DERIDDER, LA - AMERISAFE, Inc., a specialty provider of high hazard workers' compensation insurance, announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. Net income in the third quarter of 2009 was $15.1 million compared to net income of $13.4 million in the 2008 third quarter, an increase of 12.8%.  Pre-tax income for the third quarter of 2009 included $6.7 million of favorable prior year loss development and $2.0 million of realized gains from sales of certain equity securities and one previously impaired fixed maturity security.   Pre-tax income for the third quarter of 2008 included $6.6 million of favorable prior year loss development, realized losses of $2.9 million from the sale of equity securities and other-than-temporary impairments, and income of $703,000 from a reinsurance commutation.  Return on average equity for the 2009 third quarter was 19.3% compared to 20.5% for the same period in 2008. Read more