Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance 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 reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Adjustments to Financial Statements

Adjustments to Financial Statements

The Company’s prior annual financial statements, including the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, have been adjusted to reflect the accounting change related to the retrospective adoption of the calculation of deferred acquisition costs.

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

The following table reflects the adjustments to the financial statement line items at December 31, 2011 (dollars in thousands).

Consolidated Balance Sheet

	At December 31, 2011
	As Reported		Adjustments			As Adjusted
Deferred income taxes	$	29,286	$	762		$	30,048
Deferred policy acquisition costs		18,756		(2,178	)		16,578
Total assets		1,148,509		(4,536	)		1,143,973
Reinsurance premiums payable		—		1,226			1,226
Insurance-related assessments		21,506		(2,435	)		19,071
Accounts payable and other liabilities		25,633		(1,912	)		23,721
Total liabilities		797,657		(3,121	)		794,536
Shareholders’ equity		350,852		(1,415	)		349,437
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		1,148,509		(4,536	)		1,143,973

The following table reflects the adjustments to the financial statement line items for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011 (dollars in thousands except per share data).

Consolidated Statement of Operations

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
	As Reported		Adjustments			As Adjusted
Underwriting and certain other operating costs	$	6,277	$	132		$	6,409
Income before income taxes		44,354		(132	)		44,222
Income tax expense		9,748		(46	)		9,702
Net income		34,606		(86	)		34,520
Earnings per share—basic	$	1.86	$	(0.01	)	$	1.85
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
	As Reported		Adjustments			As Adjusted
Underwriting and certain other operating costs	$	22,490	$	(86	)	$	22,404
Income before income taxes		27,271		86			27,357
Income tax expense		3,146		30			3,176
Net income		24,125		56			24,181

Comprehensive income for 2010 as reported was $32,143,000 and adjusted to $32,057,000.

Comprehensive income for 2011 as reported was $26,075,000 and adjusted to $26,131,000.

Additionally, retained earnings at January 1, 2010 was decreased by $1,385,000.

The adjustments did not change subtotals of net cash provided by operating activities, investing activities, or cash flows used in financing activities.

See note 21 for additional information regarding our unaudited quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, which data reflects this adjustment.

Investments

Investments

The Company has the ability and positive intent to hold certain investments until maturity. Therefore, fixed maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost. Equity securities and fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value. Temporary changes in the fair value of these securities are reported in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes.

Investment income is recognized as it is earned. The discount or premium on fixed maturity securities is amortized using the “constant yield” method. Anticipated prepayments, where applicable, are considered when determining the amortization of premiums or discounts. Realized investment gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method.

The Company regularly reviews the fair value of its investments. Impairment of an investment security results in a reduction of the carrying value of the security and the realization of a loss when the fair value of the security declines below the cost or amortized cost, as applicable, for the security and the impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary. The Company regularly reviews its investment portfolio to evaluate the existence of other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of investments. The Company considers various factors in determining if a decline in the fair value of an individual security is other-than-temporary, including but not limited to a reduction or interruption in scheduled cash flows, the financial condition of the issuer, how long and by how much the fair value has been below amortized cost, losses due to credit concerns, downgrades and the Company’s intent to sell or ability to hold the security.

Other-than-temporary impairment losses on equity securities are recognized in net income and are measured as the difference between cost and fair value. Impairment losses on fixed maturities are recognized in the financial statements depending on the facts and circumstances related to the specific security. If we intend to sell a security or it is more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, less any current period credit loss, an other-than-temporary impairment would be recognized in net income for the difference between amortized cost and fair value. If we do not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, we do not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, less any current period credit loss, the recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated. The credit loss portion would be recognized in net income and the noncredit loss portion in other comprehensive income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include short-term money market funds and corporate bonds with an original maturity of three months or less.

Short-Term Investments

Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments include municipal securities, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit with an original maturity greater than three months but less than one year.

Premiums Receivable

Premiums Receivable

Premiums receivable consist primarily of premium-related balances due from policyholders. The Company considers premiums receivable as past due based on the payment terms of the underlying policy. The balance is shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Receivables due from insureds are charged off when a determination has been made that a specific balance will not be collected based upon the collection efforts of Company personnel. An estimate of amounts that are likely to be charged off is established as an allowance for doubtful accounts as of the balance sheet date. The estimate is primarily comprised of specific balances that are considered probable to be charged off after all collection efforts have ceased, as well as historical trends and an analysis of the aging of the receivables.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

The Company’s property and equipment, including certain costs incurred to develop or obtain software for internal use, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated primarily by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally 39 years for buildings and three to seven years for all other fixed assets.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The direct costs of acquiring and renewing business are capitalized to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned. These capitalized costs consist mainly of sales commissions, premium taxes and other underwriting costs. The Company evaluates deferred policy acquisition costs for recoverability by comparing the unearned premiums to the estimated total expected claim costs and related expenses, offset by anticipated investment income. The Company would reduce the deferred costs if the unearned premiums were less than expected claims and expenses after considering investment income, and report any adjustments in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. There were no adjustments necessary in 2012, 2011 or 2010.

Reserves for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Reserves for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated ultimate cost of all reported and unreported losses incurred through December 31. The Company does not discount loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. The reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are estimated using individual case-basis valuations, statistical analyses and estimates based upon experience for unreported claims and their associated loss and loss adjustment expenses. Such estimates may be more or less than the amounts ultimately paid when the claims are settled. The estimates are subject to the effects of trends in loss severity and frequency. Although considerable variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes that the reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are adequate. The estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any adjustments are included in current operations.

Subrogation recoverables, as well as deductible recoverables from policyholders, are estimated using individual case-basis valuations and aggregate estimates. Deductibles that are recoverable from policyholders and other recoverables from state funds decrease the liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses.

The Company funds its obligations under certain settled claims where the payment pattern and ultimate cost are fixed and determinable on an individual claim basis through the purchase of annuities. These annuities are purchased from unaffiliated carriers and name the claimant as payee. The cost of purchasing the annuity is recorded as paid loss and loss adjustment expenses. To the extent the annuity funds estimated future claims, reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense are reduced.

Premium Revenue

Premium Revenue

Premiums on workers’ compensation insurance are based on actual payroll costs or production during the policy term and are normally billed monthly in arrears or annually. However, the Company generally requires a deposit at the inception of a policy.

Premium revenue is earned on a pro rata basis over periods covered by the policies. The reserve for unearned premiums on these policies is computed on a daily pro rata basis.

The Company estimates the annual premiums to be paid by its policyholders when the Company issues the policies and records those amounts on the balance sheet as premiums receivable. The Company conducts premium audits on all of its voluntary business policyholders annually, upon the expiration of each policy, including when the policy is renewed. The purpose of these audits is to verify that policyholders have accurately reported their payroll expenses and employee job classifications, and therefore have paid the Company the premium required under the terms of the policies. The difference between the estimated premium and the ultimate premium is referred to as “earned but unbilled” premium, or EBUB premium. EBUB premium can be higher or lower than the estimated premium. EBUB premium is subject to significant variability and can either increase or decrease earned premium based upon several factors, including changes in premium growth, industry mix and economic conditions. Due to the timing of audits and other adjustments, ultimate premium earned is generally not determined for several months after the expiration of the policy.

The Company estimates EBUB premiums on a quarterly basis using historical data and applying various assumptions based on the current market and records an adjustment to premium, related losses, and expenses as warranted.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance

Reinsurance premiums, losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts.

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers include balances currently owed to the Company for losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses that have been paid to policyholders, amounts that are currently reserved for and will be recoverable once the related expense has been paid and experience-rated commissions recoverable upon commutation.

Upon management’s determination that an amount due from a reinsurer is uncollectible due to the reinsurer’s insolvency or other matters, the amount is written off.

Ceding commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies and are intended to reimburse the Company for policy acquisition costs related to those premiums ceded to the reinsurers. Ceding commission income is recognized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned and is reflected as a reduction in underwriting and other operating costs.

Experience-rated commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies based on the financial results of the applicable risks ceded to the reinsurers. These commission revenues on reinsurance contracts are recognized during the related reinsurance treaty period and are based on the same assumptions used for recording loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses. These commissions are reflected as a reduction in underwriting and other operating costs and are adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any such adjustments are included in current operations. Experience-rated commissions reduced underwriting and other operating costs by $11.1 million in 2012, $5.7 million in 2011 and $9.5 million in 2010.

Fee and Other Income

Fee and Other Income

The Company recognizes income related to commissions earned by AGAI as the related services are performed.

Advertising

Advertising

All advertising expenditures incurred by the Company are charged to expense in the period to which they relate and are included in underwriting and other operating costs in the consolidated statements of income. Total advertising expenses incurred were $444,000 in 2012, $421,000 in 2011 and $413,000 in 2010.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. The provision for income taxes has two components, amounts currently payable or receivable and deferred amounts. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company considers deferred tax assets to be recoverable if it is probable that the related tax losses can be offset by future taxable income. The Company includes reversal of existing temporary differences, tax planning strategies available and future operating income in this assessment. To the extent the deferred tax assets exceed the amount expected to be recovered in future years, the Company records a valuation allowance for the amount determined unrecoverable.

Insurance-Related Assessments

Insurance-Related Assessments

Insurance-related assessments are accrued in the period in which they have been incurred. The Company is subject to a variety of assessments related to insurance commerce, including those by state guaranty funds and workers’ compensation second-injury funds. State guaranty fund assessments are used by state insurance oversight agencies to cover losses of policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurance companies and for the operating expenses of such agencies. The Company has a premium tax benefit accrued of $3.4 million and $3.3 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively for mandatory assessments that may be recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in certain states. Assessments related to premiums are generally paid one year after the calendar year in which the premium is written, while assessments related to losses are generally paid within one year of when the loss is paid.

Policyholder Dividends

Policyholder Dividends

The Company writes certain policies for which the policyholder may participate in favorable claims experience through a dividend. An estimated provision for workers’ compensation policyholders’ dividends is accrued as the related premiums are earned. Dividends do not become a fixed liability unless and until declared by the respective Boards of Directors of AMERISAFE’s insurance subsidiaries. The dividend to which a policyholder may be entitled is set forth in the policy and is related to the amount of losses sustained under the policy. Dividends are calculated after the policy expiration. The Company is able to estimate the policyholder dividend liability because the Company has information regarding the underlying loss experience of the policies written with dividend provisions and can estimate future dividend payments from the policy terms.

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities

In December 2003, the Company formed Amerisafe Capital Trust I (“ACT I”) for the sole purpose of issuing $10.0 million in trust preferred securities. ACT I used the proceeds from the sale of these securities and the Company’s initial capital contribution to purchase $10.3 million of subordinated debt securities from the Company. In July 2011, the Company redeemed all $10.3 million of subordinated debt securities from ACT I and the trust was canceled. The debt securities had been the sole assets of ACT I, and the payments under the debt securities were the sole revenues of ACT I.

In April 2004, the Company formed Amerisafe Capital Trust II (“ACT II”) for the sole purpose of issuing $25.0 million in trust preferred securities. ACT II used the proceeds from the sale of these securities and the Company’s initial capital contribution to purchase $25.8 million of subordinated debt securities from the Company. In May 2012, the Company redeemed $12.9 million of the $25.8 million aggregate principal amount of subordinated debt securities. The Company redeemed the remaining $12.9 million of subordinated debt securities from ACT II in August 2012 and the trust was canceled. The debt securities had been the sole assets of ACT II, and the payments under the debt securities were the sole revenues of ACT II.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The Company computes earnings per share in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. Additionally, for periods prior to January 1, 2010, the Company applied the “two-class method” in computing basic and diluted earnings per share. ASC Topic 260 clarifies that unvested share-based payment awards with a right to receive nonforfeitable dividends are participating securities.

The two-class method allocates net income available to common shareholders and participating securities to the extent that each security shares in earnings as if all earnings for the period had been distributed. The amount of earnings allocable to common shareholders is divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Participating securities that are convertible into common stock are included in the computation of basic earnings per share if the effect is dilutive.

Diluted EPS include potential common shares assumed issued under the treasury stock method, which reflects the potential dilution that would occur if any outstanding options or warrants were exercised or restricted stock becomes vested, and includes the “if converted” method for participating securities if the effect is dilutive. The two-class method of calculating diluted EPS is used in the event the “if converted” method is anti-dilutive.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the impact of its share-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. The target value of long-term incentive awards are recognized as compensation over the performance period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-26, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts” (previously referred to as Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 09-G). This guidance changed the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts in response to diversity in practice in the capitalization and amortization of those costs. Under the new guidance, deferrable costs are limited to incremental direct costs of successful contract acquisition incurred with independent third parties and the portion of total employee compensation and payroll-related fringe benefits related to time spent performing specified acquisition activities (e.g., underwriting, policy issuance and processing) for successful acquisition efforts. Companies were given a choice between prospective and retrospective adoption. The new guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Pursuant to the new guidance, the Company adopted the standard on a retrospective basis. The Company’s adoption resulted in a $2.2 million reduction of deferred policy acquisition costs, a $0.8 million decrease in deferred income tax liabilities and a $1.4 million decrease to shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2011. The adjustment to shareholders’ equity resulted in a reduction in book value of $0.08 per share based on the number of shares outstanding at January 1, 2012. The impact on the Company’s results of operations at January 1, 2010 was not material.

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in GAAP and the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).” ASU 2011-04 clarifies some existing concepts, eliminates wording differences between GAAP and IFRS, and in some limited cases, changes principles to achieve convergence between GAAP and IFRS. ASU 2011-04 results in a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between GAAP and IFRS. ASU 2011-04 also expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” This guidance requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.