Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Nature of Operations [Text Block]

Nature of Operations

Fortegra Financial Corporation (Traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: FRF), including its subsidiaries ("Fortegra" or the "Company"), is a diversified insurance services company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida that provides distribution and administration services on a wholesale basis to insurance companies, insurance brokers and agents and other financial services companies primarily in the United States. In 2008, the Company changed its name from Life of the South Corporation to Fortegra Financial Corporation. The Company was incorporated in 1981 in the State of Georgia and re-incorporated in the State of Delaware in 2010. Most of the Company's business is generated through networks of small to mid-sized community and regional banks, small loan companies and automobile dealerships. The Company's majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, are as follows:

• LOTS Intermediate Co. ("LOTS IM")

• Bliss and Glennon, Inc. ("B&G")

• CRC Reassurance Company, Ltd. ("CRC")

• Insurance Company of the South ("ICOTS")

• Life of the South Insurance Company ("LOTS") and its subsidiary, Bankers Life of Louisiana ("Bankers Life")

• LOTS Reassurance Company ("LOTS RE")

• LOTSolutions, Inc.

• Lyndon Southern Insurance Company ("Lyndon Southern")

• Southern Financial Life Insurance Company ("SFLAC"), 85% owned

• South Bay Acceptance Corporation ("South Bay")

• Continental Car Club, Inc. ("Continental")

• United Motor Club of America, Inc. ("United")

• Auto Knight Motor Club, Inc. ("Auto Knight")

• eReinsure.com, Inc. ("eReinsure")

• Pacific Benefits Group Northwest, LLC ("PBG")

• Magna Insurance Company ("Magna")

• Digital Leash,LLC, d/b/a ProtectCELL ("ProtectCELL"), 62.4% owned

• 4Warranty Corporation ("4Warranty")

The Company operates in three business segments: (i) Payment Protection, (ii) Business Process Outsourcing ("BPO") and (iii) Brokerage. Payment Protection specializes in protecting lenders and their consumers from death, disability or other events that could otherwise impair their ability to repay a debt and also offers warranty and service contracts and motor club solutions. BPO provides an assortment of administrative services tailored to insurance and other financial services companies through a virtual insurance company platform. Brokerage uses a pure wholesale sell-through model to sell specialty casualty and surplus lines insurance and also provides web-hosted applications used by insurers, reinsurers and reinsurance brokers for the global reinsurance market.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Fortegra Financial Corporation and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All material intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated. The third-party ownership of 15% of the common stock of SFLAC and 37.6% of the ownership interests of ProtectCELL have been reflected as non-controlling interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Prior to 2011, third parties held a 52% ownership of the preferred stock of CRC Reassurance Company, Ltd. which were redeemed during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes both net income and other items of comprehensive income comprised of unrealized gains and losses on investment securities classified as available-for-sale and unrealized gains and losses on the interest rate swap, net of the related tax effects.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

Preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Comparability of Prior Year Financial Data, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications and Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements

Certain items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation, which had no impact on net income, comprehensive income or loss, net cash provided by operating activities or stockholders' equity.

Accounting Changes and Error Correction [Policy Text Block]

Change in Accounting Estimate - Unearned Premium Reserves for the Payment Protection Segment

Prior to September 30, 2012, the Company's method of estimating unearned premium reserves in relation to the loss patterns and the related recognition of income for certain types of credit property and vendor single interest payment protection products was based on the pro-rata method.  The use of the pro-rata method was based on the best information available at the time the Company's financial statements were prepared.

During the past two years the Company has increased the volume of business related to these product types, thereby increasing the volume of policy and claims data specific to the Company's product types. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company determined it had accumulated a sufficient volume of policy and claims data to be able to perform an actuarial analysis in order to determine the preferable estimation approach. As a result of the analysis of the recently collected additional data, the Company has gained better insight into its product loss patterns and can provide improved judgment and estimation to more accurately calculate the unearned premium reserves and the associated recognition of income. Upon completion of the analysis, Management determined that the Rule of 78s applied on a daily basis provides a more accurate representation of historical loss patterns and the recognition of the related income; as such, the estimation method was changed. The change in approach has been accounted for as a change in accounting estimate that is effected by a change in accounting principle and is justifiable in that it is the preferable approach for income recognition based on the Company's actuarial study.  This change in accounting estimate was applied prospectively in accordance with ASC 250-10-45-18. Summarized below is the effect of the change in accounting estimate on the Consolidated Statement of Income for the following period:

Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Subsequent Events

The Company reviewed all material subsequent events that occurred up to the date the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements were issued to determine whether any event required recognition or disclosure in the financial statements and/or disclosure in the notes thereto. For more information, please see the Note, "Subsequent Events."

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value

Fair value as defined in the ASC 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.ASC 820-10 - Fair Value Measurements established a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy and those investments included in each are as follows:

Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active

markets.

Level 2 - Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted

prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable

for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.

Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value

measurement. These unobservable inputs are derived from the Company's internal calculations, estimates and assumptions and

require significant management judgment or estimation.

The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between levels as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents: The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying value.

Fixed maturity securities: Fair values were obtained from market value quotations provided by an independent pricing service.

Equity securities: The fair values of publicly traded common and preferred stocks were obtained from market value quotations provided by an independent pricing service. The fair values of non-publicly traded common and preferred stocks were based on prices obtained from an independent pricing service.

Notes receivable: The carrying amounts approximate fair value because the interest rates charged approximate current market rates for similar credit risks. These values are net of allowance for doubtful accounts.

Accounts and premiums receivable, net, and other receivables: The carrying amounts approximate fair value since no interest rate is charged on these short duration assets.

Short-term investments:The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturities of these instruments.

Notes payable and preferred trust securities: The carrying amounts approximate fair value because the applicable interest rates approximate current rates offered to the Company for similar instruments.

Interest rate swap: The fair value of the interest rate swap is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the interest rate swap. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the interest rate swap, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities.

The estimated fair values presented for the Company's investment portfolio are based on prices provided by an independent pricing service and a third party investment manager. The prices provided by these services are based on quoted market prices, when available, non-binding broker quotes, or matrix pricing. The independent pricing service and the third party investment manager provide a single price or quote per security. The Company obtains an understanding of the methods, models and inputs used by the independent pricing service and the third party investment manager, and has controls in place to validate that the amounts provided represent fair values.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The Company's revenues are primarily derived from service and administrative fees, wholesale brokerage commissions and related fees, ceding commissions, net investment income and net earned premiums.

Service and Administrative Fees

The Company earns service and administrative fees from a variety of activities, including the administration of credit insurance, the administration of debt cancellation programs, the administration of motor club programs, the administration of warranty programs and the administration of collateral tracking and asset recovery programs. The Payment Protection administrative service revenue is recognized consistent with the earnings recognition pattern of the underlying insurance policies, debt cancellation contracts and motor club memberships being administered, using Rule of 78's, modified Rule of 78's, pro rata, or other methods as appropriate for the contract. Management selects the appropriate method based on available information, and periodically reviews the selections as additional information becomes available. The BPO service fee revenue is recognized as the services are performed. These services include fulfillment, BPO software development, and claims handling for the Company's customers. Collateral tracking fee income is recognized when the service is performed and billed. Asset recovery service revenue is recognized upon the location of a recovered unit and or the location and delivery of a unit. Management reviews the financial results under each significant BPO contract on a monthly basis. Any losses that may occur due to a specific contract would be recognized in the period in which the loss occurs. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company has not incurred a loss with respect to a specific significant BPO contract.

Brokerage Commissions and Fees

The Company earns brokerage commission and fee income by providing wholesale brokerage services to retail insurance brokers and agents and insurance companies and is primarily recognized when the underlying insurance policies are issued. A portion of the brokerage commission income is derived from profit commission agreements with insurance carriers. These commissions are received from carriers based upon the underlying underwriting profitability of the business that the Company places with those carriers. Profit commission income is generally recognized as revenue on the receipt of cash based on the terms of the respective carrier contracts. In certain instances, profit commission income may be recognized in advance of cash receipt where the profit commission income due to be received has been calculated or has been confirmed by the insurance carrier. The Company also derives fees from master license agreements to use the eReinsure system together with fees for the transactions completed through its platform.

Ceding Commissions

Ceding commissions earned under coinsurance agreements are based on contractual formulas that take into account, in part, underwriting performance and investment returns experienced by the assuming companies. As experience changes, adjustments to the ceding commissions are reflected in the period incurred and are based on the claim experience of the related policy.The adjustment is calculated by adding the earned premium and investment income from the assets held in trust for the Company's benefit less earned commissions, incurred claims and the reinsurer's fee for the coverage.

Net Investment Income

The Company earns net investment income from interest and dividends received from the investment portfolio, less portfolio management expenses and interest earned on cash accounts and notes receivable. Investment income also includes any amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on securities acquired at other than par value.

Net Earned Premium

Net earned premium is from direct and assumed earned premium consisting of revenue generated from the direct sale of Payment Protection insurance policies by the Company's distributors and premiums written for Payment Protection insurance policies by another carrier and assumed by the Company. Whether direct or assumed, the premium is earned over the life of the respective policy using methods appropriate to the pattern of losses for the type of business. Methods used include the Rule of 78's, pro rata, and actuarial methods. Management selects the appropriate method based on available information, and periodically reviews the selections as additional information becomes available. Direct and assumed premiums are offset by premiums ceded to the Company's reinsurers, including producer owned reinsurance companies ("PORCs"), earned in the same manner. The amount ceded is proportional to the amount of risk assumed by the reinsurer.

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses [Policy Text Block]

Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses include actual claims paid and the change in unpaid claim reserves. The Company's profitability depends in part on accurately predicting net loss and loss adjustment expenses. Incurred claims are impacted by loss frequency, which is the measure of the number of claims per unit of insured exposure, and loss severity, which is based on the average size of claims. Factors affecting loss frequency and loss severity include changes in claims reporting patterns, claims settlement patterns, judicial decisions, legislation, economic conditions, morbidity patterns and the attitudes of claimants towards settlements.

Actual claims paid are claims payments made to the policyholder or beneficiary during the accounting period. The change in unpaid claim reserve is an increase or reduction to the unpaid claim reserve in the accounting period to maintain the unpaid claim reserve at the levels evaluated by our actuaries.

Unpaid claims are reserve estimates that are established in accordance with U.S. GAAP using generally accepted actuarial methods. Credit life and AD&D unpaid claims reserves include claims in the course of settlement and incurred but not reported ("IBNR"). Credit disability unpaid claims reserves also include continuing claim reserves for open disability claims. For all other product lines, unpaid claims reserves are bulk reserves and are entirely IBNR. The Company uses a number of algorithms in establishing its unpaid claims reserves. These algorithms are used to calculate unpaid claims as a function of paid losses, earned premium, target loss ratios, in-force amounts, unearned premium reserves, industry recognized morbidity tables or a combination of these factors.

In arriving at the unpaid claims reserves, the Company conducts an actuarial analysis on a basis gross of reinsurance. The same estimates used as a basis in calculating the gross unpaid claims reserves are then used as the basis for calculating the net unpaid claims reserves, which take into account the impact of reinsurance. Anticipated future loss development patterns form a key assumption underlying these analyses. Our claims are generally reported and settled quickly, resulting in a consistent historical loss development pattern. From the anticipated loss development patterns, a variety of actuarial loss projection techniques are employed, such as the chain ladder method, the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method and expected loss ratio method.

The unpaid claims reserves do not represent an exact calculation of exposure, but instead represent the Company's best estimates, generally involving actuarial projections at a given time. The process used in determining the unpaid claims reserves cannot be exact since actual claim costs are dependent upon a number of complex factors such as changes in doctrines of legal liabilities and damage awards. These factors are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis. The Company periodically reviews and updates its methods of making such unpaid claims reserve estimates and establishing the related liabilities based on our actual experience. The Company has not made any changes to its methodologies for determining unpaid claims reserves in the periods presented.

Member Benefit Claims [Policy Text Block]

Member Benefit Claims

Member Benefit Claims represent claims paid on behalf of contract holders directly to third parties providers for roadside assistance and for the repair or replacement of covered products.  Claims can also be paid directly to contract holders as a reimbursement payment provided supporting documentation of loss is submitted to the Company.  Claims are recognized as expense when incurred.

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments

Both fixed maturity securities and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reflected in other comprehensive income, net of tax. The cost of investments sold and any resulting gain or loss is based on the specific identification method and is recognized as of the trade date.

The Company conducts a quarterly review of all fixed maturity and equity securities with fair values less than their cost basis or amortized cost to determine if the decline in the fair value is other-than-temporary. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses, the Company considers the following factors in assessing OTTI for fixed maturity and equity securities:

• the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost;

• if an investment's fair value declines below cost, the Company determines if there is adequate evidence to overcome the presumption that the decline is other-than-temporary. Supporting evidence could include a recovery in the investment's fair value subsequent to the date of the statement of financial position, a return of the investee to profitability and the investee's improved financial performance and future prospects (such as earnings trends or recent dividend payments), or the improvement of financial condition and prospects for the investee's geographic region and industry;

• issuer-specific considerations, including an event of missed or late payment or default, adverse changes in key financial ratios, an increase in nonperforming loans, a decline in earnings substantially below that of the investee's peers, downgrading of the investee's debt rating or suspension of trading in the security;

• the occurrence of a significant economic event that may affect the industry in which an issuer participates, including a change that might adversely impact the investee's ability to achieve profitability in its operations;

• the Company's intent and ability to hold the investment for a sufficient period to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value; and

• with regards to commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"), the Company also evaluates key statistics such as breakeven constant default rates and credit enhancement levels. The breakeven constant default rate indicates the percentage of the pool's outstanding loans that must default each and every year with 40 percent loss severity (i.e., a recovery rate of 60 percent) for a CMBS class/tranche to experience its first dollar of principal loss. Credit enhancements indicate how much protection, or "cushion," there is to absorb losses in a particular deal before an actual loss would impact a specific security.

When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the estimated fair value of an investment is considered to be other-than-temporary or management intends to sell or is required to sell the investment prior to the recovery of cost, the investment is written down to its estimated fair value with the impairment loss included in net realized gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Income. OTTI losses on equity securities and losses related to the credit component of the impairment on fixed maturity securities are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as realized losses on investments and result in a permanent reduction of the cost basis of the underlying investment. Losses relating to the non-credit component of OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The determination of OTTI is a subjective process, and different judgments and assumptions could affect the fair value determination and the timing of loss realization.

Short-term Investments [Policy Text Block]

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments consist of certificates of deposits issued by federally insured depository institutions and normally have maturities of less than one year. At various times throughout the year, the Company may have certificates of deposits with financial institutions that exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insurance limit amount of $250,000.The Company had $0 and $0.1 million in certificates of deposit at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, that exceeded the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000. Management reviews the financial viability of these financial institutions on a periodic basis and does not anticipate nonperformance by the financial institutions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of highly liquid investments, with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. At various times throughout the year, the Company may have cash deposited with financial institutions that exceed the federally insured deposit amount. Management reviews the financial viability of these financial institutions on a periodic basis and does not anticipate nonperformance by the financial institutions. The Company had approximately $8.2 million and $9.0 million of cash in interest bearing money market accounts at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, that exceeded the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash primarily represents unremitted premiums received from agents, unremitted claims received from insurers, fiduciary cash for reinsurers and pledged assets for the protection of policy holders in various state jurisdictions. Restricted cash is generally required to be kept in certain bank accounts subject to guidelines which emphasize capital preservation and liquidity; pursuant to the laws of certain states in which the Company's subsidiaries operate and applicable contractual obligations, such funds are not available to service the Company's debt or for other general corporate purposes. The Company is entitled to retain investment income earned on these fiduciary funds. None of the restricted cash was held in interest bearing money market accounts, subject to the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts and Premiums Receivable, Net

Accounts and premiums receivable are presented net of the allowance for doubtful accounts and consist primarily of advance commissions and agents' balances in course of collection and billed but not collected policy premium. For policy premiums that have been billed but not collected, the Company records a receivable on its balance sheet for the full amount of the premium billed, with a corresponding liability, net of its commission, to insurance carriers. The Company earns interest on the premium cash during the period of time between receipt of the funds and payment of these funds to insurance carriers. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts based on an estimate of uncollectible accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $0.5 million and $0.2 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively,

Other Receivables

Other receivables primarily represent amounts due to the Company from its business partners for retrospective commissions and for motor club fees.

Reinsurance Accounting Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reinsurance Receivables

The Company has various reinsurance agreements in place whereby the amount of risk in excess of the Company's retention is reinsured by unrelated domestic and foreign insurance companies. The Company remains liable to policyholders in the event that the assuming companies are unable to meet their obligations. Reinsurance receivables include amounts related to paid benefits, unpaid benefits and prepaid reinsurance premiums. Reinsurance receivables are based upon estimates and are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets separately as assets, as reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its legal liability to policyholders. The Company is required to pay losses even if a reinsurer fails to meet its obligations under the applicable reinsurance agreement. Management continually monitors the financial condition and agency ratings of the Company's reinsurers and believes that the reinsurance receivables accrued are collectible. Balances recoverable from reinsurers and amounts ceded to reinsurers relating to the unexpired portion of reinsured policies are presented as assets. Experience refunds from reinsurers are recognized based on the underwriting experience of the underlying contracts.

Capitalization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Deferred Acquisition Costs - Insurance Related

The Company retrospectively adopted the new accounting standard ASU 2010-26, Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts, on January 1, 2012. Please see the Note "Recent Accounting Standards," for more information on the adoption and impact to the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity, for the retrospective adoption of this new accounting standard.

The Company defers certain costs of acquiring new business and retaining existing business in accordance with the guidance in ASU 2010-26. These costs are limited to direct costs that resulted from successful contract transactions and would not have been incurred by the Company's insurance entities had the transactions not occurred. These capitalized costs are amortized as the related premium is earned. The following table shows the amortization of deferred acquisition costs for the Company's insurance subsidiaries:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Total amortization of deferred acquisition costs - insurance related	$	61,042	$	55,958	$	57,300

The Company evaluates whether deferred acquisition costs-insurance related are recoverable at year-end, and considers investment income in the recoverability analysis. As a result of the Company's evaluations, no write-offs for unrecoverable deferred acquisition costs were recognized during the years ending December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Deferred Acquisition Costs - Non-insurance Related

The Company defers certain costs of acquiring new business and retaining existing business in its Payment Protection Segment related to non-insurance subsidiary transactions. These costs are limited to direct costs, typically commissions and contract transaction fees, that resulted from successful contract transactions and would not have been incurred by the Company had the transactions not occurred. These capitalized costs are amortized as the related service and administrative fees are earned. The following table shows the amortization of deferred acquisition costs for the Company's non-insurance subsidiaries:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Total amortization of deferred acquisition costs - non-insurance related	$	52,539	$	57,358	$	26,504

The Company evaluates whether deferred acquisition costs - non-insurance related are recoverable at year-end. As a result of the Company's evaluations, no write-offs for unrecoverable deferred acquisition costs were recognized during the years ending December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventory

Inventory, which is included in other assets as a result of the 2012 acquisition of ProtectCELL, consists of cell phone handsets and totaled $1.4 million at December 31, 2012. All inventoried handsets are recorded at actual cost, using the specific identification method, with the exception of repaired devices received from a single supplier relationship, which are recorded using an average cost method. Damaged or obsolete inventory is adjusted out of inventory on a monthly basis and recorded as an expense for the period. Handsets that are either obsolete or beyond economical repair are sent to be recycled. Handsets that are refurbished are recorded into inventory at their repair costs.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of capitalized software. Gains and losses on sales and disposals of property and equipment are based on the net book value of the related asset at the disposal date using the specific identification method with the corresponding gain or loss recorded to operations when incurred. Maintenance and repairs, which do not materially extend asset useful life and minor replacements, are charged to earnings when incurred. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets with three years for computers and five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the remaining life of the lease.

The Company leases certain equipment under a single capital lease. The assets and liabilities under the capital lease are recorded at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the asset. The assets under the capital lease are depreciated over the remaining life of the lease or their estimated productive lives.

The Company also leases certain office space and equipment under operating leases. The Company evaluates the impact of rent escalation clauses, renewal options, lease incentives, including rent abatements included in its operating leases. Rent escalation clauses, renewal options and lease incentives are considered in determining total rent expense to be recognized during the term of the lease, which begins on the date the Company takes control of the leased space. Rent expense related to lease agreements which contain escalation clauses are recorded on a straight-line basis. Renewal options are considered by evaluating the overall term of the lease. In the event that the Company terminates a lease prior to the expiration, the agreed upon lease termination penalty is charged to expense with a corresponding liability recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The liability is adjusted for changes, if any, resulting from revisions to the termination amount after the cease-use date.

Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Internally Developed Software

The Company capitalizes internally developed software costs on a project-by-project basis in accordance with ASC 350-40, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Internal-Use Software. All costs to establish the technological feasibility of computer software development are expensed to operations when incurred. Internally developed software development costs are carried at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value and are amortized based on the current and estimated useful life of the software. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 5 years and begins when the software is ready for its intended use.

Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Business Combinations and Purchase Price Adjustments

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, ("ASC 805"). These transactions are accounted for using the purchase method with the related net assets and results of operations being included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of the respective acquisition date(s).

The assets acquired may consist of a book of business, management contracts, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, trade name, and the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired, or goodwill (see Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, "Goodwill" for more information ). The determination of estimated useful lives and the allocation of the purchase price to the intangible assets requires significant judgment and affects the amount of future amortization and possible impairment charges.

In certain instances, the Company may acquire less than 100% ownership of an entity, resulting in the recording of a non-controlling interest. The non-controlling interest is initially established at a preliminary estimate of fair value and may be adjusted during the measurement period based upon the results of a valuation study applicable to the business combination. See "Purchase Price Adjustments" below for more information on measurement period adjustments.

Purchase Price Adjustments

The values of certain assets and liabilities acquired in acquisitions are preliminary in nature, and are subject to adjustment as additional information is obtained, including, but not limited to, valuation of separately identifiable intangibles, fixed assets, deferred taxes and deferred revenue. The valuations will be finalized within one year of the close of the acquisition. When the valuations are finalized, any changes to the preliminary valuation of assets acquired or liabilities assumed may result in adjustments to separately identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. A change to the acquisition date value of the identifiable net assets during the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date) affects the amount of the purchase price allocated to goodwill. Changes to the purchase price allocation are adjusted retrospectively in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination and is carried as an asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company's goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed annually in the fourth quarter for impairment or more frequently if certain indicators arise. The Company's impairment testing is performed at the segment level. In 2011, the Company early adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 allows for the goodwill impairment analysis to start with an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the qualitative factors, management determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company performs the two-part quantitative impairment test under Topic 350. If the carrying amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess.

The goodwill impairment review is highly judgmental and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions have a significant impact on the amount of any impairment charge recorded. Discounted cash flow methods are dependent upon assumption of future sales trends, market conditions and cash flows of each reporting unit over several years. Actual cash flows in the future may differ significantly from those previously forecasted. Other significant assumptions include growth rates and the discount rate applicable to future cash flows.

The Company completed its annual assessment of goodwill for the years December 31, 2012, and 2011 in December of each respective year and concluded that the value of its goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Intangible Assets

The Company has acquired significant other intangible assets through business acquisitions. The Company's other intangible assets consist of finite-lived intangibles, including customer related and contract based assets representing primarily client lists and non−compete arrangements and acquired software while the Company's indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trademarks. Finite-lived Intangible assets are amortized over periods ranging from 1 to 15 years. Trademarks are not amortized since these assets have been determined to have indefinite useful lives. The costs to periodically renew other intangible assets are expensed as incurred. Intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually, or whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable using an analysis of expected future cash flows.

Unpaid Policy Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Unpaid Claims

Unpaid claims include estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period and other estimates, including amounts for incurred but not reported claims. These liabilities are continuously reviewed and updated by management. Management believes that such liabilities are adequate to cover the estimated cost of the related claims. When management determines that changes in estimates are required, such changes are included in current operations.

The liability for unpaid claims includes estimates of the ultimate cost of known claims plus supplemental reserves calculated based upon loss projections utilizing certain actuarial assumptions and historical and industry data. In establishing its liability for unpaid claims, the Company utilizes the findings of actuaries.

Considerable uncertainty and variability are inherent in such estimates, and accordingly, the subsequent development of these reserves may not conform to the assumptions inherent in the determination. Management believes that the amounts recorded as the liability for policy and claim liabilities represent its best estimate of such amounts. However, actual loss experience may not conform to the assumptions used in determining the estimated amounts for such liability at the balance sheet date. Accordingly, such ultimate amounts could be significantly in excess of or less than the amounts indicated in the consolidated financial statements. As adjustments to these estimates become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Insurance Premiums Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Unearned Premiums

Premiums written are earned over the life of the respective policy using the Rule of 78's, pro rata, or other actuarial method as appropriate for the type of business. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums that will be earned in the future. A premium deficiency reserve is recorded if anticipated losses, loss adjustment expenses, deferred acquisition costs and policy maintenance costs exceed the recorded unearned premium reserve and anticipated investment income. As of December 31, 2012, and 2011, no deficiency reserve was recorded.

Policyholder Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Policyholder Account Balances

Policyholder account balances relate to investment-type individual annuity contracts in the accumulation phase. Policyholder account balances are carried at accumulated account values, which consist of deposits received, plus interest credited, less withdrawals and assessments. Minimum guaranteed interest credited to these contracts ranges from 3.0% to 4.0%.

Commissions Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Commissions

Commissions include the commissions paid to distributors selling credit insurance policies, motor club memberships, and warranty service contracts. Credit insurance commission rates, in many instances, are set by state regulators and are also impacted by market conditions. In certain instances, credit insurance commissions are subject to retrospective adjustment based on the profitability of the related policies. Under these retrospective commission arrangements, the producer of the credit insurance policies receives a retrospective commission if the premium generated by that producer in the accounting period exceeds the costs associated with those policies, which includes the Company's administrative fees, claims, reserves, and premium taxes. The Company analyzes the retrospective commission calculation on a monthly basis for each producer and, based on the analysis associated with each such producer, the Company records a liability for any positive net retrospective commission earned and due to the producer or, conversely, records a receivable amount due from such producer for instances where the net result of the retrospective commission calculation is negative.

The settlement of net positive retrospective commission with the producer in a subsequent period (usually the following month), is made through a cash payment to the producer. If the net result is negative, the Company offsets the receivable amount due from the producer by:

• reducing future retrospective commissions earned and payable against the receivable amount due from the producer;

• reducing the producer's up-front commission associated with current period written premium production, which is credited against the receivable amount due from the producer; or

• invoicing the producer for an amount equal to the amount due to the Company.

The Company reviews, on a regular basis, all instances where the retrospective result is a net negative amount (receivable due from the producer) to determine the action to be implemented with respect to such producer in order to collect any receivable amount.

Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Revenues

Deferred revenues represent the portion of income that will be earned in the future attributable to motor club memberships, mobile device protection plans, and other non-insurance service contracts that are earned over the respective contract periods using Rule of 78's, modified Rule of 78's, pro rata, or other methods as appropriate for the contract. A deficiency reserve would be recorded if anticipated contract benefits, deferred acquisition costs and contract service costs exceed the recorded deferred revenues and anticipated investment income. As of December 31, 2012, and 2011, no deficiency reserve was recorded.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Cash Flow Hedge

The Company uses interest rate swaps as part of its risk management strategy to manage interest rate risk and cash flow risk that may arise in connection with the variable interest rate provision of the Company's preferred trust securities. The Company accounts for its derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which requires all derivative instruments to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet.

Changes in fair value associated with the effective portion of a derivative instrument designated as a qualifying cash flow hedge are recognized initially in other comprehensive income (loss). When the cash flows for which the derivative is hedging materialize and are recorded in income or expense, the associated gain or (loss) from the hedging derivative previously recorded in AOCI is recognized in earnings. If a cash flow hedge is de-designated because it is no longer highly effective, or if the hedge relationship is terminated, the cumulative gain or loss on the hedging derivative to that date will continue to be reported in AOCI unless the hedged forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur, at which time the cumulative gain or loss is recorded into earnings.

The Company records the fair value of the derivative instrument in other assets or other liabilities. To the extent a derivative is an effective hedge of the cash flow risk of the hedged debt obligation, any change in the derivative's fair value is recorded in AOCI, net of income tax. To the extent the derivative is an ineffective hedge, that portion of the change in fair value is recorded in other operating expenses or interest expense as appropriate. The Company is not a party to leveraged derivatives and does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 1501, the Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its affiliates which are at least 80% owned by the group. The Company has a tax sharing agreement with its subsidiaries where each company is apportioned the amount of tax equal to that which would be reported on a separate company basis. The components of other comprehensive income or loss included on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and on the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity have been computed based upon the 35% federal tax rate.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year 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 the consolidated statements of income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized.

ASC subtopic 740-10, Income Taxes—Overall ("ASC 740-10") prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, classification, and disclosure of uncertain tax positions. ASC 740-10 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. The Company accounts for penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions as part of its provision for federal and state income taxes.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB Topic ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation ("ASC 718"), which addresses accounting for stock-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock. The Company has stock options outstanding under its 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2005 Plan") and time- and performance-based stock options and restricted stock awards outstanding under The 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2010 Plan"). Time-based stock options and restricted stock awards are grants that vest based on the passage of time; whereas, performance-based stock options and restricted stock awards are grants that vest based on the Company attaining certain financial metrics.

Under ASC 718, compensation expense is measured using fair value and is recorded over the requisite service or performance period of the awards, or to an employee’s eligible retirement date under the award agreement, if earlier. The Company measures stock-based compensation expense using the calculated value method. Under this method, the Company estimates the fair value of each stock option on the grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company uses historical data to estimate expected employee behavior related to stock award exercises and forfeitures. Since there is not sufficient historical market experience for shares of the Company's stock, the Company has chosen to estimate volatility, by using the average volatility of a selected peer group of publicly traded companies operating in the same industry. Expected dividends are based on the assumption that no dividends were expected to be distributed in the near future. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the options. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the market price of Fortegra's common stock at the grant date. The Company typically recognizes stock-based compensation expense for time-based awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period and on a graded vesting attribution model for performance-based awards. Stock-based compensation expense for time- and performance-based stock options and restricted stock awards for employee grants is recognized in personnel costs, while expense for restricted stock awards to directors is included in other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The related income tax expense (benefit) on stock-based compensation is recognized in income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company's current policy is to issue new shares upon the exercise of stock options.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP"),which allows the Company to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock to all eligible employees, including the Company's named executive officers, under the same offering and eligibility terms. The ESPP qualifies under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code and allows eligible employees to contribute, at their discretion, up to 10% of their payroll, up to $25,000 per year, to purchase up to a maximum of 3,500 shares of the Company's common stock per offering period. The purchase price of Fortegra's common stock is equal to 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the closing stock price of Fortegra's common stock on either the first day of the offering period or the last day of the offering period. Each offering period has a duration of six months and begins on January 1st and July 1st of each year.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive common shares, which includes outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards, using the treasury stock method. Common shares that are considered anti-dilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Treasury Stock

All repurchased common shares are recorded as treasury stock and are accounted for under the cost method.

Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Variable Interest Entities

The Company's investments in less than majority-owned companies in which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method except when they qualify as Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") and the Company is the primary beneficiary, in which case the investments are consolidated in accordance with ASC 810, "Consolidation." Investments that do not meet the above criteria are accounted for under the cost method.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising and Promotion

Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the following periods is presented below:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Advertising expense	$	1,624	$	583	$	367

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The Company conducts business through three business segments: (i) Payment Protection; (ii) BPO; and (iii) Brokerage. The revenue for each segment is presented to reflect the operating characteristics of the segment. The Company allocates certain revenues and expenses to the segments. These items consist primarily of corporate-related income, transaction related costs, executive stock compensation and other overhead expenses. Segment assets are not presented to the Company's chief operating decision maker for operational decision-making and therefore are not disclosed in the accompanying table.

The Company measures the profitability of its business segments with the allocation of Corporate revenues and expenses and without taking into account amortization, depreciation, interest expense and income taxes. The Company refers to this financial performance measure as segment EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). The Company's financial measure of segment EBITDA meets the definition of a Non-GAAP financial measure and is not a recognized term under U.S. GAAP, nor is it an alternative to the U.S. GAAP financial measures presented in this Form 10-K. The Non-GAAP financial measure in this Form 10-K should be used in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the U.S. GAAP financial measures presented elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The Company believes that this Non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to the Company's results of operations and financial condition. The variability of the Company's segment EBITDA is significantly affected by segment net revenues because a large portion of the Company's operating expenses are fixed. The Company's industry peers may also provide similar supplemental Non-GAAP financial measures, although they may not use the same or comparable terminology and may not make identical adjustments. 

The following table presents the Company's business segment results: