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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include United Fire and its wholly owned subsidiaries: United Fire & Casualty Company, United Life Insurance Company (“United Life”), Addison Insurance Company, American Indemnity Financial Corporation, Lafayette Insurance Company, United Fire & Indemnity Company, Texas General Indemnity Company (currently in run-off) and Mercer Insurance Group, Inc., which includes BICUS Services Corporation, Financial Pacific Insurance Agency (currently inactive), Financial Pacific Insurance Company, Financial Pacific Insurance Group, Inc., Franklin Insurance Company, Mercer Insurance Company, and Mercer Insurance Company of New Jersey, Inc. (collectively, "Mercer Insurance Group").

United Fire Lloyds, an affiliate of United Fire & Indemnity Company, is organized as a Texas Lloyds plan, which is an aggregation of underwriters who, under a common name, engage in the business of insurance through a corporate attorney-in-fact. United Fire Lloyds is financially and operationally controlled by United Fire & Indemnity Company, its corporate attorney-in-fact, pursuant to three types of agreements: trust agreements between United Fire & Indemnity Company and certain individuals who agree to serve as trustees; articles of agreement among the trustees who agree to act as underwriters to establish how the Lloyds plan will be operated; and powers of attorney from each of the underwriters appointing a corporate attorney-in-fact, who is authorized to operate the Lloyds plan. Because United Fire & Indemnity Company can name the trustees, the Lloyds plan is perpetual, subject only to United Fire & Indemnity Company’s desire to terminate it.

United Fire & Indemnity Company provides all of the statutory capital necessary for the formation of the Lloyds plan by contributing capital to each of the trustees. The trust agreements require the trustees to become underwriters of the Lloyds plan, to contribute the capital to the Lloyds plan, to sign the articles of agreement and to appoint the attorney-in-fact. The trust agreements also require the trustees to pay to United Fire & Indemnity Company all of the profits and benefits received by the trustees as underwriters of the Lloyds plan, which means that United Fire & Indemnity Company has the right to receive 100 percent of the gains and profits from the Lloyds plan. The trustees serve at the pleasure of United Fire & Indemnity Company, which may remove a trustee and replace that trustee at any time. Termination of a trustee must be accompanied by the resignation of the trustee as an underwriter, so that the trustee can obtain the capital contribution from the Lloyds plan to reimburse United Fire & Indemnity Company. By retaining the ability to terminate trustees, United Fire & Indemnity Company possesses the ability to name and remove the underwriters.

United Fire Lloyds has also been included in consolidation. All intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which differ in some respects from those followed in preparing our statutory reports to insurance regulatory authorities. Our stand-alone financial statements submitted to insurance regulatory authorities are presented on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the insurance departments of the states in which we are domiciled (“statutory accounting practices”).

In the preparation of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, we have evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

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. The financial statement categories that are most dependent on management estimates and assumptions include: investments; deferred policy acquisition costs; reinsurance receivables and recoverables (for net realizable value); future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses; and pension and postretirement benefit obligations.

Universal Life and Annuity Policies

On universal life and annuity policies (i.e., non-traditional business), income and expenses are reported when charged and credited to policyholder account balances in order to result in the recognition of profits over the lives of the related contracts. We accomplish this by means of a provision for future policy benefits and the deferral and subsequent amortization of policy acquisition costs.

Reinsurance

Premiums earned and losses and loss settlement expenses incurred are reported net of reinsurance ceded. Ceded insurance business is accounted for on a basis consistent with the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts.

Investments

Investments in fixed maturities include bonds and redeemable preferred stocks. Our investments in held-to-maturity fixed maturities are recorded at amortized cost. Our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturities and trading securities are recorded at fair value.

Investments in equity securities, which include common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value.

Changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation, with respect to available-for-sale fixed maturities and equity securities, are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable deferred income taxes, in stockholders’ equity.

Other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. Mortgage loans are recorded at their unpaid principal balance. Policy loans are recorded at the outstanding loan amount due from policyholders. Included in investments at December 31, 2012 and 2011, are securities on deposit with, or available to, various regulatory authorities as required by law, with fair values of $1,736,466 and $1,682,525, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, money market accounts, and non-negotiable certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less.

Property, Equipment and Depreciation

Property and equipment is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are generally expensed as incurred. We periodically review these assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying asset may not be recoverable. A loss would be recognized if the estimated fair value of the asset were less than its carrying value.

Depreciation is computed primarily by the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:



	Useful Life
Computer equipment	Three years
Furniture and fixtures	Seven years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of the lease term or useful life of the asset
Real estate	Seven to thirty-nine years
Software	Three years

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets arise as a result of business combinations and consist of the excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment at least on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets may exceed its implied fair value. Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. Any impairment is charged to operations in the period that the impairment is identified. In 2012 and 2011, we performed a qualitative assessment of our goodwill. As a result of this assessment, we did not recognize an impairment charge on our goodwill in 2012 or 2011.

Our intangible assets, which consist primarily of agency relationships, trade names, licenses, and software, are being amortized by the straight-line method over periods ranging from 2 years to 15 years, with the exception of licenses, which are indefinite-lived and not amortized.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established 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 year-to-year change in the net deferred tax asset or liability, except for certain changes in deferred tax amounts that affect stockholders’ equity and do not impact federal income tax expense.

We did not recognize any liability for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2012, or 2011 or at any time during 2012, 2011, and 2010. In addition, we have not accrued for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. However, if interest and penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax expense.

We file a consolidated federal income tax return. We also file income tax returns in various state jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to federal or state income tax examination for years before 2009.

Stock-Based Compensation

We currently have two equity compensation plans. One plan allows us to grant restricted and unrestricted stock, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options to employees. The other plan allows us to grant restricted and unrestricted stock and non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors.

We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing method to establish the fair value of non-qualified stock options granted under our equity compensation plans. Our determination of the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using this option-pricing model is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables, which include the expected volatility in our stock price, the expected term of the award, the expected dividends to be paid over the term of the award and the expected risk-free interest rate. Any changes in these assumptions may materially affect the estimated fair value of the award. For our restricted and unrestricted stock awards, we utilize the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant to establish the fair value of the award.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Adopted Accounting Standards in 2012

Comprehensive Income

In June and December 2011, the FASB issued guidance (Accounting Standards update ("ASU") 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income and ASU 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05) amending the presentation of comprehensive income and its components. Under the new guidance, a reporting entity has the option to present comprehensive income in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. This new guidance is to be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted the new guidance in the first quarter of 2012 by electing to report comprehensive income in a single continuous statement as shown in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The adoption of the new guidance affects presentation only and therefore had no impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position.

Fair Value Measurements

In May 2011, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance (ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")) that changed the wording used to describe many of the requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The guidance also requires additional disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (i.e., Level 3) inputs. The Company adopted the updated guidance on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2012, and has provided the additional disclosures required in "Note 3 Fair Value of Financial Instruments". The adoption of the new guidance did not have any impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

In July 2012, the FASB issued guidance (ASU 2012-02, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other) for the testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. The new guidance provides an option to perform a qualitative approach to test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. If an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity is not required to take further action. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount. This new guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, and early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted the updated guidance for purposes of the impairment test performed for 2012. The adoption of the new guidance did not have any impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards

Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance (ASU 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) requiring significant items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, to be reported to show the effect of the reclassifications on the respective line items of the statement where net income is presented. These reclassifications can be presented either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes to the financial statements. For items that are not reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, a cross reference to other disclosures currently required under GAAP is required in the notes to the financial statements. The new guidance also requires companies to report changes in the accumulated balances of each component of AOCI. This new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company will adopt the new guidance effective January 1, 2013. The adoption will affect disclosures but is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position.

Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Life Insurance Business

Premiums written are deferred and recorded as earned premium 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 insurance policies in force.

Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Reserves

To establish loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we make estimates and assumptions about the future development of claims. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates, which are subjective, complex and inherently uncertain. When we establish and adjust reserves, we do so given our knowledge at that time of the circumstances and facts of known claims. To the extent that we have overestimated or underestimated our loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we adjust the reserves in the period in which such adjustment is determined.

Premiums Receivable

Premiums receivable are presented net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, which is based on a periodic evaluation of the aging and collectability of amounts due from policyholders.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")

Life Insurance [Member]

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Life Insurance Business

Our whole life and term insurance (i.e., traditional business) premiums are reported as earned when due and benefits and expenses are associated with premium income in order to result in the recognition of profits over the lives of the related contracts.

Premiums Receivable

Premiums receivable are presented net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts.

Future Policy Benefits Liability

Liabilities for future policy benefits for traditional products are computed by the net level premium method, using interest assumptions ranging from 4.5 percent to 6.0 percent and withdrawal, mortality and morbidity assumptions appropriate at the time the policies were issued. Liabilities for non-traditional business are stated at policyholder account values before surrender charges. Liabilities for traditional immediate annuities are based primarily upon future anticipated cash flows using statutory mortality and interest rates, which produce results that are not materially different from GAAP. Liabilities for deferred annuities are carried at the account value.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")

Certain costs associated with underwriting new business (primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses associated with successful acquisition efforts) are deferred. The following table is a summary of the components of DAC that are reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements:



Property & Casualty	2012			2011			2010
Recorded asset at beginning of year	$	60,668		$	44,681		$	45,562
Value of business acquired	—			27,436			—
Amortization of value of business acquired	(1,673		)	(25,763		)	—
Underwriting costs deferred	138,723			132,503			101,755
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(132,771		)	(118,189		)	(102,636		)
Recorded asset at end of year	$	64,947		$	60,668		$	44,681

Life Insurance
Recorded asset at beginning of year	$	45,986		$	42,843		$	46,943
Underwriting costs deferred	6,578			8,965			8,807
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(7,390		)	(9,224		)	(10,735		)
	$	45,174		$	42,584		$	45,015
Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs	(4,821		)	3,402			(2,172		)
Recorded asset at end of year	$	40,353		$	45,986		$	42,843

Total
Recorded asset at beginning of year	$	106,654		$	87,524		$	92,505
Value of business acquired	—			27,436			—
Amortization of value of business acquired	(1,673		)	(25,763		)	—
Underwriting costs deferred	145,301			141,468			110,562
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(140,161		)	(127,413		)	(113,371		)
	$	110,121		$	103,252		$	89,696
Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs	(4,821		)	3,402			(2,172		)
Recorded asset at end of year	$	105,300		$	106,654		$	87,524

Property and casualty policy acquisition costs deferred are amortized as premium revenue is recognized. The method followed in computing DAC limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premium to be earned, losses and loss settlement expenses to be incurred and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned.

Life insurance policy acquisition costs deferred are 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 terms of non-traditional policies in proportion to the ratio of the expected annual gross profits to the total expected gross profits. The expected premium revenue and gross profits are based upon the same mortality and withdrawal assumptions used in determining future policy benefits. For non-traditional policies, changes in the amount or timing of expected gross profits result in adjustments to the cumulative amortization of these costs. The effect on amortization of DAC for revisions to estimated gross profits is reported in earnings in the period such estimated gross profits are revised.

The effect on DAC that results from the assumed realization of unrealized gains (losses) on investments allocated to non-traditional business is recognized with an offset, or "shadow" DAC, to net unrealized investment appreciation as of the balance sheet date. The "shadow" DAC adjustment decreased the DAC asset by $38,695 and $33,874 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued updated accounting guidance to address the diversity in practice for the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. This guidance modifies the definition of acquisition costs to specify that a cost must be incremental and directly related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract in order to be deferred. Acquisition costs that are not eligible for deferral are to be charged to expense in the period incurred.