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Basis of Presentation, Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies and Practices
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation, Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies and Practices

Note 1. Basis of Presentation, Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies and Practices

Business Description

Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. is an insurance holding company. Our insurance subsidiaries are Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“Heritage P&C”), Zephyr Insurance Company (“Zephyr”), Narragansett Bay Insurance Company (“NBIC”) and Pawtucket Insurance Company (“PIC”). PIC is currently inactive and has no policies in force or outstanding claims. Our other subsidiaries include: Heritage MGA, LLC (“MGA”), the managing general agent that manages substantially all aspects of our insurance subsidiaries’ business; Contractors’ Alliance Network, LLC, our vendor network manager; Skye Lane Properties, LLC, our property management subsidiary; Osprey Re Ltd., our reinsurance subsidiary that may provide a portion of the reinsurance protection purchased by our insurance subsidiaries; Heritage Insurance Claims, LLC, an inactive subsidiary reserved for future development; Zephyr Acquisition Company (“ZAC”); NBIC Holdings, Inc., and NBIC Service Company which provides services to NBIC.

Our primary products are personal and commercial residential insurance, which we currently offer in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. We conduct our operations under a single reporting segment.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest (none of which are variable interest entities). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassification

We reclassified certain amounts in the 2021 consolidated statement of cash flows to conform to the 2023 presentation, relating to the presentation of "Net realized losses and impairment losses".

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis when updated information related to such estimates becomes available. We base our estimates on historical experience and information available to us at the time these estimates are made. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits with financial institutions and short-term, highly-liquid financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for interest bearing deposits approximate their fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments.

To the extent there are negative cash balances with any individual financial institution, the Company excludes the negative amount from cash and cash equivalents negative cash balances and reports as accounts payable and other liabilities.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash related to individual state regulatory deposits of $9.7 million and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company earned interest income of $26,052 and $12,612 on its restricted cash deposits.

Investments

Fixed-Maturity Securities

The Company classifies all of its investments in debt securities as available-for-sale and reports them at fair value. Subsequent to its acquisition of debt securities available-for-sale, the Company records changes in value through the date of disposition as unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax effects, and includes them as a component of other comprehensive income. Refer to Note 2 “Investments” to these consolidated financial statements for further information.

 

Short-term Securities

Short-terms securities have an original maturity of less than one year and are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income consists solely of unrealized gains and losses on debt securities available-for-sale, net of tax.

Investment Gains and Losses

Net realized investment gains and losses are included as a component of pre-tax revenues based upon specific identification of the investments sold on the trade date. Included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) are credit impairment losses on invested assets other than those investments accounted for using the equity method of accounting described in the “Allowance for Credit Losses” and “Impairment of Other Investments” section discussed below.

Allowance for Credit Losses (Available-for-Sale-Debt Securities)

The impairment model for available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities differs from the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology applied for held to maturity debt securities because AFS debt securities are measured at fair value rather than amortized cost. For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either criteria is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For AFS debt securities where neither of the criteria are met, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the credit rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited to the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Under the guidance, an entity may no longer consider the length of time fair value has been less than amortized cost. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, management evaluated and determined a credit allowance was not significant to the financial statements.

Other Investments

Non-Consolidating Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

Company holds certain passive investments as described in Note 2 "Investments" to these financial statements. The Company determines at the inception of each arrangement whether an entity in which it has made an investment or in which it has other variable interests is considered a variable interest entity ("VIE"). The Company consolidates VIEs when it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. The Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE when it has the power to direct activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb the majority of their losses or entitled to benefits. If the Company is not the primary beneficiary in a VIE, it will account for the investment or other variable interests in a VIE in accordance with applicable GAAP. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company was not the primary beneficiary to any of its other investments and therefore considered the other investments as non-consolidated VIEs.

Equity securities that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method, are measured at fair value. Equity securities without a readily determinable fair value are reported at cost, less impairment, unless we identify observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer (measurement alternative). Changes in fair value are reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Certain other investments provide the Company with monthly or quarterly return on capital on a regular schedule.

Impairment of Other Investments

The Company maintains various interests in other investments without a readily determinable fair value that are evaluated for impairment at each reporting period. When such events or changes occur, the Company evaluates the estimated present value of future cash flows compared to its cost basis in the investment to evaluate whether there may be an impairment. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $2.2 million impairment charges on its other investments. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded no impairment charges on its other investments.

Fair Value

Major categories of financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when impaired, which include long-lived assets, and other investments that the Company cannot significantly influence.

Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair value, the principal or most advantageous market in which we would transact is analyzed. Assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions, and risk of non-performance, are considered.

The Company estimates the fair value of its investments using the closing prices on the last business day of the reporting period, obtained from active markets such as the NYSE and NASDAQ. For securities for which quoted prices in active markets are unavailable, the Company uses observable inputs such as quoted prices in inactive markets, quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, benchmark interest rates, broker quotes and other relevant inputs. The Company does not have any investments in its portfolio which require the use of unobservable inputs. The Company’s estimate of fair value reflects the interest rate environment that existed as of the close of business on December 31, 2023. Changes in interest rates after December 31, 2023 may affect the fair value of the Company’s investments.

The Company’s non-financial assets, such as intangible assets, are carried at cost until there are indicators of impairment and are recorded at fair value only when an impairment charge is recognized. Refer to Note 3Intangible Assets, net” to these consolidated financial statements for further information on our 2021 and 2022 goodwill impairment charges. At December 31, 2022, all goodwill had been written off. Long term debt is recorded at carrying value, Refer to Note 14Long-Term Debt” to these consolidated financial statements for further information.

Premiums

The Company records direct and assumed premiums written as revenue on a daily pro rata basis over the contract period of the related in force policies or reinsurance contract. For any portion of premiums not earned at the end of the reporting period, the Company records an unearned premium liability.

Premiums receivable represents amounts due from our policyholders for billed premiums and related policy fees. We perform a policy-level evaluation to determine the extent to which the balance of premiums receivable exceeds the balance of unearned premiums. When we receive payments on amounts previously charged off, we reduce bad debt expense in the period we receive the payment. Balances in premiums receivable and the associated allowance account are removed upon cancellation of the policy due to non-payment. An allowance of $1.3 million and $451,600 was recorded as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Bad debt expense related to uncollectible premiums and agent commission due back to the Company for cancelled policies was $855,750, $0 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

When the Company receives premium payments from policyholders prior to the effective date of the related policy, the Company records an advance premiums liability. On the policy effective date, the Company reduces the advance premium liability and records the premiums as described above.

Policy Acquisition Costs

The Company incurs policy acquisition costs that vary with, and are directly related to, the production of new business. Policy acquisition costs consist of the following four items: (i) commissions paid to outside agents at the time of policy issuance; (ii) policy administration fees paid to a third-party administrator at the time of policy issuance; (iii) premium taxes; and (iv) inspection fees. The Company capitalizes policy acquisition costs to the extent recoverable, then the Company amortizes those costs over the contract period of the related policy.

We earn ceding commission on our quota share reinsurance contracts. Our accounting policy is to allocate ceding commission between policy acquisition costs and general and administrative expenses for financial reporting purposes. Ceding commission is allocated between policy acquisition costs and general and administrative expenses based upon the proportion these costs bear to production of new business. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we earned ceding commission income of $64.8 million, $61.9 million and $62.7 million of which $48.7 million, $46.5 million and $47.1 million was allocable to policy acquisition costs.

Ceding commission income is deferred and recognized over the quota share contract period. The amount and rate of ceding reinsurance commissions earned on the net quota share contract can slide within a prescribed minimum and maximum, depending on loss performance and how future losses develop.

Premium Deficiency Reserve

At each reporting date, the Company determines whether it has a premium deficiency. A premium deficiency would result if the sum of the Company’s expected losses, deferred policy acquisition costs, and policy maintenance costs (such as costs to store records and costs incurred to collect premiums and pay commissions) exceeded the Company’s related unearned premiums plus investment income. Should the Company determine that a premium deficiency exists, the Company would write off the unrecoverable portion of deferred policy acquisition cost. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has recorded no premium deficiency reserve.

Reinsurance

The Company follows industry practice of reinsuring a portion of our risks. Reinsurance involves transferring, or “ceding”, all or a portion of the risk exposure on policies the Company writes to another insurer, known as a reinsurer. To the extent that the Company’s reinsurers are unable to meet the obligations they assume under the Company’s reinsurance agreements, the Company remains liable for the entire insured loss. As a result, a reasonable possibility exists that an estimated recovery may change significantly in the near term from the amounts included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company’s reinsurance agreements are generally short-term, prospective contracts. The Company records an asset, prepaid reinsurance premiums, and a liability, reinsurance payable, for the entire contract amount upon commencement of new reinsurance agreements. The Company amortizes its prepaid reinsurance premiums over the 12-month contract period.

When the Company incurs losses recoverable under its reinsurance program, the Company records amounts recoverable from its reinsurers on paid losses plus an estimate of amounts recoverable on unpaid losses. The estimate of amounts recoverable on unpaid losses is a function of the Company’s liability for unpaid losses associated with the reinsured policies; therefore, the amount changes in conjunction with any changes to the estimate of unpaid losses. Given that an estimate of amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid losses may change at any point in the future because of its relation to the Company’s reserves for unpaid losses, a reasonable possibility exists that an estimated recovery may change significantly from initial estimates.

The Company remains liable for claims payments if any reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations under the reinsurance agreements. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentration of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities or economics characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. The Company contracts with a diverse population of reinsurers to secure its annual reinsurance coverage, for which the excess of loss treaties generally become effective June 1st each year.

Allowance for Credit Losses for Reinsurance Recoverables

The allowance for credit losses for reinsurance recoverable is evaluated based on historical loss experience adjusted for current events and reasonable and supportable forecasts from both internal and external sources.

The Company monitors the credit quality of its reinsurance recoverables through the use of A.M. Best’s Financial Strength rating ("FSR"), or in the absence of an FSR consideration of credit ratings issued by approved rating agencies such as S&P, Moody’s, or Fitch. At December 31, 2023, the determination of the allowance for credit losses on reinsurance recoverables included analysis of (i) reinsurance recoverable balances by reinsurer FSR, (ii) estimated payment patterns associated with the claims underlying the reinsurance balances and (iii) historical default rates by reinsurer FSR as published by A.M. Best. In addition to the quantitative analysis, qualitative factors considered include but are not limited to (i) global reinsurer capital level, (ii) reinsurance market trends, (iii) the interest rate environment and (iv) the stressed global economy. Reinsurance recoverables are reported on the consolidated balance sheets net of the CECL allowance, if any.

Long-Lived Assets—Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: building—40 years; computer hardware and software 3-years; office and furniture equipment—3 to 7 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the asset’s useful life. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized to the property accounts. Replacements and maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets are expensed as incurred.

Capitalized Software

Costs associated with the implementation of certain internal systems are capitalized and carried at the amount capitalized less accumulated amortization once placed in service and are included as a component of fixed assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Costs capitalized include internal personnel costs, external developer costs, and interest. The implementation costs relate to systems built on software which the Company purchased or licensed and developed both internally and with third party vendors. As such, capitalized costs will be amortized over the term of the useful life of the software.

Leases

We lease office space under finance and operating leases with expiration dates through 2031. We determine whether an arrangement constitutes a lease and record lease liabilities and right-of-use assets on our consolidated balance sheets at lease commencement. We primarily use our incremental borrowing rates for our operating leases (rates are not readily determinable) and implicit rates for our financing leases in determining the present value of lease payments. We measure right-of-use assets based on the corresponding lease liability adjusted for (i) payments made to the lessor at or before the commencement date, (ii) initial direct costs we incur and (iii) tenant incentives under the lease. We begin recognizing rent expense when the lessor makes the underlying asset available to us, we do not assume renewals or early terminations unless we are reasonably certain to exercise these options at commencement, and we do not allocate consideration between lease and non-lease components.

For short-term leases, we record rent expense in our consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term and record variable lease payments as incurred.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

When the Company acquires a subsidiary or other business where it exerts significant influence, the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired is determined and compared to the amount paid for the subsidiary or business acquired. Any excess of the amount paid over the fair value of those net assets is considered to be goodwill. Any excess of carrying value over fair value is written down as an impairment. This evaluation is performed annually, during the fourth quarter or more frequently if facts and circumstances warrant. An impairment loss would be recognized if, and to the extent that, the carrying value of goodwill exceeded the implied value. The remaining balance of goodwill was written off during the second quarter of 2022.

Acquired intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives on a straight-line basis over the period of expected benefit, generally up to 15 years. Intangible assets are assessed for impairment generally when events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. If it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable, the asset is written down to fair value and an impairment loss is recognized. The Company recorded an impairment of $767,000 associated with our construction affiliate resulting from changes to its operations. The Company did not identify any impairment indicators during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The Company’s reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated ultimate cost of settling all reported claims plus all claims we incurred related to insured events that have occurred as of the reporting date, but that policyholders have not yet reported to the Company (incurred but not reported, or “IBNR”).

The reserve for unpaid losses is the estimate of amounts necessary to settle all reported and unreported incurred claims for the ultimate cost of insured losses, based upon the facts of each case and the Company’s experience with similar cases. Salvage and subrogation are deducted from the reserve for claims and claims expense on a cash basis. The establishment of appropriate reserves, including reserves for catastrophe losses, is an inherently uncertain and complex process. Reserve estimates are primarily derived using an actuarial estimation process in which historical loss patterns are applied to actual paid losses and reported losses (paid losses plus individual case reserves established by claim adjusters) for an accident or report year to create an estimate of how losses are likely to develop over time. Development factors are calculated quarterly and periodically throughout the year for data elements such as claims reported and settled, paid losses, and paid losses combined with case reserves. The historical development patterns for these data elements are used as the assumptions to calculate reserve estimates, including the reserves for reported and unreported claims. Reserve estimates are regularly reviewed and updated, using the most current information available. Any resulting re-estimates are reflected in current results of operations.

The Company reports its reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses gross of the amounts related to unpaid losses recoverable from reinsurers and reports loss and loss adjustment expenses net of amounts ceded to reinsurers. The Company does not discount its loss reserves for financial statement purposes.

Other Revenue

Our insurance affiliates may charge policyholders a policy fee on each policy written. The Company recognizes the income immediately when collected, which coincide with related service obligations. The Company also charges pay-plan fees to policyholders that pay its premiums in more than one installment and records the fees as income when collected. Other income also includes rental income due under non-cancelable leases for space at the Company’s commercial property.

Assessments

Guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments imposed upon the Company’s insurance company affiliates are recorded as policy acquisition costs in the period the regulatory agency imposes the assessment. To recover assessments which are paid in advance to the guaranty fund or other insurance-related entity, the Company recoups such assessments from our policyholders in the form of a policy surcharge. Once the recoupment period begins, the entire recoupment amount is recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. There were no such assessments during the periods presented.

The Company collects pass through assessments imposed upon policyholders as a policy surcharge and records the amounts collected as a liability until the Company remits the amounts to the regulatory agency that imposed the assessment.

Convertible Notes

In August 2017 and September 2017, the Company issued collectively $136.8 million of 5.875% Convertible Senior Notes (the “Convertible Notes”) due August 1, 2037. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has approximately $885,000 of the Convertible Notes outstanding. This amount is net of $21.1 million of Convertible Notes reacquired and held by an insurance company subsidiary. Refer to Note 14Long-Term Debt” to these consolidated financial statements for further information.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures stock-based compensation at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the requisite vesting period in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. For awards with performance-based vesting conditions expense is not recognized until it is determined that it is probable the performance-based conditions will be met. When achievement of a performance-based condition is probable, a catch-up of expense will be recorded as if the award had been vesting on a straight line basis from the award date. The award will continue to be expensed on a straight-line basis until probability of achieving the performance-based conditions changes, if applicable.

Earnings Per Share

Basic net earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the reported period. Common equivalent shares include incremental shares from diluted vested and unvested shares of restricted common stock and convertible notes outstanding during the period based on the "if converted" method under the guidance of ASU 2020-06, adopted by the Company on January 1, 2022.

Income tax

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method, that recognizes the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year and recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the tax rates expected to be in effect during the periods in which the temporary differences reverse. Temporary differences arise when income or expenses are recognized in different periods in the consolidated financial statements than on the tax returns. 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. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of the benefits related to deferred tax assets will not be realized. Income taxes includes both estimated federal and state income taxes.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, “2022-02 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses” (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures (“ASU 2022-02”). ASU 2022-02 requires that an entity disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases. ASU 2022-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2022-02 during the first quarter of 2023 with no impact to its financial statements.

 

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

The Company describes below recent pronouncements that may have a significant effect on its consolidated financial statements or on its disclosures upon future adoption. The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on, or are unrelated to, its financial condition, results of operations, or related disclosures

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03 , Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions (“ASU 2022-03”). ASU 2022-03 clarifies that a contractual sales restriction on an equity security is not considered when determining the security's fair value. This ASU was issued to eliminate diversity in practice by clarifying that contractual arrangements restricting an entity's ability to sell the security for a certain period of time is a characteristic of the reporting entity and should not be contemplated when determining the security's fair value. ASU 2022-03 requires new disclosures that provide investors with information about the restriction, including the nature and remaining duration of the restriction. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not hold any equity securities that are subject to this new guidance.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07"). ASU 2023-07 amends disclosure requirements for segment reporting by modifying and adding disclosure requirements. The additional disclosure requirements include the following on both an interim and annual basis: (i) significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"); (ii) amounts for "other segment items" by reportable segment and a description of its composition; and (iii) the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. In addition, ASU 2023-07 requires all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required by Topic 280, Segment Reporting, to now be disclosed in interim periods. ASU 2023-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. As it requires disclosure only, ASU 2023-07 will not have an impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

In December of 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The updated accounting guidance requires expanded income tax disclosures, including the disaggregation of existing disclosures related to the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Prospective application is required, with retrospective application permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the updated guidance will have on its financial statement disclosures.

Although there are several other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, the Company does not believe any of these accounting pronouncements have or will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.