Deferred policy acquisition costs                            (18,092)      (7,377)      (4,132)
     Reinsurance receivables                                        5,493        1,520       (1,940)
     Prepaid reinsurance premiums                                   3,174        1,141          165
     Income taxes receivable/payable                                2,588       (7,064)       4,016
     Other assets                                                  (1,372)       3,044          (53)
     Future policy benefits and losses, claims and
       settlement expenses                                         19,300       20,258       16,652
     Unearned premiums                                              3,275        8,122        3,288
     Accrued expenses and other liabilities                       (14,214)         549       (1,454)
     Employee benefit obligations                                   2,572        1,148        1,901
     Deferred income taxes                                         (1,293)         609          427
    Other, net                                                     13,231       (1,031)          --
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total adjustments                                             $  19,068    $  (5,616)   $  14,479
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net cash provided by operating activities                     $  34,452    $  18,061    $  43,211
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
  Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments          $  35,653    $  78,471    $  27,390
  Proceeds from call and maturity of held-to-maturity
    investments                                                    35,398      101,180       62,834
  Proceeds from call and maturity of available-for-sale
    investments                                                    95,762       31,084        5,298
  Proceeds from sale of other investments                         102,256       38,956       62,189
  Purchase of investments held-to-maturity                         (1,682)     (14,461)     (89,519)
  Purchase of investments available-for-sale                     (295,670)    (258,744)    (105,408)
  Purchase of other investments                                   (86,856)     (55,972)     (53,429)
  Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                      1,469        3,009        1,942
  Purchase of property and equipment                               (1,429)      (2,120)      (4,619)
  Acquisition of property and casualty company, net of
    cash acquired                                                 (22,249)          --           --
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net cash used in investing activities                         $(137,348)   $ (78,597)   $ (93,322)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
  Policyholders' account balances
     Deposits to investment and universal-life-type contracts   $ 189,715    $ 158,491    $ 127,644
     Withdrawals from investment and universal-life-type
       contracts                                                  (69,432)     (66,648)     (82,881)
  Purchase and retirement of common stock                            (780)     (26,721)         (12)
  Payment of cash dividends                                        (6,858)      (6,964)      (6,651)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net cash provided by financing activities                     $ 112,645    $  58,158    $  38,100
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents            $   9,749    $  (2,378)   $ (12,011)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year                         --        2,378       14,389
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year                        $   9,749    $      --    $   2,378
====================================================================================================

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>

                                       20
<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NATURE OF OPERATIONS, PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF REPORTING

         The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on the basis
of generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), which differ in some
respects from those followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities.

         United Fire & Casualty Company and its insurance subsidiaries (the
"Company") are engaged in the business of property and casualty insurance and
life insurance.

         The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include United Fire
& Casualty Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, United Life Insurance
Company, Lafayette Insurance Company, Insurance Brokers & Managers, Inc.,
Addison Insurance Company, Addison Insurance Agency, UFC Premium Finance
Company, American Indemnity Financial Corporation, American Indemnity Company,
American Fire and Indemnity Company, Texas General Indemnity Company, American
Computing Company, and the affiliate American Indemnity Lloyds, which is
financially and operationally controlled by the Company. All material
intercompany items have been eliminated in consolidation.

         The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.

         Certain amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements for
prior years have been reclassified to conform with the 1999 financial statement
presentation.

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY SEGMENT

         Premiums are reflected in income on a daily pro rata basis over the
terms of the respective policies. Unearned premium reserves are established for
the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired term of policies in
force.

         Certain costs of underwriting new business, principally commissions,
premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses, have been
deferred. Such costs are being amortized as premium revenue is recognized. The
method followed in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount
of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect
to the premium to be earned, losses and expenses, and certain other costs
expected to be incurred as the premium is earned.

         Unpaid losses and settlement expenses are based on estimates of
reported and unreported claims and related settlement expenses. While management
believes the reserve for claims and settlement expenses is adequate, the reserve
is continually reviewed and, as adjustments become necessary, they are reflected
in current operations. Changes in assumptions used in estimating reserves could
cause the reserves to change in the near term.

LIFE SEGMENT

         On traditional business, premiums are reported as earned when due, and
benefits and expenses are associated with premium income so as to result in the
recognition of profits over the lives of the related contracts. On universal
life and annuity (nontraditional) business, income and expenses are reported as
charged and credited to policyholder account balances through the use of the
retrospective deposit method. This method results in the recognition of profits
over the lives of the related contracts. These associations are accomplished by
means of the provision for future policy benefits and the deferral and
subsequent amortization of life policy acquisition costs.

         The costs of acquiring new life business, principally commissions and
certain variable underwriting, agency and policy issue expenses, have been
deferred and are being amortized to income over the premium paying period of the
related traditional policies in proportion to the ratio of the expected annual
premium revenue to the expected total premium revenue, and over the anticipated
lives of nontraditional policies in proportion to the ratio of the expected
annual gross margins to the expected total gross margins. The expected premium
revenue and gross margins are based upon the same mortality and withdrawal
assumptions used in determining future policy benefits. For nontraditional
policies, changes in the amount or timing of expected gross margins will result
in adjustment to the cumulative amortization of these costs.

         The effect on the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs for
revisions to estimated gross profits is reflected in earnings in the period such

                                       21
<PAGE>

estimated gross profits are revised. The effect on the deferred policy
acquisition costs that would result from realization of unrealized gains
(losses) is recognized with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income
in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity as of the balance sheet
date. As of December 31, 1999, an adjustment to increase deferred policy
acquisition costs of $12,808,000 was made with a corresponding decrease to
accumulated other comprehensive income. In 1998, the adjustment was to reduce
deferred policy acquisition costs by $726,000.

         Liabilities for future policy benefits are computed by the net level
premium method using interest assumptions ranging from 4.5 percent to 8.0
percent and withdrawal, mortality and morbidity assumptions appropriate at the
time the policies were issued. Health reserves are stated at amounts determined
by estimates on individual cases and estimates of unreported claims based on
past experience. Liabilities for universal-life-type and investment contracts
are stated at policyholder account values before surrender charges. Liabilities
for traditional immediate annuities are based primarily upon statutory reserves.

         Policy claim liabilities are determined using actuarial estimates.
These estimates are based on historical information, along with certain
assumptions about future events. Changes in assumptions for such things as
medical costs, environmental hazards and legal actions, as well as changes in
actual experience, could cause these estimates to change in the near term.

INVESTMENTS

         Investments in held-to-maturity fixed-income securities are recorded at
amortized cost. The Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments
until maturity. If, however, a permanent impairment occurs in a security, the
Company writes the security down to the new value. Available-for-sale
fixed-income securities, equity securities and other long-term investments are
recorded at fair value. Mortgage loans are recorded at the unpaid balance
amount. Policy loans and short-term investments are recorded at cost. Included
in investments at December 31, 1999 and 1998, are securities on deposit with
various regulatory authorities as required by law with carrying values of
$755,436,000 and $651,173,000, respectively.

         Realized gains or losses on disposition of investments are included in
the computation of net income. Cost of investments sold is determined by the
specific identification method. Changes in unrealized appreciation and
depreciation, resulting from available-for-sale fixed-income securities, equity
securities, other long-term investments and certain life deferred policy
acquisition costs, are reported as direct increases or decreases in
stockholders' equity, less applicable income taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

         For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include
cash and non-negotiable certificates of deposit with original maturities three
months or less. Negative cash balances are included in accrued expenses and
other liabilities. Income taxes paid during 1999, 1998 and 1997 were $505,000,
$11,201,000 and $5,789,000, respectively. There were no other significant
payments of interest other than interest credited on policyholders' accounts in
1999, 1998 or 1997.

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION

         Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily by the straight-line method
over the estimated useful lives of the underlying assets.

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES

         Intangibles, including goodwill and agency relationships, are being
amortized by the straight-line method over periods of up to 28 years.

INCOME TAXES

         The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are determined at the end of each period, based on
differences between the financial statement bases of assets and liabilities and
the tax bases of those same assets and liabilities, using the currently enacted
statutory tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is measured by the change in
the net deferred income tax asset or liability during the year.

ACCOUNTING CHANGES

         In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." In June 1999, SFAS No. 133 was
amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB No. 133 - an amendment of
FASB Statement No. 133". SFAS No. 133 is now effective for all fiscal quarters
of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. A

                                       22
<PAGE>

company may also implement SFAS No. 133 as of the beginning of any fiscal
quarter after issuance. SFAS No. 133 cannot be applied retroactively. The new
statement requires all derivatives (including certain derivative instruments
embedded in other contracts) to be recorded on the balance sheet as either an
asset or a liability at fair value and establishes special accounting for
certain types of hedges. The Company has had limited involvement with derivative
financial instruments, and does not engage in the derivative market for hedging
purposes. Effective January 1, 1999, the Company early adopted SFAS No. 133. As
part of the implementation of SFAS No. 133, the Company was allowed to reassess
its held-to-maturity portfolio without "tainting" the remaining securities
classified as held-to-maturity. The impact on the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements due to the reclassification from held-to-maturity to
available-for-sale, effective January 1, 1999, increased the carrying value of
available-for-sale fixed-income securities by approximately $9,250,000 and other
comprehensive income by approximately $6,013,000, net of deferred income taxes.
This is shown as a change in accounting principle in the Consolidated Statements
of Stockholders' Equity. There was no other material effect on the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements.

         Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted Statement of Position
("SOP") 97-3, "Accounting by Insurance and Other Enterprises for
Insurance-Related Assessments". The accounting guidance of this SOP focuses on
the timing of recognition and measurement of liabilities for insurance-related
assessments. Guidance is also provided on recording assets presenting future
recoveries of assessments through premium tax offsets or policy surcharges. The
SOP was issued to reduce diversity in practice and to improve comparability and
disclosure. Under SOP 97-3, the Company estimates its liabilities for
insurance-related assessments, as opposed to recording the liability and expense
when notified by insurance regulators. This change in timing did not have a
material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

         Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted SOP 98-1, "Accounting
for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use". SOP
98-1 requires that certain costs related to the development or purchase of
internal- use software be capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful
life of the software. The SOP also requires that costs related to the
preliminary project stage and the post-implementation and operations stage of an
internal-use computer software development project be expensed as incurred. SOP
98-1 changed the timing of the Company's software development expenses and the
impact did not have a material effect on the Company's Consolidated Financial
Statements.

         SOP 98-7, "Deposit Accounting: Accounting for Insurance and Reinsurance
Contracts That Do Not Transfer Insurance Risk," is effective for financial
statements for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999. The SOP provides
guidance on accounting for insurance and reinsurance contracts that do not
transfer insurance risk. All of the Company's reinsurance agreements are
risk-transferring arrangements, accounted for according to SFAS No. 113,
"Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration
Contracts." The impact of adopting SOP 98-7 will not have a material effect on
the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       23
<PAGE>

NOTE 2.
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS

A reconciliation of the amortized cost (cost for equity securities) to fair
values of investments in held-to-maturity and available-for-sale fixed
maturities, equity securities and other long-term investments as of December 31,
1999 and 1998 is as follows.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31, 1999                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Gross          Gross
                                                          Amortized    Unrealized     Unrealized       Fair
Type of Investment                                          Cost      Appreciation   Depreciation      Value
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>             <C>           <C>
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Fixed maturities
   Bonds
      United States
      Government, government agencies and authorities
        Collateralized mortgage obligations               $ 12,385     $     --        $    581      $ 11,804
        Mortgage-backed securities                           9,475          599               3        10,071
        All others                                           1,804          205              --         2,009
      States, municipalities and political subdivisions    177,580        4,521           1,279       180,822
      Foreign                                                3,035            4              47         2,992
      Public utilities                                      19,473           70             258        19,285
      Corporate bonds
        Collateralized mortgage obligations                 17,747          208             364        17,591
        All other corporate bonds                           69,653          894             953        69,594
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total held-to-maturity                                    $311,152     $  6,501        $  3,485      $314,168
=============================================================================================================
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
   Bonds
      United States
      Government, government agencies and authorities
        Collateralized mortgage obligations               $ 30,326     $      6        $    730      $ 29,602
        Mortgage-backed securities                          14,899            2             282        14,619
        All others                                          33,290           --             799        32,491
      States, municipalities and political subdivisions     89,335          735           5,078        84,992
      All foreign bonds                                     28,898           22           2,032        26,888
      Public utilities                                     113,142          377           3,927       109,592
      Corporate bonds
        Collateralized mortgage obligations                 66,157        1,800           1,459        66,498
        All other corporate bonds                          424,420          984          21,779       403,625
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total available-for-sale fixed maturities                 $800,467     $  3,926        $ 36,086      $768,307
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity securities
   Common stocks
     Public utilities                                     $  8,639     $  7,758        $  1,860      $ 14,537
     Banks, trust and insurance companies                   12,486       35,281             464        47,303
     All other common stocks                                16,696       30,412             609        46,499
   Nonredeemable preferred stocks                              934           --             125           809
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total available-for-sale equity securities                $ 38,755     $ 73,451        $  3,058      $109,148
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total available-for-sale                                  $839,222     $ 77,377        $ 39,144      $877,455
=============================================================================================================
Other long-term investments                               $ 12,841     $    913        $    426      $ 13,328
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       24
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31, 1999                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Gross          Gross
                                                          Amortized    Unrealized     Unrealized       Fair
Type of Investment                                          Cost      Appreciation   Depreciation      Value
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>             <C>           <C>
Held-to-maturity
Fixed maturities
   Bonds
      United States
      Government, government agencies and authorities
        Collateralized mortgage obligations               $ 22,152     $   489         $   --        $ 22,641
        Mortgage-backed securities                          13,923       1,211             --          15,134
        All others                                           1,773         427             --           2,200
      States, municipalities and political subdivisions    218,465      15,495             21         233,939
      Foreign                                                6,480         449             --           6,929
      Public utilities                                      51,466       2,323             --          53,789
      Corporate bonds
        Collateralized mortgage obligations                 86,382       4,109            753          89,738
        All other corporate bonds                          190,596      11,548            334         201,810
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total held-to-maturity                                    $591,237     $36,051         $1,108        $626,180
=============================================================================================================
Available-for-sale
Fixed maturities
   Bonds
      United States
      Government, government agencies and authorities
        Collateralized mortgage obligations               $ 31,054     $ 1,347         $   --        $ 32,401
        Mortgage-backed securities                              45           3             --              48
        All others                                           9,814         155             37           9,932
      States, municipalities and political subdivisions     53,645       1,286             69          54,862
      All foreign bonds                                     11,734          --            937          10,797
      Public utilities                                      26,198         295             88          26,405
      Corporate bonds
        Collateralized mortgage obligations                  6,162         296             --           6,458
        All other corporate bonds                          181,519       2,865          3,321         181,063
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total available-for-sale fixed maturities                 $320,171     $ 6,247         $4,452        $321,966
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity securities
   Common stocks
     Public utilities                                       $3,525     $ 9,408         $   --        $ 12,933
     Banks, trust and insurance companies                    9,092      53,628             --          62,720
     All other common stocks                                 9,992      24,631            324          34,299
   Nonredeemable preferred stocks                              841         289              6           1,124
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total available-for-sale equity securities                $ 23,450     $87,956         $  330        $111,076
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total available-for-sale                                  $343,621     $94,203         $4,782        $433,042
=============================================================================================================
Other long-term investments                               $ 11,517     $ 2,894         $   43        $ 14,368
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       25
<PAGE>

The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale
fixed maturities at December 31, 1999, by contractual maturity, are shown below.
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31, 1999                       Held-to-maturity               Available-for-sale
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Amortized Cost   Fair Value    Amortized Cost  Fair Value
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>
Due in one year or less                        $ 12,608        $ 12,755       $ 10,756       $ 10,755
Due after one year through five years            59,276          60,135        206,479        202,047
Due after five years through ten years           76,917          78,159        294,520        278,916
Due after ten years                             122,744         123,653        177,329        165,870
Mortgage-backed securities                        9,475          10,071         14,900         14,619
Collateralized mortgage obligations              30,132          29,395         96,483         96,100
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $311,152        $314,168       $800,467       $768,307
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments during 1999, 1998 and 1997
were $35,653,000, $78,471,000, and $27,390,000, respectively. Gross gains of
$2,920,000, $23,208,000, and $3,242,000, respectively, were realized on those
sales. Gross losses of $895,000, $385,000 and $15,000, respectively, were
realized on those sales in 1999, 1998 and 1997.

A summary of realized investment gains (losses) resulting from sales, calls and
maturities and net changes in unrealized investment appreciation (depreciation),
less applicable income taxes, is as follows.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,                                             1999        1998         1997
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>         <C>
Realized investment gains (losses)
   Fixed maturities                                                $    577    $   (145)   $   (401)
   Equity securities                                                  1,678      22,448       3,011
   Other investments                                                     48         493          --
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $  2,303    $ 22,796    $  2,610
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net changes in unrealized investment appreciation (depreciation)
   Available-for-sale fixed maturities,
   equity securities and other long-term investments               $(53,552)   $(15,491)   $ 42,187
   Deferred policy acquisition costs                                 13,181        (726)         --
   Income taxes                                                      14,130       5,299     (14,799)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $(26,241)   $(10,918)   $ 27,388
====================================================================================================
Net changes in unrealized investment appreciation
(depreciation), fixed maturities                                   $(65,882)   $  2,318    $ 18,432
====================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The net investment income for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
is composed of the following.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,                                             1999        1998         1997
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>         <C>
Investment income
   Interest on fixed maturities                                    $70,134     $ 63,748    $ 56,837
   Dividends on equity securities                                    2,899        2,571       2,526
   Interest on other long-term investments                           3,332        2,867       3,228
   Interest on mortgage loans                                          105          218         226
   Interest on policy loans                                            676          666         616
   Other                                                             1,688        1,232       1,832
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total investment income                                         $78,834     $ 71,302    $ 65,265
   Less investment expenses                                          3,517        3,374       3,579
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Investment income, net                                          $75,317     $ 67,928    $ 61,686
====================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       26
<PAGE>

NOTE 3.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

         The Company estimated the fair value of its financial instruments based
on relevant market information or by discounting estimated future cash flows at
estimated current market discount rates appropriate to the particular asset or
liability shown.

         In most cases, quoted market prices were used in determining the fair
value of fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments. Where
quoted market prices were unavailable, the estimate was based on recent trading.
Market values for collateralized mortgage obligations were provided by various
data vendors. Other long-term investments, consisting primarily of holdings in
limited partnership funds, are valued by the various fund managers. In
management's opinion, these values reflect fair value at December 31, 1999 and
1998.

         The estimated fair value of mortgage loans was based on the estimated
discounted future cash flows using 6.25 percent at December 31, 1998.

         Policy loans are carried at the actual amount loaned to the
policyholder. No policy loans are made for amounts in excess of the cash
surrender value of the related policy. Accordingly, in all instances, the policy
loans are fully collateralized by the related liability for future policy
benefits for traditional insurance policies and by the policyholders' account
balance for interest-sensitive policies.

         For accrued investment income, carrying value is a reasonable estimate
of fair value, due to its short-term nature.

         The fair value of the liabilities for annuity products, which are in a
benefit payment phase, guaranteed investment contracts and structured
settlements, are based on a discount rate of 7.0 percent at December 31, 1999
and 6.25 percent at December 31, 1998. The fair value of annuities currently in
an accumulation phase is based on the net cash surrender value. The fair value
of covered call options is based on a quoted market price.

         A summary of the carrying value and estimated fair value of assets and
liabilities meeting the definition of financial instruments at December 31, 1999
and 1998 is as follows.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31,                                 1999                   1998
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           FAIR     CARRYING     Fair      Carrying
Assets                                     VALUE     VALUE       Value      Value
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Investments
   Held-to-maturity fixed maturities     $314,168   $311,152   $626,180   $591,237
   Available-for-sale fixed maturities    768,307    768,307    321,966    321,966
   Equity securities                      109,148    109,148    111,076    111,076
   Mortgage loans                              --         --      2,857      2,777
   Policy loans                             8,645      8,645      8,707      8,707
   Other long-term investments             13,328     13,328     14,368     14,368
   Short-term investments                  20,131     20,131     33,985     33,985
Other Assets
   Accrued investment income               19,857     19,857     16,130     16,130
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Policy Reserves
   Annuity (Accumulations)               $493,962   $520,274   $382,741   $400,869
   Annuity (On-Benefits)                    2,883      3,098      2,998      2,905
   Structured settlements                     795        940        443        738
   Guaranteed investment contracts          2,741      2,761      2,129      2,150
Covered call options                           --         --        421        421
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

NOTE 4.
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

         The Company maintains a $20 million line of credit with a local bank.
During 1999, the Company borrowed funds against the line of credit, with a
maximum outstanding balance of $4,000,000. Under the terms of the agreement,
interest on outstanding notes is payable at the lender's prevailing prime rate
minus one. There is no loan balance outstanding as of December 31, 1999.
Interest expense in connection with the line of credit borrowing was $22,000 in
1999. During 1998, the Company borrowed funds against the line of credit, with a
maximum outstanding balance of $3,450,000, and recorded interest expense of
$11,000. There was no loan balance outstanding as of December 31, 1998.

                                       27
<PAGE>

NOTE 5.
REINSURANCE

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY SEGMENT

         The property and casualty insurance companies cede portions of their
insurance business to other insurance companies on both a pro rata and excess of
loss basis. Insurance ceded by the property and casualty insurance companies
does not relieve their primary liability as the originating insurers. Earned
premiums ceded were $27,206,000, $22,349,000 and $25,716,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company believes all amounts
are collectible with regard to reinsurance receivables. There are no
concentrations of credit risk associated with reinsurance.

         The property and casualty insurance companies also assume portions of
their insurance business from other insurance companies. Assumed premiums earned
for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 were $34,289,000,
$33,571,000 and $40,198,000, respectively.

LIFE SEGMENT

         United Life Insurance Company follows the policy of reinsuring that
portion of the risk in excess of $200,000 on the life of any individual. Policy
benefit reserves and claims are stated after deduction of reserves and claims
applicable to reinsurance ceded to other companies; however, United Life
Insurance Company is contingently liable for these amounts in the event such
companies are unable to pay their portion of the claims and is contingently
liable for ceded insurance in force of $396,382,000 and $358,022,000 at December
31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Approximately 63 percent of ceded life
insurance in force has been ceded to two reinsurers. The Company believes all
amounts are collectible with regard to reinsurance receivables.

NOTE 6.

LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY AND CASUALTY LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES

         The table below provides an analysis of changes in losses and loss
adjustment expenses ("LAE") reserves for 1999, 1998 and 1997 (net of reinsurance
amounts). Changes in the reserves are reflected in the income statement for the
year when the changes are made. Loss and LAE development on claims occurring in
prior years benefited underwriting profit (before tax) by $25,135,000 in 1999
and $26,615,000 in 1998. These gains are due in part to the effects of settling
reported (case) and unreported (IBNR) reserves established in prior years for
less than expected.

         Subsequent to the purchase of American Indemnity, the Company reviewed
that company's loss and LAE case reserves and increased the liabilities to a
level that was consistent with the reserving philosophies of the Company. A
portion of the reserve increases were for losses that occurred in prior accident
years. This would have negatively impacted the change in estimated losses and
LAE for claims occurring in prior years. As a condition of the purchase of
American Indemnity, an adverse development reinsurance agreement was negotiated
that protects the Company against adverse development of the losses and LAE
acquired.

         Conditions and trends that have affected the reserve development
reflected in the table may change, and care should be exercised in extrapolating
future reserve redundancies or deficiencies from such development.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31,                                                               1999         1998
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>          <C>
Gross liability for losses and LAE at beginning of year                    $ 251,117    $ 231,768
   Less reinsurance receivables                                                8,111       12,856
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net liability for losses and LAE at beginning of year                      $ 243,006    $ 218,912
Net liability for losses and LAE at acquisition date                          51,661           --
Provision for losses and LAE for claims occurring in the current year        211,575      206,603
Decrease in estimated losses and LAE for claims occurring in prior years     (25,135)     (26,615)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           $ 481,107    $ 398,900
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Losses and LAE payments for claims occurring during
   Current year                                                            $  94,443    $  92,906
   Prior years                                                                76,027       62,988
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           $ 170,470    $ 155,894
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net liability for losses and LAE at end of year                            $ 310,637    $ 243,006
  Plus reinsurance receivables                                                27,606        8,111
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross liability for losses and LAE at end of year                          $ 338,243    $ 251,117
=================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       28
<PAGE>

The Company is not aware of any significant contingent liabilities as far as
environmental issues are concerned. Because of the type of property coverage the
Company writes, there exists the potential for exposure to environmental
pollution and asbestos claims. The Company's underwriters are aware of these
exposures and use limited riders or endorsements to limit exposure.

NOTE 7.

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDEND AND RETAINED EARNINGS
RESTRICTIONS

Statutory stockholders' surplus and net income at December 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997 and for the years then ended are as follows.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Statutory
                                                 Stockholders'       Statutory
                                                    Surplus         Net Income
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999
   PROPERTY AND CASUALTY                            $179,689        $   191
   LIFE, ACCIDENT AND HEALTH                          53,912          2,605
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998
   Property and casualty                            $202,342        $ 9,990
   Life, accident and health                          53,038          2,052
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
   Property and casualty                            $231,326        $23,627
   Life, accident and health                          53,095          2,331
================================================================================

         The Company and its insurance subsidiaries prepare their statutory
financial statements in conformity with practices prescribed or permitted by
their states of domicile. Prescribed statutory accounting practices include a
variety of publications of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
("NAIC"), as well as state laws, regulations and general administrative rules.
The NAIC is currently working on a project to codify insurance statutory
accounting practices. The Company expects the State of Iowa to adopt
codification by January 1, 2001, and the Company expects the new rules to have a
financial effect upon application. The Company has not yet determined this
impact. The changes would not affect the accompanying financial statements,
which are based on GAAP. Prior to implementation of the codified rules,
permitted statutory accounting practices are used when prescribed statutory
practices do not address the accounting for transactions. The Company does not
use permitted practices that individually or in the aggregate materially affect
statutory surplus or risk-based capital.

         As part of the NAIC and state insurance department's solvency
regulations, the Company is required to calculate a minimum capital requirement
based on insurance risk factors. The risk-based capital results are used by the
NAIC and state insurance departments to identify companies that merit regulatory
attention or the initiation of regulatory action. At December 31, 1999, the life
segment and all but one of the property and casualty subsidiaries had capital
well in excess of their required levels. American Indemnity Company's risk-based
capital was beneath the minimum level prescribed by the NAIC. In response to the
situation, the Company has made the decision to reinsure the underwriting
business of American Indemnity Company in accordance with a 100 percent quota
share reinsurance agreement effective January 1, 2000, for all American
Indemnity Company policies new or renewed on or after January 1, 2000. This
measure should bring American Indemnity Company's capital back to a point that
is in excess of required NAIC levels.

         The State of Iowa Insurance Department governs the amount of dividends
that may be paid to stockholders without prior approval by the Insurance
Department. Based on these restrictions, the Company could make a maximum of
$134,195,000 in dividend distributions to stockholders in 2000. Dividend
payments by the insurance subsidiaries to the Company are subject to similar
restrictions in the states in which they are domiciled. The Company received no
dividends from its subsidiaries in 1999 or 1998.

                                       29
<PAGE>

NOTE 8.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

Federal income tax expense is composed of the following.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,                1999        1998        1997
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current                                $  541      $4,110      $9,009
Deferred                                1,293         609         427
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                  $1,834      $4,719      $9,436
================================================================================

A reconciliation of income tax expense computed at the applicable Federal tax
rate of 35 percent in 1999, 34 percent in 1998, and 35 percent in 1997 to the
amount recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements is as follows.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,                                     1999        1998        1997
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Computed expected rate                                    $  6,026    $  9,655    $ 13,359
Reduction for tax-exempt municipal bond interest income     (4,994)     (5,023)     (4,686)
Reduction for nontaxable dividend income                      (631)       (557)       (581)
Other, net                                                   1,433         644       1,344
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Income Taxes, as provided                         $  1,834    $  4,719    $  9,436
===========================================================================================
</TABLE>

The significant components of the net deferred tax liability at December 31,
1999 and 1998 are as follows.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31,                                                       1999        1998
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>
Deferred tax liabilities
   Deferred acquisition costs                                      $ 24,039    $ 21,046
   Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities              17,743      32,248
   Depreciation on assets                                             1,216         948
   Net bond discount accretion and premium amortization               1,177       1,452
   Other                                                              3,151       1,091
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax liability                                       $ 47,326    $ 56,785
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets
   Financial statement reserves in excess of income tax reserves   $ 22,765    $ 19,376
   Unearned premium adjustment                                        9,107       6,800
   Postretirement benefits other than pensions                        2,761       1,935
   Salvage and subrogation                                              662         676
   Pension                                                            1,685         958
   Alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryforwards                    --         778
   Net operating loss carryforwards (NOL)                            14,641          --
   Other                                                              3,414       3,409
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Gross deferred tax assets                                       $ 55,035    $ 33,932
   Valuation Allowance                                              (15,139)         --
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax liability                                         $  7,430    $ 22,853
=========================================================================================
</TABLE>

The Company has tax net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards totaling
$42,912,023 as of December 31,1999. These NOL carryforwards were purchased by
the Company when it acquired American Indemnity. These NOL carryforwards expire
as follows: 2000: $4,927,522; 2001: $2,271,256; 2002: $621,205; 2003:
$4,596,950; 2004: $1,246,728; 2005: $118,137; 2006: $43,352; 2007: $13,450;
2008: $13,410; 2009: $4,604,277; 2010: $989,347; 2011: $6,284,626; 2017:
$6,882,190; 2018: $5,175,066; 2019: $5,124,507. The Company is required to
establish a valuation allowance for any portion of the deferred tax asset that
management believes will not be realized. The Company established a valuation
allowance of $15,139,000 for deferred tax assets primarily relating to American
Indemnity's NOLs, which can only be used to offset future income of that
company. If the benefit of the American Indemnity NOLs is realized in the
future, it will result in a reduction of goodwill and be amortized into income
over its remaining life by reducing goodwill amortization expense.

                                       30
<PAGE>

NOTE 9.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS

         Effective December 31, 1999, the pension plans of the Company and
American Indemnity were merged. The merged defined benefit pension plan covers
substantially all employees. Under the plan, retirement benefits are primarily a
function of the number of years of service and the level of compensation. It is
the Company's policy to fund the plan on a current basis to the extent
deductible under existing tax regulations. For 1999, the Company used December
31 as the date for measuring plan assets and liabilities. As permitted by SFAS
No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions," the Company used September 30 as
the date for measuring plan assets and liabilities in 1998 in order to obtain
information necessary for the preparation of the financial statements on a
timely basis.

         The Company has a defined benefit postretirement health care plan that
covers substantially all benefit-eligible employees. The plan pays stated
percentages of most necessary medical and dental expenses incurred by retirees,
after subtracting payments by Medicare or other providers and after the stated
deductible has been met. Participants become eligible for the benefits if they
retire from the Company after reaching age 55 with 10 or more years of service
in the plan. The plan is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted
annually.

         The employees of American Indemnity are covered by a separate
postretirement benefit plan, which provides health care and life insurance
benefits to retired employees, after reaching age 55 with 25 years of service,
age 60 with 20 years of service or age 65 with 15 years of service.

         The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the
plan's benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets and a statement of the
funded status for 1999 and 1998. The table includes the obligations and fair
values acquired in connection with the purchase of American Indemnity. The
amounts related to the acquisition are based on valuations as of December 31,
1999, which approximates the valuation had it been measured as of the
acquisition date.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Pension benefits        Other benefits
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31,                                     1999        1998        1999        1998
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
RECONCILIATION OF BENEFIT OBLIGATION
Obligation at beginning of year                  $ 23,277    $ 20,901    $  7,993    $  6,047
Service Cost                                          921         935         365         424
Interest cost                                       1,523       1,425         479         523
Participant contributions                              --          --          --          57
Actuarial (gain) loss                              (3,214)        693      (1,907)      1,176
Benefit payments and adjustments                     (690)       (677)        101       (234)
Acquisition                                         1,801          --       2,087          --
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obligation at December 31                        $ 23,618    $ 23,277    $  9,118    $  7,993
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECONCILIATION OF FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year   $ 17,296    $ 16,565    $     --    $     --
Actual return on plan assets                         (147)        283          --          --
Employer contributions                                500       1,125        (101)        177
Participant contribution                               --          --          --          57
Benefit payments and adjustments                     (690)       (677)        101        (234)
Acquisition                                         2,898          --          --          --
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at December 31         $ 19,857    $ 17,296    $     --    $     --
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNDED STATUS
Funded status at December 31                     $ (3,761)   $ (5,981)   $ (9,118)   $ (7,993)
Unrecognized transition (asset) obligation             --         (42)         --          --
Unrecognized prior service cost                       937       1,035         832       1,234
Unrecognized (gain) loss                             (784)        876        (491)      1,058
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit cost                             $ (3,608)   $ (4,112)   $ (8,777)   $ (5,701)
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       31
<PAGE>

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the
plans for 1999, 1998 and 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Pension benefits                 Other benefits
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31,               1999       1998       1997       1999      1998      1997
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
PLAN COSTS
Service cost                         $   921    $   935    $   805    $   365   $   424   $   338
Interest cost                          1,523      1,425      1,410        480       523       421
Expected return on plan assets        (1,407)    (1,324)    (1,184)        --        --        --
Amortization of transition (asset)       (42)       (48)       (48)        --        --        --
 obligation
Amortization of prior service cost        97         97         97        142       173        40
Amortization of net loss                  --         --         --          4        68        58
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic benefit cost            $ 1,092    $ 1,085    $ 1,080    $   991   $ 1,188   $   857
=================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The unrecognized prior service cost and the actuarial loss are being amortized
on a straight-line basis over an average period of eight years. This period
represents the average remaining employee service period until the date of full
eligibility. The assumptions used in the measurement of the Company's benefit
obligations are shown in the following table.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-average assumptions as of       Pension benefits       Other benefits
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                             1999        1998       1999      1998
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate                            7.50%       6.75%      7.50%     6.75%
Expected return on plan assets           8.25        8.00        N/A       N/A
Rate of compensation increase            4.00        4.00        N/A       N/A
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         For measurement purposes, an 8.25 percent pre-65 annual rate of
increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for
1999. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually each year to a rate of 5.25
percent for 2005 and remain at that level thereafter. A 6.75 percent
post-65 covered health care benefits was assumed for 1999. The rate was assumed
to decrease gradually each year to a rate of 5.25 percent in 2005 and remain at
that level thereafter. For dental claims, a 6.0 percent annual rate of increase
was assumed for 1999, decreasing gradually to 4.75 percent for 2004 and
thereafter.

         Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the
amounts reported for the health care plans. A 1 percent change in assumed health
care cost trend rates would have the following effects.

         The figures do not include amounts for the American Indemnity plan, as
the annual per capita contributions for the benefits provided to retired
employees are capped. As a result, increases in the assumed health care cost
trend rate will have no significant effect on the accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation or on the net periodic postretirement benefit cost as of
December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   1 Percent      1 Percent
                                                                    Increase       Decrease
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>            <C>
Effect on total of service and interest cost components of
  Net periodic postretirement health care benefit cost               $ 158          $ 133
Effect on the heath care component of the accumulated
  Postretirement benefit obligation                                  1,316          1,105
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         The Company has a profit-sharing plan in which employees who meet
service requirements are eligible to participate. The amount of the Company's
contribution is discretionary, and is determined annually but cannot exceed the
amount deductible for Federal income tax purposes. The Company's contribution to
the plan for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, was $503,000,
$883,000 and $936,000, respectively.

         The Company also has an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") for the
benefit of eligible employees and their beneficiaries. All employees are
eligible to participate in the plan upon completion of one year of service and
attaining age 21. Contributions to this plan are made at the discretion of the
Board of Directors. These contributions are based upon a percentage of total
payroll and are allocated to participants on the basis of compensation.
Contributions are made in stock or cash, which is used by the Trustee to acquire
shares of the Company stock to allocate to participants' accounts. As of
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, the ESOP owned 123,733, 120,333 and 93,127
shares of Company stock, respectively. Shares owned by the ESOP are included in
shares issued and outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share and
dividends paid on the shares are charged to retained earnings. The Company made
contributions to the plan of $60,000, $1,050,000 and zero in 1999, 1998 and 1997
respectively.

                                       32
<PAGE>

         On August 21, 1998, the Company adopted a nonqualified employee stock
option plan which authorizes the issuance of up to 500,000 shares of the
Company's common stock to employees. Pursuant to the plan, the granting of stock
options is made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Certain employees
have been granted options to buy shares of the Company's stock at the market
value of the stock on the date of grant. The options are exercisable in
installments of 20 percent of the number of shares covered by the option each
year from the date the option is granted. To the extent not exercised,
installments shall accumulate and be exercisable by the optionee, in whole or in
part, in any subsequent year included in the option period but not later than
ten years from the grant date. The Company has elected to account
for its stock options under APB No. 25, and as such, no compensation cost is
recognized since the exercise price of the Company's stock options is equal to,
or greater than, the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant.

         A total of 6,021 employee stock options were granted in February, 1999
and April 1999. All options are outstanding as of December 31, 1999. No options
had been granted as of December 31, 1998. None of the options are exercisable as
of December 31, 1999. The remaining life on the options granted in February 1999
is 9.8 years, and for those granted in April 1999, the remaining life is 9.7
years. The exercise price of the unexercisable options is $29.25 for the
February 1999 options and $26.12 for the April 1999 options. The grant date fair
value of the employee stock options, as prescribed by SFAS No. 123 has been
determined to have an immaterial impact on net income and earnings per share.

NOTE 10.
SEGMENT INFORMATION

         The Company has two reportable business segments in its operations;
property and casualty insurance and life insurance. The property and casualty
segment has five locations from which it conducts its business. All offices
target a similar customer base and market the same products, using the same
marketing strategies, and are therefore aggregated. The life insurance segment
operates from the Company's home office. The accounting policies of the segments
are the same as those described in Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1.
The two segments are evaluated by management, based on both a statutory and a
GAAP basis. Results are analyzed, based on profitability, expenses and return on
equity. The Company's selling location is used in allocating revenues between
foreign and domestic and, as such, the Company has no revenues allocated to
foreign countries. The analysis that follows is reported on a GAAP basis and is
reconciled to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

         The property and casualty segment markets most forms of commercial and
personal property and casualty insurance products, including fidelity and surety
bonds and reinsurance. The business is generated through approximately 2,150
independent agencies and brokers in 43 states, with 55 percent of the Company's
direct premiums originating in nine Midwestern states in 1999.

         United Life Insurance Company underwrites and markets ordinary life
(primarily universal life), annuities (primarily single premium) and credit life
products to individuals and groups through approximately 1,200 independent
agencies in 24 states. Total revenue by segment includes sales to both outside
customers and intersegment sales that are eliminated to arrive at the total
revenues as reported in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Intersegment sales are accounted for on the same basis as sales to outside
customers. The following tables set forth certain data for each of the Company's
business segments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Property and           Life
                                             Casualty Insurance      Insurance        Consolidated
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31, 1999
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                <C>                <C>
REVENUES
     NET PREMIUMS EARNED                        $   247,054        $    26,100        $   273,154
     NET INVESTMENT INCOME                           23,614             51,840             75,454
     REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS                        2,444                492              2,936
     OTHER INCOME                                     1,912                 --              1,912
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL REPORTABLE SEGMENTS              $   275,024        $    78,432        $   353,456
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         INTERSEGMENT ELIMINATIONS                     (137)              (103)              (240)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL REVENUES                         $   274,887        $    78,329        $   353,216
==================================================================================================
NET INCOME  BEFORE INCOME TAXES
     REVENUES                                   $   275,024        $    78,432        $   353,456
     BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES                  272,315             63,923            336,238
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL REPORTABLE SEGMENTS              $     2,709        $    14,509        $    17,218
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         INTERSEGMENT ELIMINATIONS                      (22)                22                  0
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL NET INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   $     2,687        $    14,531        $    17,218
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE                         (3,375)             5,209              1,834
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                                      $     6,062        $     9,322        $    15,384
==================================================================================================
ASSETS
         TOTAL REPORTABLE SEGMENTS              $   807,558        $   825,293        $ 1,632,851
         INTERSEGMENT ELIMINATIONS                 (165,135)                --           (165,135)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL ASSETS                           $   642,423        $   825,293        $ 1,467,716
==================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       33
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Property and           Life
                                             Casualty Insurance      Insurance        Consolidated
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31, 1998
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                 <C>               <C>
Revenues
     Net premiums earned                        $   220,550         $    25,295       $   245,845
     Net investment income                           23,297              44,771            68,068
     Realized investment gains                       20,981               1,815            22,796
     Other income                                     1,815                  --             1,815
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total reportable segments              $   266,643         $    71,881       $   338,524
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Intersegment eliminations                     (140)               (118)             (258)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total revenues                         $   266,503         $    71,763       $   338,266
==================================================================================================
Net income before income taxes
     Revenues                                   $   266,643         $    71,881       $   338,524
     Benefits, losses and expenses                  254,306              55,822           310,128
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total reportable segments              $    12,337         $    16,059       $    28,396
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Intersegment eliminations                      (10)                 10                --
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total net income before income taxes   $    12,327         $    16,069       $    28,396
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax (benefit) expense                           (736)              5,455             4,719
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                      $    13,063         $    10,614       $    23,677
==================================================================================================
Assets
         Total reportable segments              $   675,361         $   709,460       $ 1,384,821
         Intersegment eliminations                 (134,227)                 --          (134,227)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total assets                           $   541,134         $   709,460       $ 1,250,594
==================================================================================================



- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Property and           Life
                                             Casualty Insurance      Insurance        Consolidated
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31, 1998
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                 <C>               <C>
Revenues
     Net premiums earned                        $   225,822         $    19,231       $   245,053
     Net investment income                           23,007              38,823            61,830
     Realized investment gains                        2,456                 220             2,676
     Other income                                     1,829                  --             1,829
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total reportable segments              $   253,114         $    58,274       $   311,388
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Intersegment eliminations                     (145)               (113)             (258)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total revenues                         $   252,969         $    58,161       $   311,130
==================================================================================================
Net income  before income taxes
     Revenues                                   $   253,114         $    58,274       $   311,388
     Benefits, losses and expenses                  224,480              48,740           273,220
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total reportable segments              $    28,634         $     9,534       $    38,168
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Intersegment eliminations                      (18)                 18                --
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total net income before income taxes   $    28,616         $     9,552       $    38,168
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense                                    5,944               3,492             9,436
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                      $    22,672         $     6,060       $    28,732
==================================================================================================
Assets
         Total reportable segments              $   682,177         $   596,323       $ 1,278,500
         Intersegment eliminations                 (120,578)                 --          (120,578)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total assets                           $   561,599         $   596,323       $ 1,157,922
==================================================================================================

Depreciation expense and property and equipment acquisitions for the years ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997, are reflected in the property and casualty insurance segment.
</TABLE>

                                       34
<PAGE>

NOTE 11.
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial information of the
Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarters                                First     Second      Third      Fourth     Total
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
   TOTAL REVENUES                     $ 79,057   $ 79,828   $ 90,868    $103,463   $353,216
===========================================================================================
   NET INCOME                         $  2,964   $    541   $  6,398    $  5,481   $ 15,384
===========================================================================================
   BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER
   COMMON SHARE                       $    .29   $    .05   $    .63    $    .54   $   1.53
===========================================================================================
Fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
   Total revenues                     $ 80,229   $ 94,448   $ 79,312    $ 84,277   $338,266
===========================================================================================
   Net income (loss)                  $  8,882   $ 12,610   $ (1,963)   $  4,148   $ 23,677
===========================================================================================
   Earnings (loss) per common share   $   0.83   $   1.18   $   (.19)   $    .41   $   2.28
===========================================================================================
</TABLE>

NOTE 12.

EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE

         Cash dividends per common share of $.68 and $.67 were declared in 1999
and 1998, respectively. In the calculation of earnings per share, stock options
granted to employees were not included in the computation of diluted earnings
per share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average
market price of the common shares. The options were still outstanding as of
December 31, 1999.

NOTE 13.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

         The following table sets forth the components of other comprehensive
income (loss), and the related tax effects, for the years 1999, 1998 and 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Amount          Income Tax          Amount
                                                            Before Tax    (Expense) Benefit    Net of Tax
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>               <C>                <C>
1999
TRANSITION ADJUSTMENT FOR THE EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE                                         $  9,250          $ (3,237)         $  6,013
NET UNREALIZED DEPRECIATION ARISING DURING THE PERIOD         (47,318)           16,561           (30,757)
LESS: RECLASSIFICATION FOR REALIZED GAINS INCLUDED
IN INCOME                                                       2,303              (806)            1,497
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS                                     $(40,371)         $(14,130)         $(26,241)
===========================================================================================================
1998
Net unrealized appreciation arising during the period        $  6,251          $ (2,125)         $  4,126
Less: reclassification for realized gains included
in income                                                      22,793            (7,749)           15,044
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive loss                                     $(16,542)         $ (5,624)         $(10,918)
===========================================================================================================
1997
Net unrealized appreciation arising during the period        $ 44,797          $(15,679)         $ 29,118
Less: reclassification for realized gains included
in income                                                       2,610              (880)            1,730
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive income                                   $ 42,187          $(14,799)         $ 27,388
===========================================================================================================
</TABLE>

NOTE 14.
ACQUISITION

         On August 10, 1999, the Company acquired American Indemnity as a wholly
owned subsidiary for approximately $30,212,000 in cash in exchange for 1,962,410
shares of common stock. Common stockholders of American Indemnity received
approximately $14.35 per share of common stock at the closing of the transaction
and deferred consideration of up to $1.00 per share to be paid in two years,
subject to adjustments relating to indemnities. An escrow account with a balance
of $1,990,000 is included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets in other
assets for payment of the deferred consideration.

         American Indemnity, based in Galveston, Texas, is a holding company
that is made up of the following regional property and casualty insurance
companies: American Indemnity Company, American Fire and Indemnity Company,
Texas General Indemnity Company, and American Indemnity Lloyds. The American
Indemnity insurers offer personal and commercial lines of insurance through
independent agents.

                                       35
<PAGE>

         The transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. American Indemnity's results for the period August 10, 1999 through
December 31, 1999 are included in the consolidated statements of operations. The
purchase price paid for American Indemnity has been allocated to the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values and the excess
purchase price has been recorded as goodwill. Goodwill of approximately
$7,846,000 will be amortized on a straight-line basis for a period of ten years.
The following schedule summarizes the assets acquired and the liabilities
assumed as of August 10, 1999.


- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets Acquired                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Fixed maturity securities                                      $ 68,499
  Equity securities                                                14,344
  Other Assets                                                     57,355
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total assets acquired                                         $140,198
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities assumed
  Policy reserves and unearned premiums                          $102,483
  Other liabilities                                                17,340
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities assumed                                     $119,823
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets acquired                                              $ 20,375
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excess of acquisition cost over net assets acquired                 7,846
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total purchase price                                             $ 28,221
================================================================================

         In connection with the purchase, the Company developed a plan (the
"exit plan") to close certain branches and involuntarily terminate certain
employees of American Indemnity. A liability of $972,000 to reflect employee
termination benefits and future contractual lease payments related to abandoned
facilities was included in the allocation of the purchase price. The exit plan
was completed by December 31, 1999.

The following table presents the unaudited proforma results of operations for
1999, 1998 and 1997, had the acquisition occurred on January 1, 1997.
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 December 31, 1999    December 31, 1998    December 31, 1997
                       (Unaudited)          (Unaudited)          (Unaudited)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                  $390,574             $407,555             $381,755
Net income                  11,748               17,831               22,851
Basic and diluted
  earnings per
  share                       1.17                 1.72                 2.13
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The pro forma financial information is presented for informational
purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that
would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated as of the above dates,
nor are such operating results necessarily indicative of future operating
results.

                                       36
<PAGE>

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY:

         We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of UNITED
FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY (an Iowa corporation) and subsidiaries as of December
31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1999. These consolidated financial statements and the
schedules referred to below are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements and schedules based on our audits.

         We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

         In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of United Fire &
Casualty Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States.

         As explained in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements,
effective January 1, 1999, the Company and its subsidiaries changed their method
of accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities.

         Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The supplementary data (Schedule III -
Supplementary Insurance Information, Schedule IV - Reinsurance, and Schedule VI
- - - - - - - Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance
Operations) are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a
required part of the basic financial statements. This information has been
subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the basic financial
statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.




Arthur Andersen LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 17, 2000

                                       37
<PAGE>

INDEX TO SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULES

Consolidated Schedules

III - Supplementary Insurance Information                                  42

IV  - Reinsurance                                                          43

VI  - Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty
      Insurance Operations                                                 44

All other schedules have been omitted as not required, not applicable, not
deemed material or because the information is included in the Consolidated
Financial Statements.

                                       38
<PAGE>

SCHEDULE III. SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Future
                                               Policy
                                              Benefits,
                                 Deferred      Losses,
                                 Policy        Claims                  Earned      Realized         Net
                               Acquisition    And Loss     Unearned    Premium    Investment    Investment
                                  Costs       Expenses     Premiums    Revenue       Gains        Income
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1999

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY            $20,533     $ 338,243     $132,846    $247,054    $ 2,444       $23,477
LIFE, ACCIDENT AND HEALTH         69,541       701,350       15,626      25,997        492        51,840
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                            $90,074     $1,039,593    $148,472    $273,051    $ 2,936       $75,317
==========================================================================================================
(1) Accident and health insurance premiums written.


Year Ended
December 31, 1998

Property and casualty            $16,339     $ 251,117     $100,080    $220,550    $20,981       $23,157
Life, accident and health         51,253       575,189       16,338      25,177      1,815        44,771
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                            $67,592     $ 826,306     $116,418    $245,727    $22,796       $67,928
==========================================================================================================
(1) Accident and health insurance premiums written.


Year Ended
December 31, 1997

Property and casualty            $18,235     $ 231,768     $100,769    $225,822    $ 2,456       $22,863
Life, accident and health         41,980       482,437        7,527      19,117        220        38,823
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                            $60,215     $ 714,205     $108,296    $244,939    $ 2,676       $61,686
==========================================================================================================
(1) Accident and health insurance premiums written.



- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Benefits,    Amortization
                                              Claims,     of Deferred      Other     Interest on
                                  Net       Losses and       Policy        Under-      Policy-
                              Investment    Settlement    Acquisition     writing      holders'     Premiums
                                Income       Expenses        Costs       Expenses      Accounts     Written
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1999

PROPERTY AND CASUALTY          $23,477       $185,643      $39,998       $46,559       $    --      $254,214
LIFE, ACCIDENT AND HEALTH       51,840         16,805        9,865         4,842        32,286        25,359 (1)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                          $75,317       $202,448      $49,863       $51,401       $32,286      $279,573
================================================================================================================
(1) Accident and health insurance premiums written.


Year Ended
December 31, 1998

Property and casualty          $23,157       $179,089      $39,001       $36,084       $    --      $221,002
Life, accident and health       44,771         16,006        8,891         4,231        26,568        31,927 (1)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                          $67,928       $195,095      $47,892       $40,315       $26,568      $252,929
================================================================================================================
(1) Accident and health insurance premiums written.


Year Ended
December 31, 1997

Property and casualty          $22,863       $149,536      $43,060       $31,758       $    --      $226,915
Life, accident and health       38,823         14,679        7,209         4,210        22,510        21,841 (1)
- - - - - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                          $61,686       $164,215      $50,269       $35,968       $22,510      $248,756
================================================================================================================
(1) Accident and health insurance premiums written.


Certain amounts included in this schedule for earlier years have been reclassified to conform with the 1999
financial statement presentation.
</TABLE>

                                       39
<PAGE>

SCHEDULE IV.  REINSURANCE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Percentage
                                       Gross        Ceded to        Assumed         Net        of Amount
                                      Amount          Other       From Other       Amount      Assumed to
                                      Earned        Companies      Companies       Earned      Net Earned
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999

LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE             $3,839,897     $  396,382     $       --     $3,443,515       0.0%

PREMIUMS:
PROPERTY AND CASUALTY               $  239,971     $   27,206     $   34,289     $  247,054      13.88%
LIFE INSURANCE                          22,080          1,316             --         20,764       0.00%
ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE            5,408            175             --          5,233       0.00%
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                               $  267,459     $   28,697     $   34,289     $  273,051      12.56%
=========================================================================================================

Year Ended December 31, 1998

Life insurance in force             $3,672,130     $  358,022     $       --     $3,314,108       0.0%

Premiums:
Property and casualty               $  209,328     $   22,349     $   33,571     $  220,550      15.22%
Life insurance                          21,856            959             --         20,897       0.00%
Accident and health insurance            4,414            134             --          4,280       0.00%
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                               $  235,598     $   23,442     $   33,571     $  245,727      13.66%
=========================================================================================================

Year Ended December 31, 1997

Life insurance in force             $3,403,207     $  339,430     $       --     $3,063,777       0.0%

Premiums:
Property and casualty               $  211,340     $   25,716     $   40,198     $  225,822      17.80%
Life insurance                          17,399            950             --         16,449       0.00%
Accident and health insurance            2,963            181             --          2,668       0.00%
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                               $  231,702     $   26,847     $   40,198     $  244,939      16.40%
=========================================================================================================

Certain amounts included in this schedule for earlier years have been reclassified to conform with the
1999 financial statement presentation.
</TABLE>

                                       40
<PAGE>

SCHEDULE VI.   SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY AND CASUALTY
               INSURANCE OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Reserves
                                               for Unpaid
Affiliation with Registrant:      Deferred     claims and
Company and                        Policy        Claim                                Realized        Net
consolidated property and        Acquisition   Adjustment   Unearned      Earned     Investment    Investment
casualty subsidiaries               Costs       Expenses    Premiums     Premiums       Gains        Income
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 1999                  $20,533      $338,243    $132,846     $247,054     $ 2,444       $23,477
=============================================================================================================
Year Ended

December 31, 1998                  $16,339      $251,117    $100,080     $220,550     $20,981       $23,157
=============================================================================================================
Year Ended

December 31, 1997                  $18,235      $231,768     $100,769    $225,822     $ 2,456       $22,863
=============================================================================================================


- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Claims and Claim
                                   Adjustment Expenses
                                   Incurred Related to      Amortization
Affiliation with Registrant:    ------------------------    of Deferred    Paid Claims
Company and                         (1)           (2)          Policy       and Claim
consolidated property and         Current        Prior      Acquisition     Adjustment     Premiums
casualty subsidiaries               Year         Years         Costs         Expenses      Written
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 1999                $211,575      $(25,135)      $39,998        $170,470      $254,214
===================================================================================================
Year Ended

December 31, 1998                $206,603      $(26,615)      $39,001        $155,894      $221,002
===================================================================================================
Year Ended

December 31, 1997                $183,723      $(33,544)      $43,060        $141,143      $226,915
===================================================================================================

Certain amounts included in this schedule for earlier years have been reclassified to conform with
the 1999 financial statement presentation.
</TABLE>

                                       41
<PAGE>

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
         ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE      None

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY (AGE), PRESENT POSITION,
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE                                     SERVED AS DIRECTOR SINCE

Scott McIntyre Jr. (66), Chairman of the Board, United Fire &           1956
Casualty Company Mr. McIntyre has been employed by the Company
since 1954. Mr. McIntyre's term as a director of the Company
expires in May 2002.

Christopher R. Drahozal (38), Associate Professor, University of        1997
Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
Associate Professor of Law at the University of Kansas, where he
has been teaching since 1994. Mr. Drahozal was in private
practice in Washington, D.C., 10-91/4-94. Mr. Drahozal is the
son-in-law of Scott McIntyre Jr., Chairman, United Fire &
Casualty Company. Mr. Drahozal's term as director of the Company
expires in May 2000.

Jack B. Evans (51), President, Hall-Perrine Foundation, Cedar           1995
Rapids, Iowa
Mr. Evans has been President of the Hall-Perrine Foundation,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, since January 1, 1996. Prior to that, Mr.
Evans was employed by SCI Financial Group, Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
serving as its President from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Evans' term as
director of the Company expires in May 2000.

Roy L. Ewen (77), Retired                                               1974
Mr. Ewen, who was employed by the Company since 1947, retired
from the Company in January 1987. Mr. Ewen's term as a director
of the Company expires in May 2001.

Casey D. Mahon (48), Adjunct Professor of Law, University of            1993
Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Iowa. Employed as
Senior Vice President & General Counsel of McLeodUSA, Inc. from
6/93 until she retired 2/1/98. Ms. Mahon's term as a director of
the Company expires in May 2002.

Leonard J. Marshall (70), Retired                                       1988
Mr. Marshall, who was employed by General Accident Insurance
Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1-83/10-91, retired
in October 1991. Mr. Marshall's term as a director of the Company
expires in May 2002.

Thomas K. Marshall (66), Retired                                        1983
Mr. Marshall, who was Vice President-Development of Grinnell
College, Grinnell, Iowa, from 1982 to August 31, 1992, is
retired. Mr. Marshall's term as director of the Company expires
in May 2000.

George D. Milligan (43), President, The Graham Group, Inc.,             1999
Des Moines, Iowa
Mr. Milligan has been the President of The Graham Group, Inc.
since March 1985. Prior to that Mr. Milligan was Merchandising
Manager for Continental Grain Co., New York, New York from
October 1979 to March 1985. He was nominated to replace James T.
Brophy on the Board in November 1999.

Mary K. Quass (49), Executive Senior Vice President, AM-FM, Inc.,       1998
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Ms. Quass held the position of President and CEO of Quass
Broadcasting Company from 1988 to 1998. In January 1998, Quass
Broadcasting Company merged with Capstar Broadcasting Partners to
form Central Star Communications, Inc. In July 1999, Central Star
Communications, Inc. merged with AM-FM, Inc. Ms. Quass's term as
a director of the Company expires in May 2001.

John A. Rife (57), President, United Fire & Casualty Company,           1998
United Life Insurance Company
Mr. Rife started with United Fire & Casualty Company in September
1976. He became President of United Life Insurance Company in
December 1984, and in May 1997 was also appointed President of
United Fire & Casualty Company. Mr. Rife's term as director of
the Company expires in May 2001.

Byron G. Riley (69), Attorney, Bradley & Riley, P.C., Cedar Rapids,     1983
Iowa
Mr. Riley is an attorney with the law firm of Bradley & Riley,
P.C., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and has practiced law with that law
firm since September, 1981. Mr. Riley's term as a director of the
Company expires in May 2002.

                                       42
<PAGE>

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY:

NAME (AGE)                 OFFICE HELD

Scott McIntyre Jr. (66)    Chairman of the Board since 1980, Director since 1956

John A. Rife (57)          President of United Fire & Casualty Company since May
                           1997; President of United Life Insurance Company
                           since 1984

Richard B. Swain (42)      Senior Vice President since February 1999; Vice
                           President Underwriting at Hastings Mutual Ins.
                           Company, Hastings, Michigan from May 1998 to February
                           1999; previously employed by the Company from October
                           1993 to May 1998

Kent G. Baker (56)         Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 1984

John R. Cruise (58)        Vice President, Reinsurance since 1986

E. Dean Fick (55)          Vice President, Claims since 1991

Shona Frese (55)           Corporate Secretary since December 1996; employed by
                           the Company since 1966

David L. Hellen (47)       Vice President, Denver regional office since 1987

Wilburn J. Hollis (59)     Vice President, Human Resources since June 1996;
                           Director of Human Resources at Norwest Financial in
                           Des Moines, Iowa, from 1989 to 1996

E. Addison Hulit (60)      Vice President since May 1995; employed by the
                           Company since 1993

Robert B. Kenward (57)     Vice President, Information Services since 1992

Kevin L. Kubik (45)        Vice President and Chief Investment Officer since
                           June 1997; employed by Van Kampen American Capital
                           Investment Advisory Inc. from 1989 to 1997

David A. Lange (42)        Corporate Secretary since February, 1997; Fidelity
                           and Surety claim manager since 1987

Dianne M. Lyons (36)       Controller since November, 1999; employed by the
                           Company since 1983

Galen E. Underwood (59)    Treasurer since 1979

Stanley A. Wiebold (55)    Vice President, Underwriting since 1986

Michael T. Wilkins (36)    Vice President since 1997; employed by the Company
                           since 1985
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIRECTORS OF SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

UNITED LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
C. Richard Ekstrand
Jack B. Evans
Scott McIntyre Jr.
John A. Rife
Byron G. Riley

INSURANCE BROKERS &
MANAGERS, INC.
Kent G. Baker
Carlyn K. Lewis
Scott McIntyre Jr.
John A. Rife

LAFAYETTE
INSURANCE COMPANY
Carlyn K. Lewis
Scott McIntyre Jr.
Sarai K. Renken
John A. Rife
Leo F. Wegmann Jr.

ADDISON
INSURANCE COMPANY
James T. Brophy
E. Addison Hulit
Scott McIntyre Jr.
Linda J. Pearson
John A. Rife

AMERICAN INDEMNITY
FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Kent G. Baker
E. Dean Fick
Jack B. Evans
Scott McIntyre Jr.
John A. Rife
Byron G. Riley
J. Fellman Seinsheimer III

                                       43
<PAGE>

OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

UNITED FIRE &
CASUALTY COMPANY
Chairman
Scott McIntyre Jr.
President
John A. Rife
Senior Vice President
Richard B. Swain

Vice Presidents
Kent G. Baker
John R. Cruise
E. Dean Fick
David L. Hellen
Wilburn J. Hollis
E. Addison Hulit
Robert B. Kenward
Kevin L. Kubik
Stanley A. Wiebold
Michael T. Wilkins

Assistant Vice Presidents
John T. Anderson Jr.
Jeffrey A. Chapin
Robert J. DeCamp
Bruce K. Miller
Allan J. Schons
Allen R. Sorensen
Douglas A. Walters
Secretaries
Shona Frese
David A. Lange
Assistant Secretary
Donna M. Fugate
Treasurer
Galen E. Underwood
Controller
Dianne M. Lyons

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICERS OF SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

UNITED LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
Chairman
Scott McIntyre Jr.
President
John A. Rife
Executive Vice President
and Treasurer
Samuel E. Hague
Vice Presidents
Ronald D. Brandt
Rickey L. Pettyjohn
Secretary
Jean N. Newlin Schnake

INSURANCE BROKERS &
MANAGERS, INC.
Chairman
Scott McIntyre Jr.
President
Carlyn K. Lewis
Secretary
Betty S. Castro
Treasurer
Kent G. Baker

LAFAYETTE
INSURANCE COMPANY
Chairman
Scott McIntyre Jr.
President
Carlyn K. Lewis
Secretary
Leo F. Wegmann Jr.
Treasurer
Kent G. Baker

ADDISON
INSURANCE COMPANY
Chairman
Scott McIntyre Jr.
President
E. Addison Hulit
Secretary
Shona Frese
Treasurer
Kent G. Baker

AMERICAN INDEMNITY
FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Chairman
Scott McIntyre Jr.
President
John A. Rife
Executive Vice President
Richard B. Swain
Senior Vice President
J. Fellman Seinsheimer III
Vice Presidents
Roger F. Briggs
Robert A. Payne
Mildred L. Phillips
Secretary
Helen K. Lohec
Treasurer
Vaughn V. Vaughan

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         Executive Compensation includes the amount expensed for financial
reporting purposes under the Company's qualified profit sharing (401(k)) plan.
All employees of the Company are eligible to participate after they have
completed one hour of service with the Company and have attained twenty-one
years of age. The plan is not integrated with Social Security, and provides for
employer contributions in such amounts as the Board of Directors may annually
determine. The benefit payable under the plan is equal to the vested account
balance.

         Executive Compensation includes the amounts expensed for financial
reporting purposes as contributions to the Company's pension plan for the named
individuals. The pension plan is a noncontributory plan which is integrated with
social security. All employees of the Company are eligible to participate after
they have completed one year of service, attained twenty-one years of age and
have met
                                       44
<PAGE>

hourly requirements with the Company. In 1995 through October, 1996, the normal
retirement pension payable under the plan was based on the employee's highest
annual earnings for five (5) consecutive years of employment, and provided a
benefit of 1.25 percent of monthly compensation times years of benefit service
with a maximum of 32 years. Effective November 1, 1996, the pension plan was
amended. The normal retirement benefit was changed from 1.25 percent of average
monthly compensation, times years of benefit service, to 1.25 percent of average
monthly compensation, plus 0.5 percent of average monthly compensation in excess
of the covered compensation limit, all multiplied by years of benefit service.
Years of benefit service was changed from a cap of 32 years to 35 years. Early
retirement eligibility was changed from age 59-1/2 to age 55 with five years of
service. Early retirement benefits were previously reduced actuarially for all
retirees. Now, early retirement benefits have a subsidized reduction if the
employee retires with 20 years or more of service.

         The pension plan owned 101,029 shares of the Company common stock as of
December 31, 1999, and has made deposits with United Life Insurance Company to
be used by the plan to purchase retirement annuities from that company. The
annuity fund, maintained by United Life Insurance Company, is credited with
compound interest on the average fund balance for the year. The interest rate
will be equivalent to the ratio of net investment income to mean assets of
United Life Insurance Company.

         In 1983, the Company adopted the United Lafayette Employee Stock
Ownership Plan. Effective January 1, 1988, the Plan was amended to convert the
Tax Credit Employee Stock Ownership Plan to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
The Plan is for the benefit of eligible employees and their beneficiaries. All
employees are eligible to participate in the Plan upon completion of one year of
service, attaining age twenty-one and meeting hourly requirements with the
Company. Contributions to this plan are made at the discretion of the Board of
Directors. These contributions are based upon a percentage of total payroll and
are allocated to participants on the basis of compensation. Contributions are
made in cash, which is used by the Trustee to acquire shares of the Company
stock to allocate to participants' accounts. As of December 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997, the Trustee owned 123,733, 120,333 and 93,127 shares of Company stock,
respectively. The Company made contributions to the plan of $60,000, $1,050,000,
and zero in 1999, 1998 and 1997 respectively.

         On August 21, 1998, the Company adopted a nonqualified employee stock
option plan. The granting of the options will help to attract and retain the
best available persons for positions of substantial responsibility and will
provide certain employees with an additional incentive to contribute to the
success of the Company and its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 1999, 6,021
options had been granted under the plan.

The following table summarizes the compensation of the Company's Chairman and
the four most highly compensated executive officers for the last three years.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE                         ANNUAL COMPENSATION
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Principal Position                         Year        Salary            Bonus
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>              <C>
Scott McIntyre Jr., Chairman                        1999      $290,000 (1)     $       (2)
                                                    1998       290,000 (1)          -- (2)
                                                    1997       290,000 (1)      58,000 (2)
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John A. Rife, President United Fire & Casualty      1999      $210,000 (1)     $       (4)(6)
Company, President United Life Insurance            1998       190,000 (3)       3,032 (4)
Company                                             1997       166,667 (3)      25,000 (4)
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. Dean Fick                                        1999      $141,750         $       (4)(6)
Vice President, Claims                              1998       135,000              -- (4)
                                                    1997       131,250          19,688 (4)
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin L. Kubik                                      1999      $125,000         $       (4)(6)
Vice President and Chief Investment Officer         1998       113,500           3,513 (4)
                                                    1997            NA (5)          NA (4)(5)
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. Addison Hulit, Vice President United Fire &      1999      $115,500         $       (4)(6)
Casualty Company,  President Addison                1998       110,000          18,700 (4)
Insurance Company President                         1997       105,000          23,950 (4)
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       45
<PAGE>

FOOTNOTES TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE:

(1) Fixed by Compensation Committee in February of each year.
(2) Bonus, if any, determined at the regular meeting of the Directors in
    February of each year based on prior year performance.
(3) Determined by Chairman in December of each year and will be reviewed
    annually in December.
(4) Determined by the bonus plan in effect for all salaried employees based on
    the performance for the preceding year.
(5) Employment began June 1997.
(6) Calculated and paid on or about April 1, 2000.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

         The Company's compensation committee is responsible for recommending
the salary and bonus of the Chairman and President to the Board of Directors.
The members of the Compensation Committee are Casey D. Mahon, Leonard J.
Marshall and George D. Milligan. In establishing a salary and bonus, factors
such as earnings, underwriting ratios, return on equity and growth in
shareholder value are considered. Consideration is also given to the salaries
and bonuses paid to comparable executives in the insurance industry and in other
similarly sized companies in Iowa.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN 1999 AND YEAR-END VALUES
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name                                                                  Number of Securities        (1) Value of Unexercised
                                    Number of shares     Value             Underlying                      In-the-
                                      Acquired on       Realized       Unexercised Options              Money Options
                                        Exercise                      at December 31, 1999          at December 31, 1999
                                                                  Exercisable   Unexercisable   Exercisable   Unexercisable
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>           <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>          <C>
Scott McIntyre Jr.                             0             0            0                0            0            NA
John A. Rife                                   0             0            0            1,181            0            NA
E. Dean Fick                                   0             0            0                0            0            NA
Kevin L. Kubik                                 0             0            0              500            0            NA
E. Addison Hulit                               0             0            0              500            0            NA
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) None of the employee unexercised options are in-the-money.


OPTION GRANTS IN 1999
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name                              Number of    % of Total    Exercise         Expiration         Potential Realizable Value
                                  Securities    Options        Price             Date             At Assumed Annual Rates
                                   Options     Granted to     $/Share                            Of Stock Appreciation for
                                   Granted     Employees                                               Option Term
                                                                                                    5%             10%
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>        <C>            <C>                <C>           <C>
Scott McIntyre Jr.                       0           0%        $ 0.00                            $     -       $     -
John A. Rife                         1,181          20%        $26.12         April, 2009         19,400        49,163
E. Dean Fick                             0           0%        $ 0.00                                  -             -
Kevin L. Kubik                         500           8%        $26.12         April, 2009          8,213        20,814
E. Addison Hulit                       500           8%        $26.12         April, 2009          8,213        20,814
- - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       46
<PAGE>

PENSION PLAN TABLE

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Years of Service
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary                15          20          25          30          35
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$100,000         $21,696     $28,392     $34,944     $41,664     $48,540
110,000           24,324      31,896      39,324      46,908      54,672
135,000           30,888      40,644      50,268      60,036      69,984
150,000           34,824      45,900      56,820      67,908      79,176
160,000           37,452      49,392      61,200      73,164      85,296
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The credited years of service on December 31, 1999, for the persons
named in the Summary Compensation Table are as follows: Mr. McIntyre, 35 years
(maximum allowed); Mr. Rife, 23 years; Mr. Fick, 9 years; Mr. Kubik, 3 years;
and Mr. Hulit, 6 years.

         The pension plan provides a benefit of 1.25 percent of average annual
earnings, plus 0.5 percent of average annual earnings in excess of Covered
Compensation multiplied by years of service or 35 years, whichever is lesser.
Earnings are limited to $160,000 for pension plan purposes by the IRS. This
limit is adjusted with inflation based upon the CPI and is scheduled to increase
to $170,000 for participants retiring after December 31, 1999. Bonuses paid to
officers are not included in pensionable earnings.

         The 1999 Covered Compensation table was used for the calculations in
the table above. Pension figures for Scott McIntyre Jr., Chairman, and John A.
Rife, President, are based upon $160,000 of pensionable earnings.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

         Nonemployee directors are paid a fee of $500 per meeting attended, plus
direct expenses, for attendance at director's meetings. When there is a
committee meeting, the director serving on that committee receives an additional
$400. An annual retainer of $2,500 is paid to each nonemployee director with the
exception of the Vice Chairman who receives an annual retainer of $10,000.

                                       47
<PAGE>

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on Common
Stock for the last five fiscal years with the cumulative total return of the S&P
500 Index and S&P Property-Casualty Insurance Index, assuming an investment of
$100 in each of the above at their closing prices on December 31, 1994 and
reinvestment of dividends.

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNS

[PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

                                             INDEXED RETURNS
                            Base               Years Ending
                           Period
Company/Index              Dec 94  Dec 95  Dec 96  Dec 97  Dec 98  Dec 99
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED FIRE & CAS CO         100   155.76  199.59  254.86  197.23  136.47
S&P 500 INDEX                100   137.58  169.17  225.60  290.08  351.12
INSURANCE (PPTY-CAS) 500     100   135.40  164.52  239.33  222.69  166.00

                                       48
<PAGE>

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

(a) SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS.
The following table sets forth information as of March 1, 2000, with respect to
ownership of the Company's $3.33 1/3 par value common stock by principal
security holders. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the persons named below
has sole voting and investment powers with respect to the shares indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Amount
                                                                                         and Nature     Percent
                                                                                        of Beneficial     of
Name of Beneficial Owner                      Address of Beneficial Owner                 Ownership    Class (1)
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>                                         <C>            <C>
Scott McIntyre Jr. (1)                        2222 1st Ave. NE, Apt. 1004                 1,544,988      15.36%
                                              Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52402
Mildred R. McIntyre (1)                       Cottage Grove Place                         1,144,671       11.38
                                              2115 1st Ave. SE, Apt. 2217
                                              Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52402
General Accident Corporation of America       436 Walnut St.                              2,025,680       20.14
                                              Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19105-1109
Susan M. Carlton (1)                          29 Pine Terrace                               359,041        3.57
                                              Orchard Park, New York 14127
Margaret Pless (1)                            3726 Bentley Dr.                              314,940        3.13
                                              Durham, North Carolina 27707
- - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
     (1) Scott McIntyre Jr., Mildred R. McIntyre, Susan M. Carlton and Margaret
     Pless are all members of the same family. Included in the number of shares
     owned by Scott McIntyre, Jr. are 371,812 shares which he owns in his
     capacity as trustee of three trusts, one of which his children are the
     beneficiaries, one of which his wife is the beneficiary, and the other of
     which all of Mildred R. McIntyre's grandchildren are the beneficiaries.
     Included in the number of shares owned by Mildred R. McIntyre are 533,245
     shares which she owns in her capacity as trustee of a trust in which she
     also has a life interest, and in which Scott McIntyre Jr., Susan M. Carlton
     and Margaret Pless each have an equal interest in the remainder.

(b)  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT.
The following table sets forth information as of March 1, 2000, with respect to
ownership of the Company's $3.33 1/3 par value common stock by management.
Except as otherwise indicated, each of the persons named below has sole voting
and investment powers with respect to the shares indicated.

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Percent
                                             Amount and Nature             Of
Name of Beneficial Owner               of Beneficial Ownership         Class (1)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott McIntyre Jr. (1)                               1,544,988           15.36%
Roy L. Ewen                                             77,501             0.77
Byron G. Riley, Jr.                                      3,106             0.03
George D. Milligan                                         200               --
Thomas K. Marshall                                       2,324             0.02
Leonard J. Marshall                                      1,000             0.01
Casey D. Mahon                                           2,000             0.02
Jack B. Evans                                            4,134             0.04
John A. Rife                                             1,763             0.02
Christopher R. Drahozal                                112,069             1.11
Mary K. Quass                                              100               --
Kevin L. Kubik                                           4,025              .04
E. Dean Fick                                             1,000              .01
E. Addison Hulit                                           255               --
34 officers and directors as a group                 1,765,592            17.55
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1) Included in the number of shares owned by Scott McIntyre Jr., are
     121,500 shares held in the name of J. Scott McIntyre, Trustee of the
     Mildred Reynolds McIntyre Trust, 225,000 shares held in the name of Scott
     McIntyre Jr., or successor, Dee Ann McIntyre Trust, 25,312 shares held in
     the name of Scott McIntyre Jr., Irrevocable Trust and 32,535 shares held by
     the McIntyre Foundation.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         None

                                       49
<PAGE>

                                     PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

                                                                          PAGE

(a) 1. and 2.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data               17

(a) 3.           Exhibits

                 3.1     Articles of Incorporation of United Fire & Casualty
                         Company, incorporated by reference from Registrant's
                         form S-8 Registration Statement, filed with the
                         Commission on December 19, 1997.

                 3.2     By Laws of United Fire & Casualty Company, as
                         amended, incorporated by reference from the
                         Registrant's form S-8 Registration Statement, filed
                         with the Commission on December 19, 1997.

                 10.1    United Fire & Casualty Company Nonqualified Employee
                         Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference from
                         Registrant's form S-8 Registration Statement, filed
                         with the Commission on September 9, 1998.

                 10.2    United Fire & Casualty Company Employee Stock
                         Purchase Plan, incorporated by reference from
                         Registrant's form S-8 Registration Statement, filed
                         with the Commission on December 22, 1997.

                 11      Statement re: computation of per share earnings.

                 21      Subsidiaries of the registrant.

                 23      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
                         auditors

                 27      Financial data schedule.                          53

                 28      Information from reports furnished to
                         State Insurance Regulatory Authorities.  Filed by paper

(b)              No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of
                 the period covered by this report.

                                       50
<PAGE>

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.

                                       UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY

                  By /s/ JOHN A. RIFE
                     ---------------------------------
                     John A. Rife, President, Director

                  Date 2/19/00
                      ---------------------------------

                  By /s/ KENT G. BAKER
                     ---------------------------------
                     Kent G. Baker, Vice-President, Principal Accounting
                     Officer and Chief Financial Officer

                  Date 2/19/00
                      ---------------------------------

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By /s/ SCOTT MCINTYRE JR.                 By /s/ ROY L. EWEN
   -------------------------------           -----------------------------------
   Scott McIntyre Jr., Chairman and          Roy L. Ewen, Director
   Director

Date 2/19/00                              Date 2/19/00
    ------------------------------            ----------------------------------


By /s/ GEORGE D. MILLIGAN                 By /s/ CHRISTOPHER R. DRAHOZAL
   -------------------------------           -----------------------------------
   George D. Milligan, Director              Christopher R. Drahozal, Director

Date 2/19/00                              Date 2/19/00
    ------------------------------            ----------------------------------


By /s/ LEONARD J. MARSHALL                By /s/ JACK B. EVANS
   -------------------------------           -----------------------------------
   Leonard J. Marshall, Director             Jack B. Evans, Vice Chairman and
                                             Director
Date 2/19/00
    ------------------------------        Date 2/19/00
                                              ----------------------------------

By /s/ THOMAS K. MARSHALL
   -------------------------------        By /s/ BYRON G. RILEY
   Thomas K. Marshall, Director              -----------------------------------
                                             Byron G. Riley, Director

Date 2/19/00                              Date 2/19/00
    ------------------------------            ----------------------------------


By /s/ MARY K. QUASS
   -------------------------------
   Mary K. Quass, Director

Date 2/19/00
    ------------------------------

                                       51
<PAGE>

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION
15(D) OF THE ACT BY REGISTRANTS WHICH HAVE NOT REGISTERED SECURITIES PURSUANT TO
SECTION 12 OF THE ACT

(1)  Four copies of the annual stockholders report for the year ended December
     31, 1999, will be furnished to the Securities Exchange Commission by April
     3, 2000.

(2)  Proxy statements will be furnished to security holders subsequent to the
     filing of the 10-K. Four copies of the proxy statement will be furnished to
     the Securities Exchange Commission when they are mailed to security
     holders.

                                       52

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 11. STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS

- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Weighted Average                  Earnings
                                   Number of Shares       Net          Per
Years Ended December 31               Outstanding       Income     Common Share
- - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999                                   10,079,563      $15,384         $1.53
1998                                   10,393,930       23,677          2.28
1997                                   10,727,440       28,732          2.68
- - - - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Computation of weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Years Ended December 31
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1999           1998           1997
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
Common shares outstanding beginning of the period     10,091,721     10,727,322     10,727,712
Weighted average of the common
shares purchased and retired or reissued                (12,158)      (333,392)          (272)
- - - - - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of common shares              10,079,563     10,393,930     10,727,440
===============================================================================================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT 21.  SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

                                              Jurisdiction
Subsidiary                                    of Organization  % of Ownership by the Company, or One of Its Subsidiaries
- - - - - - ----------                                    ---------------  ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>              <C>
United Life Insurance Company                 Iowa             100% owned by the Company
Lafayette Insurance Company                   Louisiana        100% owned by the Company
Insurance Brokers & Managers, Inc.            Louisiana        100% owned by Lafayette Insurance Company
Addison Insurance Company                     Illinois         100% owned by the Company
UFC Premium Finance Company                   Illinois         100% owned by Addison Insurance Company
Addison Insurance Agency                      Illinois         100% owned by Addison Insurance Company
United Credit Corporation                     Iowa             100% owned by the Company
American Indemnity Financial Corporation      Delaware         100% owned by the  Company
American Indemnity Company                    Texas            99.9%owned by American Indemnity Financial Corporation
American Fire and Indemnity Company           Texas            100% owned by American Indemnity Company
Texas General Indemnity Company               Colorado         100% owned by American Indemnity Company
American Indemnity Lloyds                     Texas            Financially and operationally controlled by the Company
American Computing Company                    Texas            100% owned by American Indemnity Company
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT 23

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
reports included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed Form S-8
Registration Statements File Nos. 333-63103 and 333-42895.

/s/  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
- - - - - - ----------------------------
     ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 17, 2000




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                               768,307
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                              311,152
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                314,168
<EQUITIES>                                         109,148
<MORTGAGE>                                               0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                            0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                   1,230,711
<CASH>                                                   0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                  29,715
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                              90,074
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,467,716
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                  1,039,593
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                148,472
<POLICY-OTHER>                                           0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                    0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                          0
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                            33,534
<OTHER-SE>                                         204,259
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,467,716
                                         273,051
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                 75,317
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                   2,936
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       1,912
<BENEFITS>                                         202,448
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                         49,863
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                38,687
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     17,218
<INCOME-TAX>                                         1,834
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 15,384
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        15,384
<EPS-BASIC>                                           1.53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.53
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                     243,006
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                211,575
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                 (25,135)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                  94,443
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                    76,027
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                    310,637
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                           (25,135)


</TABLE>


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