Fewer severe weather claims have shifted claims manager Crawford & Company’s business mix, driving it to reduce costs after first-quarter profit fell by more than half.

The company last week reported net income of $US2.99 million ($3.76 million) for the quarter, down from $US6.65 million ($8.36 million) in the corresponding period last year.

CEO Jeffrey Bowman says the company expects improvements this quarter after reducing expenses and changing management.

“The challenging market environment has continued through the… first quarter, driving a further mix shift from high-margin property claims, which typically result from severe weather, to high-volume, low-value claims both in the US and internationally,” he said.