Reinsurance

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Reinsurance [Abstract]

Reinsurance

11. Reinsurance

We reinsure a portion of the risk we underwrite in order to control the exposure to losses and to protect capital resources. We cede to reinsurers a portion of these risks and pay premiums based upon the risk and exposure of the policies subject to such reinsurance. Ceded reinsurance involves credit risk and is generally subject to aggregate loss limits. Although the reinsurer is liable to us to the extent of the reinsurance ceded, we are ultimately liable as the direct insurer on all risks reinsured. Reinsurance recoverables are reported after allowances for uncollectible amounts. We monitor the financial condition of reinsurers on an ongoing basis and review our reinsurance arrangements periodically. Reinsurers are selected based on their financial condition, business practices and the price of their product offerings. In order to mitigate credit risk to reinsurance companies, most of our reinsurance recoverable balance as of September 30, 2021 was with reinsurers that had an A.M. Best rating of “A–” or better.  We also mitigate our credit risk for the remaining reinsurance recoverable by obtaining letters of credit.

The following table shows earned premiums ceded and reinsurance loss recoveries by period (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Ceded earned premiums	$	75,314	$	83,287	$	229,478	$	257,312
Reinsurance recoveries	$	69,845	$	66,395	$	210,024	$	222,067

Loss Portfolio Transfer

On July 16, 2020, AHIC, HIC, HSIC, HCM and HNIC (collectively, the “Hallmark Insurers”), entered into a Loss Portfolio Transfer Reinsurance Contract to be effective as of January 1, 2020 (the “LPT Contract”) with DARAG Bermuda Ltd. (“DARAG Bermuda”) and DARAG Insurance (Guernsey) Limited (“DARAG Guernsey” and, collectively, the “Reinsurers”).  The LPT Contract was consummated on July 31, 2020. The Company recorded a $21.7 million pre-tax loss during the third quarter of 2020 attributable to the closing of the LPT Contract.

Pursuant to the LPT Contract, (a) the Hallmark Insurers ceded to the Reinsurers all existing and future claims for losses occurring on or prior to December 31, 2019 on the binding primary commercial automobile liability insurance policies and the brokerage primary commercial automobile liability insurance policies issued by the Hallmark Insurers (the “Subject Business”) up to an aggregate limit of $240.0 million, with (i) the first layer of $151.2 million in reinsurance provided by DARAG Bermuda, (ii) the Hallmark Insurers retaining a loss corridor of the next $24.9 million in losses on the Subject Business, (iii) DARAG Bermuda reinsuring a second layer of $27.8 million above the first layer and the Hallmark Insurers’ loss corridor, and (iv) DARAG Guernsey reinsuring the top layer of $36.1 million in losses on the Subject Business, in each case net of third-party reinsurance and other recoveries; (b) the Hallmark Insurers will continue to manage and retain the benefit of other third-party reinsurance on the Subject Business; and (c) the Hallmark Insurers paid the Reinsurers a net reinsurance premium of $92.6  million.  In connection with the closing, the parties also entered into a Services Agreement and a Trust Agreement. Pursuant to the Services Agreement, DARAG Bermuda assumed responsibility for certain administrative services, including claims handling, for the Subject Business.  Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Reinsurers made initial cash deposits in the aggregate amount of $96.7 million into collateral trust

accounts with The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, to be held as security for the Reinsurers’ obligations to the Hallmark Insurers under the LPT Contract.

As of September 30, 2021, the ultimate incurred losses from the subject business were $208.5 million or $32.4 million in excess of the Hallmark Insurers’ loss corridor.  Our reinsurance recoverables of $515.1 million include $49.0 million related to the LPT Contract as of September 30, 2021.