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Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Significant Accounting Policies  
Significant Accounting Policies

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include time deposits and marketable securities with original maturities of three months or less at acquisition and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company maintains cash balances in federally insured financial institutions.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes cash on deposit with reinsurance carriers. Restricted cash also includes cash held in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of third-party insurance carriers.

Investments

All of the Company’s investments in fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.

Investment income consists primarily of interest and dividends. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are amortized or accrued using the prospective method which considers anticipated prepayments at the date of purchase. To the extent that the estimated lives of such securities change as a result of changes in estimated prepayment rates, the adjustments are included in net investment income using the prospective method. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Net investment income represents investment income, net of expenses.

Unrealized gains and losses related to fixed maturity securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Equity securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of net income on the Company’s consolidated statement of income

and comprehensive income. The Company uses the specific-identification method to determine the cost of fixed maturity securities sold and the first-in, first-out method for lots of equity securities sold.

The Company reviews all securities with unrealized losses on a quarterly basis to assess whether the decline in the securities fair value necessitates the recognition of an allowance for credit losses. Factors considered in the review include the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, and current market interest rates and whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates. The Company also considers factors specific to the issuer including the general financial condition of the issuer, the issuers industry and future business prospects, any past failure of issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and the payment structure of the investment and the issuers ability to make contractual payments on the investment.

The Company also considers whether it intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost. When assessing whether it intends to sell a fixed-maturity security or if it is likely to be required to sell a fixed-maturity security before recovery of its amortized cost, the Company evaluates facts and circumstances including, but not limited to, decisions to reposition the investment portfolio, potential sales of investments to meet cash flow needs, and potential sales of investments to capitalize on favorable pricing.

For fixed-maturity securities where a decline in fair value is below the amortized cost basis and the Company intends to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, a credit-loss charge is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment. For fixed-maturity securities that the Company has the intent and ability to hold, the Company compares the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost of the security. The extent to which the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the security represents the credit-related portion of the impairment, which is recognized in net income through an allowance for credit losses. Any remaining decline in fair value represents the noncredit portion of the impairment, which is recognized in other comprehensive income.

The Company reports accrued interest receivable as a component of accrued investment income on its consolidated balance sheet which is presented separately from available-for-sale securities. The Company does not measure an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable and instead would write off accrued interest receivable at the time an issuer defaults or is expected to default on payments.

The Company recorded an immaterial allowance for credit losses related to its available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no allowance for credit losses related to its available-for-sale securities.

Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the price that the Company would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment.

The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices are available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.

Level 2—Pricing inputs are quoted prices for similar investments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar investments in inactive markets; or valuation based on models where the significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3—Pricing inputs into models are unobservable for the investment. The unobservable inputs require significant management judgment or estimation.

To measure fair value, the Company obtains quoted market prices for its investment securities from its outside investment managers. If a quoted market price is not available, the Company uses prices of similar securities. The fair values obtained from the outside investment managers are reviewed for reasonableness and any discrepancies are investigated for final valuation.

The fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed maturity securities is estimated using relevant inputs, including available market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing. An Option Adjusted Spread model is also used to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios. Industry standard models are used to analyze and value securities with embedded options or prepayment sensitivities. These fair value measurements are estimated based on observable, objectively verifiable market information rather than market quotes; therefore, these investments are classified and disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy.

The fair value of the Company’s investments in equity securities is based on quoted prices available in active markets and classified and disclosed in Level 1 of the hierarchy.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, fixed maturity securities and reinsurance recoverables. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions and its fixed maturity securities in securities of the U.S. government, U.S. government agencies, and high credit quality issuers of debt securities. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and reinsures its business with highly rated reinsurers and sometimes requires letters of credit or retains funds from reinsurers (see Note 10).

Premiums Receivable

Premiums receivable represent amounts due from policyholders, insurance agents, or program administrators for policies written. Generally, premiums are collected prior to providing risk coverage, minimizing the Company’s exposure to credit risk. Premiums receivable are short-term in nature and due within a year. The Company has established an allowance for uncollectable premiums related to its credit risk, which it reviews on a quarterly basis and adjusts as appropriate. The company considers the current economic environment, specific regulatory developments, and historic payment and cancelation trends by line of business and location when determining whether to record an allowance for uncollectable premiums.

The Company recorded an allowance for uncollectable premiums of $0.3 million and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and believes that all other amounts are collectable.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The costs of successfully acquiring new business, principally commission expense and premium taxes, are deferred and amortized over the terms of the policies in force, net of any ceding commissions.

Premiums Earned

Gross premiums written are recorded at policy inception and are earned as revenue ratably over the term of the respective policies. Premiums written not yet recognized as revenue are reflected as unearned premiums on the balance sheet, or as advanced premiums if received prior to the policy effective date. Premiums written where cash is not yet received are recognized as premiums receivable.

A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected losses and loss adjustment expenses, unamortized acquisition costs, and policy maintenance costs exceeds the remaining unearned premiums. A premium deficiency would first be recognized by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency were greater than unamortized acquisition costs, a liability would be accrued for

the excess deficiency. The Company does not consider anticipated investment income when determining if a premium deficiency exists. There was no premium deficiency at December 31, 2021 or 2020.

Commission and Other Income

Commission and other income is comprised of commissions earned on policies where the Company has no exposure to underlying risk and fees earned in conjunction with underwriting policies. Commission and fee income is earned at the time the policy is written.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are capitalized and carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation for property and equipment is calculated on a straight-line basis using useful lives of 3 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements and other fixed assets are capitalized and depreciated over the useful lives of the properties and equipment. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Upon disposition, the asset cost and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is included in the Company’s results of operations.

Capitalized Software

Costs associated with the implementation of certain internal systems are capitalized and carried at capitalized cost less accumulated amortization and are included as a component of prepaid expenses and other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Costs capitalized include internal personnel costs, external developer costs, and interest. The implementation costs relate to systems built on software which the Company purchases under a cloud computing arrangement and accounts for as a service contract. As such, capitalized costs are amortized over the term of the service contract, which currently ends in December 2026.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of both finite and indefinite lived assets. Finite lived intangible assets consist of customer relationships acquired from another insurer during 2020. Indefinite lived intangible assets consist of state licenses acquired upon formation of the Company. Intangible assets are initially recognized and measured at fair value and are subsequently evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances warrant it. No impairments of intangible assets were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 or 2019.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets with finite lives are tested for impairment whenever recognized events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present, the fair value is calculated using estimated future cash flows expected to be generated from the use of those assets. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group. This assessment is based on the carrying amount of the asset or asset group at the date it is tested for recoverability. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. No impairments of long-lived assets were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 or 2019.

Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses includes estimates for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses on reported losses and estimates of losses incurred but not reported (“IBNR”), net of salvage and subrogation recoveries. The liability is based on individual claims, case reserves and other estimates reported by policyholders, as well as management estimates of ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses. Inherent in the

estimates of ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses are expected trends in claims severity and frequency and other factors that could vary significantly as claims are settled.

The Company’s estimates of ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses are based in part upon the estimation of claims resulting from natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Estimation by management of the ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses resulting from catastrophic events is inherently difficult because of the potential severity of property catastrophe claims. Therefore, the Company uses both proprietary and commercially available models, as well as historic claims experience, for purposes of providing an estimate of ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses.

Reserves for IBNR are established in accordance with industry practice to provide for (i) the estimated amount of future loss payments on incurred claims not yet reported, and (ii) potential development on reported claims. IBNR reserves are estimated based on generally accepted actuarial reserving techniques that consider quantitative loss experience data and, where appropriate, qualitative factors.

Ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses may vary materially from the amounts provided in the consolidated financial statements. Estimates of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are reviewed regularly and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the liabilities are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments, if any, are reflected in operations in the period in which they become known and are accounted for as changes in estimates. The Company does not discount its liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.

The Company does not write insurance policies covering toxic clean-up, asbestos-related illness or other environmental remediation exposures.

Reinsurance

The Company purchases excess of loss and quota share reinsurance to protect it against the impact of losses. Reinsurance premiums, commissions, ceded unearned premiums are accounted for on bases consistent with the underlying terms of the reinsurance contracts and in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. The Company receives ceding commissions in connection with quota share reinsurance. The ceding commissions are capitalized and amortized as a reduction of acquisition expenses. Amounts applicable to ceded unearned premiums are reported as assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Premiums earned and losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred are stated in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income net of amounts ceded to reinsurers.

Reinsurance recoverables represent balances due to the Company from its reinsurers for paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. The Company is exposed to credit losses from reinsurers being unable to meet their obligations. The Company evaluates the financial condition of potential reinsurers and reinsures its business only with highly rated reinsurers with a rating of “A-“ (Excellent) (Outlook Stable) or better from A.M. Best. Reinsurers who do not meet the Company’s rating criteria are required to post collateral. The Company reviews credit quality of its reinsurers on a quarterly basis. The Company’s reinsurance contracts also include special termination provisions that allow the Company to cancel and replace any participating reinsurer that is downgraded below a rating of “A−” from A.M. Best, or whose surplus drops by more than 20%. Historically, the Company has not experienced any credit losses from reinsurance recoverables and did not have an allowance for uncollectable reinsurance recoverables as of December 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

Stock Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of awards. The Company does not apply a forfeiture rate to unvested awards and accounts for forfeitures as they occur. For stock option grants, the fair value of awards is estimated using the Black Scholes Model. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined using the closing price of the Company's common stock on the grant date. The fair value of performance stock units containing employee service or company financial performance based conditions is determined using the closing price of the Company's common stock on the grant date. The fair value of performance stock units containing

conditions based on performance of the Company’s stock is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. All stock-based compensation is included in other underwriting expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Income Taxes

The Company is taxed as a property/casualty insurer for federal income tax purposes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the basis differences reverse. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit of uncertain tax positions where the position is more likely than not to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. Based on its evaluation for the tax years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in its financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, as a component of income tax expense. The Company has not been assessed interest or penalties by any major tax jurisdictions for the respective tax years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, or 2019.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilution which could occur if equity-based awards are converted into common share equivalents as calculated using the treasury stock method. When inclusion of additional common share equivalents increases the earnings per share or reduces the loss per share, the effect on earnings per share is anti-dilutive, and the diluted net earnings or net loss per share is computed excluding these common share equivalents.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. Among other things, ASU 2019-12 eliminates certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intra-period tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. ASU 2019-12 also clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU 2019-12 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2021 and adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

To date, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements not yet effective that have significance, or potential significance, to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.