UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
For the fiscal year ended
For the transition period from ____ to _____
Commission file number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by
check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes
Indicate by
check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ☐ Yes
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically
every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | ☒ | |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | |
| Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has filed a report on
and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section
404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act,
indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to
previously issued financial statements.
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes No
Based on the closing sales price of the Class A common stock on NASDAQ
on June 30, 2023, the last business day of the Registrant’s second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting stock
held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $
The number of the Registrant’s common shares outstanding on
February 29, 2024 was
Documents incorporated by Reference
Portions of the definitive proxy statement relating to the annual meeting of shareholders to be held May 21, 2024 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains, and management may make, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “likely”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “projects”, “believes”, “views”, “estimates”, and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements include, among other things, the Company’s statements about:
| ● | our anticipated operating and financial performance, business plans, and prospects; |
| ● | strategic reviews, capital allocation objectives, dividends, and share repurchases; |
| ● | plans for and prospects of acquisitions, dispositions, and other business development activities, and our ability to successfully capitalize on these opportunities; |
| ● | the impact of a future pandemic and related economic conditions, including the potential impact on the Company's investments; |
| ● | our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities either through acquisitions or the expansion of our agent network; |
| ● | cyclical changes in the insurance industry, competition, and innovation and emerging technologies; |
| ● | expectations for impact of, or changes to, existing or new government regulations or laws; |
| ● | our ability to anticipate and respond to macroeconomic, geopolitical, health and industry trends, pandemics, acts of war, and other large-scale crises; |
| ● | developments in general economic conditions, domestic and global financial markets, interest rates, unemployment, or inflation, that could affect the performance of our insurance operations and/or investment portfolio; and |
| ● | our ability to effectively manage future growth, including additional necessary capital, systems, and personnel. |
Given their nature, we cannot assure that any outcome expressed in these or other forward-looking statements will be realized in whole or in part. Actual outcomes may vary materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated, implied, or projected. These forward-looking statements may be affected by underlying assumptions that may prove inaccurate or incomplete, or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties, including those described in this section and in the Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” section in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“2023 Annual Report”). The occurrence of any of the risks identified in the Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” section in this 2023 Annual Report, or other risks currently unknown, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, or we may be required to increase our accruals for contingencies. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider such discussion to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties.
Therefore, you are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this 2023 Annual Report. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects.
1
PART I
| Item 1. | Business |
All dollar amounts, except per share amounts, are in thousands.
Overview
NI Holdings, Inc. (“NI Holdings”, “the Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our”) is a North Dakota business corporation that is the stock holding company of Nodak Insurance Company and became such in connection with the conversion of Nodak Mutual Insurance Company (“Nodak Mutual”) from a mutual to stock form of organization and the creation of a mutual holding company. The conversion was completed on March 13, 2017. Immediately following the conversion, all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Nodak Insurance Company (“Nodak Insurance”, the successor to Nodak Mutual Insurance Company) were issued to Nodak Mutual Group, Inc. (“Nodak Mutual Group”), which then contributed the shares to NI Holdings in exchange for 55% of the outstanding shares of common stock of NI Holdings. Nodak Insurance then became a wholly-owned stock subsidiary of NI Holdings. Prior to completion of the conversion, NI Holdings conducted no business and had no assets or liabilities. As a result of the conversion, NI Holdings became the holding company for Nodak Insurance and its existing subsidiaries. Concurrent with the conversion, on March 13, 2017, the Company completed an initial public offering (“IPO”) of 10,350,000 shares of common stock at a price of $10.00 per share. The Company received net proceeds of $93,145 from the offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and offering expenses. The newly issued shares of NI Holdings were available for public trading on March 16, 2017.
These consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of operations of NI Holdings and the following other entities:
| ● | Nodak Insurance – a wholly-owned subsidiary of NI Holdings; |
| ● | Nodak Agency, Inc. (“Nodak Agency”) – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nodak Insurance; |
| ● | American West Insurance Company (“American West”) – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nodak Insurance; |
| ● | Primero Insurance Company (“Primero”) – an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Nodak Insurance; |
| ● | Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company (“Battle Creek”) – an affiliated company of Nodak Insurance; |
| ● | Direct Auto Insurance Company (“Direct Auto”) – a wholly-owned subsidiary of NI Holdings; and |
| ● | Westminster American Insurance Company (“Westminster”) – a wholly-owned subsidiary of NI Holdings. |
2
A chart of the corporate structure as of December 31, 2023, and a more complete description of each of the NI Holdings subsidiaries, is included below.
| NI HOLDINGS, INC. ORGANIZATIONAL CHART |
||||||||||||
| Nodak Mutual Group, Inc. | ||||||||||||
| ≥ 60% | ||||||||||||
| ownership | ||||||||||||
| NI Holdings, Inc. | ||||||||||||
| 100% | 100% | 100% | ||||||||||
| ownership | ownership | ownership | ||||||||||
| Direct Auto Insurance Company |
Nodak Insurance Company | Westminster American Insurance Company |
||||||||||
| 100% | 100% | 100% | ||||||||||
| ownership | ownership | Affiliation | ownership | |||||||||
| Nodak Agency, Inc. | American West Insurance Company |
Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company (1) |
Tri-State, Ltd | |||||||||
| 100% | ||||||||||||
| ownership | ||||||||||||
| Primero Insurance Company |
||||||||||||
| (1) | As of January 2, 2024, Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company converted from a mutual insurance company to a stock company and became a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary. See Part II, Item 8, Note 22 “Subsequent Event” for additional information regarding changes to Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company. |
The executive offices of NI Holdings and Nodak Insurance are located at 1101 First Avenue North, Fargo, North Dakota 58102, and the main office phone number is 701-298-4200. NI Holdings’ website address is www.niholdingsinc.com. The Company makes available on its website, free of charge, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“the Exchange Act”) as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files such material with, or furnish it to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Information contained on such website is not incorporated by reference into this 2023 Annual Report, and such information should not be considered to be part of this 2023 Annual Report.
3
Subsidiary and Affiliate Companies
Intercompany Reinsurance Pooling Arrangement
Effective January 1, 2020, all of our active insurance subsidiary and affiliate companies entered into an intercompany reinsurance pooling agreement. This agreement was finalized, approved, and implemented during the fourth quarter of 2020, retroactive to the January 1 effective date. Nodak Insurance is the lead company of the pool, and assumes the net premiums, net losses, and underwriting expenses from each of the other five companies. Nodak Insurance then retrocedes balances back to each company, while retaining its own share of the pool’s net underwriting results, based on individual pool percentages established in the respective pooling agreement. This arrangement allows each insurance company to rely upon the capacity of the pool’s total statutory capital and surplus. As a result, they are evaluated by A.M. Best Company, Inc. (“AM Best”) on a group basis and hold a single combined financial strength rating, long-term issuer credit rating, and financial size category.
In connection with the pooling agreement, the quota share agreement between Battle Creek and Nodak Insurance was cancelled. As a result, the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations are impacted by the portion of Battle Creek’s underwriting results that are allocated to the policyholders of Battle Creek rather than the shareholders of NI Holdings. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the pooling share percentages by insurance company were:
| Pool Percentage | ||||
| Nodak Insurance Company | 66.0% | |||
| American West Insurance Company | 7.0% | |||
| Primero Insurance Company | 3.0% | |||
| Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company | 2.0% | |||
| Direct Auto Insurance Company | 13.0% | |||
| Westminster American Insurance Company | 9.0% | |||
| Total | 100.0% | |||
Nodak Insurance Company
Nodak Insurance is the largest domestic property and casualty insurance company in North Dakota, offering private passenger auto, homeowners, farmowners, commercial multi-peril, crop hail, and Federal multi-peril crop insurance coverages through its captive agents in the state.
Nodak Insurance was formed in 1946 to offer property and casualty insurance to members of the North Dakota Farm Bureau (“NDFB”), and benefits from a strong marketing affiliation with that organization. Nodak Insurance’s bylaws provide that a person must be a member and remain a member of the NDFB in order to become and remain a policyholder of Nodak Insurance. Nodak Insurance’s bylaws also require that four members of the Board of Directors of Nodak Insurance must be members of the NDFB. Similarly, one-third of the members of the Board of Directors of Nodak Mutual Group must be persons designated by the NDFB.
The NDFB has granted Nodak Insurance a nonexclusive, nontransferable license to use the name “Farm Bureau” and the “FB” logo and associated trademarks to market Nodak Insurance products. Nodak Insurance has held this license since the insurance company’s inception in 1946, and the current version of the license agreement has been in place since 2002. The current license agreement between the NDFB and Nodak Insurance renewed on October 1, 2023, with an expiration date of September 30, 2024. The agreement has historically been renewed annually by a vote of the Nodak Insurance Board of Directors. Under the current license agreement, Nodak Insurance is required to pay to the NDFB an annual royalty payment equal to 1.3% of Nodak Insurance’s written premiums (excluding multi-peril crop insurance premiums), subject to a minimum annual payment of $900 and a maximum annual payment of $1,623. The maximum royalty payment is adjusted annually based upon the June index month for the Consumer Price Index.
As of December 31, 2023, Nodak Insurance distributed its insurance products through 66 exclusive agents appointed by Nodak Insurance.
Nodak Agency, Inc.
Nodak Agency is an inactive shell corporation.
Tri-State, Ltd.
Tri-State, Ltd. is an inactive shell corporation.
4
American West Insurance Company
American West is a property and casualty insurance company licensed in eight states in the Midwest and Western regions of the United States (“U.S.”). American West began writing policies in 2002 and primarily writes private passenger auto, homeowners, and farm coverages in South Dakota. American West also writes private passenger auto coverage in North Dakota, as well as crop hail and Federal multi-peril crop insurance coverages in Minnesota and South Dakota. As of December 31, 2023, American West distributed its products through independent agents in 71 contracted agencies.
Primero Insurance Company
Primero is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tri-State, Ltd. Tri-State, Ltd. is an inactive shell corporation 100% owned by Nodak Insurance. Primero is a property and casualty insurance company writing non-standard automobile coverage in the states of Nevada, Arizona, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Primero was acquired by Nodak Insurance in 2014. As of December 31, 2023, Primero distributed its policies through independent agents in 313 contracted agencies in those four states.
Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company
Battle Creek is a property and casualty insurance company writing private passenger auto, homeowners, and farm coverages solely in the state of Nebraska. As of December 31, 2023, Battle Creek distributed its policies through independent agents in 114 contracted agencies. Battle Creek became affiliated with Nodak Insurance in 2011, and Nodak Insurance provides underwriting, claims management, policy administration, and other administrative services to Battle Creek.
Effective January 1, 2020, all of our insurance company subsidiaries entered into an intercompany reinsurance pooling agreement. In conjunction with this agreement, the previous 100% quota-share reinsurance agreement between Battle Creek and Nodak Insurance was terminated on a cut-off basis as of January 1, 2020. Upon termination, Nodak Insurance transferred to Battle Creek all liabilities related to outstanding loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and all liabilities related to the adjusted unearned premium reserve. In exchange, an intercompany cash payment was made to compensate Battle Creek for the transfer of these liabilities.
As of December 31, 2023, the $3.0 million surplus note originally issued by Battle Creek and purchased by Nodak Insurance in connection with their affiliation agreement remained in place. It bears interest at an annual rate of 1.0% and matures on December 30, 2040. Battle Creek must obtain prior approval from the appropriate state of domicile before making any payment of interest or principal on the surplus note.
Pursuant to the affiliation agreement, so long as the surplus note remains outstanding, Nodak Insurance is entitled to appoint two-thirds of the Board of Directors of Battle Creek. The affiliation agreement can be terminated by mutual written agreement of Battle Creek and Nodak Insurance or by either party if there is a material breach of the agreement by the other party and such breach is not cured within 15 days after written notice of such breach is given by the terminating party to the other party.
Direct Auto Insurance Company
Direct Auto is a property and casualty insurance company licensed in Illinois. Direct Auto began writing non-standard automobile coverage in 2007, and was acquired by NI Holdings on August 31, 2018, via a stock purchase agreement. As of December 31, 2023, Direct Auto distributed its policies through independent agents in 153 contracted agencies, concentrated primarily in the Chicago area.
Westminster American Insurance Company
Westminster is a property and casualty insurance company licensed in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Westminster is headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland and underwrites commercial multi-peril insurance in the states of Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Westminster was acquired by NI Holdings on January 1, 2020, via a stock purchase agreement. As of December 31, 2023, Westminster distributed its policies through independent agents in 53 contracted agencies in those 10 states and the District of Columbia. The financial results of Westminster have been included in the consolidated financial statements and the Company’s commercial segment following the acquisition date.
General Information
Nodak Insurance markets and distributes its policies through its captive agents, while all other companies utilize the independent agent distribution channel. Additionally, all of the Company’s insurance subsidiary and affiliate companies are rated “A” Excellent by AM Best.
5
The same executive management team provides oversight and strategic direction for the entire organization. Nodak Insurance provides common product oversight, pricing practices, and underwriting standards, as well as underwriting and claims administration, to itself, American West, and Battle Creek. Primero, Direct Auto, and Westminster personnel manage the day-to-day operations of their respective companies.
The consolidated financial statements of NI Holdings presented herein include the financial position and results of operations of NI Holdings, Direct Auto, Westminster, and Nodak Insurance, including Nodak Insurance’s subsidiaries of American West and Primero and its affiliate Battle Creek. Each of the six insurance companies is subject to examination and comprehensive regulation by the insurance department of its state of domicile.
Market Overview
We market our personal lines products in the upper Midwest states of North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota. We offer non-standard auto insurance in the states of Illinois, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, and North Dakota. We offer commercial multi-peril insurance in the states of Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Delaware, Kentucky, South Dakota, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The following chart shows our direct premiums written during the last two years and our relative market share within each of our states during the year ended December 31, 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Direct Premiums Written | Direct Premiums Written | Market Size | Rank in State | |||||||||||
| North Dakota | $ | 163,505 | $ | 159,260 | $ | 3,629,000 | 6th | |||||||
| Illinois | 86,348 | 70,599 | 33,307,000 | 63rd | ||||||||||
| Nebraska | 50,698 | 47,554 | 6,905,000 | 30th | ||||||||||
| South Dakota | 29,660 | 26,880 | 3,671,000 | 31st | ||||||||||
| Maryland | 13,389 | 14,227 | 14,857,000 | 83rd | ||||||||||
| North Carolina | 11,822 | 8,110 | 21,714,000 | 136th | ||||||||||
| Virginia | 11,554 | 8,606 | 18,087,000 | 126th | ||||||||||
| New Jersey | 11,539 | 9,732 | 26,686,000 | 139th | ||||||||||
| Georgia | 7,576 | 15,448 | 29,009,000 | 117th | ||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | 6,279 | 8,486 | 30,235,000 | 173rd | ||||||||||
| South Carolina | 4,976 | 3,630 | 13,279,000 | 153rd | ||||||||||
| District of Columbia | 4,342 | 4,182 | 2,606,000 | 60th | ||||||||||
| Arizona | 4,077 | 1,175 | 15,628,000 | 215th | ||||||||||
| Minnesota | 4,008 | 5,075 | 15,533,000 | 130th | ||||||||||
| Nevada | 2,938 | 4,552 | 7,672,000 | 110th | ||||||||||
| Tennessee | 2,552 | 516 | 15,561,000 | 262nd | ||||||||||
| Delaware | 2,122 | 1,545 | 3,516,000 | 112th | ||||||||||
| Kentucky | 1,014 | 83 | 9,268,000 | 274th | ||||||||||
| West Virginia | — | 46 | 3,342,000 | 220th | ||||||||||
| Total direct premiums written | $ | 418,399 | $ | 389,706 | ||||||||||
Market size information is not yet available for the year ended December 31, 2023.
6
Organic Growth Strategy
We believe we have many opportunities to organically grow our business. Strategies we employ to achieve this growth include:
| ● | continued emphasis on our relationship with the NDFB, a key advocacy group for agricultural and rural interests which enjoys a high profile and favorable reputation throughout North Dakota; |
| ● | expansion and enhancement of independent agency relationships, including the use of technology such as mobile apps, online quoting, and policy issuance initiatives to make it easy for agents and insureds to do business with us; |
| ● | capitalizing on our excellent claims service for all insureds; and |
| ● | selective expansion of our insurance products in states where we currently operate, as well as those states where we hold insurance licenses. |
External Growth Strategy
We acquired Direct Auto in 2018 with capital raised through our IPO. The acquisition was the initial step in executing our growth strategy developed at the time of the IPO.
We also acquired Westminster in January 2020 with capital raised through our IPO. This acquisition expanded our commercial insurance business and geographically diversified our spread of insurance risks.
Prior to the IPO, we successfully acquired Primero in 2014, acquired control of Battle Creek in 2011, and acquired American West in 2001.
Going forward, we plan to consider other strategic investments and acquisitions that can enhance our businesses, provide diversification with respect to geography and product line, and achieve appropriate risk-adjusted returns over time.
7
Corporate Capital Strategy
Our philosophy is to deploy capital in a manner that provides long-term protection for our policyholders and creates long-term value for our shareholders. This philosophy is supported by a number of underlying strategies implemented across the organization that are focused on preservation of capital, including:
| ● | prioritizing the use of data and modeling tools to help estimate the frequency and severity of risks within our insurance portfolio; |
| ● | maintaining a conservatively managed investment portfolio that supports our insurance operations under a wide range of operating and market conditions; |
| ● | ensuring our reinsurance program is designed to provide sufficient protection against material insurance exposures including, but not limited to, catastrophes caused by weather-related events; and |
| ● | relying upon our Enterprise Risk Management framework to identify, quantify, and manage a broad range of risks across the organization. |
We view our capital position to consist of three layers, each of which has a specific size and purpose:
| ● | The first layer of capital, which we refer to as “regulatory capital”, is the amount of capital needed to satisfy state insurance regulatory requirements while supporting our growth objectives. This capital is held by each of our insurance company subsidiaries. |
| ● | The second layer of capital is considered “contingency capital”. While our regulatory capital is, by definition, a cushion for absorbing financial consequences of adverse events, such as loss reserve development, litigation, weather catastrophes, and investment market corrections, we view that as a base and hold additional capital for even more extreme operating conditions. This capital is generally also held by each of our insurance company subsidiaries. |
| ● | The third layer of capital is classified as “excess capital” and represents the excess of the sum of the first two layers. This capital is available for deployment by NI Holdings in conjunction with our excess capital deployment priorities. |
Our excess capital deployment priorities are to (1) invest in existing businesses where we see opportunities for profitable growth, (2) make strategic investments and acquisitions that enhance our businesses and achieve appropriate risk-adjusted returns over time, and (3) return capital to shareholders through share repurchases or shareholder dividends.
Insurance Products by Segment
Our consolidated financial results include our Private Passenger Auto, Non-Standard Auto, Home and Farm, Commercial, Crop, and All Other reporting segments. Information regarding products and services offered in each segment is included below. Additionally, revenues, underwriting results, and identifiable assets and liabilities for each segment are shown in Part II, Item 8, Note 20 “Segment Information”. The financial performance of each segment is discussed in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
Private Passenger Auto
Nodak Insurance, Battle Creek, and American West each write private passenger auto insurance to provide protection against liability for bodily injury and property damage arising from automobile accidents as well as protection against loss from damage to automobiles owned by the insured. Private passenger auto accounted for $92,077 (22.0%) of direct premiums written by the Company on a consolidated basis during 2023.
Non-standard Auto
Primero and Direct Auto write non-standard auto insurance with a focus on minimum-limit auto liability coverage. Non-standard auto insurance accounted for $95,295 (22.8%) of direct premiums written by the Company on a consolidated basis during 2023.
8
Home and Farm
Nodak Insurance, Battle Creek, and American West each write homeowners and farmowners policies to provide coverage for damage to buildings, equipment, and contents for a variety of perils, including fire, lightning, wind, hail, and theft. These policies also cover liability arising from injury to other persons or their property while on the insured’s premises. Home and farm accounted for $96,396 (23.0%) of direct premiums written by the Company on a consolidated basis during 2023.
Crop
Nodak Insurance, American West, and Battle Creek offer crop hail and multi-peril crop insurance policies. Multi-peril crop insurance is a federal program that protects against crop yield losses from all types of natural causes and loss of revenue due to declines in the prices of agricultural products. Crop hail insurance is a private insurance product designed to provide protection against losses to farmers’ crops due primarily to hail damage. Collectively, crop insurance accounted for $45,272 (10.8%) of direct premiums written by the Company on a consolidated basis during 2023.
Commercial
Nodak Insurance, American West, and Westminster write commercial multi-peril policies. Collectively, commercial insurance accounted for $83,854 (20.0%) of the direct premiums written by the Company on a consolidated basis during 2023.
All Other
In addition to the products described above, Nodak Insurance and American West write excess liability coverages. Collectively, these other coverages accounted for $5,504 (1.3%) of the direct premiums written by the Company on a consolidated basis during 2023. This segment also includes an assumed reinsurance book of business, with $836 of assumed premiums written on a consolidated basis during 2023. The Company made the decision to non-renew its participation in this assumed book of business as of January 1, 2022, and the associated assumed premiums represent run-off of this business.
Crop Insurance
Crop insurance is purchased by agricultural producers, including farmers, ranchers, and others to protect themselves against either the loss of their crops (yield) due to natural disasters such as hail, freezing, plant disease, drought, and floods, or the loss of revenue due to declines in the prices of agricultural products. The two general categories of crop insurance are generally referred to as “crop-yield insurance” and “crop-revenue insurance”. Crop-yield insurance protects against a reduction in the yield per acre from the historical average yield in a specified area, such as a county or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather grid, while crop-revenue insurance provides protection against declines in the price of the particular crop. Most of the multi-peril crop insurance policies written today combine both yield and revenue protection, with the revenue component providing the policyholder with the option to calculate price-based losses on the higher of the prevailing price when the crop is planted or the price at harvest.
Beginning in 1980, the U.S. Congress expanded the federal crop insurance program to cover more crops and regions of the country. More importantly, Congress permitted private sector insurers to market and administer federal insurance policies in exchange for an opportunity to earn a profit while bearing a portion of the insurance risk. Congress also authorized a premium subsidy for the farmers and ranchers. As a result, there was a rapid increase in the acres insured from approximately 26 million acres in 1980 to 100 million acres in 1990. The Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994 made participation in the crop insurance program mandatory for farmers to be eligible to participate in other government support programs and provided a minimum level of free catastrophic risk coverage for insured and noninsured crops.
American Farm Bureau Insurance Services (“AFBIS”) underwrites all of our, as well as several other state Farm Bureau affiliated insurers, multi-peril crop and crop hail insurance policies. AFBIS also processes and administers all claims made by policyholders under such policies. We reimburse AFBIS for its actual loss adjustment expense with respect to the policies issued by us and pay AFBIS a percentage of the premiums we receive with respect to such policies.
Marketing and Distribution
Our marketing philosophy is to sell profitable business in our core states using a focused, cost-effective distribution system. Nodak Insurance distributes its insurance products through exclusive agents in North Dakota, while American West, Battle Creek, Primero, Direct Auto, and Westminster rely on independent agents.
9
We review our agents with respect to both premium volume and profitability. Our captive agents for Nodak Insurance are hired and trained by our sales staff in North Dakota, while the independent agents for our other companies are appointed by the underwriting or marketing staff for each respective company. We hold regular training sessions when we introduce new products or product changes, and we identify specific topics that may help our agents more effectively market our products.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, no individual agent was responsible for more than 5% of the Company’s direct premiums written.
Agents are compensated through a fixed base commission structure. Agents receive commission as a percentage of premiums as their primary compensation from us. The Risk Management Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (“RMA”) establishes the maximum commission that can be paid to agents with respect to crop insurance policies. Battle Creek and American West pay profit-sharing commissions to their agencies based on various annual agency premium thresholds and the difference between the agency’s loss ratio and the loss ratio goal established by the insurance company. The commission is paid with respect to all property and casualty (non-crop) business earned within the calendar year. Nodak Insurance pays a profit-sharing commission to its agents only with respect to farmowners business originated by such agents. Westminster also pays profit-sharing commissions to its agencies based on annual premium thresholds and profitability.
Our marketing efforts are further supported by our claims philosophy, which is designed to provide prompt and efficient service and claims processing, resulting in a positive experience for agents and policyholders. We believe that these positive experiences contribute to achieving higher policyholder retention and new business growth over time. While we rely on our independent agents for distribution and customer support, underwriting and claim handling responsibilities are retained by us. Many of our agents have had direct relationships with us for a number of years.
Underwriting, Risk Assessment, and Pricing
We strive to be disciplined in our pricing by pursuing rate increases to maintain or improve our underwriting profitability while still being able to attract and retain customers. We utilize pricing reviews that we believe will help us price risks more accurately, maintain appropriate policyholder retention, and support the production of profitable new business. These pricing reviews involve evaluating our claims experience and loss trends on a periodic basis to identify changes in the frequency and severity of our claims. We then consider whether our premium rates are adequate relative to the level of underwriting risk as well as the sufficiency of our underwriting guidelines.
The nature of our business requires that we remain sensitive to the marketplace and the pricing strategies of our competitors. Using the market information as a reference point, we typically set our prices based on our estimated future costs. From time to time, we may reduce our discounts or apply a premium surcharge to achieve an appropriate return. Pricing flexibility allows us to provide a fair rate commensurate with the assumed risk. If our pricing strategy cannot yield sufficient premium to cover our costs on a particular type of risk, we may choose not to underwrite that risk. It is our philosophy not to sacrifice profitability for premium growth.
Our Nodak Insurance underwriting staff includes 20 employees with approximately 285 combined years of experience in property and casualty underwriting. They are located primarily at our home office in Fargo, North Dakota, as well as our office in Battle Creek, Nebraska, and underwrite coverage issued by Nodak Insurance, American West, and Battle Creek.
Primero and Direct Auto employ 17 underwriters in connection with their non-standard auto insurance businesses. Westminster has a staff of 12 in the underwriting area of its commercial insurance business. All of our crop insurance is underwritten by AFBIS, as described above.
Enterprise Risk Management
Our Company is subject to significant risks, including the normal risks of a property and casualty insurance company. These risks are discussed in more detail in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”.
We consider an enterprise-wide risk management program to be an integral part of managing our business and a key element in our approach to corporate governance. Our Enterprise Risk Management Committee (the “ERMC”) is responsible for the alignment of operational risk management strategies as the coordination point for enterprise-level direction setting with regard to risk management issues. The multi-disciplinary ERMC regularly monitors risk reports and metrics regarding a variety of continuing and emerging risks that may adversely affect the Company, its shareholders, its policyholders, or other stakeholders. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors oversees risk management and regularly receives reports from the ERMC.
10
Reinsurance
We cede and assume certain premiums and losses to and from various companies and associations under a variety of reinsurance agreements. We seek to limit the maximum net loss that can arise from large risks or risks in concentrated areas of exposure through use of these agreements, either on an automatic basis under general reinsurance contracts known as treaties or through facultative contracts on substantial individual risks.
Reinsurance contracts do not relieve us from our obligation to policyholders. Additionally, failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in significant losses to us. There can be no assurance that reinsurance will continue to be available to us to the same extent, and at the same cost, as it has in the past. We may choose in the future to reevaluate the use of reinsurance to increase or decrease the amounts of risk ceded to reinsurers.
For additional information, see Part II, Item 8, Note 6 “Reinsurance”.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
We maintain reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. Our liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses consists of (1) case reserves, which are reserves for claims that have been reported to us, and (2) reserves for claims that have been incurred but not yet been reported and for the future development of case reserves (“IBNR”). We determine a provision for the ultimate cost of those claims without regard to how long it takes to settle them or the time value of money. The determination of reserves involves actuarial and statistical projections of what we expect to be the cost of the ultimate settlement and administration of such claims. The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is set based on facts and circumstances then known, estimates of future trends in claims severity, and other variable factors such as inflation and changing judicial theories of liability. Our liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is not discounted.
For additional information, see Part II, Item 7, “Critical Accounting Policies” and Part II, Item 8, Note 8 “Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses”.
Investments
The majority of funds available for investments are deployed in a widely diversified portfolio of high quality, liquid taxable U.S. government, tax-exempt and taxable U.S. municipal, taxable corporate, and U.S. agency mortgage-backed bonds. We regularly monitor the effective duration of our fixed income investments, and our investment purchases and sales are executed with the objective of having adequate funds available to satisfy our insurance and debt obligations. Generally, the expected principal and interest payments produced by our fixed income portfolio adequately fund the estimated runoff of the Company’s insurance reserves. The substantial amount by which the fair value of the fixed income portfolio exceeds the value of the net insurance liabilities, as well as the positive cash flow from newly sold policies and the large amount of high-quality liquid bonds, contribute to the Company’s ability to fund claim payments without having to sell illiquid assets or access its credit facilities.
We also invest a much smaller percentage of the portfolio in private placement debt offerings and equity securities, which have the potential for higher returns but also involve varying degrees of risk, including higher volatility and/or less liquidity.
The Executive Committee of NI Holdings’ Board of Directors reviews and approves the Company’s investment policy periodically. The investment portfolio is managed by Conning, Inc.
For additional information, see Part II, Item 7, “Critical Accounting Policies” and Part II, Item 8, Note 4 “Investments”.
Financial Strength
Ratings are an important factor in assessing the Company’s competitive position in the insurance industry. The Company is reviewed regularly by the independent rating agency AM Best, who assigns a financial strength rating to the Company, which reflects its assessment of an insurer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to policyholders. An insurer’s financial strength rating is one of the primary factors evaluated by those in the market to purchase insurance. A poor rating indicates that there is an increased likelihood that the insurer could become insolvent and therefore not able to fulfill its obligations under the insurance policies it issues. This rating can also affect an insurer’s level of premium writings, the lines of business it can write, and, for insurers like us that are also public registrants, the market value of its securities.
11
All of the Company’s insurance subsidiary and affiliate companies are rated “A” Excellent by AM Best, which is the third highest out of 15 possible ratings, under a group rating due to the intercompany pooling reinsurance agreement. Effective April 25, 2023, AM Best affirmed a stable financial strength outlook to the group.
Competition
The property casualty and crop insurance markets are competitive. We compete with stock insurance companies, mutual insurance companies, and other underwriting organizations. Our largest competitors in North Dakota for private passenger auto and homeowners include Progressive, State Farm, American Family, National General, Farmers Union, and Auto-Owners insurance companies. In South Dakota and Nebraska, we have small market shares and our competitors are the large national and regional companies as well as Farmers Mutual of Nebraska. In our non-standard auto markets, which are primarily Illinois, Nevada, and Arizona, our primary competitors are regional carriers.
Westminster’s primary competition comes from regional carriers including Harford Mutual Insurance Company, Greater New York Mutual, and Millers Capital. We also see competition from national companies like The Travelers Companies and State Farm.
Based on 2022 data, Nodak Insurance is the second largest writer of farmowners insurance in North Dakota. Our largest competitors include Farmers Union, North Star Mutual, American Family, and Farmers Alliance insurance companies. In Nebraska and South Dakota, we have a small farmowners market share, which is dominated by the large national and regional carriers.
The principal competitors in our markets for multi-peril crop insurance include Chubb, QBE Insurance Group, Zurich, American Agri-Business Insurance Company, and Great American Insurance Group. The premium rates for multi-peril crop insurance are established by the RMA and, accordingly, we compete with other insurance companies on factors such as agency relationships, claim service, and market reputation in the crop insurance market. We believe that our relationship with the NDFB and our leading market share are significant factors in maintaining our market share of the crop insurance business in North Dakota. The Company’s multi-peril crop insurance premiums for North Dakota were $39,073, $45,465, and $38,325 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Total North Dakota multi-peril crop premiums for the industry were $1,491,650, $1,537,758, and $1,083,565 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
With respect to writing property and casualty insurance, competitive factors include pricing, agency relationships, policy support, claim service, and market reputation. Like other writers of property and casualty insurance, our policy terms vary from state to state based on state regulations, competition, pricing, and other factors including the prescribed minimum liability limits in each state. We believe our Company differentiates itself from many larger companies competing for this business by focusing on ease of doing business and providing excellent claims service with local, knowledgeable employees.
To compete successfully in the property and casualty insurance market, we rely on our ability to identify insureds that are most likely to produce an underwriting profit, operate with a disciplined underwriting approach, practice prudent claims management, reserve appropriately for unpaid claims, and provide quality service and competitive commissions to our independent and captive agents.
Regulation
General
We are subject to extensive regulation, particularly at the state level. The method, extent, and substance of such regulation varies by state, but generally has its source in statutes and regulations that establish standards and requirements for conducting the business of insurance and that delegate regulatory authority to state insurance regulatory agencies. In general, such regulation is intended for the protection of those who purchase or use insurance products, not the companies that write the policies. These laws and regulations have a significant impact on our business and relate to a wide variety of matters including accounting methods, agent and company licensure, claims procedures, corporate governance, examinations, investing practices, policy forms, pricing, trade practices, reserve adequacy, and underwriting standards.
State insurance laws and regulations require our insurance company subsidiaries to file financial statements with state insurance departments everywhere they do business, and they are subject to examination by the departments they are domiciled in at any time. Our insurance company subsidiaries prepare statutory-basis financial statements in accordance with accounting practices and procedures prescribed or permitted by the state in which they are domiciled. Our domiciliary states generally conform to National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) accounting practices and procedures, so our examination reports and other filings generally are accepted by other states.
12
The NAIC provides guidance to the states with respect to standardized laws and regulations (including the accounting practices and procedures discussed above), which represent an effort to standardize insurance industry practices across state lines, oftentimes referred to as “Model Regulations”. It should be noted that these “model” laws are regulations that have no authority until the individual states pass them as part of the state legislative process, which may, or may not, be done as suggested, or with modifications.
Premium rate regulation varies greatly among jurisdictions and lines of insurance. In the states in which our insurance company subsidiaries write insurance, premium rates for the various lines of insurance are subject to either prior approval or limited review upon implementation. The premium rates for multi-peril crop insurance are established by the RMA. For additional information, see Part I, Item 1, “Crop Insurance”.
Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations that limit an insurer’s ability to withdraw from a particular market. For example, states may limit an insurer’s ability to cancel or non-renew policies. Laws and regulations that limit cancellation and non-renewal may restrict our ability to exit unprofitable marketplaces in a timely manner.
Crop Insurance
The multi-peril crop insurance business is overseen by the federal government through the RMA. The RMA outlines policy language, establishes premium rates, and develops loss adjustment procedures for insurance programs under the federal crop insurance program. In addition, through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (“FCIC”), the RMA provides premium subsidies to farmers and sets the commission percentages that can be paid to agents. All participating insurance carriers are subject to the same Standard Reinsurance Agreement (“SRA”), which outlines items such as reporting requirements and claims handling procedures, proportional and non-proportional reinsurance terms, and the level of administrative and operating reimbursement paid to insurers. The RMA also provides oversight to the approved insurance providers (“AIPs”). The AIPs are required to use the policies, premium rates, and loss adjustment procedures set by the RMA without modification and are required to issue a policy to any eligible applicant regardless of risk or profitability. The RMA conducts audits of AIPs with respect to claims and loss adjustment procedures.
American Agricultural Insurance Company is the AIP through which we issue multi-peril crop insurance policies and is the holder of the SRA with the FCIC.
NAIC Risk-Based Capital Requirements
North Dakota and most other states have adopted the NAIC system of risk-based capital requirements that require insurance companies to calculate and report information under a risk-based formula. These risk-based capital requirements attempt to measure statutory capital and surplus needs based on the risks in a company’s mix of products and investment portfolio. Under the formula, a company first determines its “authorized control level” risk-based capital. This authorized control level takes into account (i) the risk with respect to the insurer’s assets; (ii) the risk of adverse insurance experience with respect to the insurer’s liabilities and obligations; (iii) the interest rate risk with respect to the insurer’s business; and (iv) all other business risks and such other relevant risks as are set forth in the risk-based capital instructions. A company’s “total adjusted capital” is the sum of statutory capital and surplus and such other items as the risk-based capital instructions may provide. The formula is designed to allow state insurance regulators to identify insufficiently capitalized companies.
The requirements provide for four different levels of regulatory attention. The “company action level” is triggered if a company’s total adjusted capital is less than 2.0 times its authorized control level but greater than or equal to 1.5 times its authorized control level. At the company action level, the company must submit a comprehensive plan to the regulatory authority that discusses proposed corrective actions to improve the capital position. The “regulatory action level” is triggered if a company’s total adjusted capital is less than 1.5 times but greater than or equal to 1.0 times its authorized control level. At the regulatory action level, the regulatory authority will perform a special examination of the company and issue an order specifying corrective actions that must be followed. The “authorized control level” is triggered if a company’s total adjusted capital is less than 1.0 times but greater than or equal to 0.7 times its authorized control level. At this level, the regulatory authority may take action it deems necessary, including placing the company under regulatory control. The “mandatory control level” is triggered if a company’s total adjusted capital is less than 0.7 times its authorized control level. At this level, the regulatory authority is mandated to place the company under its control. The capital levels of our insurance subsidiary and affiliate companies all exceed the authorized control level and have never triggered any of these regulatory capital levels. We cannot guarantee, however, that the capital requirements applicable to such companies will not increase in the future, or that the underlying ratios will not erode.
NAIC Ratios
The NAIC has also developed a set of 13 financial ratios referred to as the Insurance Regulatory Information System (“IRIS”). Based on statutory-basis financial statements filed with state insurance regulators, the NAIC annually calculates these IRIS ratios to assist state insurance regulators in monitoring the financial condition of insurance companies. The NAIC has established an acceptable range for each of the IRIS financial ratios. If four or more of its IRIS ratios fall outside the range deemed acceptable by the NAIC, an
13
insurance company may receive inquiries from individual state insurance departments. However, a ratio falling outside the usual range may not necessarily be considered adverse. In some years, it may not be unusual for financially sound companies to have several ratios with results outside the usual ranges. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021, none of our insurance company subsidiaries produced results outside the acceptable range for more than three of the IRIS tests. During the year ended December 31, 2022, our insurance company subsidiaries produced results outside the acceptable range for as many as six of the IRIS tests, primarily driven by our significant net loss for the year that negatively impacted IRIS ratios related to the operating ratio and certain ratios based on policyholders’ surplus.
Enterprise Risk Assessment
In 2012, the NAIC adopted various changes to its Model Regulations (the “NAIC Amendments”). The NAIC Amendments, when adopted by the various states, are designed to respond to perceived gaps in the regulation of insurance holding company systems in the U.S. The NAIC Amendments include a requirement that an insurance holding company system’s ultimate controlling person submit annually to its lead state insurance regulator an “enterprise risk report”. This enterprise risk report identifies the activities, circumstances, or events involving one or more affiliates of an insurer that, if not remedied properly, are likely to have a material adverse effect upon the financial condition or liquidity of the insurer or its insurance holding company system as a whole. The Company files a Form F Enterprise Report annually with each domiciliary state in support of this requirement. The NAIC Amendments also include provisions requiring a controlling person to submit prior notice to its domiciliary insurance regulator of its divestiture of control, having detailed minimum requirements for cost sharing and management agreements between an insurer and its affiliates, and expanding of the agreements between an insurer and its affiliates to be filed with its domiciliary insurance regulator.
In 2012, the NAIC also adopted the Own Risk Solvency Assessment (“ORSA”) Model Act. The ORSA Model Act, when adopted by the various states, will require an insurance holding company system’s chief risk officer to submit at least annually to its lead state insurance regulator a confidential report detailing its own internal solvency assessment. Such an assessment is to be tailored to the nature, scale, and complexity of an insurer. This assessment will include the material and relevant risks identified by the insurer associated with an insurer’s current business plan and the sufficiency of capital resources to support those risks. Although our insurance company subsidiaries are exempt from ORSA because of their size, we intend to incorporate those elements of ORSA that we believe constitute “best practices” into our internal enterprise risk assessment.
Market Conduct Regulation
State insurance laws and regulations include numerous provisions governing trade practices and the marketplace activities of insurers, including provisions governing the form and content of disclosure to consumers, illustrations, advertising, sales practices, and complaint handling. State regulatory authorities generally enforce these provisions through periodic market conduct examinations.
Guaranty Fund Laws
All states have guaranty fund laws under which insurers doing business in the state can be assessed to fund policyholder liabilities of insolvent insurance companies. Under these laws, an insurer is subject to assessment depending upon its market share in the state of a given line of business. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we paid only minimal assessments pursuant to state insurance guaranty association laws. We establish reserves relating to insurance companies that are subject to insolvency proceedings when it becomes probable that we will be subject to an assessment and the amount of such assessment can be estimated. We cannot predict the amount and timing of any future assessments under these laws.
Federal Regulation
The U.S. federal government generally does not directly regulate the insurance industry except for certain areas of the market, such as insurance for crops, flood, nuclear, and terrorism risks. However, the federal government has undertaken initiatives or considered legislation in several areas that may affect the insurance industry, including tort reform, corporate governance, and the taxation of reinsurance companies. The Dodd-Frank Act established the Federal Insurance Office, which is authorized to study, monitor, and report to Congress on the insurance industry and to recommend that the Financial Stability Oversight Council designate an insurer as an entity posing risks to the U.S. financial stability in the event of the insurer’s material financial distress or failure. In December 2013, the Federal Insurance Office issued a report on alternatives to modernize and improve the system of insurance regulation in the U.S., including by increasing national uniformity through either a federal charter or effective action by the states. Changes to federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas, including changes in federal taxation, can also significantly affect the insurance industry and us.
We are also subject to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, both of which require us to protect the privacy of our customers’ information, including health and credit information.
14
Privacy
We are subject to numerous U.S. federal and state laws governing the collection, disclosure, and protection of personal and confidential information of our clients or employees. These laws and regulations are increasing in complexity and number, change frequently, and may conflict. Congress, state legislatures, and regulatory authorities are expected to consider additional regulation relating to privacy and other aspects of customer information.
As mandated by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”), states have promulgated laws and regulations that require financial institutions, including insurance companies, to take steps to protect the privacy of certain consumer and customer information. The NAIC has adopted several provisions to facilitate the implementation of the GLBA, including the Privacy of Consumer Financial and Health Information Model Regulation and the Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information Model Regulation. Several states adopted similar provisions regarding the safeguarding of customer information. We have implemented procedures to comply with the GLBA’s related privacy requirements.
In October 2017, the NAIC adopted the Insurance Data Security Model Law (“IDSML”), which requires insurers, insurance agents, and other entities required to be licensed under state insurance laws to develop and maintain a written information security program, conduct risk assessments, oversee the data security practices of third-party service providers, and other related requirements. Several states in which we operate, including North Dakota, have adopted the IDSML. Such enactments and regulations could raise compliance costs and subject us to the risk of regulatory enforcement actions, penalties, and reputational harm. Any such events could potentially have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Office of Foreign Asset Control
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) maintains a list of “Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” (the “SDN List”). The SDN List identifies persons and entities that the government believes are associated with terrorists, rogue nations, or drug traffickers. OFAC’s regulations prohibit insurers, among others, from doing business with persons or entities on the SDN List. If the insurer finds and confirms a match, the insurer must take steps to block or reject the transaction, notify the affected person, and file a report with OFAC.
Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012
Until December 31, 2022, we were an emerging growth company (“EGC”), as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). We previously took advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not EGCs, such as reduced public company reporting, accounting, and corporate governance requirements. However, beginning on December 31, 2022, we are no longer an EGC and no longer have the ability to delay adoption of these new or revised accounting standards or to take advantage of reduced corporate governance disclosures.
Dividends
As an insurance holding company with no independent operations or source of revenue, our capacity to pay dividends to our shareholders is based on the ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us is regulated by the laws of their state of domicile. Under these laws, insurance companies must provide advance informational notice to the domicile state insurance regulatory authority prior to payment of any dividend or distribution to its shareholders. Prior approval from the state insurance regulatory authority must be obtained before payment of an “extraordinary dividend” as defined under the state's insurance code. For additional information, see Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources”, and Part II, Item 8, Note 21 “Statutory Net Income (Loss), Capital and Surplus, and Dividend Restrictions”.
Holding Company Laws
Most states, including North Dakota, have enacted legislation that regulates insurance holding company systems. Each insurance company in a holding company system is required to register with the insurance supervisory agency of its state of domicile and furnish certain information, including information concerning the operations of companies within the holding company group that may materially affect the operations, management, or financial condition of the insurers within the group. Pursuant to these laws, the North Dakota Insurance Department requires prior disclosure of material transactions involving an insurance company and its affiliates. Under these laws, the North Dakota Insurance Department will have the right to examine us at any time.
All transactions within our consolidated group affecting our insurance company subsidiaries must be fair and equitable. Notice of certain material transactions between NI Holdings and any person or entity in our holding company system will be required to be given to the Department of Insurance of the applicable domiciliary state. Certain transactions cannot be completed without the prior approval of the various Departments of Insurance.
15
Approval of the state insurance commissioner is required prior to any transaction affecting the control of an insurer domiciled in that state. In North Dakota, the acquisition of 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of an insurer or its holding company is presumed to be a change in control. North Dakota law also prohibits any person or entity from (i) making a tender offer for, or a request or invitation for tenders of, or seeking to acquire or acquiring any voting security of a North Dakota insurer if, after the acquisition, the person or entity would be in control of the insurer, or (ii) effecting or attempting to effect an acquisition of control of or merger with a North Dakota insurer, unless the offer, request, invitation, acquisition, effectuation, or attempt has received the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department.
Human Capital
Our key human capital management objectives are to attract, retain, and develop talent to deliver on the Company’s strategy. To support these objectives, our human resources programs are designed to recruit and retain talented individuals; provide training and development within the Company and the insurance industry; reward and support employees through competitive pay and benefit programs; keep employees safe and healthy; and provide opportunities for community involvement.
We offer comprehensive compensation and benefits packages to our employees including a 401k Plan, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off, and flexible work arrangements. We also offer stock-based compensation to certain management personnel as a way to attract and retain key talent. For additional information, see Part II, Item 8, Note 12 “Benefit Plans” and Note 18 “Share-Based Compensation” for further discussion of our benefit plans and stock-based compensation.
As of December 31, 2023, NI Holdings and its subsidiaries had 234 total employees, of which 219 were full-time employees. Employee turnover averaged 22.7% during 2023, compared to 25.2% during 2022, and 14.7% during 2021.
16
| Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
An investment in the Company’s common shares involves certain risks. The following is a discussion of material risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company’s business, financial condition, and future results.
Insurance Risks
Catastrophic or other significant natural or man-made losses may negatively affect our financial condition and operating results.
As a property and casualty insurer, we are subject to claims from catastrophes or other natural perils that may have a significant negative impact on our operating and financial results. We have experienced catastrophe losses and can be expected to experience catastrophe losses in the future. Catastrophe losses can be caused by various events, including snow storms, ice storms, freezing temperatures, tropical storms and hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wind, hail, fires, and other natural or man-made disasters. In addition, longer-term natural catastrophe trends may be changing, and new types of catastrophe losses may be developing due to climate change, a phenomenon that has been associated with extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures, and includes effects on global weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain, hail and snow. Climate change may also impact insurability by impairing our ability to identify and quantify potential hazards that will result in losses and offer our customers products at an affordable price. The frequency, number, and severity of these losses are unpredictable. The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Our ability to effectively manage catastrophe risk is dependent, in part, on the reliance of various catastrophe models, which may produce unreliable output as a result of inaccurate or incomplete data, along with the inherent uncertainty of future frequency and severity of losses. The impact of changing climate conditions on the overall insurance industry may also materially affect the availability and cost of reinsurance to us. Our investment portfolio is also subject to the effects of climate change as economic shifts alter the return dynamic of long-term investments and reduce valuations.
Despite our continued geographic expansion, we write a significant amount of business in North Dakota. As a result, adverse developments from severe weather events in North Dakota would have a greater effect on our financial condition and results of operations than if our business was less geographically concentrated. The incidence and severity of such events are inherently unpredictable.
We attempt to reduce our exposure to catastrophe losses through a disciplined underwriting and risk management approach that emphasizes long-term profitability over short-term gains in premiums or market share, continued geographical diversification of our operations, and the use of reinsurance. However, there can be no guarantee that our underwriting and risk management efforts will be successful in mitigating our exposure to catastrophe losses or the impact of such losses when they occur. In addition, while we maintain reinsurance coverage with a catastrophe excess of loss program, such coverage may be insufficient to cover our losses. Our reinsurance coverage includes a catastrophe excess of loss program, which in 2023 limited our catastrophe exposure to $20 million retention per event, with $133 million of reinsurance coverage placed in excess of this retention. For 2024, we anticipate that these amounts will remain consistent. If we are not able to effectively mitigate our exposure to catastrophe losses, whether through our underwriting process or reinsurance coverage, in the event of such losses our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
For additional information, see Part II, Item 8, Note 3 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 6 “Reinsurance.”
If actual losses exceed our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves or if changes in the estimated level of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are necessary as a result of changes in the legal, regulatory, and economic environments in which we operate, our financial results could be materially and adversely affected.
We maintain reserves to cover estimated unpaid losses and expenses necessary to settle claims. The reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses that we have established are estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported claims and related expenses, based on facts and circumstances known to us at the time we established the reserves. Reserves are actuarially projected based on historical claims information, industry statistics, anticipated trends, and other factors. The process of estimating loss reserves involves a high degree of judgment and is subject to a number of variables. While we believe that our reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are appropriate, to the extent that such reserves prove to be inadequate or excessive in the future, we would adjust them and recognize the change in earnings in the period the reserves are adjusted. There can be no assurance that the estimates of such liabilities will not change in the future and any such adjustment could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. For additional information, see Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses”, and Part II, Item 8, Note 8 “Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.”
17
It is possible that, among other things, past or future steps taken by the federal government and the Federal Reserve to manage the U.S. economy, including fiscal and monetary policy measures, could lead to higher than anticipated levels of inflation, which generally leads to increased loss costs and other operating expenses. However, our relatively high concentration in short tail lines of business limits the potential impact of this exposure long-term and allows us to price for those increases in future policy periods.
Any downgrade in our financial strength rating could affect our ability to write new business or renew our existing business, which would lead to a decrease in revenue and net income.
Third-party rating agencies, such as AM Best, periodically assess and rate the claims-paying ability of insurers based on criteria established by the rating agencies. Ratings assigned by AM Best are an important factor influencing the competitive position of insurance companies. AM Best ratings, which are reviewed at least annually, represent independent opinions of financial strength and ability to meet obligations to policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Therefore, our AM Best rating should not be relied upon as a basis for an investment decision to purchase our common stock.
All of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries hold a financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) by AM Best, the third highest rating out of 15 rating classifications. Our most recent rating by AM Best was affirmed on April 25, 2023. Financial strength ratings are used by agents, customers, lenders, and other insurance carriers as a means of assessing the financial strength and quality of insurance companies. If our financial position deteriorates, we may not maintain our favorable financial strength rating from AM Best. A downgrade of our rating could severely limit or prevent us from writing desirable business or from renewing our existing business. In addition, a downgrade could negatively affect our ability to implement our strategy because it could cause our current or potential agents to choose other more highly rated competitors or reduce our ability to obtain reinsurance. For additional information, see Part I, Item 1, “Business” and “Financial Strength.”
Our results may fluctuate as a result of many factors, including cyclical changes in the insurance industry, competition, and innovation and emerging technologies.
The property and casualty insurance industry has historically been characterized by soft markets (periods of relatively high levels of price competition, less restrictive underwriting practices, and generally low premium rates) followed by hard markets (periods of capital shortages resulting in a lack of insurance availability, relatively low levels of price competition, more selective underwriting of risks, and relatively high premium rates). During soft markets, we may lose business to other carriers offering competitive insurance at lower rates. We may also choose to reduce our premiums or limit premium increases leading to a reduction in profit margins and revenues. Our industry is also influenced by general economic conditions, which could reduce overall premium volume for us and our competitors. Additionally, the industry could be impacted by changes in customer preferences, including customer demand for direct, point-of-sale, or other non-traditional distribution channels. Consolidation within the industry could also influence future growth and profit potential.
Innovation and emerging technologies continue to greatly impact the insurance industry. If we are unable to keep pace with the technological changes that our competitors implement, we may not be able to attract and retain customers, adequately price risks, or operate as efficiently as our competitors. In addition, emerging technologies in the automotive industry such as autonomous vehicles, driver-assistance and accident-avoidance features, sensor technology, and other forms of automation may reduce the future need for, or decrease the future pricing of, our auto insurance products.
Our success depends primarily on our ability to underwrite risks effectively and price our insurance products appropriately.
The nature of the insurance business is such that pricing must be determined before the underlying costs are fully known. This requires significant reliance on estimates and assumptions used in pricing our policies. If we fail to appropriately price the risks we insure or if our claims experience is more frequent or severe than our underlying risk assumptions, our profitability may be negatively affected. If we overestimate the risks we are exposed to, we may overprice our products, and new business growth and retention of existing business may be adversely affected. The ability to effectively underwrite risks and price products appropriately is subject to a number of uncertainties, including:
| ● | availability of sufficient reliable data and our ability to properly analyze available data; |
| ● | market and competitive conditions; |
| ● | regulatory or legislative changes; |
| ● | selection and application of appropriate pricing techniques; and |
| ● | adverse changes in claims experience, such as distracted driving or a more aggressive tort environment. |
18
Under the federal crop insurance program, each insurer is required to accept every application for multi-peril crop insurance that they receive, and the premiums and the policy terms are set by the RMA, which is the federal government agency administering the federal crop insurance program. Accordingly, no policy underwriting is necessary in connection with our multi-peril crop insurance line of business. Unlike the multi-peril crop business, we have the ability to underwrite and price crop hail insurance. We rely on AFBIS to underwrite our crop hail insurance line of business. If we believe the policy will expose us to too much risk in a particular geographic area or if we are unwilling to insure the crop, we have the ability to decline to issue the policy.
Volatility in crop prices and yields, as a result of weather conditions or other events, could adversely impact our financial condition and operating results.
Unpredictable weather conditions and other events such as excessive rain, flooding, droughts, hail, pests, and plant diseases can significantly impact crop prices and yields, creating volatility in our crop insurance business. In addition, the amount of multi-peril crop insurance business we retain is subject to the terms of the SRA and is dependent on the actual direct loss ratio experience. A significant decrease in crop prices and variability in the loss experience could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our ability to manage our exposure to underwriting risks depends on the availability and cost of reinsurance coverage.
We use reinsurance arrangements to manage the amount of risk we retain, stabilize underwriting results, and increase underwriting capacity. The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to current market conditions and may vary significantly over time. Any decrease in the amount of reinsurance maintained will increase our risk of loss. We may be unable to maintain our desired reinsurance coverage or to obtain other reinsurance coverage in adequate amounts and/or at favorable rates. If we are unable to maintain appropriate reinsurance coverage, it may be difficult for us to manage our underwriting risks and operate our business profitably. For additional information, see Part II, Item 8, Note 6 “Reinsurance.”
If we cannot collect loss recoveries from our reinsurers in accordance with our reinsurance agreements, we may incur additional losses.
Although reinsurance creates a contractual liability for reinsurers to the extent the risk is transferred, it does not eliminate our liability to policyholders because we remain liable as the primary insurer on all reinsured risks. Our reinsurance program strategically spreads exposure among a group of highly-rated, geographically diverse, and well-capitalized reinsurers. All of our significant reinsurance partners are rated “A-” (Excellent) or better by AM Best. However, we remain subject to credit risk relating to our ability to collect these recoverables. Our reinsurance recoveries are also subject to the underlying losses meeting the qualifying conditions and specified limits within the respective contracts. Additionally, we are subject to the risk that reinsurers may dispute their obligations to pay our claims. Our inability to collect a material recovery from a reinsurer on a timely basis, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, operating results, and financial condition. For additional information, see Part II, Item 8, Note 6 “Reinsurance.”
Business and Operational Risks
The impact of a future pandemic, and related economic conditions, could materially affect our results of operations, financial position, and/or liquidity.
We face risks associated with pandemics, including the impact of reduced economic activity and unemployment, government actions, and capital markets disruption. These risks are unpredictable and difficult to quantify, and could vary significantly depending on the extent and duration of the pandemic and related economic conditions, along with potentially impacting each of our business segments and geographic markets differently.
Any future federal, state, and local government actions to address the impact of a pandemic may adversely affect us. Regulatory restrictions or requirements could impact pricing, risk selection, and our rights and obligations with respect to our policies and insureds, including our ability to cancel policies or our right to collect premiums. It is also possible that changes in economic conditions and steps taken by federal, state, and local governments could require an increase in taxes at the federal, state, and local levels, which would adversely impact our results of operations. Additionally, potential capital markets disruption could lead to our fixed income portfolio being adversely impacted by ratings downgrades, increased bankruptcies, declines in real estate valuations, and/or declines in fixed income yields, along with increased volatility in our equity portfolio.
19
We may not be able to grow our business if we cannot retain and expand our captive and independent agent relationships, we cannot provide competitive products for these agents to sell, and/or consumers seek other distribution methods offered by our competitors.
Our ability to retain existing agents, and to attract new agents, is essential to the continued growth of our business. Nodak Insurance utilizes captive agents who only sell our Company’s products. Outside of North Dakota, we write business through the independent agent distribution model. If we are not able to offer competitive products and a competitive compensation structure to our captive agents and/or if our independent agents find it easier to do business with our competitors, we may be unable to retain existing business or generate sufficient new business.
While our products are sold through either independent or captive agents, our competitors may sell insurance through other distribution models, including the internet, direct marketing, or other emerging forms of distribution. To the extent that current and potential policyholders change their insurance shopping preferences, this may have an adverse effect on our ability to grow, financial position, and results of operations.
Acquisitions could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition or results of operations.
As part of our growth strategy, we will continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities. Any acquisitions involve a number of risks that could materially adversely affect our business and operating results, including:
| ● | problems integrating the acquired operations into our existing business; |
| ● | operating and underwriting results of the acquired operations not meeting our expectations; |
| ● | diversion of management’s time and attention from our existing business; |
| ● | higher than anticipated capital requirements; |
| ● | difficulties in retaining business relationships with agents and policyholders of the acquired company; |
| ● | risks associated with entering markets in which we lack extensive prior experience; |
| ● | tax issues associated with acquisitions; |
| ● | acquisition-related disputes, including disputes over contingent consideration and escrows; |
| ● | loss of key employees of the acquired company; |
| ● | impairment of related goodwill and intangible assets; and |
| ● | changes in strategy resulting in the sale of an acquired business which may result in a capital loss. |
We may be unable to attract, retain or effectively manage the succession of key personnel.
The success of our business is dependent, to a large extent, on our ability to attract and retain key employees, in particular our senior officers and key management of our insurance subsidiaries. Our business may be adversely affected if labor market conditions make it difficult for us to retain or, if needed, replace our current key officers with individuals having equivalent qualifications and experience at compensation levels competitive for our industry. While we believe we offer competitive compensation and benefit arrangements, there can be no guarantee that we will be able to retain our key employees. There is significant competition from within the property and casualty insurance industry and from businesses outside the industry for those in key management positions, as well as others possessing highly specialized knowledge in areas such as actuarial, accounting, information technology, and data and analytics. In addition, our employment and other agreements with our key officers do not include non-compete covenants or non-solicitation provisions because they are unenforceable under North Dakota law. If we are not able to successfully attract, retain, and motivate our employees, our business, financial results, and reputation could be materially and adversely affected.
A failure in our operational systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party service providers, including operational errors, could disrupt business, damage our reputation, and cause losses.
Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage, and transmission of confidential information, including in our computer systems and networks and those of third-party service providers. We rely heavily on our operating systems in connection with issuing policies, paying claims, and providing the information we need to conduct our business. We also rely on the operating systems of AFBIS in
20
connection with various processes with respect to our crop lines of business. Our business depends on effective information security and systems, and we place significant reliance on the integrity and timeliness of the data our information systems process to support our business. A breakdown or disruption of any of these systems could materially adversely affect our ability to conduct our business and our results of operations.
We are exposed to many other types of operational risk, including the risk of fraud by employees and outsiders, clerical and recordkeeping errors, and computer or telecommunications systems malfunctions. Our business depends on our ability to process a large number of increasingly complex transactions. If any of our operational, accounting, or other data processing systems fail or have other significant shortcomings, we could be materially adversely affected. Similarly, we depend on our employees. We could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our employees cause a significant operational breakdown or failure, either as a result of human error or intentional sabotage or fraudulent manipulation of our operations or systems.
Cyberattacks, security breaches, or similar events affecting the technologies and systems we rely on to operate our business and to maintain and protect sensitive Company and customer data could disrupt our operations, harm our reputation, and result in material losses.
We have implemented administrative and technical controls, have taken actions to reduce the risk of cyber incidents and to protect our information technology and assets, and will continue to modify such procedures as circumstances warrant and negotiate appropriate terms in our agreements with third-party providers to protect our assets. However, such measures may be insufficient to prevent unauthorized access, computer viruses, malware or other malicious code or cyberattack, business compromise attacks, catastrophic events, system failures and disruptions, employee errors or malfeasance, third-party (including outsourced service providers) errors or malfeasance, loss of assets, and other events that could have security consequences. Such an event may result in data loss or loss of assets which could result in significant losses, reputational damage, or other adverse effects on our operations.
In addition, our technologies, systems, and networks may become the target of cyberattacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of our or our insureds’ confidential, proprietary and other information, or otherwise disrupt our or our insureds’ or other third-parties’ business operations, which in turn may result in legal claims, regulatory scrutiny and liability, reputational damage, the incurrence of costs to eliminate or mitigate further exposure, and the loss of customers. Although to date we are not aware of any information security breaches or losses relating to cyberattacks, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer such losses in the future. Our risk and exposure to these matters remains heightened because of, among other things, the evolving nature and increasing frequency and sophistication of these threats and the outsourcing of some of our business operations. As a result, cybersecurity and the continued development and enhancement of our controls, processes, and practices designed to protect our systems, computers, software, data, and networks from attack, damage, or unauthorized access remain a priority. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities.
The compromise of personal, confidential, or proprietary information could also subject us to legal liability or regulatory action, including fines, penalties, or intervention, under evolving cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy laws and regulations enacted by the U.S. federal and state governments. Such laws and regulations have become increasingly widespread and demanding in recent years and may result in increased compliance costs and risk of regulatory actions or penalties. If incurred, such regulatory actions or penalties could harm our reputation. Any such events could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Regulatory Risks
A portion of our written premiums and net profits are generated from multi-peril crop insurance business, and the loss of such business as a result of a termination of or substantial changes to the federal crop insurance program could have an adverse effect on our revenues and net income.
In 2023, 2022, and 2021, our direct premiums written generated from the multi-peril crop insurance line of business were 10.2%, 12.8%, and 12.0%, respectively, of total written premiums. Through the FCIC, the U.S. government subsidizes insurance companies by assuming an increasingly higher portion of losses incurred by farmers as a result of weather-related and other perils as well as commodity price fluctuations. The U.S. government also subsidizes the premium cost to farmers for multi-peril crop yield and revenue insurance. Without this risk assumption, losses incurred by insurance companies would be higher. Without the premium subsidy, the number of farmers purchasing multi-peril crop insurance would decline significantly. Periodically, members of the U.S. Congress propose to significantly reduce the government’s involvement in the federal crop insurance program in an effort to reduce government spending. If legislation is adopted to reduce the amount of risk the government assumes, the amount of insurance premium subsidy provided to farmers or otherwise reduce the coverage provided under multi-peril crop insurance policies, losses
21
would increase and purchases of multi-peril crop insurance could experience a significant decline nationwide and in our market area. Such changes could have an adverse effect on our revenues and income.
Our businesses are heavily regulated by the jurisdictions in which we conduct business and changes in regulation, including required participation in pools, premium surcharges, and higher tax rates, may reduce our profitability and limit our growth.
Most states require insurance companies authorized to do business in their state to participate in guaranty funds, which require the insurance companies to bear a portion of the unfunded obligations of impaired, insolvent, or failed insurance companies. These obligations are funded by assessments, which are expected to continue in the future. State guaranty associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all insurance companies doing business in the state based on their proportionate share of premiums written in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent, or failed insurance companies are engaged. Accordingly, the assessments levied on us may increase as we increase our written premiums. For additional information, see Part I, Item 1, “Business” and “Regulation.”
In addition, as a condition to conducting business in some states, insurance companies are required to participate in residual market programs to provide insurance to those who cannot procure coverage from an insurance carrier on a negotiated basis. Insurance companies generally can fulfill their residual market obligations by, among other things, participating in a reinsurance pool where the results of all policies provided through the pool are shared by the participating insurance companies. Although we price our insurance to account for our potential obligations under these pooling arrangements, we may not be able to accurately estimate our liability for these obligations. Accordingly, mandatory pooling arrangements may cause a decrease in our profits. As we write policies in new states that have mandatory pooling arrangements, we will be required to participate in additional pooling arrangements. Further, the impairment, insolvency, or failure of other insurance companies in these pooling arrangements would likely increase the liability for other members in the pool.
The effect of assessments and premium surcharges or increases in such assessments or surcharges could reduce our profitability in any given period or limit our ability to grow our business. In addition, state tax laws that specifically impact the insurance industry, such as premium taxes, or more general tax laws, such as U.S. federal corporate income taxes, could be enacted or changed and could have a material adverse impact on us.
We are subject to insurance industry laws and regulations, as well as claims and legal proceedings, which if determined unfavorably, could have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
We are subject to extensive supervision and regulation by the states in which we operate. The failure to comply with these regulations could subject the Company to sanctions and fines, including the cancellation or suspension of our licenses, which could significantly impact our financial condition and results of operations. State insurance departments also conduct periodic examinations of the affairs of insurance companies and require the filing of annual and other reports relating to financial condition, holding company issues, and other matters.
Additionally, changes in the level of regulation of the insurance industry or changes in laws or regulations themselves or interpretations by regulatory authorities could adversely affect our ability to operate our business. Federal laws and regulations, and the influence of international laws and regulations, may have adverse effects on our business, potentially including a change from a state-based system of regulation to a system of federal regulation, the repeal of the McCarran Ferguson Act, and/or measures under the Dodd-Frank Act that establish the Federal Insurance Office and provide for a determination that a non-bank financial company presents systemic risk and therefore should be subject to heightened supervision by the Federal Reserve Board. It is not known how this federal office will coordinate and interact with the NAIC and state insurance regulators. Adoption or implementation of any of these measures may restrict our ability to conduct our insurance business, govern our corporate affairs, or effectively manage our cost of doing business.
We also face a risk of litigation in the ordinary course of operating our businesses including the risk of class action lawsuits. We may become subject to class actions and individual suits alleging breach of fiduciary or other duties, including our obligations to indemnify directors and officers in connection with certain legal matters. We are also subject to litigation arising out of our general business activities such as contractual and employment relationships and claims regarding the infringement of the intellectual property of others. Plaintiffs in class action and other lawsuits against us may seek large or indeterminate amounts of damages, including punitive and treble damages, which may remain unknown for substantial periods of time.
22
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Nodak Mutual Group’s majority control of our common stock will enable it to exercise voting control over most matters put to a vote of shareholders.
Nodak Mutual Group owns a majority of our outstanding common stock and, through its Board of Directors, is able to exercise voting control over most matters put to a vote of shareholders. The votes cast by Nodak Mutual Group may not be in the best interests of all shareholders. For example, Nodak Mutual Group may exercise its voting control to defeat a shareholder nominee for election to the Board of Directors of NI Holdings.
In addition, certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, such as the prohibition of cumulative voting for the election of directors and the prohibition on any person or group acquiring and having the right to vote in excess of 10% of our outstanding stock without the prior approval of the Board of Directors will make removal of the Company’s management difficult.
Our status as an insurance holding company with no direct operations could adversely affect our ability to fund operations, execute future share repurchases, or meet potential future shareholder dividend and/or debt obligations.
NI Holdings is an insurance holding company that transacts substantially all of its business through its subsidiaries. A significant source of funds available to us for the payment of operating expenses, share repurchases, and potential future dividends to shareholders and/or debt servicing are management fees, dividends from our subsidiaries, or other sources of capital. The payment of dividends by our subsidiaries are restricted by North Dakota’s insurance law. If we are unable to obtain dividends from our subsidiaries as needed to fund our operations, our business and financial results could be adversely affected.
Statutory provisions and provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws may discourage takeover attempts of NI Holdings that shareholders may believe are in their best interests.
We are subject to provisions of North Dakota corporate and insurance law that hinder a change of control. North Dakota law requires the North Dakota Insurance Department’s prior approval of a change of control of an insurance holding company. Under North Dakota law, the acquisition of 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of an insurer or its holding company is presumed to be a change in control. Approval by the North Dakota Insurance Department may be withheld even if the transaction would be in the shareholders’ best interest if the North Dakota Insurance Department determines that the transaction would be detrimental to policyholders.
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws also contain provisions that may discourage a change in control. These provisions may serve to entrench management and may discourage a takeover attempt that shareholders may consider to be in their best interest or in which they would receive a substantial premium over the current market price. These provisions may make it extremely difficult for any one person, entity, or group of affiliated persons or entities to acquire voting control of NI Holdings, with the result that it may be extremely difficult to bring about a change in the Board of Directors or management. Some of these provisions also may perpetuate present management because of the additional time required to cause a change in the control of the Board of Directors. Other provisions make it difficult for shareholders owning less than a majority of the voting stock to be able to elect even a single director.
General Risks
Our investment portfolio is subject to credit and interest rate risk, and therefore our revenues and financial results may fluctuate with interest rates, investment results, equity market fluctuations, and developments in the capital markets.
Investment income is an important component of our net income and overall profitability. We invest premiums received from policyholders and other available cash to generate investment income and capital appreciation, while also maintaining sufficient liquidity to pay claims and operating expenses. Changes in interest rates and credit quality may result in fluctuations in the income derived from, the valuation of, and in the case of declines in credit quality, payment defaults on our fixed income securities. Such conditions could give rise to significant realized and unrealized investment losses or the impairment of securities. Potential higher interest rates could reduce the carrying value of our fixed income and short-term investments, negatively impacting the Company’s carrying value in the short-term. Over the long-term, however, higher interest rates would provide an incremental benefit to our net investment income as excess cash and the proceeds of maturing bonds are reinvested at higher rates. We manage our exposure to interest rate increases by monitoring the duration within our investment portfolio and maintaining maturities that minimize any forced sales within the portfolio. However, even with such monitoring efforts, we may be forced to sell securities at a loss, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
23
We also invest a portion of our assets in equity securities, which are subject to greater volatility in their investment returns than fixed income investments. Unlike fixed income securities, the changes in the fair value of our equity securities are recognized in net income. General economic conditions, stock market volatility, changes in tax laws, and many other factors beyond our control can adversely affect the value of these securities and potentially reduce our net investment income and/or lead to net investment losses.
Any significant or long-running negative changes in the fixed income or equity markets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Our investment portfolio is also subject to credit and cash flow risk, including risks associated with our investments in asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. Because our investment portfolio is the largest component of our assets and a multiple of our shareholders’ equity, adverse changes in economic conditions could result in impairments that are material to our financial condition and operating results. Such economic changes could arise from overall changes in the financial markets or specific changes to industries, companies, or municipalities in which we maintain investment holdings. See Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
We may not be able to manage our growth effectively.
We intend to continue to grow our business in the future, which could require additional capital, systems development, and skilled personnel. However, there are inherent risks associated with this strategy, including the risks of unsuccessfully identifying profitable business opportunities, managing capital requirements, expanding systems and internal controls, maintaining innovative products and technologies, allocating human capital resources, identifying qualified employees and/or agents, and integrating future acquisitions. The failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We could be adversely affected by a future unexpected business interruption involving our office buildings, operational systems and infrastructure, key external vendors, and/or workforce.
Our business operations could be substantially interrupted by flooding, snow, ice, wind, and other weather-related incidents, or from fire, pandemics, power loss, telecommunications failures, terrorism, or other such events. Our business continuity plans may not sufficiently remediate all risks associated with future significant business interruptions. Any damage caused by such a failure or loss may cause interruptions in our business operations that may adversely affect our service levels and business.
| Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
None.
| Item 1C. | Cybersecurity |
Cybersecurity risk is an important and evolving focus for the Company. The increased sophistication and activities of unauthorized parties attempting to access our systems is an ever-present risk. Cybersecurity risks may also arise from human error, fraud, or malice on the part of employees or third parties who have authorized access to our systems or information.
Our information security program is directly managed by a dedicated Director of Information Systems, whose team is responsible for enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy, policy, standards, architecture, and processes. Company employees are periodically required to affirm their understanding of several policies and standards, including those related to cybersecurity. Our cybersecurity strategy is primarily focused on network security, data security, vulnerability management, incident management, and disaster recovery. We utilize internal resources as well as third-party consultants and vendors to periodically conduct cybersecurity vulnerability testing, facilitate employee training, perform system assessments, and provide recommendations based on industry best practices.
The Director of Information Systems provides periodic reports to our ERMC related to cybersecurity risks and threats, the status of projects to strengthen our information security systems and controls, assessments of the information security program and related third-party service providers, and the emerging threat landscape. The ERMC provides oversight and support related to our cybersecurity program and consists of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Information Systems, and other appropriate members of senior management who possess the relevant expertise to assess and manage cybersecurity risks as part of the broader enterprise risk management process. Periodic reports are also provided to appropriate members of senior management that include information regarding prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation efforts related to cybersecurity incidents.
Our Chief Executive Officer and Director of Information Systems also provide periodic reports to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors regarding ERMC activities and assessments, including those related to cybersecurity and cybersecurity incidents. The
24
Audit Committee of the board oversees our risk management program, which focuses on the most significant risks we face in the short-, intermediate-, and long-term timeframes. Audit Committee meetings include discussions of specific risk areas throughout the year, including, among others, those relating to cybersecurity threats, and reports from management on our enterprise risk profile on an annual basis.
As of the date of this report, we are not aware of any risks from cybersecurity threats that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. Refer to the risk factor captioned “Cyberattacks, security breaches, or similar events affecting the technologies and systems we rely on to operate our business and to maintain and protect sensitive Company and customer data could disrupt our operations, harm our reputation, and result in material losses” in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for additional details regarding cybersecurity risks and potential impacts on our business.
| Item 2. | Properties |
Our headquarters is located at 1101 First Avenue North, Fargo, North Dakota, which is also the headquarters of Nodak Insurance. Nodak Insurance owns this building and leases a portion of the building to the NDFB and to AFBIS.
Battle Creek owns the building in which its offices are located at 603 South Preece Street, Battle Creek, Nebraska.
On December 30, 2021, Primero entered into a new lease at 9950 West Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, Nevada, and sold its owned portion of the building at 2640 South Jones Blvd, Suite 2, Las Vegas, Nevada on January 5, 2022. Tri-State Ltd. leases the building at 506 5th Street, Spearfish, South Dakota.
Direct Auto leases office space at 8700 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, Illinois under a lease that expires on August 31, 2029.
Westminster owns a portion of the building in which its offices are located at 8890 McDonogh Road, Suite 310, Owings Mills, Maryland.
We believe that the offices currently occupied by each of our subsidiaries are sufficient for their needs and any expected internal growth in the near future.
| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings |
We are party to litigation in the normal course of business. Based upon information presently available to us, we do not consider any litigation to be material. However, given the inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot assure you that our results of operations and financial condition will not be materially adversely affected by any litigation.
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
Not applicable.
25
PART II
| Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
Market Information
The Company’s common shares trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “NODK”. As of February 29, 2024, there were approximately 533 shareholders of record for the Company’s common stock.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph shows the cumulative total shareholder return (stock price increase plus dividends) on our common stock from December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2023, along with the corresponding returns for the Russell 2000 Index (as the broad stock market index) and the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 1500 US P&C Insurance Index (as the published industry index). The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the common stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 2018, and that all dividends were reinvested.
26
Dividend Policy
Our Board of Directors continues to evaluate a potential policy of paying regular cash dividends but has not decided on the amounts that may be paid, the frequency of any payment, or when any payments may begin. Therefore, the timing and the amount of cash dividends that may be paid to shareholders in the future is uncertain. In addition, the Board of Directors may declare and pay periodic special cash dividends in addition to, or in lieu of, regular cash dividends. In determining whether to declare or pay any dividends, whether regular or special, the Board of Directors will take into account our financial condition and results of operations, income tax considerations, capital requirements, industry standards, and economic conditions. We cannot guarantee that we will pay dividends or that, if paid, we will not reduce or eliminate dividends in the future.
If we pay dividends to our shareholders, we also will be required to pay dividends to Nodak Mutual Group, unless Nodak Mutual Group elects to waive the receipt of dividends. Because Nodak Mutual Group has no current plans to utilize any cash dividends that it may receive from us, we anticipate that it will waive its right to receive substantially all of the dividends that are paid to it by us or immediately return substantially all of such funds to us as an equity contribution. However, because the Board of Directors of Nodak Mutual Group includes persons who are not members of our Board of Directors, we cannot provide any assurance that they will take such action with respect to any cash dividend that we may declare. If we are unable to obtain a commitment from the Board of Directors of Nodak Mutual Group that it will waive its right to receive any cash dividend that we intend to declare or that it will return the funds from such dividend to the Company as an equity contribution, our Board of Directors may decide not to declare a cash dividend.
We are not currently subject to regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends to our shareholders. However, any future dividends may be restricted to those received from our insurance subsidiaries. North Dakota law limits the amount of dividends and other distributions that Nodak Insurance, Direct Auto, and Westminster may pay to us. For information regarding the regulatory restrictions on dividends our insurance subsidiaries can pay, refer to Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Liquidity and Capital Resources”, and Part II, Item 8, Note 21 “Statutory Net Income (Loss), Capital and Surplus, and Dividend Restrictions”.
Even if we receive dividends from Nodak Insurance, Direct Auto, or Westminster, we may not declare any dividends to our shareholders due to working capital requirements. We are not subject to regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends to shareholders, but we are subject to the requirements of the North Dakota Business Corporation Act. This law generally permits dividends or distributions to be paid, to the extent we still have the ability to pay our debts in the ordinary course of business after making the dividend or distribution payments. This law requires our total assets to exceed our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of stock with senior liquidation rights if we were to be dissolved at the time the dividend or distribution is paid.
27
Unregistered Securities
The Company has not sold any unregistered securities within the past three years.
Use of Proceeds from Initial Public Offering
On January 17, 2017, our registration statement on Form S-1 registering our common stock was declared effective by the SEC. On March 13, 2017, the Company completed the IPO of 10,350,000 shares of common stock at a price of $10.00 per share. The Company received net proceeds of $93,145 from the offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and offering expenses.
Direct Auto was acquired on August 31, 2018, with $17,000 of the net proceeds from the IPO.
On January 1, 2020, we acquired Westminster for $40,000. We paid $20,000 at the time of closing. The terms of the acquisition agreement included payment of the remaining $20,000, subject to certain adjustments, in three equal installments on each of the first and second anniversaries of the closing, and on the first business day of the month preceding the third anniversary of the closing. The first two installments were paid in January 2021 and January 2022, and the final installment was paid in December 2022 with no adjustments from the originally anticipated amount. The Company used net proceeds from the IPO to satisfy these obligations.
From time to time, the Company may also repurchase its own stock. To date, the Company has used net proceeds from the IPO to fund these share repurchases. For more information, see Part II, Item 5, “Issuer Stock Purchases”.
There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from our IPO as described in our final prospectus filed with the SEC on January 17, 2017.
28
Issuer Stock Purchases
The Company had no common shares outstanding prior to March 13, 2017.
On May 4, 2020, our Board of Directors approved an authorization for the repurchase of up to approximately $10,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we completed the repurchase of 454,443 shares of our common stock for $7,238 under this authorization. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we repurchased an additional 144,110 shares of our common stock for $2,762 to close out this authorization.
On August 11, 2021, our Board of Directors approved an authorization for the repurchase of up to approximately $5,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we completed the repurchase of 81,095 shares of our common stock for $1,554 under this new authorization. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we completed the repurchase of 214,937 shares of our common stock for $3,446 to close out this authorization.
On May 9, 2022, our Board of Directors approved an authorization for the repurchase of up to approximately $10,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we completed the repurchase of 54,223 shares of our common stock for $734 under this authorization. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased an additional 548,549 shares of our common stock for $7,278, including the effect from applicable excise taxes. At December 31, 2023, $2,052 remains available under this authorization.
Share repurchase activity during the three months ended December 31, 2023, is presented below:
| Period in 2023 | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Per Share (3) | Total Number of | Maximum
Approximate (in thousands) | ||||||||||||
| October 1 – 31, 2023 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 2,052 | ||||||||||
| November 1 – 30, 2023 | — | — | — | 2,052 | ||||||||||||
| December 1 – 31, 2023 | — | — | — | 2,052 | ||||||||||||
| Total | — | $ | — | — | $ | 2,052 | ||||||||||
| (1) | Shares purchased pursuant to the May 9, 2022, publicly announced share repurchase authorizations of up to approximately $10,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. |
| (2) | Maximum dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased consist of up to approximately $2,052 under the May 9, 2022, publicly announced share repurchase authorization. |
| (3) | The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 imposed a 1% excise tax on the net value of certain share repurchases made after December 31, 2022. All dollar amounts presented exclude such excise taxes, as applicable. |
| Item 6. | [Reserved] |
29
| Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
The following discussion is intended to provide a more comprehensive review of our operating results and financial condition than can be obtained from reading the consolidated financial statements alone. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this 2023 Annual Report constitutes forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Please see “Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained herein.
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this document generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 that are not included in this document can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2023.
All dollar amounts, except per share amounts, are in thousands.
Results of Operations
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management evaluates our operations by monitoring key measures of growth and profitability, which may include the disclosure of certain non-GAAP financial measures. Our results of operations are influenced by numerous factors affecting the U.S. property and casualty insurance industry including competition, weather, catastrophic events, innovation and emerging technologies, changes in regulations, inflation, general economic conditions, judicial trends, fluctuations in interest rates, and other changes in the financial markets.
Our premium levels and underwriting results have been, and will continue to be, influenced by market conditions. The property and casualty insurance industry has historically been characterized by soft markets (periods of relatively high levels of price competition, less restrictive underwriting practices, and generally low premium rates) followed by hard markets (periods of capital shortages resulting in a lack of insurance availability, relatively low levels of price competition, more selective underwriting of risks, and relatively high premium rates). During soft markets, we may lose business to other carriers offering competitive insurance at lower rates. We may also choose to reduce our premiums or limit premium increases leading to a reduction in profit margins and revenues. Our industry is also influenced by general economic conditions, which could reduce overall premium volume for us and our competitors. Additionally, the industry is impacted by changes in customer preferences, including customer demand for direct, point-of-sale, or other non-traditional distribution channels. We regularly monitor our performance and competitive position by line of business and geographic market to determine appropriate rate actions.
Premiums in the multi-peril crop insurance business are primarily influenced by the types of crops planted, number of acres insured, and commodity prices because the rates are established by the RMA rather than individual insurance carriers. The expected experience of this business for the calendar year may also significantly affect the reported net earned premiums and losses due to the risk-sharing arrangement with the federal government. Multi-peril crop insurance premiums are generally written in the second quarter, and earned ratably over the period of risk, which generally extends into the fourth quarter. Premiums in the crop hail insurance business are also generally written in the second quarter and earned ratably until the end of the third quarter.
Premiums in our other lines of business are written and earned throughout the year based on their coverage periods. Losses on this business are also incurred throughout the year but are usually more frequent and/or severe during periods of elevated weather-related activity.
Property Claims Service (“PCS”), a division of the Insurance Services Office, maintains industry loss data related to catastrophe loss events. PCS defines a catastrophe as an event that causes damage of $25 million or more in insured property losses and affects a significant number of insureds. When reporting on our losses from catastrophe events, we may include losses from those events that were defined as a catastrophe by PCS or those events which may include losses that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. The frequency and severity of catastrophic losses we experience in any year may significantly affect our results of operations and financial position. In analyzing the underwriting performance of our property and casualty insurance business, we evaluate performance both including and excluding catastrophe losses. Portions of our catastrophe losses may be recoverable under our catastrophe reinsurance agreements.
For more information on the Company’s results of operations by segment, see Part II, Item 8, Note 20 “Segment Information”.
30
Years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
The consolidated net loss for the Company was $5,226 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of $53,775 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and net income of $8,332 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The major components of our revenues and net income (loss) for the three periods are shown below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 351,137 | $ | 328,290 | $ | 299,589 | ||||||
| Fee and other income | 1,978 | 1,453 | 1,775 | |||||||||
| Net investment income | 10,456 | 7,820 | 7,131 | |||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | 2,124 | (13,126 | ) | 15,479 | ||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 365,695 | $ | 324,437 | $ | 323,974 | ||||||
| Components of net income (loss): | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | 351,137 | $ | 328,290 | $ | 299,589 | ||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 244,412 | 294,432 | 216,379 | |||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other underwriting and general expenses | 118,790 | 99,034 | 96,289 | |||||||||
| Underwriting loss | (12,065 | ) | (65,176 | ) | (13,079 | ) | ||||||
| Fee and other income | 1,978 | 1,453 | 1,775 | |||||||||
| Net investment income | 10,456 | 7,820 | 7,131 | |||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | 2,124 | (13,126 | ) | 15,479 | ||||||||
| Goodwill impairment charge | (6,756 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | (4,263 | ) | (69,029 | ) | 11,306 | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 963 | (15,254 | ) | 2,974 | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (5,226 | ) | $ | (53,775 | ) | $ | 8,332 | ||||
31
Net Premiums Earned
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Net premiums earned: | ||||||||||||
| Direct premium | $ | 401,945 | $ | 368,886 | $ | 333,254 | ||||||
| Assumed premium | 3,570 | 6,550 | 8,035 | |||||||||
| Ceded premium | (54,378 | ) | (47,146 | ) | (41,700 | ) | ||||||
| Total net premiums earned | $ | 351,137 | $ | 328,290 | $ | 299,589 | ||||||
Net premiums earned for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $22,847, or 7.0%, to $351,137, compared to $328,290 for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Net premiums earned for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $28,701, or 9.6%, to $328,290, compared to $299,589 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Net premiums earned: | ||||||||||||
| Private passenger auto | $ | 83,360 | $ | 77,605 | $ | 72,533 | ||||||
| Non-standard auto | 87,760 | 66,911 | 58,585 | |||||||||
| Home and farm | 83,389 | 78,381 | 73,792 | |||||||||
| Crop | 25,817 | 34,721 | 26,848 | |||||||||
| Commercial | 64,476 | 61,431 | 57,285 | |||||||||
| All other | 6,335 | 9,241 | 10,546 | |||||||||
| Total net premiums earned | $ | 351,137 | $ | 328,290 | $ | 299,589 | ||||||
Below are comments regarding significant changes in net premiums earned by business segment:
Private passenger auto – Net premiums earned for 2023 increased $5,755, or 7.4%, from 2022. This increase was driven by significant rate increases in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska, partially offset by lower new business production as a result of underwriting actions taken to improve profitability.
Non-standard auto – Net premiums earned for 2023 increased $20,849, or 31.2%, from 2022. This increase was driven by new business growth, improved retention, and significant rate increases in the Chicago market where our non-standard auto business is concentrated.
Home and farm – Net premiums earned for 2023 increased $5,008, or 6.4%, from 2022. This increase was driven by rate increases along with increased insured property values, which were primarily the result of higher inflationary factors. These premium increases were partially offset by lower levels of new business production as a result of underwriting actions taken to improve profitability.
Crop – Net premiums earned for 2023 decreased $8,904, or 25.6%, from 2022. This decrease was driven by lower commodity prices and lower muti-peril crop insurance rates, combined with fewer acres insured in the current year. In addition, the strong multi-peril crop results for the current year resulted in higher ceded premiums as required by the SRA.
Commercial – Net premiums earned for 2023 increased $3,045, or 5.0%, from 2022. This increase was driven by prior period new business growth, increased insured values which were primarily the result of higher inflationary factors, and continued increases in rate, partially offset by higher ceded premiums and the impact of underwriting actions taken to improve profitability.
All other – Net premiums earned for 2023 decreased $2,906, or 31.4%, from 2022. This decrease was driven by the decision to non-renew our participation in an assumed domestic and international reinsurance pool of business as of January 1, 2022.
32
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Direct losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 293,978 | $ | 333,397 | $ | 280,998 | ||||||
| Assumed losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,140 | 2,369 | 6,899 | |||||||||
| Ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses | (50,706 | ) | (41,334 | ) | (71,518 | ) | ||||||
| Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 244,412 | $ | 294,432 | $ | 216,379 | ||||||
The Company’s net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $50,020, or 17.0%, to $244,412, compared to $294,432 for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company’s net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $78,053, or 36.1%, to $294,432, compared to $216,379 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Private passenger auto | $ | 60,204 | $ | 65,420 | $ | 59,721 | ||||||
| Non-standard auto | 63,041 | 39,400 | 34,453 | |||||||||
| Home and farm | 50,935 | 107,823 | 52,145 | |||||||||
| Crop | 10,793 | 19,418 | 27,831 | |||||||||
| Commercial | 58,745 | 57,216 | 34,779 | |||||||||
| All other | 694 | 5,155 | 7,450 | |||||||||
| Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 244,412 | $ | 294,432 | $ | 216,379 | ||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio: | ||||||||||||
| Private passenger auto | 72.2% | 84.3% | 82.3% | |||||||||
| Non-standard auto | 71.8% | 58.9% | 58.8% | |||||||||
| Home and farm | 61.1% | 137.6% | 70.7% | |||||||||
| Crop | 41.8% | 55.9% | 103.7% | |||||||||
| Commercial | 91.1% | 93.1% | 60.7% | |||||||||
| All other | 11.0% | 55.8% | 70.6% | |||||||||
| Total loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio | 69.6% | 89.7% | 72.2% | |||||||||
Below are comments regarding significant changes in net losses and loss adjustment expenses, and the net loss and loss adjustment expenses ratios by business segment:
Private passenger auto – The net loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio decreased 12.1 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. This decrease was the result of recent significant rate increases, lower loss frequency in the current year, and favorable prior year reserve development, partially offset by elevated loss costs due to continued high levels of inflation.
Non-standard auto – The net loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio increased 12.9 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. This increase was driven by elevated loss severity as a result of inflationary factors as well as unfavorable prior year loss reserve development, partially offset by recent significant rate increases. We continue to take significant rate and underwriting actions as a result of these elevated losses and challenging market conditions.
Home and farm – The net loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio decreased 76.5 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. This decrease was driven by the much-improved loss experience as a result of having no catastrophe losses during 2023 compared to 2022, combined with improved non-catastrophe weather losses and the significant rate increases and underwriting actions we have implemented to address the profitability on these lines of business. Catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, for the Home and Farm segment accounted for 72.1 percentage points of the net loss and loss adjustment expense ratio for the year ended December 31, 2022.
33
Crop – The net loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio decreased 14.1 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. This decrease was due to improved crop growing conditions in 2023 in comparison to 2022.
Commercial – The net loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio decreased 2.0 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. This decrease was driven by higher ceded losses in the current year, partially offset by higher levels of unfavorable prior year reserve development and elevated loss severity in the current year. We continue to take significant rate and underwriting actions to improve the segment’s profitability.
All other – The net loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio decreased 44.8 percentage points in 2023 compared to 2022. This decrease was driven by improved loss experience related to the excess liability lines of business.
Underwriting and General Expenses and Expense Ratio
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Underwriting and general expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | $ | 82,991 | $ | 66,803 | $ | 64,574 | ||||||
| Other underwriting and general expenses | 35,799 | 32,231 | 31,715 | |||||||||
| Total underwriting and general expenses | $ | 118,790 | $ | 99,034 | $ | 96,289 | ||||||
| Expense ratio | 33.8% | 30.2% | 32.1% | |||||||||
The expense ratio is calculated by dividing other underwriting and general expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs by net premiums earned. The expense ratio measures a company’s operational efficiency in producing, underwriting, and administering its insurance business. The overall expense ratio increased 3.6 percentage points in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs was driven by higher deferrable costs resulting from overall premium growth compared to the prior year, including significant growth in the non-standard auto segment which generally pays higher agent commissions than our other segments. The increase in other underwriting and general expenses was due to the impact of continued high levels of inflation and 2022 expenses being favorably impacted by multi-peril crop insurance final settlements.
34
Underwriting Gain (Loss) and Combined Ratio
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Underwriting gain (loss): | ||||||||||||
| Private passenger auto | $ | (1,341 | ) | $ | (9,416 | ) | $ | (7,704 | ) | |||
| Non-standard auto | (12,654 | ) | 622 | 1,362 | ||||||||
| Home and farm | 7,752 | (52,512 | ) | (475 | ) | |||||||
| Crop | 8,762 | 12,294 | (9,195 | ) | ||||||||
| Commercial | (18,576 | ) | (17,958 | ) | 2,506 | |||||||
| All other | 3,992 | 1,794 | 427 | |||||||||
| Total underwriting loss | $ | (12,065 | ) | $ | (65,176 | ) | $ | (13,079 | ) | |||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Combined ratio: | ||||||||||||
| Private passenger auto | 101.6% | 112.1% | 110.6% | |||||||||
| Non-standard auto | 114.4% | 99.1% | 97.7% | |||||||||
| Home and farm | 90.7% | 167.0% | 100.7% | |||||||||
| Crop | 66.1% | 64.6% | 134.3% | |||||||||
| Commercial | 128.8% | 129.2% | 95.6% | |||||||||
| All other | 37.0% | 80.6% | 95.9% | |||||||||
| Total combined ratio | 103.4% | 119.9% | 104.3% | |||||||||
Underwriting gain (loss) measures the pre-tax profitability of our insurance operations. It is derived by subtracting losses and loss adjustment expenses, amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, and other underwriting and general expenses from net premiums earned. The combined ratio represents the sum of these losses and expenses as a percentage of net premiums earned and measures our overall underwriting profit.
The total underwriting loss decreased $53,111, or 81.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. These results were driven by the factors discussed in the Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses section above.
The overall combined ratio decreased 16.5 percentage points in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. These results were driven by the factors discussed in the Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses section above.
Fee and Other Income
We had fee and other income of $1,978 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1,453 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and $1,775 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Fee income is largely attributable to the non-standard auto segment and is a key component in measuring its profitability. Fee and other income for non-standard auto increased to $1,293 for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $831 for the year ended December 31, 2022, due to an increase in policies that generate fee income.
Goodwill Impairment Charge
We had a goodwill impairment charge of $6,756 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $0 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. See Part II, Item 8, Note 10 “Goodwill and Other Intangibles” for additional information.
35
Net Investment Income
The following table shows our average cash and invested assets, net investment income, and return on average cash and invested assets for the reported periods:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Average cash and invested assets | $ | 408,845 | $ | 455,366 | $ | 502,375 | ||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 10,456 | $ | 7,820 | $ | 7,131 | ||||||
| Gross return on average cash and invested assets | 3.4% | 2.5% | 2.1% | |||||||||
| Net return on average cash and invested assets | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% | |||||||||
Net investment income increased $2,636 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily driven by higher reinvestment rates as well as a strategic increased allocation to fixed income securities in our investment portfolio. Net investment income increased $689 for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Gross and net return on average cash and invested assets increased year-over-year, driven by the higher net investment income and a higher proportion of the equity portfolio being invested in high dividend yield equities in 2023, along with a decrease in average cash and invested assets (measured at fair value). This decrease in average cash and invested assets was driven by challenging equity market conditions, particularly during the middle and later stages of 2022, combined with investment sales as a result of an unusually high number of weather-related losses in 2022.
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
Net investment gains (losses) consisted of the following:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Gross realized gains | $ | 13,975 | $ | 7,195 | $ | 18,130 | ||||||
| Gross realized losses, excluding credit impairment losses | (1,924 | ) | (5,271 | ) | (362 | ) | ||||||
| Net realized gains | 12,051 | 1,924 | 17,768 | |||||||||
| Change in net unrealized gain on equity securities | (9,927 | ) | (15,050 | ) | (2,289 | ) | ||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | $ | 2,124 | $ | (13,126 | ) | $ | 15,479 | |||||
We had net realized gains of $12,051 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1,924 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and $17,768 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The year-to-date increase in net realized gains was primarily the result of a strategic liquidation of a portfolio of equity securities in the first quarter of 2023. The gross realized gains from the sale of these securities were largely offset by the elimination of the unrealized gain position of these securities. No credit impairment losses were reported during any of the periods presented.
We experienced a decrease in net unrealized gains on equity securities of $9,927 during the year ended December 31, 2023. The current period change in net unrealized gains on equity securities was driven by the equity portfolio liquidation noted above and the impact of changes in fair value attributable to equity market volatility. The prior year decreases were driven by the impact of changes in fair value attributable to unfavorable equity markets. We had net realized gains on the sale of equity securities of $12,633, $2,075, and $17,118 during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Our fixed income securities are classified as available for sale because we will, from time to time, execute sales of securities that are not impaired, consistent with our investment goals and policies. The fixed income portion of the portfolio experienced net unrealized gains of $10,654 during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net unrealized losses of $46,362 during the year ended December 31, 2022. The changes were primarily the result of changes in U.S. interest rates. The change in the fair value of fixed income securities is not reflected in net income; rather it is reflected as a separate component (net of income taxes) of other comprehensive income. The fixed income portfolio experienced a decrease in net unrealized gains of $9,796 during the year ended December 31, 2021.
36
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
We had a pre-tax loss of $4,263 for the year ended December 31, 2023, a pre-tax loss of $69,029 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and pre-tax income of $11,306 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The year-over-year improvement in 2023 compared to 2022 was largely attributable to the significant catastrophe losses and significantly higher investment losses during 2022, partially offset by higher unfavorable prior year reserve development during 2023.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
We recorded income tax expense of $963 for the year ended December 31, 2023, an income tax benefit of $15,254 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and income tax expense of $2,974 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our effective tax rate for 2023 was (22.6)% compared to an effective tax rate of 22.1% and 26.3% for 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our 2023 effective tax rate was impacted by several factors, but the current year non-taxable goodwill impairment charge was the most significant driver of the variance from the statutory rate. The valuation allowance against certain deferred income tax assets was $505 as of December 31, 2023 compared to $694 as of December 31, 2022.
Net Income (Loss)
We had a net loss before non-controlling interest of $5,226 for the year ended December 31, 2023, a net loss of $53,775 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and net income of $8,332 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The year-over-year improvement in 2023 compared to 2022 was largely attributable to the significant catastrophe losses and significantly higher investment losses during 2022, partially offset by higher unfavorable prior year reserve development during 2023.
Return on Average Equity
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had annualized return on average equity, after non-controlling interest, of (2.2)%, compared to annualized return on average equity, after non-controlling interest, of (17.9)% and 2.4% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Average equity is calculated as the average between beginning and ending equity, excluding non-controlling interest, for the period.
Principal Revenue Items
Revenue is primarily derived from net premiums earned, net investment income, and net investment gains (losses).
Gross and Net Premiums Written
Gross premiums written is equal to direct premiums written and assumed premiums before the effect of ceded reinsurance. Gross premiums written are recognized upon sale of new insurance contracts or renewal of existing contracts. Net premiums written is equal to gross premiums written less premiums ceded to reinsurers.
Premiums Earned
Premiums earned is the earned portion of net premiums written. Gross premiums written include all premiums recorded by an insurance company during a specified policy period. Insurance premiums on property and casualty policies are recognized in proportion to the underlying risk insured and are earned ratably over the duration of the policies or, in the case of crop insurance, over the period of risk to the Company. At the end of each accounting period, the portion of the premiums that is not yet earned is included in unearned premiums and is realized as revenue in subsequent periods over the remaining term of the policy or period of risk. Our property and casualty policies, other than some of our auto lines and the non-standard auto policies, typically have a term of twelve months.
Due to the nature of the crop planting and harvesting cycle and the deadlines for filing and processing claims under the federal crop insurance program, insurance premiums for multi-peril crop insurance are recognized and earned during the period of risk, which usually begins in spring and ends with harvest in the fall. Under the federal crop insurance program, farmers must purchase crop insurance with respect to spring planted crops by March 15. By July 15, the farmer must report the number of acres planted in each crop. On September 1, the insurer bills the farmer for the insurance premium, which is due and payable by the farmer by October 1. If the farmer does not pay the premium by such date, the insurer will charge interest at a rate of 15% because the insurer is required to pay the farmer’s portion of the premium to the FCIC by November 15, regardless of whether the farmer pays the premium to the insurer. Except for claims occurring in the spring (primarily for prevented planting and required replanting claims), claims are
37
required to be filed with the FCIC by December 15. A different cycle exists for crops planted in the fall, such as winter wheat, but the vast majority of crop insurance we write covers crops planted in the spring.
Net Investment Income and Net Investment Gains (Losses)
We invest our excess cash in fixed income and equity securities. Investment income includes interest and dividends earned on invested assets and is reported net of investment-related expenses. Net investment gains (losses) are reported separately from net investment income. We recognize realized gains when investments are sold for an amount greater than their cost or amortized cost (in the case of fixed income securities) and realized losses when investments are sold for an amount less than their cost or amortized cost or when credit impairments are recorded, as applicable. We recognize changes in unrealized gains and losses of equity securities in net income as part of net investment gains (losses). These gains and losses may be significant given the fair market value of the equity portfolio and the inherent volatility in equity markets. The changes in unrealized gains and losses on fixed income securities are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes. Therefore, these changes have no impact on net income but do impact shareholders’ equity.
The portfolio of investments for NI Holdings and its insurance subsidiaries is managed by Conning, Inc., which has discretion to buy and sell securities in accordance with the investment policy approved by our Board of Directors.
Principal Expense Items
Our expenses consist primarily of losses and loss adjustment expenses, amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, other underwriting and general expenses, and income taxes.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses represent the largest expense item and include (1) claim payments made, (2) estimates for future claim payments and changes in those estimates from prior periods, and (3) costs associated with investigating, defending, and adjusting claims, including legal fees.
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting and General Expenses
Expenses incurred to underwrite risks are referred to as policy acquisition costs. Policy acquisition costs consist of commission expenses, state premium taxes, and certain other underwriting expenses that vary with and are primarily related to the writing and acquisition of new and renewal business. These policy acquisition costs are deferred and amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies. Other underwriting and general expenses consist of salaries, professional fees, office supplies, depreciation, and all other operating expenses not otherwise classified separately.
Income Taxes
Current income taxes represent amounts paid or owed to the federal government and certain states whose payment is based upon net income (subject to regulatory adjustments) generated by the Company. The generation of net losses may result in income tax benefits. As noted above, it does not include state premium taxes that are based purely on the collection of policyholder premiums.
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. Deferred income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the income tax bases of its assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period of the enactment date. Total income taxes reflect both current income taxes and the change in the net deferred income tax asset or liability, excluding amounts attributed to accumulated other comprehensive income.
Critical Accounting Policies
General
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires both the use of estimates and judgment relative to the application of appropriate accounting policies. We are required to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and related footnotes. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis based on historical developments, market conditions, industry trends, and other information that we believe to be
38
reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will conform to these estimates and assumptions and that reported results of operations would not be materially adversely affected by the need to make accounting adjustments to reflect changes in these estimates and assumptions from time to time. We believe the following policies are the most sensitive to estimates and judgments.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
How reserves are established
With respect to our traditional property and casualty insurance products, we maintain reserves for the payment of claims (indemnity losses) and expenses related to adjusting those claims (loss adjustment expenses). Our liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses consists of (1) case reserves, which are reserves for claims that have been reported to us, and (2) IBNR, which represents reserves for claims that have been incurred but have not yet been reported and for the future development of reported claims. As some claims may not be reported for several years, the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses includes significant estimates for IBNR.
Loss adjustment expenses consist of two components – allocated loss adjustment expenses and unallocated loss adjustment expenses. Allocated loss adjustment expenses are defense and cost containment expenses, including legal fees, court costs, and investigation fees, which are linked to the settlement of specific individual claims or losses. Unallocated loss adjustment expenses are expenses that generally cannot be associated with a specific claim, including internal costs such as salaries and other overhead costs, and also represent estimates of future costs to administer claims.
When a claim is reported to one of the insurance companies, its claims personnel establish a case reserve for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment to the extent it can be determined or estimated. The amount of the loss reserve for the reported claim is based primarily upon an evaluation of coverage, liability, damages suffered, and any other information considered pertinent to estimating the exposure presented by the claim. Each claim is contested or settled individually based upon its merits, and some property and casualty claims may take years to resolve, especially in situations where legal action may be involved. Case reserves are reviewed on a regular basis and are updated as new information becomes available.
When a catastrophe occurs, which in our case usually involves the weather perils of wind and hail, we utilize mapping technology through geographic coding of our property risks to overlay the path of the storm. This enables us to establish estimated damage amounts based on the wind speed and size of the hail for case or per claim loss amounts. This process allows us to determine within a reasonable time (5 – 7 days) an estimated number of claims and estimated losses from the storm. We have also begun reviewing the results of the predicted cost of the claim generated by the catastrophe models as a reasonability check on the anticipated cost of the storm. If we estimate the damages to be in excess of the retained catastrophe amount, reinsurers are notified immediately of a potential loss so that we can quickly recover reinsurance payments once the retention is exceeded.
We estimate multi-peril crop insurance losses on a quarterly basis based upon historical loss patterns, current crop conditions, current weather patterns, and input from crop loss adjusters. These estimates have proven to be reasonably accurate indicators of our anticipated losses for this line of business.
Our actuaries assist with the estimation of the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. The actuaries prepare estimates by first deriving an actuarially based estimate of the ultimate cost of total losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred as of the financial statement date based on established actuarial methods as described below. We then reduce the estimated ultimate loss and loss adjustment expenses by loss and loss adjustment expenses payments and case reserves carried as of the financial statement date. The actuarially determined estimate is based upon indications from various actuarial methodologies including paid chain-ladder, incurred chain-ladder, Bornhuetter-Ferguson, weighted averages of the methods, and judgment. The specific method used to estimate the ultimate losses varies depending on the judgment of the actuaries as to what is the most appropriate for the line of business. Management reviews these estimates and supplements the actuarial analysis with information not fully incorporated into the actuarially based estimate, such as changes in the external business environment and internal company processes. Management may adjust the actuarial estimates based on this supplemental information in order to arrive at the amount recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
A further discussion of the actuarial methodologies used follows:
Bornhuetter-Ferguson Method — The Bornhuetter-Ferguson Method is a blended method that explicitly considers both actual loss development to date and expected future loss emergence. This method is applied on both a paid loss basis and an incurred loss basis. This method uses selected loss development patterns to calculate the expected percentage of losses unpaid (or unreported). The expected future loss component of the method is calculated by multiplying earned premium for the given exposure period by a selected a priori (i.e. deductive) loss ratio. The resulting dollars are then multiplied by the expected percentage of unpaid (or
39
unreported) losses described above. This provides an estimate of future paid (or reported) losses that is then added to actual paid (or incurred) loss data to produce the estimated ultimate loss.
Paid and Case Incurred Loss Development (Chain-Ladder) Method — The Paid and Case Incurred Loss Development Method utilizes ratios of cumulative paid or case incurred losses or loss adjustment expenses at each age of development as a percent of the preceding development age. Selected ratios are then multiplied together to produce a set of loss development factors which when applied to the most current data value, by accident year, develop the estimated ultimate losses or loss adjustment expenses. Ultimate losses or loss adjustment expenses are then selected for each accident year from the various methods employed.
Ratio of Paid Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses to Paid Loss Method — The Ratio of Paid Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses to Paid Loss Method utilizes the ratio of paid allocated loss adjustment expenses to paid losses and is similar to the Paid and Case Incurred Loss Development (Chain-Ladder) Method described above, except that the data projected are the ratios of paid allocated loss adjustment expenses to paid losses. The projected ultimate ratio is then multiplied by the selected ultimate losses, by accident year, to yield the ultimate allocated loss adjustment expenses. Allocated loss adjustment expenses reserves are calculated by subtracting paid losses from ultimate allocated loss adjustment expenses.
The process of estimating loss reserves involves a high degree of judgment and is subject to a number of variables. These variables can be affected by both internal and external events, such as changes in claims handling procedures/staffing, inflation, weather, legal trends, and regulatory and legislative changes. The impact of many of these items on ultimate costs for losses and loss adjustment expenses is difficult to estimate. Loss reserve estimation is also affected by the volume of claims, the potential severity of individual claims, the determination of occurrence date for a claim, and reporting lags (the time between the occurrence of the policyholder event and when it is actually reported to the insurer). Informed judgment is applied throughout the process, including the application of various individual experiences and expertise to multiple sets of data and analyses. We continually refine our estimates of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses in a regular ongoing process as historical loss experience develops and additional claims are reported and settled. We consider all significant facts and circumstances known at the time the liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are established.
There is an inherent amount of uncertainty in the establishment of liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. This uncertainty is greatest in the current and most recent accident years due to the more recent nature of the claims being reported and relatively small percentage of these claims that have been reported, investigated, and adjusted by our claims staff. Therefore, the reserves carried in these more recent accident years are generally more conservative than those carried for older accident years. As we have the opportunity to investigate and adjust the reported claims, both the case and IBNR reserves are adjusted to more closely reflect the ultimate expected loss.
Other factors that may have an impact on our case and IBNR reserves include, but are not limited to, those described below.
Changes in liability law and public attitudes regarding damage awards
Laws governing liability claims and judicial interpretations thereof can change over time, which can expand the scope of coverage anticipated by insurers when initially establishing reserves for claims. In addition, public attitudes regarding damage awards can result in judges and juries granting higher recoveries for damages than expected by claims personnel when reserves are established. In addition, these changes can result in both increased claim frequency and severity as both plaintiffs and their legal counsel perceive the opportunity for higher damage awards. Reserves established for claims that occurred in prior years would not have anticipated these legal changes and, therefore, could prove to be inadequate for the ultimate losses paid by the Company, causing us to experience adverse development and higher loss payments in future years.
Change in claims handling and/or setting case reserves
Changes in Company personnel and/or the approach to how claims are reported, adjusted, and reserved may affect the reserves we establish. As discussed above, the setting of IBNR reserves is not an exact science and involves the expert judgment of an actuary. One actuary’s reserve opinion may differ slightly from another actuary’s opinion. This is the primary reason why the IBNR reserve estimate is customarily reported as a range by a company’s actuary, which provides a company with an acceptable range to use in establishing its best estimate for IBNR reserves.
Economic inflation
A sudden and extreme increase in the economic inflation rate could have a significant impact on our case and IBNR reserves. When establishing case reserves, claims personnel generally establish an amount that in their opinion will provide a conservative amount to settle the loss. If the time to settle the claim extends over a period of years, which is possible but unlikely as we usually settle claims in less than 50 days on average, the initial reserve may not anticipate an economic inflation rate that is significantly higher than the
40
current inflation rate. This can also apply to IBNR reserves. Should the economic inflation rate increase significantly, we may not anticipate the need to adjust the IBNR reserves accordingly, which could lead to deficient IBNR reserves.
Increases or decreases in claim severity for reasons other than inflation
Factors exist that can drive the cost to settle claims for reasons other than standard inflation. For example, demand surge caused by a significant catastrophe, such as a hurricane, has an impact on not only the availability and cost of building materials such as roofing and other materials, but also the availability and cost of labor. Numerous other factors could also cause claim severity to increase beyond what our historic reserves would reflect. In addition, unexpected increases in labor, healthcare, or building material costs and other factors may cause fluctuations in the ultimate development of the case reserves.
Actual settlement experience different from historical data trends
When establishing IBNR reserves, our actuaries consider many of the factors discussed above. One of the more important factors that is considered when setting reserves is the past or historical claim settlement experience. Our actuaries consider factors such as the number of files entering litigation, payment patterns, length of time it takes our claims personnel to settle the claims, and average payment amounts when estimating reserve amounts. Should future settlement patterns change due to the legal environment, our claims handling philosophy, or personnel, it may have an impact on the future claims payments, which could cause existing reserves to either be redundant (excessive) or deficient (below) compared to the actual loss amount.
Change in Reporting Lag
As discussed above, we utilize historical patterns to provide an accurate estimate of what will take place in the future. Should we experience an unexpected delay in reporting time (claims are slower to be reported than in the past), we may underestimate the anticipated number of future claims, which could cause the ultimate loss we may experience to be underestimated. A lag in reporting may be caused by changes in how claims are reported, the types or lines of business we write, our distribution system, and the geographic area where we choose to insure risk.
Due to the inherent uncertainty underlying loss reserve estimates, final resolution of the estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses may be higher or lower than the related loss reserves at the reporting date. Therefore, actual paid losses, as claims are settled in the future, may be materially higher or lower in amount than current loss reserves. We reflect adjustments to the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses in the results of operations during the period in which the estimates are changed.
Investments
Our fixed income securities and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and carried at estimated fair value as determined by management based upon quoted market prices or a recognized independent pricing service at the reporting date for those or similar investments. Changes in unrealized investment gains or losses on the fixed income securities, net of applicable income taxes, are reflected directly in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and, accordingly, have no effect on net income (loss). Changes in unrealized investment gains or losses on equity securities are reported in net income (loss). Investment income from fixed income securities is recognized when earned, and realized investment gains (losses) are recognized when investments are sold, the fair value of equity securities change, or credit impairments are recognized.
For additional information on our investments, see Part II, Item 8, Note 4 “Investments” and Note 5 “Fair Value Measurements”.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Certain direct policy acquisition costs consisting of commissions, state premium taxes, and other direct underwriting expenses that vary with and are primarily related to the production of business are deferred and amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies as the underlying policy premiums are earned.
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and the related liability for unearned premiums were as follows:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | $ | 34,120 | $ | 29,768 | ||||
| Liability for unearned premiums | 164,100 | 148,513 | ||||||
The method followed in computing DAC limits the amount of deferred costs to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses and loss adjustment expenses, and certain other costs expected to be
41
incurred as the premium is earned. Future changes in estimates, the most significant of which is expected losses and loss adjustment expenses, may require adjustments to DAC. If the estimation of net realizable value indicates that DAC are not recoverable, they would be written off or a premium deficiency reserve would be established.
Income Taxes
Current income taxes represent amounts paid or owed to the federal government and certain states whose payment is based upon net income (subject to regulatory adjustments) generated by the Company. The generation of net losses may result in income tax benefits, a portion of which may be in the form of refunds of prior income taxes paid to taxing authorities. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. Deferred income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the income tax bases of our assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized. Total income taxes reflect both current income taxes and the change in the net deferred income tax asset or liability, excluding amounts attributed to accumulated other comprehensive income.
We had gross deferred income tax assets of $18,172 at December 31, 2023, and $17,900 at December 31, 2022, arising primarily from unearned premiums, loss reserve discounting, net unrealized investment losses, and net operating loss carryforwards. A valuation allowance is required to be established for any portion of the deferred income tax asset for which we believe it is more likely than not that it will not be realized. A valuation allowance of $505 and $694 was maintained at December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.
We had gross deferred income tax liabilities of $9,254 at December 31, 2023, and $8,201 at December 31, 2022, arising primarily from deferred policy acquisition costs and other intangible assets.
We exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting income tax liabilities and assets. These judgments require us to make projections of future taxable income. The judgments and estimates we make in determining our deferred income tax assets, which are inherently subjective, are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require us to record a valuation allowance against our deferred income tax assets.
As of December 31, 2023, we had no material unrecognized income tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties. Federal income tax returns for the years 2020 through 2022 are open for examination.
Changing Climate Conditions
Longer-term natural catastrophe trends may be changing, and new types of catastrophe losses may be developing due to climate change, a phenomenon that has been associated with extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures, and includes effects on global weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain, hail, and snow. The frequency, number, and severity of these losses are unpredictable. The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Our ability to effectively manage catastrophe risk is dependent, in part, on our reliance on various catastrophe models, which may produce unreliable output as a result of inaccurate or incomplete data, along with the inherent uncertainty of future frequency and severity of losses. The impact of changing climate conditions on the overall insurance industry may also materially affect the availability and cost of reinsurance to us. In addition, these changes could impact the creditworthiness of issuers of securities in which we invest, subjecting our investment portfolio to increased credit and interest rate risk, with the potential for reduced investment returns and/or material realized or unrealized losses.
42
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We expect to generate sufficient funds from our operations and maintain a high degree of liquidity in our investment portfolio to meet the demands of claim settlements and operating expenses for the foreseeable future. Our primary sources of funds are premium collections, investment earnings, and fixed income maturities.
We also have a $3,000 line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The terms of the line of credit include a floating interest rate of 2.50% above the daily simple secured overnight financing rate. There were no outstanding amounts during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, or 2021. This line of credit is scheduled to expire on December 13, 2024.
The changes in cash and cash equivalents for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | $ | 25,970 | $ | (30,388 | ) | $ | 29,168 | |||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | (8,813 | ) | 25,048 | (48,151 | ) | |||||||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | (7,466 | ) | (18,281 | ) | (11,471 | ) | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 9,691 | $ | (23,621 | ) | $ | (30,454 | ) | ||||
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $25,970 compared to $30,388 net cash used by operating activities a year ago. This change was primarily driven by lower claim payments and the receipt of a significant income tax refund during the current period.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used by investing activities totaled $8,813 compared to $25,048 net cash provided by investing activities a year ago. This change was primarily attributable to a decrease in maturities and sales of fixed income securities and an increase in purchases of fixed income securities in the current year compared to the prior year, partially offset by an increase in sales of equity securities and a decrease in purchases of equity securities.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used by financing activities totaled $7,466 compared to $18,281 a year ago. This decrease in cash used was attributable to installment payments on the Westminster consideration payable during 2022, partially offset by an increase in share repurchases during 2023 compared to 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash used by operating activities totaled $30,388 compared to $29,168 net cash provided by operating activities a year ago. This decrease was primarily driven by higher claim payments related to catastrophe losses during the current year and higher levels of premiums and agents’ balances receivable and federal income tax recoverable.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash provided by investing activities totaled $25,048 compared to $48,151 net cash used by investing activities a year ago. This decrease in cash used was attributable to the significant catastrophe losses in Nebraska and South Dakota, which resulted in more sales of securities to pay losses and less available cash for investment purchases. The decrease was also attributable to the Company investing a higher level of excess cash during the first quarter of 2021.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash used by financing activities totaled $18,281 compared to $11,471 a year ago. This increase in cash used was primarily attributable to the Company making two installment payments for the Westminster purchase during 2022 for $13,333 compared to one installment payment in 2021 for $6,667.
As a holding company, a principal source of long-term liquidity will be dividend payments from our directly-owned subsidiaries.
Nodak Insurance is restricted by the insurance laws of North Dakota as to the amount of dividends or other distributions it may pay to NI Holdings. North Dakota law sets the maximum amount of dividends that may be paid by Nodak Insurance during any twelve-month period after notice to, but without prior approval of, the North Dakota Insurance Department. This amount cannot exceed the lesser of (i) 10% of the Company’s surplus as regards policyholders as of the preceding December 31, or (ii) the Company’s statutory net income for the preceding calendar year (excluding realized investment gains), less any prior dividends paid during such twelve-month period. In addition, any insurance company other than a life insurance company may carry forward net income from the preceding two calendar years, not including realized investment gains, less any dividends actually paid during those two calendar years. Dividends in excess of this amount are considered “extraordinary” and are subject to the approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department.
There is no amount available for payment of dividends from Nodak Insurance to NI Holdings during 2024 without the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department. Prior to its payment of any dividend, Nodak Insurance will be required to provide notice of the dividend to the North Dakota Insurance Department. This notice must be provided to the North Dakota Insurance Department
43
30 days prior to the payment of an extraordinary dividend and 10 days prior to the payment of an ordinary dividend. The North Dakota Insurance Department has the power to limit or prohibit dividend payments if an insurance company is in violation of any law or regulation. These restrictions or any subsequently imposed restrictions may affect our future liquidity. The Nodak Insurance Board of Directors declared and paid dividends of $3,000 to NI Holdings during the year ended December 31, 2022. No dividends were declared or paid by Nodak Insurance during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021.
Direct Auto re-domesticated from Illinois to North Dakota during 2021 and is now subject to the same dividend restrictions as Nodak Insurance. The amount available for payment of dividends from Direct Auto to NI Holdings during 2024 without the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department is approximately $90 as of December 31, 2023. No dividends were declared or paid by Direct Auto during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, or 2021.
Westminster re-domesticated from Maryland to North Dakota during 2021 and is now subject to the same dividend restrictions as Nodak Insurance. The amount available for payment of dividends from Westminster to NI Holdings during 2024 without the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department is approximately $1,200 as of December 31, 2023. No dividends were declared or paid by Westminster during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021.
Contractual Obligations
The primary contractual obligations of the Company include gross loss and loss adjustment expenses payments as well as operating and finance lease obligations.
The Company’s unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses were $217,119 as of December 31, 2023. Historical payment experience indicates that approximately 48% of this amount will be paid during 2024 and another 36% will be paid over the subsequent two years. The actual timing and amounts of these payments in the future may vary.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Part II, Item 8, Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements”.
44
| Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that a company will incur losses due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. We have exposure to three principal types of market risk through our investment activities: interest rate risk, credit risk, and equity risk. Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates. We have not entered, and do not plan to enter, into any derivative financial instruments for hedging, trading, or speculative purposes.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that a company will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. Our exposure to interest rate changes primarily results from our significant holdings of fixed income securities. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the fair value of these securities.
We develop our investment strategies based on a number of factors, including estimated duration of reserve liabilities, short and long-term liquidity needs, general economic conditions, expected rates of inflation and regulatory requirements. The portfolio duration of the fixed income securities in our investment portfolio at December 31, 2023 was 4.52 years. These fixed income securities include U.S. government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, obligations of state and local governments and governmental authorities, and corporate bonds, most of which are exposed to changes in prevailing interest rates. These fixed income securities may experience significant fluctuations in fair value resulting from changes in interest rates and are carried as available for sale. We manage the exposure to risks associated with interest rate fluctuations through active management and consultation with our outside fixed income portfolio manager.
Higher interest rates, oftentimes correlated to inflation, reduce the carrying value of our fixed income and short-term investments, negatively impacting the Company’s book value in the short-term. Over the long-term, however, higher interest rates provide an incremental benefit to our net investment income over time as excess cash and proceeds of maturing bonds are reinvested at higher rates. We manage our exposure to interest rate increases by monitoring the duration within our investment portfolio and maintaining maturities that minimize forced sales within the portfolio.
Additionally, we hold certain fixed income securities that have call features. In a potential declining interest rate environment, these securities may be called by their issuer and replaced with securities bearing lower interest rates.
If we are required to sell fixed income securities in a rising interest rate environment, we may recognize investment losses.
The table below shows the interest rate sensitivity of our fixed income securities measured in terms of fair value (which is equal to the carrying value for all of our investment securities that are subject to interest rate changes) at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| As of December 31, 2023 | As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Hypothetical Change in Interest Rate | Estimated Change in Fair Value | Fair Value | Estimated Change in Fair Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
| 200 basis point increase | $ | (31,125 | ) | $ | 316,606 | $ | (26,433 | ) | $ | 276,891 | ||||||
| 100 basis point increase | (15,826 | ) | 331,905 | (13,504 | ) | 289,820 | ||||||||||
| No change | — | 347,731 | — | 303,324 | ||||||||||||
| 100 basis point decrease | 16,199 | 363,930 | 13,986 | 317,310 | ||||||||||||
| 200 basis point decrease | 32,572 | 380,303 | 28,347 | 331,671 | ||||||||||||
The interest rate exposure of our portfolio was proportionately consistent in the current year compared to the prior year, which is expected given the generally consistent composition and duration of the fixed income portfolio over this time.
45
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the potential economic loss principally arising from adverse changes in the financial condition of a specific debt issuer. We address this risk by investing primarily in fixed income securities that are rated investment grade by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. or an equivalent rating quality. We also work in conjunction with our outside fixed income portfolio manager to monitor the financial condition of all of the issuers of fixed income securities in the portfolio. Additionally, our investment policy includes diversification rules that limit the credit exposure to any single issuer or asset class.
Equity Risk
Equity price risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in equity prices. Our equity portfolio is subject to a variety of risk factors, including general economic conditions which influence the performance of the underlying industries and companies within those industries. Industry and company-specific risks also have the potential to substantially affect the value of our portfolio. Our investment policy helps mitigate these risks by diversifying the portfolio and establishing parameters to help manage exposures.
46
| Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of NI Holdings, Inc.
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NI Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023, and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and the schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023, and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
47
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Evaluation of Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Reserves
Critical Audit Matter Description
On December 31, 2023, the Company’s liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses was approximately $217 million. As described in Note 3 and 8, the Company’s property and casualty insurance loss and loss expenses reserves (referred to as “losses and loss expenses reserves”), are determined by the Company using actuarial methods, models, assumptions, and judgment to estimate the reserves required to pay for and settle all outstanding insured claims as of the financial statement date. There is significant uncertainty inherent in determining management’s best estimate of the losses and loss expenses reserves, requiring the use of informed actuarially based estimates and management’s judgment. The actuarial estimate of losses and loss expenses reserves is subject to review and adjustment by Company management.
Losses and loss expenses are inherently uncertain as to timing and amount and the recorded losses and loss expense reserves may vary materially from the actual ultimate cost of claims. Given the subjectivity in estimating ultimate losses and loss expenses, due to uncertainties concerning the future emergence of losses and loss expenses, inflation trends, and the judicial environment, among other factors, auditing losses and loss expenses reserves involved an especially high degree of auditor judgment, including the need to involve an actuarial specialist.
How the Critical Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s reserving process for losses and loss adjustment expenses reserves.
To test the Company’s estimate of losses and loss adjustment expenses reserves, our audit procedures included among others:
| ● | With the assistance of the actuarial specialist, we used the Company’s claims data and other inputs, to develop a range of independent estimates for the losses and loss expenses reserves. We used these independent estimates to assess the reasonableness of the Company’s reserves by comparing our estimates to the Company’s recorded losses and loss expenses reserves. |
| ● | We tested the underlying data that served as the basis for the actuarial analysis, including historical claims data, to test the reasonableness of key inputs to the actuarial estimate. |
| ● | We compared the Company’s prior years estimates of expected incurred losses to actual experience during the current year to identify potential bias in the determination of losses and loss expenses reserves. |
/s/
PCAOB ID
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.
March 15, 2024
48
NI Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2023 and 2022
(dollar amounts in thousands, except par value)
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fixed income securities, at fair value (net of allowance for expected credit losses of $ | ||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value | ||||||||
| Other investments | ||||||||
| Total cash and investments | ||||||||
| Premiums and agents' balances receivable (net of allowance for expected credit losses of $ | ||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||
| Reinsurance premiums receivable | ||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverables on losses (net of allowance for expected credit losses of $ | ||||||||
| Income tax recoverable | ||||||||
| Accrued investment income | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ||||||||
| Receivable from Federal Crop Insurance Corporation | ||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Unearned premiums | ||||||||
| Income tax payable | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Common stock, $ | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Treasury stock, at cost, 2023 – | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Non-controlling interest | ||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
49
NI Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
(dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Fee and other income | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income | ||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | ||||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||
| Other underwriting and general expenses | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment charge | ||||||||||||
| Total expenses | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Earnings (loss) per common share: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Share data: | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding used in basic per common share calculations | ||||||||||||
| Plus: Dilutive securities | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares used in diluted per common share calculations | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
50
NI Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
(dollar amounts in thousands)
| 2023 | ||||||||||||
Attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | Attributable to Non-Controlling | Total | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes: | ||||||||||||
| Holding gains (losses) on investments | ||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for net realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss) | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes | ||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | ||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||
Attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | Attributable to Non-Controlling | Total | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes: | ||||||||||||
| Holding gains (losses) on investments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for net realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss) | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||
Attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | Attributable to Non-Controlling | Total | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes: | ||||||||||||
| Holding gains (losses) on investments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for net realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
51
NI Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
(dollar amounts in thousands)
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan Shares | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Income Taxes | Treasury Stock | Non- Controlling Interest | Total Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of vested award shares | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution of employee stock ownership plan shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of vested award shares | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution of employee stock ownership plan shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of vested award shares | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution of employee stock ownership plan shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
52
NI Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
(dollar amounts in thousands)
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
| Net investment losses (gains) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Depreciation of property and equipment | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment charge | ||||||||||||
| Distribution of employee stock ownership plan shares | ||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||
| Deferral of policy acquisition costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net amortization of premiums and discounts on investments | ||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
| Premiums and agents’ balances receivable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Reinsurance premiums receivable / payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverables on losses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Income tax recoverable / payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Accrued investment income | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Federal Crop Insurance Corporation receivable / payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | ||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from maturities and sales of fixed income securities | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of equity securities | ||||||||||||
| Purchases of fixed income securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Purchases of equity securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from sales of property and equipment | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of other investments and other | ||||||||||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||
| Purchases of treasury stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Installment payment on Westminster consideration payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Principal repayments of finance leases | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Issuance of vested award shares | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Federal and state income taxes paid (net of refunds received) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
53
NI Holdings, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2023, 2021, and 2020
(dollar amounts in thousands)
| 1. | Organization |
NI Holdings is a North Dakota business corporation
that is the stock holding company of Nodak Insurance and became such in connection with the conversion of Nodak Mutual from a mutual to
stock form of organization and the creation of a mutual holding company. The conversion was consummated on March 13, 2017. Immediately
following the conversion, all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Nodak Insurance were issued to Nodak Mutual Group, which then
contributed the shares to NI Holdings in exchange for
These consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of operations of NI Holdings and the following other entities:
Nodak Insurance Company
Nodak Insurance is the largest domestic property and casualty insurance company in North Dakota, offering private passenger auto, homeowners, farmowners, commercial multi-peril, crop hail, and Federal multi-peril crop insurance coverages through its captive agents in the state.
Nodak Agency, Inc.
Nodak Agency is an inactive shell corporation.
American West Insurance Company
American West is a property and casualty insurance company licensed in eight states in the Midwest and Western regions of the U.S. American West began writing policies in 2002 and primarily writes private passenger auto, homeowners, and farm coverages in South Dakota. American West also writes private passenger auto coverage in North Dakota, as well as crop hail and Federal multi-peril crop insurance coverages in Minnesota and South Dakota.
Primero Insurance Company
Primero is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tri-State,
Ltd. Tri-State, Ltd. is an inactive shell corporation
Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company
Battle Creek is a property and casualty insurance company writing private passenger auto, homeowners, and farm coverages solely in the state of Nebraska. Battle Creek became affiliated with Nodak Insurance in 2011, and Nodak Insurance provides underwriting, claims management, policy administration, and other administrative services to Battle Creek. Because we have concluded that we control Battle Creek, we consolidate the financial statements of Battle Creek, and Battle Creek’s policyholders’ interest in Battle Creek is reflected as a non-controlling interest in shareholders’ equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheets for NI Holdings (“Consolidated Balance Sheets”) and its net income or loss is excluded from net income or loss attributed to NI Holdings in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for NI Holdings (“Consolidated Statements of Operations”).
Direct Auto Insurance Company
Direct Auto is a property and casualty insurance company licensed in Illinois. Direct Auto began writing non-standard automobile coverage in 2007, and was acquired by NI Holdings on August 31, 2018, via a stock purchase agreement.
Westminster American Insurance Company
Westminster is a property and casualty insurance company licensed in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Westminster is headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland and underwrites commercial multi-peril insurance in the states of Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Westminster was acquired by NI Holdings on January 1, 2020, via a stock purchase agreement.
54
Nodak Insurance markets and distributes its policies through its captive agents, while all other companies utilize the independent agent distribution channel. Additionally, all of the Company’s insurance subsidiary and affiliate companies are rated “A” Excellent by AM Best, a global credit rating agency specializing in the insurance industry.
The same executive management team provides oversight and strategic direction for the entire organization. Nodak Insurance provides common product oversight, pricing practices, and underwriting standards, as well as underwriting and claims administration, to itself, American West, and Battle Creek. Primero, Direct Auto, and Westminster personnel manage the day-to-day operations of their respective companies.
| 2. | Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
Prior to December 31, 2022, we were classified as an EGC and elected to use the extended transition period for complying with certain new or revised financial accounting standards from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. However, beginning on December 31, 2022, we are no longer an EGC and are now unable to delay adoption of these new or revised accounting standards or take advantage of reduced corporate governance disclosures.
Adopted
Leases
Effective for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company
adopted the updated guidance for leases and elected to utilize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings
for the year of adoption, if necessary. Accordingly, the Company’s reporting for the comparative periods prior to adoption continue
to be presented in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with previous lease accounting guidance. The Company also elected
to apply all practical expedients applicable to the Company in the updated guidance for transition for leases in effect at adoption, including
using hindsight to determine the lease term of existing leases, the option to not reassess whether an existing contract is a lease or
contains a lease, and whether the lease is an operating or finance lease. The adoption of the updated guidance resulted in the Company
recognizing a right-of-use asset of $
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In December 2022, the Company adopted amended guidance from the FASB that applies a new credit loss model (current expected credit losses or “CECL”) for determining credit-related impairments for financial instruments measured at amortized cost and requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure or pool of exposures. The expected credit losses, and subsequent adjustments to such losses, are recorded through an allowance account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at the amount expected to be collected. The updated guidance also amends the previous other-than-temporary impairment model for available-for-sale fixed income securities by requiring the recognition of impairments relating to credit losses through an allowance account and limits the amount of credit loss to the difference between a security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. In addition, the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists.
The Company adopted the updated guidance for the year ended
December 31, 2022. The adoption of this guidance resulted in an allowance for expected credit losses of $
Income Taxes – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes
In December 2022, the Company adopted amended guidance from the FASB relating to accounting for income taxes. The modifications primarily remove or amend several exceptions contained in existing guidance to simplify income tax matters. The adoption of this guidance did not materially impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
55
Not Yet Adopted
Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures
In November 2023, the FASB issued guidance related to improving disclosures for reportable segments primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses that are provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). This guidance also requires disclosure of the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements, which is expected to result in enhanced disclosures.
Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance related to improving income tax disclosures. This guidance requires that an entity, on an annual basis, disclose additional income tax information, primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The guidance is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements, which is expected to result in enhanced disclosures.
| 3. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Consolidation
Our consolidated financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with GAAP, include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as Battle Creek, an entity we control via a surplus note agreement. We have eliminated all significant intercompany accounts and transactions in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
In preparing our consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the periods then ended. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
We make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts and disclosures we report in our consolidated financial statements. The most significant estimates relate to our reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, earned premiums for crop insurance, valuation of investments, determination of credit impairments, valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, deferred policy acquisition costs, as well as valuation and impairments of goodwill and other intangible assets. While we believe our estimates are appropriate, the ultimate amounts may differ from the estimates provided. We regularly review our methods for making these estimates as well as the continued appropriateness of the estimated amounts, and we reflect any adjustment we consider necessary in our current results of operations.
Variable-Interest Entities
Any company deemed to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) is required to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
We assess our investments in other entities at inception to determine if any meet the qualifications of a VIE. We consider an investment in another company to be a VIE if: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, (b) the characteristics of a controlling financial interest are missing (either the ability to make decisions through voting or other rights, the obligation to absorb expected losses of the entity, or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity), or (c) the voting rights of the equity holders are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity and/or the rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. Upon the occurrence of certain events, we would reassess our initial determination of whether the investment is a VIE.
We evaluate whether we are the primary beneficiary of each VIE and we consolidate the VIE if we have both (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the entity and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity. We consider the contractual agreements that define the ownership structure, distribution of profits and losses, risks,
56
responsibilities, indebtedness, voting rights, and board representation of the respective parties in determining whether we qualify as the primary beneficiary. Our assessment of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE is performed at least annually.
We control Battle Creek via a surplus note which
provides us with the ability to appoint two-thirds of the Board of Directors of Battle Creek. Under the quota share reinsurance agreement
that existed through December 31, 2019, Battle Creek’s operating results included only net investment income, bad debt expense,
and income taxes. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company implemented an intercompany pooling reinsurance agreement, and Battle Creek’s
operating results now include its participation in the underwriting results of the pool (
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash, money market accounts, and certain investments in highly liquid debt instruments. Cost approximates fair value for these short-term investments.
Investments
The Company’s fixed income securities and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and carried at estimated fair value as determined by management based upon quoted market prices or a recognized independent pricing service at the reporting date for those or similar investments. Changes in unrealized investment gains or losses on the fixed income securities, net of applicable income taxes, are reflected directly in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and, accordingly, have no effect on net income (loss). Changes in unrealized investment gains or losses on equity securities are reported in net income (loss). Investment income from fixed income securities is recognized when earned, and realized investment gains (losses) are recognized when investments are sold, the fair value of equity securities change, or credit impairments are recognized.
Fair values are based on quoted market prices or independent pricing
services, if available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount are computed using the effective interest method. Net investment income includes interest
and dividend income together with amortization of purchase premiums and discounts, and is net of investment management and custody fees.
Realized gains and losses on investments are determined using the specific identification method and are included in net investment gains
(losses), along with the change in unrealized gains and losses on equity securities. Other invested assets that do not have observable
inputs and little or no market activity are carried on a cost basis, which approximates fair value. The carrying value of these other
invested assets was $
Beginning on December 31, 2022, credit losses are recognized through an allowance account. See Part II, Item 8, Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for additional information. We, along with our investment advisors, frequently review our investment portfolio for declines in fair value that could be indicative of credit losses. The available-for-sale impairment model requires an estimate of expected credit losses only when the fair value of the available-for-sale fixed income security is below its amortized cost basis. The Company considers a number of factors when determining if an allowance for credit losses is necessary including payment and default history, credit spreads, credit ratings and rating actions, and probability of default. The Company determines the credit loss component of fixed income securities by utilizing discounted cash flow modeling to determine the present value of the security and comparing the present value with the amortized cost of the security. If the amortized cost is greater than the present value of the expected cash flows, the difference is considered a credit loss and recognized as an impairment loss in net realized investment gains (losses). Credit impairments are recognized as an allowance on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with a corresponding adjustment to earnings.
For fixed income securities that the Company does not intend to sell or for which it is more likely than not that the Company would not be required to sell before an anticipated recovery in value, the Company separates the credit loss component of the impairment from the amount related to all other factors and reports the credit loss component in net realized investment gains (losses). The impairment related to all other factors (non-credit factors) is reported in other comprehensive income. The allowance is adjusted for any additional credit losses and subsequent recoveries. Upon recognizing a credit loss, the cost basis is not adjusted.
For fixed income securities the Company intends to sell or for which it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell before an anticipated recovery in value, the full amount of the impairment is included in net investment gains (losses). The new cost basis of the investment is the previous amortized cost basis less the impairment recognized in net investment gains (losses). The new cost basis is not adjusted for any subsequent recoveries in fair value.
57
The Company reports investment income accrued separately from fixed income investments, available for sale, and has elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for investment income accrued. Investment income accrued is written off through net realized investment gains (losses) at the time the issuer of the bond defaults or is expected to default on payments.
For more information on investment valuation measurements, see Part II, Item 8, Note 5 “Fair Value Measurements”.
Revenue Recognition
We record premiums written at policy inception and recognize them as revenue on a pro rata basis over the policy term or, in the case of crop insurance, over the period of risk. The portion of premiums that could be earned in the future is deferred and reported as unearned premiums. When policies lapse, the Company reverses the unearned portion of the written premium and removes the applicable unearned premium. Policy-related fee income is recognized when collected.
The period of risk for our crop insurance program, which is comprised of primarily spring-planted crops, typically runs from April 1 (the approximate time when farmers can begin to work their fields) through December 15 (last date claims can be made for the most recent planting season).
Premiums and Agents’ Balances Receivable
Premiums and agents’ balances receivable include both direct and agent billed premiums as well as crop notes receivable related to the multi-peril crop and crop hail insurance.
Accounts billed directly to the policyholder are provided grace payment and cancellation notice periods per state insurance regulations.
Direct Auto also provides for agency billing for a portion of their agents. Accounts billed to agents are due within 60 days of the statement date. The agent is responsible for all past due balances. As part of its agent appointment, Direct Auto requires a personal guarantee for all balances due to Direct Auto from the principal of the contracted agency.
Beginning on December 31, 2022, the premium and agents’ receivable
balances are reported net of an allowance for expected credit losses. See Part II, Item 8, Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements”
for additional information. We recognized $
Policy Acquisition Costs
We defer our policy acquisition costs, consisting primarily of commissions, premium taxes, and certain other underwriting costs, reduced by ceding commissions, which vary with and relate directly to the production of business. We amortize these deferred policy acquisition costs over the period in which we earn the premiums. The method we follow in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses and loss adjustment expenses, and certain other costs we expect to incur as we earn the premium.
Property and Equipment
We report property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is typically computed using the straight-line method based upon estimated useful lives of the assets.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimates at a given point in time of the amounts we expect to pay with respect to policyholder claims based on facts and circumstances then known. At the time of establishing our estimates, we recognize that our ultimate liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses may differ from these estimates. We base our estimates of liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses on assumptions as to future loss trends, expected claims severity, judicial theories of liability, and other factors. During the loss adjustment period, we may learn additional facts regarding certain claims, and, consequently, it often becomes necessary for us to refine and adjust our estimates of the liability. We reflect any adjustments to our liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses in our operating results in the period in which we determine the need for a
58
change in the estimates.
We maintain liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to both reported and unreported claims. We establish these liabilities for the purpose of covering the ultimate costs of settling all losses incurred through the reporting date, including investigation and litigation costs. We base the amount of our liability for reported losses primarily upon a case-by-case evaluation of the type of risk involved, knowledge of the circumstances surrounding each claim, and the insurance policy provisions relating to the type of loss our policyholder incurred. We determine the amount of our liability for unreported losses and loss adjustment expenses on the basis of historical information by line of insurance. Inflation is not explicitly selected in the loss reserve analysis. However, historical inflation is embedded in the estimated loss development factors. We closely monitor our liabilities and update them periodically using new information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques. We do not discount our liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.
Reserve estimates can change over time because of unexpected changes in assumptions related to our external environment and, to a lesser extent, assumptions as to our internal operations. Assumptions related to our external environment include the potential impact of significant changes in tort law and the legal environment which may impact liability exposure, the trends in judicial interpretations of insurance coverage and policy provisions, and the rate of loss cost inflation. Internal assumptions include consistency in the recording of premium and loss data, consistency in the recording of claims, payment and case reserving methodologies, accurate measurement of the impact of rate changes and changes in policy provisions, consistency in the quality and characteristics of business written within a given line of business, and consistency in reinsurance coverage and collectability of reinsured losses, among other items. To the extent we determine that underlying factors impacting our assumptions have changed, we attempt to make appropriate adjustments for such changes in our reserves. Accordingly, our ultimate liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses will likely differ from the amount recorded.
Income Taxes
With the exception of Battle Creek, which files a stand-alone federal income tax return, we file a consolidated federal income tax return which includes NI Holdings and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Insurance companies typically pay state premium taxes rather than state income taxes. However, Direct Auto is subject to state income taxes in the state of Illinois, in addition to state premium taxes. Additionally, NI Holdings, on a stand-alone basis, pays state income taxes to the state of North Dakota for income or losses generated as a separate financial entity. State premium taxes are included as a part of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. State income taxes are reported along with federal income taxes as income tax expense (benefit).
The Company did not have any material uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company’s policy is to recognize tax-related interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized benefits as a component of income tax expense. The Company did not recognize any tax-related interest and penalties, nor did it have any tax-related interest or penalties accrued as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
We account for deferred income taxes using the asset and liability method. The objective of the asset and liability method is to establish deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the income tax basis of our assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when we realize or settle such amounts.
We re-measure existing deferred income tax assets (including loss carryforwards) and liabilities when a change in tax rate occurs and record an offset for the net amount of the change as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations in the period of enactment. We also record any change to a previously recorded valuation allowance as a result of re-measuring existing temporary differences and loss carryforwards as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations.
The Company has elected to reclassify any tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of a change in income tax rates to retained earnings.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share are computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the same period. Unearned shares related to the Company’s ESOP are not considered outstanding until they are released and allocated to plan participants. Unearned shares related to the Company’s Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) and Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) are not considered outstanding until they are earned by award participants. See Part II, Item 8, Note 12 “Benefit Plans” and Note 18 “Share-Based Compensation”.
59
Credit Risk
Our primary investment objective is to earn competitive returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of securities. Our portfolio of fixed income securities and, to a lesser extent, short-term investments, is subject to credit risk. We define this risk as the potential loss in fair value resulting from adverse changes in the borrower’s ability to repay the debt. We manage this risk by performing an analysis of prospective investments and through regular reviews of our portfolio by our management team and investment advisors. We also limit the amount of our total investment portfolio that we invest in any one security.
Property and liability insurance coverages are marketed through captive agents in North Dakota and through independent insurance agencies located throughout all other operating areas. All business, except for the majority of Direct Auto’s business, is billed directly to the policyholders.
We maintain cash balances primarily at one bank,
which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $
Reinsurance
The Company limits the maximum net loss that can arise from large risks or risks in concentrated areas of exposure by reinsuring (ceding) certain levels of risks to reinsurers, either on an automatic basis under general reinsurance contracts known as treaties or through facultative contracts placed on substantial individual risks. Ceded reinsurance is treated as the risk and liability of the assuming companies.
The ceding of insurance does not legally discharge us from primary liability under our policies, and we must pay the loss if the reinsurer fails to meet its obligation.
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the associated claim liability. Beginning on December 31, 2022, credit losses are recognized through an allowance account developed using the CECL model. See Part II, Item 8, Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for additional information. The allowance is based upon the Company’s ongoing review of amounts outstanding, length of collection periods, changes in reinsurer credit standing, disputes, applicable coverage defenses and other relevant factors. Management has concluded that it is not necessary to record an allowance for expected credit losses related to reinsurance recoverables. All of our significant reinsurance partners are rated “A-” (Excellent) or better by AM Best, and there is no history of write-offs.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
Goodwill assets arise from business combinations and consist of the excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets may exceed their fair value.
When performing our goodwill impairment analyses, we typically first assess 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. In making our assessment, we evaluate a number of factors including operating results, key changes in the reporting unit, business plans, macroeconomic conditions, and industry considerations. Inherent uncertainties exist with respect to these factors and to our judgment in applying them when we make our assessment, and impairment of goodwill and other intangibles could result from changes in economic and operating conditions in future periods. We may also choose to bypass the qualitative assessment in any period for any reporting unit and proceed directly to performing the quantitative assessment.
If our qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount or we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, we will perform a quantitative assessment that compares the reporting unit’s carrying value with its estimated fair value. The determination of the fair value of our reporting units is based on a combination of a market approach that considers benchmark company market multiples, and an income approach that utilizes discounted cash flows. The cash flows used to determine fair value are dependent on a number of significant management assumptions such as our expectations of future performance and the expected future economic environment, which are partly based upon our historical experience. Our estimates are subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future results. While we believe such assumptions and estimates are reasonable, the actual results may differ materially from the projected amounts. Should the carrying value exceed the estimated fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recognized in the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total goodwill assigned to the reporting unit.
60
For the goodwill arising from the acquisition of Primero in 2014, we performed the annual qualitative assessment as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2023 and concluded there was no impairment of the goodwill. We also did not record any impairments of goodwill for this reporting unit during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021.
For the goodwill arising from the acquisition of Westminster in 2020, we determined that it was appropriate to perform a quantitative assessment during the fourth quarter of 2023. Based on our quantitative assessment as described above, we concluded that the goodwill related to Westminster was fully impaired as of December 31, 2023, primarily due to Westminster’s actual and expected future performance being well below initial projections and expectations. We did not record any impairments of goodwill for this reporting unit during the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021.
Intangible assets arising from the acquisition of Direct Auto in 2018
represent the estimated fair values of certain intangible assets, including a favorable lease contract, a state insurance license, the
value of the Direct Auto trade name, and the value of business acquired (“VOBA”). The state insurance license asset has an
indefinite life, while the Direct Auto trade name was amortized over
Other intangible assets arising from the acquisition of Westminster
represent the estimated fair values of certain intangible assets, including state insurance licenses, the value of Westminster’s
distribution network, the value of the Westminster trade name, and the VOBA. The state insurance license asset has an indefinite life,
while the distribution networks asset and Westminster trade name are being amortized over
61
| 4. | Investments |
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost or Amortized Cost | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government and agencies | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stocks | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed income securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost or Amortized Cost | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government and agencies | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stocks | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed income securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Fair Value | |||||||
| Due to mature: | ||||||||
| One year or less | $ | $ | ||||||
| After one year through five years | ||||||||
| After five years through ten years | ||||||||
| After ten years | ||||||||
| Mortgage / asset-backed securities | ||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stocks | ||||||||
| Total fixed income securities | $ | $ | ||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Fair Value | |||||||
| Due to mature: | ||||||||
| One year or less | $ | $ | ||||||
| After one year through five years | ||||||||
| After five years through ten years | ||||||||
| After ten years | ||||||||
| Mortgage / asset-backed securities | ||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stocks | ||||||||
| Total fixed income securities | $ | $ | ||||||
62
Fixed income securities with a fair value of $
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 12 Months | Greater than 12 months | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government and agencies | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stocks | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed income securities | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 12 Months | Greater than 12 months | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government and agencies | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stocks | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed income securities | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
We, along with our investment advisors, frequently review our investment portfolio for declines in fair value that could be indicative of credit losses. Beginning on December 31, 2022, credit losses are recognized through an allowance account. We consider a number of factors when determining if an allowance for credit losses is necessary, including payment and default history, credit spreads, credit ratings and rating actions, and probability of default. We determine the credit loss component of fixed income securities by utilizing discounted cash flow modeling to determine the present value of the security and comparing the present value with the amortized cost of the security. We did not recognize any credit losses for fixed income securities at the time of adoption of the new credit loss accounting standard or during the year ended December 31, 2023. Therefore, there was no beginning or ending balance of credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. See Item II, Part 8, Note 3 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for additional information.
63
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Fixed income securities | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Equity securities | ||||||||||||
| Real estate | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||
| Total gross investment income | ||||||||||||
| Investment expenses | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Gross realized gains: | ||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Equity securities | ||||||||||||
| Total gross realized gains | ||||||||||||
| Gross realized losses, excluding credit impairment losses: | ||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Equity securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total gross realized losses, excluding credit impairment losses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net realized gains | ||||||||||||
| Change in net unrealized gain on equity securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| 5. | Fair Value Measurements |
The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets to determine fair value disclosures. Investment securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record other assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. Accounting guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
| Level 1: | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. | |
| Level 2: | Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 includes fixed income securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange traded instruments. Valuation techniques include matrix pricing which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value fixed income securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices. | |
| Level 3: | Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity). |
The Company bases its fair values on 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. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy. Fair value measurements for assets where there exists limited or no observable market data and, therefore, are based primarily upon the estimates of the Company or other third-parties, are often calculated based on the characteristics of the asset, the economic and competitive environment, and other such factors. Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s
64
financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts which we could have realized in a sale transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective period-end and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of our consolidated financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each period-end. Additionally, changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future valuations.
The Company uses quoted values and other data provided by an independent pricing service in its process for determining fair values of its investments. The evaluations of such pricing services represent an exit price and a good faith opinion as to what a buyer in the marketplace would pay for a security in a current sale. This pricing service provides us with one quote per instrument. For fixed income securities that have quoted prices in active markets, market quotations are provided. For fixed income securities that do not trade on a daily basis, the independent pricing service prepares estimates of fair value using a wide array of observable inputs including relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing. The observable market inputs that the Company’s independent pricing service utilizes may include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, market bids/offers, and other reference data on markets, industry, and the economy. Additionally, the independent pricing service uses an option-adjusted spread model to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios.
Should the independent pricing service be unable to provide a fair value estimate, we would first attempt to obtain a fair value estimate from our third-party investment advisors who utilize different independent pricing services. If unsuccessful, we would attempt to obtain a non-binding fair value estimate from a number of broker-dealers and would review this estimate in conjunction with a fair value estimate reported by an independent business news service or other sources. In instances where only one broker-dealer provides a fair value for a fixed income security, we would use that estimate. In instances where the Company would be able to obtain fair value estimates from more than one broker-dealer, we would review the range of estimates and select the most appropriate value based on the facts and circumstances. Should neither the independent pricing service nor a broker-dealer provide a fair value estimate, we would develop a fair value estimate based on cash flow analyses and other valuation techniques that utilize certain unobservable inputs. Accordingly, the Company classifies such a security as a Level 3 investment.
The fair value estimates of our investments provided by the independent pricing service at each period-end were utilized, among other resources, in reaching a conclusion as to the fair value of its investments.
Management reviews the reasonableness of the pricing provided by the independent pricing service by employing various analytical procedures. We also use information from our third-party investment advisors who utilize different independent pricing services to further validate the reasonableness of the valuation of our fixed income portfolio. If, after this review, management does not believe the pricing for any security is a reasonable estimate of fair value, then it will seek to resolve the discrepancy through discussions with the independent pricing service. In its review, management did not identify any such discrepancies and no adjustments were made to the estimates provided by the independent pricing service for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, or 2021. The classification within the fair value hierarchy is then confirmed based on the final conclusions from the pricing review.
The valuation of money market accounts and equity securities are generally based on Level 1 inputs, which use the market-approach valuation technique. The valuation of certain cash equivalents and our fixed income securities generally incorporates significant Level 2 inputs using the market and income approach techniques. We may assign a lower level to inputs typically considered to be Level 2 based on our assessment of liquidity and relative level of uncertainty surrounding inputs. There were no assets or liabilities classified at Level 3 at December 31, 2023 or 2022.
65
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government and agencies | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||
| Corporate securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stock | ||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed income securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-redeemable preferred stock | ||||||||||||||||
| Total equity securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||||
| Total assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government and agencies | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||
| Corporate securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stocks | ||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed income securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-redeemable preferred stocks | ||||||||||||||||
| Total equity securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||||
| Total assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2023 or 2022.
| 6. | Reinsurance |
External Reinsurance
The Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect the effects of assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions. Assumed reinsurance refers to the acceptance of certain insurance risks that other insurance companies have underwritten. Ceded reinsurance involves transferring certain insurance risks (along with the related written and earned premiums) the Company has underwritten to other insurance companies who agree to share these risks. The primary purpose of these agreements is to protect the Company, at a cost, from losses in excess of the amount it is prepared to accept and to protect the Company’s capital. Our ceded reinsurance is placed either on an automatic basis under general reinsurance contracts known as treaties or through facultative contracts placed on substantial individual risks. These contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders.
66
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company
maintained property catastrophe reinsurance protection covering $
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company
maintained property catastrophe reinsurance protection covering $
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company
maintained property catastrophe reinsurance protection covering $
The Company experienced multiple catastrophe events
during 2022 which resulted in reinsurance recoveries of $
For 2024, the Company’s catastrophe retention and retention limit will remain consistent with the prior year, and there were no changes made to limits, retentions, or attachment points in our other reinsurance contracts.
The Company actively monitors and evaluates the financial condition of the reinsurers and develops estimates of the uncollectible amounts due from reinsurers. Beginning on December 31, 2022, credit losses are recognized through an allowance account developed using the CECL model. See Part II, Item 8, Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for additional information. Credit loss estimates are made based on periodic evaluation of balances due from reinsurers, changes in reinsurer credit standing, judgments regarding reinsurers’ solvency, known disputes, reporting characteristics of the underlying reinsured business, historical experience, current economic conditions, and the state of reinsurer relations in general. Collection risk is mitigated by entering into reinsurance arrangements only with reinsurers that have strong financial strength ratings. At December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, management has concluded that it is not necessary to record an allowance for expected credit losses related to reinsurance recoverables. All of our significant reinsurance partners are rated “A-” (Excellent) or better by AM Best, and there is no history of write-offs.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | |||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premium | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed premium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded premium | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
67
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Direct losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Assumed losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||
| Ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
If
Intercompany Reinsurance Pooling Arrangement
Effective January 1, 2020, all of our insurance subsidiary and affiliate companies entered into an intercompany reinsurance pooling agreement. This agreement was finalized, approved, and implemented during the fourth quarter of 2020, retroactive to the January 1 effective date. Nodak Insurance is the lead company of the pool, and assumes the net premiums, net losses, and underwriting expenses from each of the other five companies. Nodak Insurance then retrocedes balances back to each company, while retaining its own share of the pool’s net underwriting results, based on individual pool percentages established in the respective pooling agreement. This arrangement allows each insurance company to rely upon the capacity of the pool’s total statutory capital and surplus. As a result, they are evaluated by AM Best on a group basis and hold a single combined financial strength rating, long-term issuer credit rating, and financial size category.
| Pool Percentage | ||||
| Nodak Insurance Company | ||||
| American West Insurance Company | ||||
| Primero Insurance Company | ||||
| Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company | ||||
| Direct Auto Insurance Company | ||||
| Westminster American Insurance Company | ||||
| Total | ||||
| 7. | Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs |
Expenses directly related to successfully acquired
insurance policies, primarily commissions, premium taxes and underwriting costs, are deferred and amortized over the terms of the policies.
We update our acquisition cost assumptions periodically to reflect actual experience, and we evaluate the costs for recoverability.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Deferral of policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
68
| 8. | Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses |
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year: | ||||||||||||
| Liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverables on losses | ||||||||||||
| Net balance, beginning of year | ||||||||||||
| Incurred related to: | ||||||||||||
| Current year | ||||||||||||
| Prior years | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total incurred | ||||||||||||
| Paid related to: | ||||||||||||
| Current year | ||||||||||||
| Prior years | ||||||||||||
| Total paid | ||||||||||||
| Balance, end of year: | ||||||||||||
| Liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverables on losses | ||||||||||||
| Net balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s
incurred reported losses and loss adjustment expenses included $
Changes in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense reserves are generally the result of ongoing analysis of recent loss development trends. As additional information becomes known regarding individual claims, original estimates are increased or decreased accordingly.
The tables on the following pages present information, organized by our primary operating segments, about incurred and paid claims development as of December 31, 2023, net of reinsurance, as well as cumulative claim frequency and the total of IBNR reserves plus expected development on reported claims. The cumulative number of reported claims represents open claims, claims closed with payment, and claims closed without payment. It does not include an estimated amount for unreported claims. The number of claims is measured by claim event (such as a car accident or storm damage) and an individual claim event may result in more than one reported claim (such as a car accident with both property and liability damages). The Company considers a claim that does not result in a liability as a claim closed without payment. The segment information presented in the tables is prior to the effects of the intercompany reinsurance pooling arrangement.
69
| Private Passenger Auto | Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total IBNR Plus Expected Development on Reported Claims | Cumulative Number of Reported Claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except claim counts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
| Private Passenger Auto | Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities prior to 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
70
| Non- Standard Auto (Primero) | Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total IBNR Plus Expected Development on Reported Claims | Cumulative Number of Reported Claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except claim counts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
| Non-Standard Auto (Primero) | Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities prior to 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
71
| Non- Standard Auto (Direct Auto) | Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 (1) | 2017 (1) | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total IBNR Plus Expected Development on Reported Claims | Cumulative Number of Reported Claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except claim counts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
| Non-Standard Auto (Direct Auto) | Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 (1) | 2017 (1) | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities prior to 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
72
| Home and Farm | Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total IBNR Plus Expected Development on Reported Claims | Cumulative Number of Reported Claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except claim counts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
| Home and Farm | Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities prior to 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
73
| Crop | Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total IBNR Plus Expected Development on Reported Claims | Cumulative Number of Reported Claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except claim counts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
| Crop | Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities prior to 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
74
| Commercial (Westminster) | Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 (1) | 2017 (1) | 2018 (1) | 2019 (1) | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total IBNR Plus Expected Development on Reported Claims | Cumulative Number of Reported Claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except claim counts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
| Commercial (Westminster) | Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 (1) | 2017 (1) | 2018 (1) | 2019 (1) | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities prior to 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
75
| Commercial (non- Westminster) | Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total IBNR Plus Expected Development on Reported Claims | Cumulative Number of Reported Claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except claim counts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
| Commercial (non- Westminster) | Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2014 (1) | 2015 (1) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities prior to 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Prior years unaudited
76
| December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses: | ||||
| Private passenger auto | $ | |||
| Non-standard auto (Primero) | ||||
| Non-standard auto (Direct Auto) | ||||
| Home and farm | ||||
| Crop | ||||
| Commercial (Westminster) | ||||
| Commercial (non-Westminster) | ||||
| All other | ||||
| Total liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||
| Reinsurance recoverables on losses: | ||||
| Private passenger auto | ||||
| Non-standard auto (Primero) | ||||
| Non-standard auto (Direct Auto) | ||||
| Home and farm | ||||
| Crop | ||||
| Commercial (Westminster) | ||||
| Commercial (non-Westminster) | ||||
| All other | ||||
| Total reinsurance recoverables on losses | ||||
| Net liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | |||
| Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private Passenger Auto | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Standard Auto (Primero) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Standard Auto (Direct Auto) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home and Farm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial (Westminster) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial (non-Westminster) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
77
| 9. | Property and Equipment |
| December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Estimated Useful Life | ||||||||
| Cost: | ||||||||||
| Land | $ | $ | indefinite | |||||||
| Building and improvements | ||||||||||
| Electronic data processing equipment | ||||||||||
| Furniture and fixtures | ||||||||||
| Automobiles | ||||||||||
| Gross cost | ||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||||
Depreciation expense was $
| 10. | Goodwill and Other Intangibles |
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-standard Auto | Commercial | Total | Non-standard Auto | Commercial | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment recognized during the period | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, end of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Based on the qualitative analysis performed
for the goodwill related to our non-standard auto segment as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2023, we concluded that goodwill
was not impaired. We performed a quantitative assessment of the goodwill related to the Westminster acquisition during the fourth quarter
of 2023, which is allocated to our commercial segment, and concluded that the goodwill was fully impaired as of December 31, 2023, resulting
in a non-cash impairment charge of $
We determined during our reviews that there were no impairments of goodwill for any reporting units during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
78
Other Intangible Assets
| December 31, 2023 | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | |||||||||
| Subject to amortization: | ||||||||||||
| Trade names | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Distribution network | ||||||||||||
| Total subject to amortization | ||||||||||||
| Not subject to amortization – state insurance licenses | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | |||||||||
| Subject to amortization: | ||||||||||||
| Trade names | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Distribution network | ||||||||||||
| Total subject to amortization | ||||||||||||
| Not subject to amortization – state insurance licenses | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
We determined during our reviews that there were no impairments of other indefinite-lived intangible assets or finite-lived intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Amortization expense was $
Other intangible assets that have finite lives, including trade
names and distribution networks, are amortized over their useful lives.
| Year ending December 31, | ||||
| 2024 | $ | |||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 | ||||
| 2028 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| Total other intangible assets with finite lives | $ | |||
| 11. | Royalties, Dividends, and Affiliations |
North Dakota Farm Bureau
Nodak Insurance was organized by the NDFB
to provide insurance protection for its members. We have a royalty agreement with the NDFB that recognizes the use of their trademark
and provides royalties to the NDFB based on the premiums written on Nodak Insurance’s policies. Royalties paid to the NDFB were
$
Dividends
State insurance laws require our insurance subsidiaries to maintain certain minimum capital and surplus amounts on a statutory basis. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations that restrict the payment of dividends from statutory surplus and may require prior approval from their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities. Our insurance subsidiaries are also subject to risk-based capital requirements that may further affect their ability to pay dividends. Our insurance subsidiaries statutory capital and surplus at
79
December 31, 2023, exceeded the amount of statutory capital and surplus necessary to satisfy risk-based capital requirements by a significant margin.
There is no amount available for payment of dividends from Nodak Insurance
to NI Holdings during 2024 without the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department. Prior to its payment of any dividend,
Nodak Insurance will be required to provide notice of the dividend to the North Dakota Insurance Department. This notice must be provided
to the North Dakota Insurance Department 30 days prior to the payment of an extraordinary dividend and 10 days prior to the payment of
an ordinary dividend. The North Dakota Insurance Department has the power to limit or prohibit dividend payments if an insurance company
is in violation of any law or regulation. These restrictions or any subsequently imposed restrictions may affect our future liquidity.
The Nodak Insurance Board of Directors declared and paid dividends of $
Direct Auto re-domesticated from Illinois to North Dakota during 2021
and is now subject to the same dividend restrictions as Nodak Insurance. The amount available for payment of dividends from Direct
Auto to NI Holdings during 2024 without the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department is approximately $
Westminster re-domesticated from Maryland to North Dakota during 2021
and is now subject to the same dividend restrictions as Nodak Insurance. The amount available for payment of dividends from Westminster
to NI Holdings during 2024 without the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department is approximately $
Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Investments | ||||||||
| Premiums and agents’ balances receivable | ||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverables on losses (2) | ||||||||
| Accrued investment income | ||||||||
| Income tax recoverable | ||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ||||||||
| Property and equipment | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Unearned premiums | ||||||||
| Notes payable (1) | ||||||||
| Pooling payable (1) | ||||||||
| Reinsurance losses payable (2) | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Equity: | ||||||||
| Non-controlling interest | ||||||||
| Total equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | $ | ||||||
| (1) |
| (2) |
80
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Fee and other income (expense) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net investment income | ||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | ||||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||
| Other underwriting and general expenses | ||||||||||||
| Total expenses | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| 12. | Benefit Plans |
Nodak Insurance sponsors a 401(k) plan with
an automatic and matching contribution for eligible employees at Nodak Insurance, Primero, and Direct Auto. Nodak Insurance also contributes
an additional elective amount of employee compensation as a profit-sharing contribution for eligible employees. Westminster also sponsors
a separate 401(k) plan. American West and Battle Creek have no employees. The Company reported expenses related to these plans totaling
$
All fees associated with the plans are deducted from the eligible employee accounts.
The Company also offers a non-qualified deferred
compensation plan to key executives of the Company (as designated by the Board of Directors). The Company’s policy is to fund the
plan by amounts that represent the excess of the maximum contribution allowed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act over the
key executives’ allowable 401(k) contribution. The plan also allows employee-directed deferral of key executives’ compensation
or incentive payments. The Company reported expenses related to this plan totaling $
In connection with our IPO in March 2017, the Company established its ESOP, which is intended to be an employee stock ownership plan within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 4975(e)(7) and invests solely in common stock of the Company.
Upon establishment of the ESOP, Nodak Insurance
loaned $
The shares purchased by the ESOP Trust in the offering are held in a suspense account as collateral for the ESOP loan. Nodak Insurance makes semi-annual cash contributions to the ESOP in amounts no smaller than the amounts required for the ESOP Trust to make its loan payments to Nodak Insurance. While the ESOP makes two loan payments per year, a pre-determined portion of the shares are released from the suspense account and allocated to participant accounts at the end of the calendar year. This release and allocation occurs on an annual basis over the ten-year term of the ESOP loan. Nodak Insurance has a lien on the shares of common stock of the Company held by the ESOP to secure repayment of the loan from the ESOP to Nodak Insurance. If the ESOP is terminated as a result of a change in control of the Company, the ESOP may be required to pay the costs of terminating the plan.
It is anticipated that the only assets held by the ESOP will be shares of the Company’s common stock. Participants in the ESOP cannot direct the investment of any assets allocated to their accounts. The ESOP participants are employees of Nodak Insurance. The employees of Primero, Direct Auto, and Westminster do not participate in the ESOP.
Each employee of Nodak Insurance automatically becomes a participant in the ESOP if such employee is at least 21 years old, has completed a minimum of one thousand hours of service with Nodak Insurance, and has completed an Eligibility Computation Period. Employees are not permitted to make any contributions to the ESOP. Participants in the ESOP receive annual reports from the
81
Company showing the number of shares of common stock of the Company allocated to the participants’ accounts and the market value of those shares. The shares are allocated to participants based on compensation as provided for in the ESOP.
In connection with the establishment of the ESOP,
the Company created a contra-equity account on the Consolidated Balance Sheet equal to the ESOP’s basis in the shares. The basis
of those shares was set at $
The Company recognized compensation expense related
to the ESOP of $
Through December 31, 2023, the Company had released
and allocated
| 13. | Line of Credit |
NI Holdings has a $
| 14. | Income Taxes |
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Current income tax expense (benefit) | ||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| State | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total current | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total income tax expense (benefit) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Expected provision for federal income taxes at 21% | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| State income taxes, net of federal impact | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Tax-exempt interest | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Dividends received deduction | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Section 832(b)(5)(B) proration amount | ||||||||||||
| Compensation-related expenses | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | ||||||||||||
| Research and development credit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total income tax expense (benefit) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
82
We re-measure existing deferred income tax assets
(including loss carryforwards) and liabilities when a change in tax rate occurs and record an offset for the net amount of the change
as a component of income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations in the period of enactment. We record any change to a previously
recorded valuation allowance as a result of re-measuring existing temporary differences and loss carryforwards as a component of income
tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations. The valuation allowance against certain deferred income tax assets was $
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Deferred income tax assets: | ||||||||
| Unearned premium | $ | $ | ||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||
| Net unrealized losses on investments | ||||||||
| Net operating loss carryovers | ||||||||
| Deferred compensation | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total deferred income tax assets | ||||||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities: | ||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||
| Intangibles | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total deferred income tax liabilities | ||||||||
| Net deferred income tax asset | ||||||||
| Valuation allowance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Deferred income tax asset, net | $ | $ | ||||||
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had no unrecognized tax benefits, no accrued interest and penalties, and no significant uncertain tax positions. No interest and penalties were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, or 2021.
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company, other than Battle Creek and Westminster, had no income tax related carryforwards for net operating losses, alternative minimum tax credits, or capital losses.
Battle Creek, which files its federal income tax
returns on a stand-alone basis, had net operating loss carryforwards of $
Westminster, which became part of the Company’s
consolidated federal income tax return beginning in 2020, had $
83
| 15. | Leases |
Primero leases a facility in Spearfish, South Dakota under a non-cancellable operating lease expiring in 2028, and leases a facility in Las Vegas, Nevada on a month-to-month basis. Direct Auto leases a facility in Chicago, Illinois under a non-cancellable operating lease expiring in 2029. Nodak Insurance leases a facility in Fargo, North Dakota under a non-cancellable operating lease expiring in 2024. In addition, Nodak Insurance leases server equipment under a non-cancellable finance lease expiring in 2026.
Effective for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company adopted the updated guidance for leases. See Part II, Item 8, Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for additional information. We determine whether a contract is or contains a lease at the inception of the contract. A contract will be deemed to be or contain a lease if the contract conveys the right to control and directs the use of identified property or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. We generally must also have the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the property and equipment. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. To determine the present value of lease payments not yet paid, we estimate incremental borrowing rates based on the floating interest rate on our Line of Credit with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. at the lease commencement date, as rates are not implicitly stated in most leases. Lease liabilities are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities and right-of-use assets are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
There were expenses of $
| As of and For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Operating lease cost | $ | $ | ||||||
| Finance lease cost: | ||||||||
| Amortization of right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| Interest on lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Finance lease cost | ||||||||
| Total lease cost | $ | $ | ||||||
| Other information on leases: | ||||||||
| Cash payments included in operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash payments included in operating cash flows from finance leases | ||||||||
| Cash payments included in financing cash flows from finance leases | ||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate – operating leases | ||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate – finance leases | ||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term in years – operating leases | ||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term in years – finance leases | ||||||||
| Year ending December 31, | Operating Leases | Finance Leases | Total | |||||||||
| 2024 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||||||
| 2026 | ||||||||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||||||
| Total undiscounted lease payments | ||||||||||||
| Less: present value adjustment | ||||||||||||
| Lease liability at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
84
| 16. | Contingencies |
We have been named as a defendant in various lawsuits relating to our insurance operations. Contingent liabilities arising from litigation, income taxes, and other matters are not considered to be material to our financial position.
| 17. | Common and Preferred Stock |
Common Stock
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Shares outstanding, beginning | ||||||||||||
| Treasury shares repurchased through stock repurchase authorization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Issuance of treasury shares for vesting of stock awards | ||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares related to employee stock ownership plan | ||||||||||||
| Shares outstanding, ending | ||||||||||||
The changes in the number of common shares outstanding
excludes certain non-forfeitable stock award shares that are included in the weighted average common shares outstanding used in basic
earnings per common share calculations. The net loss per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2023, excluded the weighted
average effects of
On May 4, 2020, our Board of Directors approved an
authorization for the repurchase of up to approximately $
On August 11, 2021, our Board of Directors approved
an authorization for the repurchase of up to approximately $
On May 9, 2022, our Board of Directors approved an
authorization for the repurchase of up to approximately $
The cost of this treasury stock is a reduction of shareholders’ equity within our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. government enacted the
Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) which, among other changes, created a new corporate alternative minimum tax (“AMT”)
based on adjusted financial statement income and imposes a
Preferred Stock
The Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide authority to issue up to five million shares of preferred stock. No preferred shares are issued or outstanding.
85
| 18. | Share-Based Compensation |
The NI Holdings, Inc. 2020 Stock and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is designed to promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by aiding the Company in attracting and retaining employees, officers, consultants, independent contractors, advisors, and non-employee directors capable of assuring the future success of the Company, to offer such persons incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the Company’s business and to afford such persons an opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in the Company, thereby aligning the interests of such persons with the Company’s shareholders.
The Plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents, and performance share units (“PSUs”) to employees, officers, consultants, advisors, non-employee directors, and independent contractors designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). Awards made under the Plan are based upon, among other things, a participant’s level of responsibility and performance within the Company.
The total aggregate number of shares of common stock
that may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed
Restricted Stock Units
The Compensation Committee has awarded RSUs to non-employee
directors and select executives. RSUs are promises to issue actual shares of common stock at the end of a vesting period. The RSUs granted
to executives under the Plan were based on salary and vest
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation costs for RSUs based on the grant date fair value. The compensation costs are normally expensed over the vesting periods to each vesting date; however, the cost of RSUs granted to executives are expensed immediately if the executive has met certain retirement criteria and the RSUs become non-forfeitable. Estimated forfeitures are included in the determination of compensation costs. No forfeitures are currently estimated.
| RSUs | Weighted-Average Fair Value Per Share | |||||||
| Units outstanding and unearned at January 1, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| RSUs granted during 2021 | ||||||||
| RSUs earned during 2021 | ( | ) | ||||||
| Units outstanding and unearned at December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| RSUs granted during 2022 | ||||||||
| RSUs earned during 2022 | ( | ) | ||||||
| Units outstanding and unearned at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| RSUs granted during 2023 | ||||||||
| RSUs earned during 2023 | ( | ) | ||||||
| Units outstanding and unearned at December 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
86
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| RSU compensation expense | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income tax benefit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| RSU compensation expense, net of income taxes | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total grant-date fair value of vested RSUs at end of period | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
At December 31, 2023, there was $
Performance Share Units
The Compensation Committee has awarded PSUs to select executives. PSUs are promises to issue actual shares of common stock at the end of a vesting period, if certain performance conditions are met. The PSUs granted to employees under the Plan were based on salary and include a three-year adjusted book value cumulative growth target with threshold and stretch goals. They will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the participant’s continuous employment through the vesting date and the level of performance achieved. Dividend equivalents on PSUs are accrued and paid in cash at the end of the performance period in accordance with the level of performance achieved but are subject to forfeiture until the underlying shares become vested. Participants do not have voting rights with respect to PSUs.
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation costs for PSUs based on the grant date fair value over the performance period of the awards. Estimated forfeitures are included in the determination of compensation costs. The current cost estimates represent the Company’s forecasted performance against cumulative growth targets.
| PSUs | Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share | |||||||
| Units outstanding at January 1, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| PSUs granted during 2021 (at target) | ||||||||
| PSUs earned during 2021 | ( | ) | ||||||
| Performance adjustment (1) | ||||||||
| Forfeitures | ( | ) | ||||||
| Units outstanding at December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| PSUs granted during 2022 (at target) | ||||||||
| PSUs earned during 2022 | ( | ) | ||||||
| Performance adjustment (1) | ||||||||
| Forfeitures | ( | ) | ||||||
| Units outstanding at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| PSUs granted during 2023 (at target) | ||||||||
| PSUs earned during 2023 | ||||||||
| Performance adjustment (1) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Forfeitures | ||||||||
| Units outstanding at December 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
(1)
87
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| PSU compensation expense (benefit) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| PSU compensation expense (benefit), net of income taxes | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Total grant-date fair value of vested PSUs at end of period | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The cost estimates for PSU grants represent initial
target awards until we can reasonably forecast the financial performance of each PSU award grant. As of December 31, 2023, the previously
recognized compensation expense related to the PSU awards granted during 2022 was eliminated due to the Company's expectation that the
threshold performance goal will not be met. The compensation expense related to the PSU awards granted during 2021 was previously eliminated.
The actual number of shares to be issued at the end of each performance period will range from
At December 31, 2023, there was $
| 19. | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses |
Premiums Receivable
Beginning on December 31, 2022, credit losses are
recognized through an allowance account developed using the new CECL model. The adoption of this guidance resulted in an allowance for
expected credit losses of $
Year Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Premiums and Agents’ Balances Receivable, Net of Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | |||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Current period charge for expected credit losses | ||||||||
| Write-offs of uncollectible premiums receivable | ||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
88
| 20. | Segment Information |
We have six reportable operating segments, which
consist of private passenger auto insurance, non-standard auto insurance, home and farm insurance, crop insurance, commercial insurance,
and all other (which primarily consists of assumed reinsurance and our excess liability business). We operate only in the U.S., and no
single customer or agent provides
For purposes of evaluating profitability of the non-standard auto segment, we combine the policy fees paid by the insured with the underwriting gain or loss as its primary measure. As a result, these fees are allocated to the non-standard auto segment (included in fee and other income) in the tables below. The remaining fee and other income amounts are not allocated to any segment.
We do not assign or allocate all line items in our
Consolidated Statement of Operations or Consolidated Balance Sheet to our operating segments. Those line items include investment income,
net investment gains (losses), fee and other income excluding non-standard auto, and income tax expense (benefit) within the Consolidated
Statement of Operations.
89
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private Passenger Auto | Non-Standard Auto | Home and Farm | Crop | Commercial | All Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premiums earned | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed premiums earned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded premiums earned | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting and general expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting gain (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee and other income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment charge | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expense ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2023: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums and agents’ balances receivable | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverables on losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivable from Federal Crop Insurance Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90
| Year Ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private Passenger Auto | Non-Standard Auto | Home and Farm | Crop | Commercial | All Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premiums earned | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed premiums earned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded premiums earned | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting and general expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting gain (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee and other income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expense ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2022: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums and agents’ balances receivable | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverables on losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivable from Federal Crop Insurance Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
91
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private Passenger Auto | Non-Standard Auto | Home and Farm | Crop | Commercial | All Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premiums earned | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed premiums earned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded premiums earned | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting and general expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting gain (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee and other income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expense ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2021: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums and agents’ balances receivable | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverables on losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payable to Federal Crop Insurance Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
92
| 21. | Statutory Net Income (Loss), Capital and Surplus, and Dividend Restrictions |
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Nodak Insurance: | ||||||||||||
| Statutory capital and surplus | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Statutory unassigned surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory net income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| American West: | ||||||||||||
| Statutory capital and surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory unassigned surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory net income (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Primero: | ||||||||||||
| Statutory capital and surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory unassigned surplus | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Statutory net income (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Battle Creek: | ||||||||||||
| Statutory capital and surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory unassigned surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory net income (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Direct Auto: | ||||||||||||
| Statutory capital and surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory unassigned surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory net income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Westminster: | ||||||||||||
| Statutory capital and surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory unassigned surplus | ||||||||||||
| Statutory net income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
State insurance laws require our insurance subsidiaries to maintain certain minimum capital and surplus amounts on a statutory basis. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations that restrict the payment of dividends from statutory surplus and may require prior approval from their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities. Our insurance subsidiaries are also subject to risk-based capital requirements that may further affect their ability to pay dividends. Our insurance subsidiaries statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2023 and 2022 exceeded the amount of statutory capital and surplus necessary to satisfy risk-based capital requirements by a significant margin.
Amounts available for distribution in 2024 to Nodak
Insurance as dividends from its insurance subsidiaries without prior approval of insurance regulatory authorities are $
There is no amount available for payment of dividends from Nodak Insurance
to NI Holdings during 2024 without the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department. Prior to its payment of any dividend,
Nodak Insurance will be required to provide notice of the dividend to the North Dakota Insurance Department. This notice must be provided
to the North Dakota Insurance Department 30 days prior to the payment of an extraordinary dividend and 10 days prior to the payment of
an ordinary dividend. The North Dakota Insurance Department has the power to limit or prohibit dividend payments if an insurance company
is in violation of any law or regulation. These restrictions or any subsequently imposed restrictions may affect our future liquidity.
No dividends were declared or paid by Nodak Insurance during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021. The Nodak Insurance Board of
Directors declared and paid dividends of $
93
Direct Auto re-domesticated from Illinois to North Dakota during 2021
and is now subject to the same dividend restrictions as Nodak Insurance. The amount available for payment of dividends from Direct Auto
to NI Holdings during 2024 without the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department is approximately $
Westminster re-domesticated from Maryland to North Dakota during 2021
and is now subject to the same dividend restrictions as Nodak Insurance. The amount available for payment of dividends from Westminster
to NI Holdings during 2024 without the prior approval of the North Dakota Insurance Department is approximately $
| 22. | Subsequent Event |
As of January 2, 2024, the North Dakota Secretary of State approved the conversion of Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company from a mutual insurance company to a stock insurance company. In accordance with the approved plan of conversion, the name of Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company has become Battle Creek Insurance Company.
As of the conversion date, the outstanding principal of
the surplus note due from Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company to Nodak Insurance Company was $
We are currently in the process of finalizing the accounting for this transaction, which will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024, to be included in the first quarter 2024 Form 10-Q.
94
| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
There have been no changes or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.
| Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as required by Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2023. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, were designed and functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such material information is accumulated and communicated to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, our management has reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO Framework”). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Based on our evaluation under the COSO Framework, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current internal control over financial reporting is effective at December 31, 2023, and that our consolidated financial statements we include in this 2023 Annual Report present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Mazars USA LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. This audit report appears in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this 2023 Annual Report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In the ordinary course of business, we periodically review our system of internal control over financial reporting to identify opportunities to improve our controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment. We continued this initiative during the annual period ending December 31, 2023, in support of the audit of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which resulted in various enhancements to our internal control over financial reporting.
| Item 9B. | Other Information |
10b5-1 Trading Plans
During the fourth quarter of
2023, none of our directors or executive officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act)
Adoption of 2024 Short-Term Cash Incentive Plan
On February 29, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2024 Short-Term Cash Incentive Plan (the “STIP”). Certain key employees, including employees who are employed to serve as executive officers, participate in the STIP as determined by the
95
Compensation Committee. The STIP will be administered by the Compensation Committee as authorized by the Board. Participants are eligible to receive cash bonuses based on the achievement of certain specified metrics, including based on the Company’s combined ratio, direct written premium growth, and a measurable goal set by the Chief Executive Officer, depending on the individual participant.
The foregoing summary of the STIP does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the STIP, which is attached as Exhibit 10.18 to this report and is incorporated by reference herein.
Performance Share Unit Agreement
On February 29, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a form of Adjusted Return on Equity Performance Share Unit Agreement (the “PSU Agreement”) for PSU awards granted under the 2020 Stock and Incentive Plan. Each PSU Agreement will set forth the maximum number of PSUs to be earned, assuming achievement of the relevant adjusted return on equity over the measurement period commencing on January 1, 2024 and ending on December 31, 2026.
Achievement of the Company’s objectives relating to adjusted return on equity during the measurement period will determine the actual number of PSUs to be earned. The target number of PSUs will be divided into thirds, with one third assigned to each of the three fiscal years in the measurement period. The number of PSUs that will be earned for a fiscal year in the measurement period will be determined based on the Company’s achievement of adjusted return on equity goals for the applicable fiscal year. A PSU earned for a given fiscal year shall vest if the participant remains in service to the Company through the end of the measurement period (subject to the exceptions described below). Each PSU earned and vested will be settled in one share of the Company’s common stock. The Compensation Committee will certify performance following the measurement period no later than March 15, 2027.
If the participant dies while in service with the Company prior to the last day of the measurement period, then the number of PSUs earned for completed fiscal years at the time of death, together with one-third of the target number of PSUs for each fiscal year not completed at the time of death, shall vest and become immediately payable. If the participant’s service with the Company is terminated due to the participant’s disability, retirement, or involuntary termination due to a position elimination or reorganization (each a “qualifying termination”), before the last day of the measurement period, the PSUs will remain outstanding until the last day of the measurement period and the participant will have a fully vested interest in a pro rata number of the earned PSUs as of the last day of the measurement period. If a change in control occurs after a qualifying termination but prior to the end of the measurement period, the measurement period shall end upon the change in control, and the participant will have a vested interest in a pro rata number of the earned PSUs as of the last day of the measurement period (using the target number of PSUs for any fiscal year not completed as of the change in control). If a change in control occurs while the participant is in service to the Company, the PSUs earned for fiscal years completed as of the change in control, together with one-third of the target number of PSUs for each fiscal year not completed as of the change in control, will be earned and converted into time-based RSUs. If such RSUs are assumed in connection with the change in control, then the RSUs will become fully vested if the participant remains in service with the Company until December 31, 2026, dies while in service, resigns at retirement age, or terminates their employment due to disability or involuntary termination due to position elimination or reorganization. If the participant’s service with the Company is involuntarily terminated without cause or if the participant resigns for good reason within 24 months following a change in control but prior to December 31, 2026, any RSUs that remain unvested will vest in full and become non-forfeitable as of the date of such termination.
The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the PSU Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.17 to this report and is incorporated by reference herein.
| Item 9C. | Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections |
Not applicable.
96
PART III
| Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
We incorporate the response to this Item 10 by reference to our proxy statement we will file with the SEC on or about April 10, 2024 relating to our Annual Meeting of Shareholders that we will hold on May 21, 2024 (our “Proxy Statement”).
We have posted a copy of our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct on the Governance Highlights page of the Corporate Governance section of our website, www.niholdingsinc.com, which you can access free of charge. Information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered part of, this 2023 Annual Report. We intend to disclose on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that are required to be disclosed by law or NASDAQ Listing Rules.
| Item 11. | Executive Compensation |
We incorporate the response to this Item 11 by reference to our Proxy Statement.
| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
We incorporate the response to this Item 12 by reference to our Proxy Statement.
| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
We incorporate the response to this Item 13 by reference to our Proxy Statement.
| Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
We incorporate the response to this Item 14 by reference to our Proxy Statement.
97
PART IV
| Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
List of Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
| (a) | The following documents are filed as a part of this report: |
| (1) | Financial Statements and |
| (2) | Financial Statement schedules required to be filed by Item 8 of this report. |
Schedule I Condensed financial information of registrant – NI Holdings, Inc.
All other financial schedules are not required under the related instructions, as they are inapplicable or the information has been included in the consolidated financial statements, and therefore have been omitted.
| (3) | The following exhibits are required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and are included as part of this Form 10-K: |
| 2.1 | Plan of Mutual Property and Casualty Insurance Company Conversion and Minority Offering of Nodak Mutual Insurance Company, dated as of January 21, 2016 (1) | |
| 3.1 | Articles of Incorporation of NI Holdings, Inc. (1) | |
| 3.2 | Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, dated May 24, 2023. (10) | |
| 3.3 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of NI Holdings, Inc., dated May 24, 2023. (10) | |
| 4.1 | Form of certificate evidencing shares of common stock of NI Holdings, Inc. (1) | |
| 4.2 | Description of Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Exchange Act (6) | |
| 10.1 | 2017 NI Holdings, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (4) | |
| 10.2 | Nodak Mutual Insurance Company Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (1) | |
| 10.3# | Employment Agreement dated as of April 28, 2016, between Michael J. Alexander and Nodak Mutual Insurance Company and NI Holdings, Inc. (1) | |
| 10.4# | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of August 8, 2023, between Seth C. Daggett and Nodak Insurance Company and NI Holdings, Inc. (7) | |
| 10.5# | Employment Agreement dated as of April 28, 2016, between Patrick W. Duncan and Nodak Mutual Insurance Company and NI Holdings, Inc. (1) | |
| 10.6 | Trademark License Agreement dated as of October 1, 2016 between North Dakota Farm Bureau and Nodak Mutual Insurance Company (1) | |
| 10.7 | Multiple Peril Crop/Livestock Insurance Full Service Agency Agreement among American Farm Bureau Insurance Services, Inc. and Nodak Mutual Insurance Company, American West Insurance Company and Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company for Crop Year 2016 (1) | |
| 10.8 | Crop Hail Insurance Full Service Agency Agreement among American Farm Bureau Insurance Services, Inc. and Nodak Mutual Insurance Company, American West Insurance Company and Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company for Crop Year 2016 (1) | |
| 10.9# | Nodak Mutual Insurance Company Cash Incentive Bonus Plan (3) | |
| 10.10# | NI Holdings, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (1) | |
| 10.11 | Affiliation Agreement dated as of December 30, 2010 between Nodak Mutual Insurance Company and Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company (2) | |
| 10.12 | Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (5) |
98
| 10.13 | NI Holdings, Inc. 2020 Stock and Incentive Plan (5) | |
| 10.14# | Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Executives (8) | |
| 10.15# | Form of NI Holdings, Inc. Growth in Book Value Per Share Performance Share Unit Agreement (8) | |
| 10.16# | 2022 NI Holdings, Inc. Short-Term Incentive Bonus (9) | |
| 10.17#* | Form of NI Holdings, Inc. Adjusted Return on Equity Performance Share Unit Agreement | |
| 10.18#* | 2024 NI Holdings, Inc. Short-Term Incentive Bonus | |
| 21.1* | Subsidiaries of NI Holdings, Inc. | |
| 23.1* | Consent of Mazars USA LLP, Fort Washington, PA, PCAOB ID 339 | |
| 31.1* | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 31.2* | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32* | Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 97* | NI Holdings, Inc. Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy, adopted December 1, 2023. |
| 101.INS** | Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document |
| 101.SCH** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase Document |
| 101.CAL** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
| 101.DEF** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
| 101.LAB** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
| 101.PRE** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* Filed herewith.
** Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
# Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
(1) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-214057) filed with the SEC on October 11, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-214057) filed with the SEC on November 14, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-214057) filed with the SEC on January 12, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-37973) filed with the SEC on September 18, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.
99
(5) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-37973) filed with the SEC on May 29, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.
(6) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K (File No. 001-37973) filed with the SEC on March 10, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q (File No. 001-37973) filed with the SEC on August 8, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference.
(8) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K (File No. 001-37973) filed with the SEC on March 9, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.
(9) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q (File No. 001-37973) filed with the SEC on May 6, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.
(10) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-37973) filed with the SEC on May 25, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 16. | Form 10-K Summary |
None.
100
Schedule I – Condensed financial information of registrant – NI Holdings, Inc.
| Condensed Balance Sheets | ||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 308 | $ | 3,791 | ||||
| Fixed income securities, at fair value (net of allowance for expected credit losses of $0 at December 31, 2023 and $0 at December 31, 2022) | 810 | 1,013 | ||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value | 13 | 6,211 | ||||||
| Total cash and investments | 1,131 | 11,015 | ||||||
| Income tax recoverable | 844 | 946 | ||||||
| Accrued investment income | 1 | 2 | ||||||
| Investment in wholly-owned subsidiaries | 246,360 | 239,110 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 427 | 1,088 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 248,763 | $ | 252,161 | ||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | $ | 1,122 | $ | 1,184 | ||||
| Total liabilities | 1,122 | 1,184 | ||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 247,641 | 250,977 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 248,763 | $ | 252,161 | ||||
101
| Condensed Statements of Operations | ||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | (122 | ) | $ | 143 | $ | 396 | |||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (217 | ) | (492 | ) | 2,119 | |||||||
| Total revenues | (339 | ) | (349 | ) | 2,515 | |||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Other underwriting and general expenses | 4,612 | 3,002 | 4,543 | |||||||||
| Total expenses | 4,612 | 3,002 | 4,543 | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries | (4,951 | ) | (3,351 | ) | (2,028 | ) | ||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (111 | ) | (1,124 | ) | (156 | ) | ||||||
| Income (loss) before equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries | (4,840 | ) | (2,227 | ) | (1,872 | ) | ||||||
| Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries | (636 | ) | (50,869 | ) | 10,288 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | $ | (5,476 | ) | $ | (53,096 | ) | $ | 8,416 | ||||
| Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income | ||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | $ | (5,476 | ) | $ | (53,096 | ) | $ | 8,416 | ||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes: | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 15 | (165 | ) | (346 | ) | |||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) attributed to subsidiaries | 7,887 | (34,358 | ) | (7,257 | ) | |||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | 7,902 | (34,523 | ) | (7,603 | ) | |||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 2,426 | $ | (87,619 | ) | $ | 813 | |||||
102
| Condensed Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. | $ | (5,476 | ) | $ | (53,096 | ) | $ | 8,416 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) attributable to NI Holdings, Inc. to net cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
| Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries | 636 | 50,869 | (10,288 | ) | ||||||||
| Other | 2,603 | 359 | 1,159 | |||||||||
| Net adjustments | 3,239 | 51,228 | (9,129 | ) | ||||||||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | (2,237 | ) | (1,868 | ) | (713 | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from maturities and sales of fixed income securities | 223 | 9,942 | 10,103 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of equity securities | 6,863 | 4,278 | 7,306 | |||||||||
| Purchases of fixed income securities | — | — | (808 | ) | ||||||||
| Purchases of equity securities | (882 | ) | (2,023 | ) | (4,512 | ) | ||||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | 6,204 | 12,197 | 12,089 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||
| Dividend from subsidiaries | — | 3,000 | — | |||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | (7,278 | ) | (4,180 | ) | (4,316 | ) | ||||||
| Installment payment on Westminster consideration payable | — | (13,333 | ) | (6,667 | ) | |||||||
| Issuance of vested award shares | (172 | ) | (768 | ) | (488 | ) | ||||||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | (7,450 | ) | (15,281 | ) | (11,471 | ) | ||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (3,483 | ) | (4,952 | ) | (95 | ) | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 3,791 | 8,743 | 8,838 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 308 | $ | 3,791 | $ | 8,743 | ||||||
Note A – Basis of Presentation
In the parent-company-only financial statements, the Company’s investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries since inception. The parent-company-only financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Note B – Dividends from Subsidiaries
The Company received no cash dividends from its subsidiaries during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021. A cash dividend of $3,000 was received from Nodak Insurance during the year ended December 31, 2022.
103
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 15, 2024.
| NI HOLDINGS, INC. | |
| /s/ Michael J. Alexander | |
| Michael J. Alexander | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on March 15, 2024, by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.
| Signature | Capacity | Date | ||
| /s/ Michael J. Alexander | President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Director | March 15, 2024 | ||
| Michael J. Alexander | ||||
| /s/ Seth C. Daggett | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | March 15, 2024 | ||
| Seth C. Daggett | ||||
| /s/ Eric K. Aasmundstad | Director | March 15, 2024 | ||
| Eric K. Aasmundstad | ||||
| /s/ William R. Devlin | Director | March 15, 2024 | ||
| William R. Devlin | ||||
| /s/ Duaine C. Espegard | Director | March 15, 2024 | ||
| Duaine C. Espegard | ||||
| /s/ Cindy L. Launer | Director | March 15, 2024 | ||
| Cindy L. Launer | ||||
| /s/ Stephen V. Marlow | Director | March 15, 2024 | ||
| Stephen V. Marlow | ||||
| /s/ Prakash Mathew | Director | March 15, 2024 | ||
| Prakash Mathew | ||||
| /s/ Jeffrey R. Missling | Director | March 15, 2024 | ||
| Jeffrey R. Missling |
104