Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Investments

Investments in fixed maturities, which include taxable and non-taxable bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, are reported at fair value. Fair values for fixed maturity securities are based on estimates obtained from independent pricing services. Unrealized gains or losses on fixed maturity securities reported at fair value are excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholder’s equity known as “accumulated other comprehensive income net of taxes” until realized. For fixed maturities that the Company does not intend to sell or for which it is more likely than not that the Company would not be required to sell before an anticipated recovery in value, the Company separates the credit loss component of the impairment from the amount related to all other factors and reports the credit loss component as credit loss expense. The impairment related to all other factors (non-credit factors) is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. The allowance is adjusted for any additional credit losses and subsequent recoveries. Upon recognizing a credit loss, the cost basis is not adjusted. See Note 3 for further details of the Company’s accounting for impairments of available-for-sale investments.

Short-term investments, which consist of securities with original maturities greater than three months but less than one year, are reported at fair value.

Investments in equity securities, which include interests in common stocks, mutual funds and a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), are reported at fair value. Fair values for equity securities are derived from external market quotations, with the exception of the REIT whose fair value was determined using the trust’s net asset value obtained from its audited financial statements. Changes in unrealized gains or losses on equity securities are recognized in earnings.

Other invested assets consist of investments in limited partnerships. The partnership interest is accounted for using the equity method of accounting and recorded in earnings from partnership investments. The carrying value of these investments are written down, or impaired, to fair value when a decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary. In applying the equity method (including assessment for other-than-temporary impairment), the Company uses financial information provided by the investee, generally on a three month lag.

Realized gains or losses on the sale or maturity of investments are determined based on the specific cost identification method.

Investment income is recognized on an accrual basis of accounting. Bonds not backed by other loans are amortized using the interest method. Loan-backed bonds and structured securities are amortized using the interest method and significant changes in estimated cash flows from the original purchase assumptions are accounted for using the retrospective method.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes money market accounts and United States (“U.S.”) Treasury bills with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. U.S. Treasury bills are stated at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Accounts Receivable

Amounts included in accounts receivable represent premiums as well as finance charges, the majority of which are billed on a monthly installment basis. Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, these allowances were $1,808 and $1,754, respectively. Uncollected premium balances over ninety days past due are written off.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Amounts that vary with and are primarily related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract, principally commissions and premium taxes, are deferred and amortized ratably over the effective period of the policy. All other acquisition expenses are expensed as incurred. Deferred policy acquisition costs are reviewed to determine if they are recoverable from future income, and if not, are charged to expense. Future investment income attributable to related premiums is not taken into account in measuring the recoverability of the carrying value of this asset. Amortization of acquisition costs in the amount of $146,573, $146,955 and $147,945 were charged to underwriting, operating and other expenses for the years ended 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Equity and Deposits in Pools

Equity and deposits in pools represents the net receivable amounts from the residual market mechanisms, Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (“CAR”) for automobile and Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (“FAIR Plan”) for homeowners insurance in Massachusetts. See Note 11 for a discussion of the Company’s accounting for amounts assumed from residual markets.

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment, leasehold improvements, and software which are included in other assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight- line or accelerated method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 3 to 10 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided using the straight-line method over the term of the lease. The costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized and amortized over the estimated life of the business system, beginning when the software is ready for its intended use. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) include case basis estimates for open claims reported prior to year-end and estimates of unreported claims and claim adjustment expenses, net of salvage and subrogation. The estimates are continually reviewed and modified to reflect current conditions, and any resulting adjustments are reflected in current operating results. Adjustments for anticipated salvage and subrogation are recorded on incurred and reported and incurred but not reported losses.

The Company determines its loss and LAE reserves estimate based upon the analysis of our actuaries. A reasonable estimate is derived by selecting a point estimate within a range of indications as calculated by our actuaries using generally accepted actuarial techniques. The key assumption in most actuarial analysis is that past patterns of frequency and severity will repeat in the future, unless a significant change in the factors described above takes place. Our key factors and resulting assumptions are the ultimate frequency and severity of claims, based upon the most recent ten years of claims reported to the Company, and the data reported to us to calculate our share of the residual market. For each accident year and each coverage within a line of business our actuaries calculate the ultimate losses incurred.

Premiums and Unearned Premiums

Premiums are earned over the terms of the respective policies, which are generally one year. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired terms of the policies.

Ceded premiums are charged to income over the terms of the respective policies and the applicable term of the reinsurance contracts with third-party reinsurers. Ceded unearned premiums represent the unexpired portion of premiums ceded to CAR and other reinsurers.

Premiums received in advance of the policy effective date are recorded as a liability and not recognized as income until earned. Such amounts are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and totaled $10,630 and $10,441 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Reinsurance

Liabilities for unearned premiums and unpaid losses are stated before deductions for ceded reinsurance. The ceded amounts are carried as receivables. Earned premiums are stated net of deductions for ceded reinsurance.

The Company, as primary insurer, will be required to pay losses in their entirety in the event that the reinsurers are unable to discharge their obligations under the reinsurance agreements.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are charged to expense when they are incurred. Total advertising costs were $2,232, $2,311 and $2,182 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Finance and Other Service Income

Finance and other service income primarily include revenues from premium installment charges, which are recognized when earned.

Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. The method of allocation among members of the consolidated group is subject to a written agreement approved by the Board of Directors (the “Board”). The consolidated tax liability is allocated on the basis of the members’ proportionate contribution to consolidated taxable income.

Deferred income taxes are generally recognized when assets and liabilities have different values for financial statement and tax reporting purposes, and for other temporary taxable and deductible differences as defined by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes. A valuation allowance is established where management has assessed that it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to utilize the full deferred tax asset.

Earnings per Weighted Average Common share

Basic earnings per weighted average common share (“EPS”) are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares including non-vested performance stock grants.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the periods indicated.

	Years Ended December 31,
		2021		2020		2019
Earnings attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted:
Net income from continuing operations	$	130,710	$	138,211	$	99,601
Allocation of income for participating shares		575		636		(523)
Net income from continuing operations attributed to common shareholders	$	131,285	$	138,847	$	99,078
Earnings per share denominator - basic and diluted
Total weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating shares		14,894,532		15,071,955		15,281,363
Less: weighted average participating shares		(65,796)		(69,200)		(80,231)
Basic earnings per share denominator		14,828,736		15,002,755		15,201,132
Common equivalent shares- non-vested performance stock grants		96,990		116,272		136,675
Diluted earnings per share denominator		14,925,726		15,119,027		15,337,807
Basic earnings per share	$	8.85	$	9.25	$	6.52
Diluted earnings per share	$	8.80	$	9.18	$	6.46
Undistributed earnings attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted:
Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders -basic	$	8.85	$	9.25	$	6.52
Dividends declared		(3.60)		(3.60)		(3.40)
Undistributed earnings	$	5.25	$	5.65	$	3.12
Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders -diluted	$	8.80	$	9.18	$	6.46
Dividends declared		(3.60)		(3.60)		(3.40)
Undistributed earnings	$	5.20	$	5.58	$	3.06

Diluted EPS excludes non vested performance stock grants with exercise prices and exercise tax benefits greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the period because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive non-vested performance stock grants for the years ended December 31, 2021 2020 and 2019.

Share-Based Compensation

ASC 718, Compensation —Stock Compensation requires the Company to measure and recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments. Under the provisions of ASC 718, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant).

See Note 7 for further information regarding share-based compensation.

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 reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which removes certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC 740, including exceptions to intra-period tax allocation where there is a loss from continuing operations, foreign subsidiary treatment and for calculating interim income taxes when the year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss. The update also clarifies and amends existing guidance related to changes in tax laws, business combinations, employee stock plans, among others. The Company adopted the ASU effective January 1, 2021. As a result of adoption, there was no impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures.

On March 20, 2019, the SEC adopted amendments to Regulation S-K and related rules and forms to modernize and simplify certain disclosure requirements for public companies. The amendments are intended to reduce the costs and burdens of the disclosure process and while continuing to require disclosure of all material information. The amended rules generally were effective on May 2, 2019 and reduced disclosures but some provisions added new requirements. On August 26, 2020, the SEC adopted additional amendments to Regulation S-K to modernize certain disclosure requirements relating to the description of business, legal proceedings and risk factors which are required to be disclosed in the Form 10-K. The amended rules are effective for filings on or after November 9, 2020. The adoption of the new rules did not and will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which changes the fair value measurement disclosure requirements under ASC 820. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2018-13 on January 1, 2020 did not have an impact on the fair value disclosures included in Note 16 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, which requires certain premiums on callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amortization period for callable debt securities purchased at a discount will not be impacted. The Company adopted ASU 2017-08 effective January 1, 2019 which resulted in the recognition of $2,373 of additional amortization, net of tax, as a cumulative effect adjustment which decreased retained earnings by that amount.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements, which amends the guidance for the impairment of financial instruments and is expected to result in more timely recognition of impairment losses. The update introduces an impairment model referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The impairment model is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses. The ASU is also intended to reduce the complexity of the current guidance by decreasing the number of credit impairment models that entities use to account for debt instruments. For public business entities that are SEC filers, the amendments in ASU No. 2016-13 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the updated guidance on January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective approach. The updated guidance did not have a material impact on the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company has elected not to measure expected credit losses for accrued interest receivables related to its finance receivables and fixed maturity securities. At March 31, 2020, the Company recognized an allowance for expected credit losses related to its available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities of $2,510. The Company has not restated comparative

information for 2019 and, therefore, the comparative information for 2019 is reported under the prior model and is not comparable to the information presented for 2020.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. In 2018, the FASB issued two additional updates, ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, both of which have the same effective date and transition requirements as ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-10 makes sixteen technical corrections to alleviate unintended consequences from applying the new standard and does not make any substantive changes to the core provisions or principals of the new standard. ASU 2019-11 creates an additional transition method which allows companies to elect to not adjust their comparative period financial information and disclosures for the effects of the new lease standard and also creates a practical expedient for lessors to not separate lease and non-lease components. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, ASU 2018-10 and ASU 2018-11 effective January 1, 2019 (“the application date”) using the required modified retrospective transition approach. In accordance with the guidance, the Company has elected not to adjust comparative periods. As such, ASC 842 will be applied to each lease that had commenced as of the application date with a cumulative effect adjustment as of that date. As of January 1, 2019, a right of use asset and lease liability of $35,984 were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All periods prior to the application date presented in the financial statements will not change and the guidance in ASC 840, Leases, will apply. There was no impact on retained earnings or other components of equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets upon implementation.

Segments

The Company comprises one business segment: property and casualty insurance operations. Management organizes the business around private passenger automobile insurance in Massachusetts sold exclusively through independent agents and offers other personal and commercial insurance as complementary products. In accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting, the financial information of the segment is presented consistent with the way results are regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.