Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Business Segments

As of December 31, 2014, the Company managed its business through two business segments: Insurance Operations, which includes the operations of United National Insurance Company, Diamond State Insurance Company, United National Specialty Insurance Company, Penn-America Insurance Company, Penn-Star Insurance Company, Penn-Patriot Insurance Company, American Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc., Collectibles Insurance Services, LLC, Global Indemnity Insurance Agency, LLC, and J.H. Ferguson & Associates, LLC, and Reinsurance Operations, which includes the operations of Global Indemnity Reinsurance.

Property and Casualty Insurance

The Company offers property and casualty insurance products in the excess and surplus lines marketplace through its Insurance Operations and provides third party treaty reinsurance for specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies through its Reinsurance Operations. As of December 31, 2014, the Company managed its Insurance Operations by differentiating them into three product classifications: Penn-America, which markets to small commercial businesses through a select network of wholesale general agents with specific binding authority; United National, which markets insurance products for targeted insured segments, including specialty products, such as property, general liability, and professional lines through program administrators with specific binding authority; and Diamond State, which markets property, casualty, and professional lines products, which are developed by the Company’s underwriting department by individuals with expertise in those lines of business, through wholesale brokers and also markets through program administrators having specific binding authority. These product classifications comprise the Company’s Insurance Operations business segment and are not considered individual business segments because each product has similar economic characteristics, distribution, and coverage. Collectively, the Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Company’s Reinsurance Operations consist solely of the operations of its Bermuda-based wholly-owned subsidiary, Global Indemnity Reinsurance. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is a treaty reinsurer of specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies. The Company’s Reinsurance Operations segment provides reinsurance solutions through brokers and primary writers including insurance and reinsurance companies.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which differs in certain respects from those principles followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. The preparation of consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Intercompany Balances and Transactions

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Global Indemnity and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 that were included in the Form 10-K for the annual periods ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 classified $3.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively, as “Other assets and liabilities, net” within the “Cash flows from operating activities” section. These amounts were properly reclassified to the line item “Amortization and depreciation” in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 as included in this Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2014 (“the December 31, 2014 10K”). These reclassifications do not impact “Net cash flows used for operating activities” nor does it impact any other financial metric or disclosure within the December 31, 2014 10K. The Company does not believe that these adjustments are material to the current or to any prior years’ consolidated financial statements.

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

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

At December 31, 2014, the Company had $113.7 million of cash in escrow to fund the acquisition of American Reliable on January 1, 2015.

Investments

Investments

The Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at their fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair values of the Company’s available for sale portfolio, excluding limited partnership interests, are determined on the basis of quoted market prices where available. If quoted market prices are not available, the Company uses third party pricing services to assist in determining fair value. In many instances, these services examine the pricing of similar instruments to estimate fair value. The Company purchases bonds with the expectation of holding them to their maturity; however, changes to the portfolio are sometimes required to assure it is appropriately matched to liabilities. In addition, changes in financial market conditions and tax considerations may cause the Company to sell an investment before it matures. The difference between amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s available for sale investments, net of the effect of deferred income taxes, is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity and, accordingly, has no effect on net income other than for the credit loss component of impairments deemed to be other than temporary.

The Company’s investments in other invested assets are comprised of limited liability partnership interests and are carried at their fair value. The change in the difference between cost and the fair value of the partnership interests, net of the effect of deferred income taxes, is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity and, accordingly, has no effect on net income other than for impairments deemed to be other than temporary.

The Company’s investments in other invested assets were valued at $33.7 million and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Both of these amounts relate to investments in limited partnerships. The Company does not have access to daily valuations, therefore; the estimated fair value of the limited partnerships are measured utilizing net asset value as a practical expedient for the limited partnerships.

Net realized gains and losses on investments are determined based on the specific identification method.

The Company regularly performs various analytical valuation procedures with respect to its investments, including reviewing each fixed maturity security in an unrealized loss position to assess whether the security is a candidate for credit loss. Specifically, the Company considers credit rating, market price, and issuer specific financial information, among other factors, to assess the likelihood of collection of all principal and interest as contractually due. Securities for which the Company determines that a credit loss is likely are subjected to further analysis through discounted cash flow testing to estimate the credit loss to be recognized in earnings, if any. The specific methodologies and significant assumptions used by asset class are discussed below. Upon identification of such securities and periodically thereafter, a detailed review is performed to determine whether the decline is considered other than temporary. This review includes an analysis of several factors, including but not limited to, the credit ratings and cash flows of the securities and the magnitude and length of time that the fair value of such securities is below cost.

For fixed maturities, the factors considered in reaching the conclusion that a decline below cost is other than temporary include, among others, whether:

(1) the issuer is in financial distress;

(2) the investment is secured;

(3) a significant credit rating action occurred;

(4) scheduled interest payments were delayed or missed;

(5) changes in laws or regulations have affected an issuer or industry;

(6) the investment has an unrealized loss and was identified by the Company’s investment manager as an investment to be sold before recovery or maturity; and

(7) the investment failed cash flow projection testing to determine if anticipated principal and interest payments will be realized.

According to accounting guidance for debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company is required to assess whether it has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before the anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met the Company must recognize an other than temporary impairment with the entire unrealized loss being recorded through earnings. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position not meeting these conditions, the Company assesses whether the impairment of a security is other than temporary. If the impairment is deemed to be other than temporary, the Company must separate the other than temporary impairment into two components: the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors, such as changes in interest rates. The credit loss represents the portion of the amortized book value in excess of the net present value of the projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment. The credit loss component of the other than temporary impairment is recorded through earnings, whereas the amount relating to factors other than credit losses is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of taxes.

For equity securities, management carefully reviews all securities with unrealized losses to determine if a security should be impaired and further focuses on securities that have either:

(1) persisted with unrealized losses for more than twelve consecutive months or

(2) the value of the investment has been 20% or more below cost for six continuous months or more.

The amount of any write-down, including those that are deemed to be other than temporary, is included in earnings as a realized loss in the period in which the impairment arose.

For an analysis of other than temporary losses that were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, please see Note 3 below.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For the purpose of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company has a cash management program that provides for the investment of excess cash balances primarily in short-term money market instruments. Generally, bank balances exceed federally insured limits. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $39.1 million of cash and cash equivalents that was invested in a diversified portfolio of high quality short-term debt securities.

Valuation of Premium Receivable

Valuation of Premium Receivable

The Company evaluates the collectability of premium receivable based on a combination of factors. In instances in which the Company is aware of a specific circumstance where a party may be unable to meet its financial obligations to the Company, a specific allowance for bad debts against amounts due is recorded to reduce the net receivable to the amount reasonably believed by management to be collectible. For all remaining balances, allowances are recognized for bad debts based on the length of time the receivables are past due. The allowance for bad debts was $1.5 million and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company tests for impairment of goodwill at least annually and more frequently as circumstances warrant in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Accounting guidance allows for the testing of goodwill for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative factors. Impairment of goodwill is recognized only if the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. The amount of the impairment loss would be equal to the excess carrying value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Based on the qualitative assessment performed in 2014, there was no impairment of goodwill as of December 31, 2014.

Impairment of intangible assets with an indefinite useful life is tested at least annually and more frequently as circumstances warrant in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Accounting guidance allows for the testing of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative factors. Impairment of indefinite lived intangible assets is recognized only if the carrying amount of the intangible assets exceeds the fair value of said assets. The amount of the impairment loss would be equal to the excess carrying value of the assets over the fair value of said assets. Based on the qualitative assessment performed in 2014, there were no impairments of indefinite lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2014.

Intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The carrying amounts of definite lived intangible assets are regularly reviewed for indicators of impairment in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Impairment is recognized only if the carrying amount of the intangible asset is in excess of its undiscounted projected cash flows. The impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the asset. As of December 31, 2014, there were no triggering events that occurred during the year that would result in an impairment of definite lived intangible assets.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce the loss that may arise from events that cause unfavorable underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk from various areas of exposure with reinsurers. Amounts receivable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the reinsured policy and the reinsurance contract.

The Company regularly reviews the collectability of reinsurance receivables. An allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivable is recognized based on the financial strength of the reinsurers and the length of time any balances are past due. Any changes in the allowance resulting from this review are included in income during the period in which the determination is made. The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance was $9.4 million and $9.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The applicable accounting guidance requires that the reinsurer must assume significant insurance risk under the reinsured portions of the underlying insurance contracts and that there must be a reasonably possible chance that the reinsurer may realize a significant loss from the transaction. The Company has evaluated its reinsurance contracts and concluded that each contract qualifies for reinsurance accounting treatment pursuant to this guidance.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted 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 tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The deferred tax asset balance is analyzed regularly by management. This assessment requires significant judgment and considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies and/or actions. Management believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the remaining deferred income tax assets, and accordingly, the Company has not established any valuation allowances.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Deferred Acquisition Costs

The costs of acquiring new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts include commissions, premium taxes and certain other costs that vary with and are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts. The excess of the Company’s costs of acquiring new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts over the related ceding commissions earned from reinsurers is capitalized as deferred acquisition costs and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned.

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $57.1 million, $53.8 million, and $48.9 million, respectively.

Premium Deficiency

Premium Deficiency

In accordance with accounting guidance for insurance enterprises, the method followed in computing deferred acquisition costs limits them to their estimated realizable value that gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses and loss adjustment expenses, and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected loss and loss adjustment expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceeds related unearned premium after consideration of investment income. This evaluation is done at a product line level in Insurance Operations and at a treaty level in Reinsurance Operations. Any future expected loss on the related unearned premium is recorded first by impairing the unamortized acquisition costs on the related unearned premium followed by an increase to loss and loss adjustment expense reserves on additional expected loss in excess of unamortized acquisition costs.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the total premium deficiency charges were $0.4 million, $1.7 million, and $0.5 million, respectively, comprised solely of reductions to unamortized deferred acquisition costs within the commercial automobile lines in Insurance Operations. The 2013 premium deficiency charge of $1.7 million was recorded as of September 30, 2013. Based on the Company’s analysis, the Company expensed acquisition cost as incurred for the remainder of 2013 and 2014 for the commercial automobile lines in Insurance Operations. The 2012 premium deficiency charge was recorded as of December 31, 2012. As the charges were a reduction of unamortized deferred acquisition costs in each respective period, no premium deficiency reserve exists as of December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to cash flow variability from interest rate risk. The derivative instruments are carried on the balance sheet at fair value and included in other assets or other liabilities. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments and the periodic net interest settlements under the derivatives instruments are recognized as net realized investment gains on the consolidated statement of operations.

Margin Borrowing Facilities

Margin Borrowing Facilities

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet represent the outstanding borrowings. The outstanding borrowings are due on demand; therefore, the cash receipts and cash payments related to the margin borrowing facilities are shown net in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Notes and Debentures Payable

Notes and Debentures Payable

In 2013, the Company repaid the entire outstanding principal due on the junior subordinated debentures. The Company’s business trust subsidiaries were cancelled in the 4^th quarter of 2013.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses represents the Company’s best estimate of future amounts needed to pay losses and related settlement expenses with respect to events insured by the Company. This liability is based upon the accumulation of individual case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period with respect to direct business, estimates received from ceding companies with respect to assumed reinsurance, and estimates of unreported losses.

The process of establishing the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of a property and casualty insurance company is complex, requiring the use of informed actuarially based estimates and management’s judgment. In some cases, significant periods of time, up to several years or more, may elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss and the reporting of that loss to the Company. To establish this liability, the Company regularly reviews and updates the methods of making such estimates and establishing the resulting liabilities. Any resulting adjustments are recorded in income during the period in which the determination is made.

Premiums

Premiums

Premiums are recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the respective policies and treaties. Unearned premiums are computed on a pro rata basis to the day of expiration.

Contingent Commissions

Contingent Commissions

Certain professional general agencies of the Insurance Operations are paid special incentives, referred to as contingent commissions, when results of business produced by these agencies are more favorable than predetermined thresholds. Similarly, in some circumstances, companies that cede business to the Reinsurance Operations are paid profit commissions based on the profitability of the ceded portfolio. These commissions are charged to other underwriting expenses when incurred. The liability for the unpaid portion of these commissions, which is stated separately on the face of the consolidated balance sheet as contingent commissions, was $13.0 million and $12.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock options and other equity based compensation using the modified prospective application of the fair value-based method permitted by the appropriate accounting guidance. See Note 14 for details.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share have been calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share has been calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding and the weighted-average common share equivalents outstanding, which include options and other equity awards. See Note 16 for details.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

The Company maintains investments and cash accounts in foreign currencies related to the operations of its business. At period-end, the Company re-measures non-U.S. currency financial assets to their current U.S. dollar equivalent. The resulting gain or loss for foreign denominated investments is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity; whereas, the gain or loss on foreign denominated cash accounts is reflected in income during the period. Financial liabilities, if any, are generally adjusted within the reserving process. However, for known losses on claims to be paid in foreign currencies, the Company re-measures the liabilities to their current U.S. dollar equivalent each period end with the resulting gain or loss reflected in income during the period. Net transaction gains, primarily comprised of re-measurement of known losses on claims to be paid in foreign currencies, were $0.5 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net transaction losses, primarily comprised of re-measurement of known losses on claims to be paid in foreign currencies, were $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Out-of-Period Adjustment

Out-of-Period Adjustment

During the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company identified an error in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 related to the recognition of incurred losses on two of the assumed reinsurance treaties at the Company’s Reinsurance Operations. These contracts relate to accident years 2009 and 2010 and have not been renewed. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the Company’s internal calculations over-recorded the profitability of these two treaties, resulting in net income and equity being overstated by approximately $1.6 million over the three year period. There was no impact to the Company’s cash flows during these periods.

The Company corrected this error in its consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 by increasing the “Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses” line item on the consolidated balance sheet and the “Net losses and loss adjustment expenses” line item on the consolidated statement of operations by $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, the cumulative effect of the error. The Company does not believe that these adjustments are material to any prior years’ consolidated financial statements. As a result, the Company has not restated or adjusted any prior period amounts for this error.

Other income (loss)

Other income (loss)

On December 31, 2013, Diamond State Insurance Company sold all the outstanding shares of capital stock of one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, United National Casualty Insurance Company to an unrelated party. Diamond State Insurance Company received a one-time payment of $26.6 million and recognized a pretax gain of $5.2 million which is reflected in other income (loss). Management deemed this transaction to be an asset sale with the assets primarily comprised of investments and insurance licenses. This transaction did not have a significant impact on the ongoing business operations of the Company.

Fair Value Measurement Policy

The Company’s invested assets and derivative instruments are carried at their fair value and are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy:

• Level 1-inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

• Level 2-inputs utilize other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for similar assets, either directly or indirectly.

• Level 3-inputs are unobservable for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset.

Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of positions that the Company has classified within the Level 3 category. As a result, the unrealized gains and losses for invested assets within the Level 3 category presented in the tables below may include changes in fair value that are attributed to both observable (e.g., changes in market interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in unobservable long-dated volatilities) inputs.

Based on the typical trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for fixed maturities, security prices are derived through recent reported trades for identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable information. If there are no recent reported trades, matrix or model processes are used to develop a security price where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. Included in the pricing of asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and mortgage-backed securities are estimates of the rate of future prepayments of principal over the remaining life of the securities. Such estimates are derived based on the characteristics of the underlying structure and prepayment speeds previously experienced at the interest rate levels projected for the underlying collateral. For corporate loans, price quotes from multiple dealers along with recent reported trades for identical or similar securities are used to develop prices. The estimated fair value of the interest rate swaps is obtained from a third party financial institution who utilizes observable inputs such as the forward interest rate curve.

The Company’s pricing vendors provide prices for all investment categories except for investments in limited partnerships which are measured utilizing net assets values as a practical expedient. One vendor provides prices for equity securities and all fixed maturity categories.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used by the Company’s pricing vendors for investment securities carried at fair value:

• Equity prices are received from all primary and secondary exchanges.

• Corporate and agency bonds are evaluated by utilizing a multi-dimensional relational model. For bonds with early redemption options, an option adjusted spread model is utilized. Both asset classes use standard inputs and incorporate security set up, defined sector breakdown, benchmark yields, apply base spreads, yield to maturity, and adjust for corporate actions.

• A volatility-driven multi-dimensional spread table or an option-adjusted spread model and prepayment model is used for agency commercial mortgage obligations (“CMO”). For non-agency CMOs, a prepayment/spread/yield/price adjustment model is utilized. CMOs are categorized with mortgage-backed securities in the tables listed above. For ABSs, a multi-dimensional, collateral specific spread / prepayment speed tables is utilized. For both asset classes, evaluations utilize standard inputs plus new issue data, monthly payment information, and collateral performance. The evaluated pricing models incorporate security set-up, prepayment speeds, cash flows, and treasury swap curves and spread adjustments.

• For municipals, a multi-dimensional relational model is used to evaluate securities within this asset class. The evaluated pricing models for this asset class incorporate security set-up, benchmark yields, apply base spreads, yield to worst or market convention, ratings updates, prepayment schedules and adjustments for material events notices.

• U.S. treasuries are evaluated by obtaining feeds from a number of live data sources including active market makers and inter-dealer brokers.

• For MBSs, a matrix model correlation to TBA (a forward MBS trade) or benchmarking is utilized to value a security.

Statutory Income Tax Rates

The statutory income tax rate of each country is applied against the annual taxable income of each country to calculate the annual income tax expense.

Tax Uncertainties

The Company applies a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold for all tax uncertainties whereby it only recognizes those tax benefits that have a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities.

Loss Reserves and Prior Year Development

When analyzing loss reserves and prior year development, the Company considers many factors, including the frequency and severity of claims, loss trends, case reserve settlements that may have resulted in significant development, and any other additional or pertinent factors that may impact reserve estimates.

Repurchased Shares

The excess cost of the repurchased shares over their par value was classified to additional paid-in capital.

Share-Based Compensation

The fair value method of accounting recognizes share-based compensation to employees and non-employee directors in the statements of operations using the grant-date fair value of the stock options and other equity-based compensation expensed over the requisite service and vesting period.

For the purpose of determining the fair value of stock option awards, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. An estimation of forfeitures is required when recognizing compensation expense which is then adjusted over the requisite service period should actual forfeitures differ from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized through a cumulative adjustment to compensation in the period of change.

The prescribed accounting guidance also requires tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions to be prospectively presented in the statement of cash flows as financing cash inflows.

Financial Information

Global Indemnity Reinsurance must also prepare annual statutory financial statements. The Bermuda Insurance Act 1978 (the “Insurance Act”) prescribes rules for the preparation and substance of these statutory financial statements which include, in statutory form, a balance sheet, an income statement, a statement of capital and surplus and notes thereto. The statutory financial statements are not prepared in accordance with GAAP or SAP and are distinct from the financial statements prepared for presentation to Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s shareholders and under the Bermuda Companies Act 1981 (the “Companies Act”), which financial statements will be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The principal differences between statutory financial statements prepared under the Insurance Act and GAAP are as follows:

• Under the Insurance Act, policy acquisition costs, such as commissions, premium taxes, fees and other costs of underwriting policies are charged to current operations as incurred, while under GAAP such costs are deferred and amortized on a pro rata basis over the period covered by the policy.

• Under the Insurance Act, prepaid expenses and intangible assets are charged to current operations as incurred, while under GAAP such costs are deferred and amortized on a pro rata basis.

• Under the Insurance Act, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums are reported net of the effects of reinsurance transactions, whereas under GAAP, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums are reported gross of reinsurance.

Global Indemnity Reinsurance

Financial Information

GAAP differs in certain respects from Statutory Accounting Principles (“SAP”) as prescribed or permitted by the various U.S. state insurance departments. The principal differences between SAP and GAAP are as follows:

• Under SAP, investments in debt securities are primarily carried at amortized cost, while under GAAP the Company records its debt securities at estimated fair value.

• Under SAP, policy acquisition costs, such as commissions, premium taxes, fees and other costs of underwriting policies are charged to current operations as incurred, while under GAAP such costs are deferred and amortized on a pro rata basis over the period covered by the policy.

• Under SAP, certain assets designated as “Non-admitted assets” (such as prepaid expenses) are charged against surplus.

• Under SAP, net deferred income tax assets are admitted following the application of specified criteria, with the resulting admitted deferred tax amount being credited directly to surplus.

• Under SAP, certain premium receivables are non-admitted and are charged against surplus based upon aging criteria.

• Under SAP, the costs and related receivables for guaranty funds and other assessments are recorded based on management’s estimate of the ultimate liability and related receivable settlement, while under GAAP such costs are accrued when the liability is probable and reasonably estimable and the related receivable amount is based on future premium collections or policy surcharges from in-force policies.

• Under SAP, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums are reported net of the effects of reinsurance transactions, whereas under GAAP, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums are reported gross of reinsurance.

• Under SAP, a provision for reinsurance is charged to surplus based on the authorized status of reinsurers, available collateral, and certain aging criteria, whereas under GAAP, an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance is established based on management’s best estimate of the collectability of reinsurance receivables.