Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited, consolidated financial statements for HCI Group, Inc. and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules for interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, in the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2020 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for any subsequent interim period or for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 included in the Company’s Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 6, 2020. In preparing the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements, management was required to make certain judgments, assumptions, and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures at the financial reporting date and throughout the periods being reported upon. Certain of the estimates result from judgments that can be subjective and complex and consequently actual results may differ from these estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term are related to the Company’s losses and loss adjustment expenses, which include amounts estimated for claims incurred but not yet reported. The Company uses various assumptions and actuarial data it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances to make these estimates. In addition, accounting policies specific to reinsurance with retrospective provisions, reinsurance recoverable, deferred income taxes, and stock-based compensation expense involve significant judgments and estimates material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Adoption of New Accounting Standards In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), effective January 1, 2020. This update amends guidance on the recognition and measurement of credit losses for assets held at amortized cost and available-for-sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost, ASU 2016-13 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold and, instead, requires credit losses to be measured using the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model requires the measurement of all expected credit losses based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts which incorporate forward-looking information. For available-for-sale debt securities, credit losses will continue to be measured in a manner similar to the current standard. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company used a modified retrospective method for transition to the CECL model. The Company recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment of $453 related to reinsurance recoverable to beginning retained income with a corresponding entry to an allowance for credit losses account. Any subsequent changes to the expected credit losses will be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of income. Allowance for Credit Losses Allowance for credit losses represents an estimation of potential losses that the Company may experience due to credit risk. The allowance for credit losses account is a contra account of a financial asset to reflect the net amount expected to be collected. Any increase or decrease in the allowance for credit losses related to investments is recognized and reflected as credit losses on investments in the Company’s consolidated statement of income. For all other financial assets, credit loss expense is included in other operating expenses. When the risk of credit loss becomes certain, the allowance for credit losses account will be written off against the financial asset. Under the CECL model, the Company measures all expected credit losses related to relevant financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts which incorporate forward-looking information. The Company primarily uses a discounted cash flow method and a rating-based method in estimating credit losses at a reporting date for financial assets under the scope of the CECL model. The discounted cash flow method is a valuation method used to estimate the value of a financial asset based on its future cash flows. The Company uses this method to determine the expected credit losses for available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities. In addition, the Company elects not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable as any uncollectible amount is adjusted to interest income on a monthly basis. For certain financial assets related to insurance business such as reinsurance recoverable and reinsurance receivable for premium refund, the Company uses a rating-based method, which is a modified version of the probability of default method. It requires two key inputs: a) the liquidation rate and b) the amount of loss exposure. The liquidation rate, which is published annually, is the ratio of impaired insurance companies that were eventually liquidated to the group of insurance companies considered by A.M. Best in its study. The amount of loss exposure represents the future billing balance, net of any collateral, spread over the projected periods that are based on the Company’s historical claim payment pattern. The rating-based method measures credit losses by multiplying the future billings grouped by insurance rating over the projected periods by their corresponding liquidation rates by insurance rating. At present, the exposure to credit losses for certain financial assets related to non-insurance business is considered immaterial to the Company’s financial position. Limited Partnership Investments The Company has interests in limited partnerships that are not registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the securities laws of any state or the securities laws of any other jurisdictions. The partnership interests cannot be resold in the public market and any withdrawal is subject to the terms and conditions of the partnership agreement. The Company has no influence over partnership operating and financial policies. The Company uses the equity method to account for the investments with ownership interest greater than five percent. For the investments with ownership interest at five percent or less, the Company uses the net asset value method to estimate the fair value of these investments. The Company generally recognizes its share of the limited partnership’s earnings or losses on a three-month lag. Due to the lag, the Company may record an adjustment to the Company’s most recent share of net asset value when the amount can be reasonably estimated and a significant adverse impact on the net asset value is expected as a result of a major economic event. Net investment income or loss from limited partnerships represents a net aggregate amount of operating results allocated to the Company based on the percentage of ownership interest in each limited partnership. Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, these limited partnerships which are private equity funds must measure their investments at fair value and reflect the unrealized gains and losses in the fair value of their investments on their statement of income. As a result, the carrying value of limited partnership investments at each reporting date approximates their estimated fair value. Premium Receivable Premium receivable represents the amount of premiums due from policyholders for insurance coverage. Premiums are recorded as receivable in the Company’s general ledger on the effective date of the policy. Premiums are billed to the policyholder 45-60 days in advance of the effective date. The policyholder is given a 30-day grace period after the effective date to pay the premium before the insurance coverage is cancelled. If the policyholder does not pay the premium, the Company can cancel the policy and has no obligation to provide insurance coverage. Unpaid renewal policies are cancelled at midnight on the last day of the period for which the policyholder has paid. The unearned premium liability for the cancelled policy is reversed along with the premium receivable balance. Therefore, there is no unpaid earned premium and credit loss associated with the cancelled policy. However, when the 30-day grace period falls between two reporting periods, the premium receivable balance at the end of the first reporting period may potentially be overstated for not considering the policy that is subsequently cancelled during the following reporting period. To mitigate the overstatement issue, the Company estimates the monetary impact from the subsequent policy cancellation by multiplying the historical cancellation rate to the premium receivable balance at the reporting date. The premium receivable balance, together with the unearned premium liability is then reduced by the computed amount. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, allowances for uncollectible premiums were $2,369 and $528, respectively. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) represent direct costs to acquire insurance contracts and consist of premium taxes and commissions paid to outside agents at the time of collection of the policy premium. DAC also includes a cash bonus and other related expenses in association with the successful transition of policies from Anchor for the replacement policies and issuance of renewal policies under the Company’s own rates and terms. DAC is amortized over the life of the related policy in relation to the amount of gross premiums earned. The method followed in computing DAC limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the gross premium earned, related investment income, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. DAC is reviewed to determine if it is recoverable from future premium income, including investment income. If such costs are determined to be unrecoverable, they are expensed at the time of determination. The amount of DAC considered recoverable could be reduced in the near term if the estimates of total revenues discussed above are reduced or permanently impaired as a result of the disposition of a line of business. The amount of amortization of DAC could be revised in the near term if any of the estimates discussed above are revised.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited, consolidated financial statements for HCI Group, Inc. and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules for interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, in the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2020 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for any subsequent interim period or for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and

notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 included in the Company’s Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 6, 2020.

In preparing the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements, management was required to make certain judgments, assumptions, and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures at the financial reporting date and throughout the periods being reported upon. Certain of the estimates result from judgments that can be subjective and complex and consequently actual results may differ from these estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term are related to the Company’s losses and loss adjustment expenses, which include amounts estimated for claims incurred but not yet reported. The Company uses various assumptions and actuarial data it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances to make these estimates. In addition, accounting policies specific to reinsurance with retrospective provisions, reinsurance recoverable, deferred income taxes, and stock-based compensation expense involve significant judgments and estimates material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), effective January 1, 2020. This update amends guidance on the recognition and measurement of credit losses for assets held at amortized cost and available-for-sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost, ASU 2016-13 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold and, instead, requires credit losses to be measured using the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model requires the measurement of all expected credit losses based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts which incorporate forward-looking information. For available-for-sale debt securities, credit losses will continue to be measured in a manner similar to the current standard.

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company used a modified retrospective method for transition to the CECL model. The Company recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment of $453 related to reinsurance recoverable to beginning retained income with a corresponding entry to an allowance for credit losses account. Any subsequent changes to the expected credit losses will be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of income.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Allowance for credit losses represents an estimation of potential losses that the Company may experience due to credit risk. The allowance for credit losses account is a contra account of a financial asset to reflect the net amount expected to be collected. Any increase or decrease in the allowance for credit losses related to investments is recognized and reflected as credit losses on investments in the Company’s consolidated statement of income. For all other financial assets, credit loss expense is included in other operating expenses. When the risk of credit loss becomes certain, the allowance for credit losses account will be written off against the financial asset. Under the CECL model, the Company measures all expected credit losses related to relevant financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts which incorporate forward-looking information. The Company primarily uses a discounted cash flow method

and a rating-based method in estimating credit losses at a reporting date for financial assets under the scope of the CECL model. The discounted cash flow method is a valuation method used to estimate the value of a financial asset based on its future cash flows. The Company uses this method to determine the expected credit losses for available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities. In addition, the Company elects not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable as any uncollectible amount is adjusted to interest income on a monthly basis.

For certain financial assets related to insurance business such as reinsurance recoverable and reinsurance receivable for premium refund, the Company uses a rating-based method, which is a modified version of the probability of default method. It requires two key inputs: a) the liquidation rate and b) the amount of loss exposure. The liquidation rate, which is published annually, is the ratio of impaired insurance companies that were eventually liquidated to the group of insurance companies considered by A.M. Best in its study. The amount of loss exposure represents the future billing balance, net of any collateral, spread over the projected periods that are based on the Company’s historical claim payment pattern. The rating-based method measures credit losses by multiplying the future billings grouped by insurance rating over the projected periods by their corresponding liquidation rates by insurance rating. At present, the exposure to credit losses for certain financial assets related to non-insurance business is considered immaterial to the Company’s financial position.

Limited Partnership Investments

The Company has interests in limited partnerships that are not registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the securities laws of any state or the securities laws of any other jurisdictions. The partnership interests cannot be resold in the public market and any withdrawal is subject to the terms and conditions of the partnership agreement. The Company has no influence over partnership operating and financial policies. The Company uses the equity method to account for the investments with ownership interest greater than five percent. For the investments with ownership interest at five percent or less, the Company uses the net asset value method to estimate the fair value of these investments. The Company generally recognizes its share of the limited partnership’s earnings or losses on a three-month lag. Due to the lag, the Company may record an adjustment to the Company’s most recent share of net asset value when the amount can be reasonably estimated and a significant adverse impact on the net asset value is expected as a result of a major economic event.

Net investment income or loss from limited partnerships represents a net aggregate amount of operating results allocated to the Company based on the percentage of ownership interest in each limited partnership.

Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, these limited partnerships which are private equity funds must measure their investments at fair value and reflect the unrealized gains and losses in the fair value of their investments on their statement of income. As a result, the carrying value of limited partnership investments at each reporting date approximates their estimated fair value.

Premium Receivable

Premium receivable represents the amount of premiums due from policyholders for insurance coverage. Premiums are recorded as receivable in the Company’s general ledger on the effective date of the policy. Premiums are billed to the policyholder 45-60 days in advance of the effective date. The policyholder is given a 30-day grace period after the effective date to pay the premium before the insurance coverage is cancelled. If the policyholder does not pay the premium, the Company can cancel the policy and has no obligation to provide insurance coverage. Unpaid renewal policies are cancelled at midnight on the last day of the period for which

the policyholder has paid. The unearned premium liability for the cancelled policy is reversed along with the premium receivable balance. Therefore, there is no unpaid earned premium and credit loss associated with the cancelled policy.

However, when the 30-day grace period falls between two reporting periods, the premium receivable balance at the end of the first reporting period may potentially be overstated for not considering the policy that is subsequently cancelled during the following reporting period. To mitigate the overstatement issue, the Company estimates the monetary impact from the subsequent policy cancellation by multiplying the historical cancellation rate to the premium receivable balance at the reporting date. The premium receivable balance, together with the unearned premium liability is then reduced by the computed amount.

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, allowances for uncollectible premiums were $2,369 and $528, respectively.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) represent direct costs to acquire insurance contracts and consist of premium taxes and commissions paid to outside agents at the time of collection of the policy premium. DAC also includes a cash bonus and other related expenses in association with the successful transition of policies from Anchor for the replacement policies and issuance of renewal policies under the Company’s own rates and terms. DAC is amortized over the life of the related policy in relation to the amount of gross premiums earned.

The method followed in computing DAC limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the gross premium earned, related investment income, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned.

DAC is reviewed to determine if it is recoverable from future premium income, including investment income. If such costs are determined to be unrecoverable, they are expensed at the time of determination. The amount of DAC considered recoverable could be reduced in the near term if the estimates of total revenues discussed above are reduced or permanently impaired as a result of the disposition of a line of business. The amount of amortization of DAC could be revised in the near term if any of the estimates discussed above are revised.