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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A.Business and Basis of Presentation.
Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), a Delaware company and direct subsidiary of Everest Underwriting Group (Ireland) Limited (“Holdings Ireland”), which is a direct subsidiary of Everest Group, Ltd. (“Group”), through its subsidiaries, principally provides property and casualty reinsurance and insurance in the United States of America and internationally. As used in this document, “Company” means Holdings and its subsidiaries.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The statements include all of the following domestic and foreign direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company: Everest Reinsurance Company (“Everest Re”), Everest Global Services, Inc. (“Global Services”), Everest National Insurance Company (“Everest National”), Everest Indemnity Insurance Company (“Everest Indemnity”), Everest Security Insurance Company (“Everest Security”), Everest Reinsurance Company - Escritório de Representação No Brasil Ltda. (“Everest Brazil”), Mt. Whitney Securities, Inc., Everest Denali Insurance Company (“Everest Denali”), Everest Premier Insurance Company (“Everest Premier”), Everest Specialty Underwriters Services, LLC, Everest International Assurance, Ltd. (“Everest Assurance”), EverSports & Entertainment Insurance, Inc. (“Specialty”), Specialty Insurance Group - Leisure and Entertainment Risk Purchasing Group LLC (“Specialty RPG”), Salus Systems (“Salus”) and Mt. McKinley Managers, L.L.C. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. All amounts are reported in U.S. dollars.
The Company consolidates the results of operations and financial position of all voting interest entities ("VOE") in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and all variable interest entities ("VIE") in which the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The consolidation assessment, including the determination as to whether an entity qualifies as a VIE or VOE, depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding each entity.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities (and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities) at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Ultimate actual results could differ, possibly materially, from those estimates.
Certain reclassifications and format changes have been made to prior years’ amounts to conform to the 2023 presentation.
B.Investments and Cash.
Fixed maturity securities designated as available for sale reflect unrealized appreciation and depreciation, as a result of changes in fair value during the period, in stockholder’s equity, net of income taxes in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company reviews all of its fixed maturity, available for sale securities whose fair value has fallen below their amortized cost at the time of review. The Company then assesses whether the decline in value is due to non-credit related or credit related factors. In making its assessment, the Company evaluates the current market and interest rate environment as well as specific issuer information. Generally, a change in a security’s value caused by a change in the market, interest rate or foreign exchange environment does not constitute a credit impairment, but rather a non-credit related decline in fair value. Non-credit related declines in fair value are recorded as unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). If the Company intends to sell the impaired security or is more likely than not to be required to sell the security before an anticipated recovery in value, the Company records the entire impairment in net gains (losses) on investments in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). If the Company determines that the decline is credit related and the Company does not have the intent to sell the security; and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, the Company establishes a credit allowance equal to the estimated credit loss and is recorded in net gains (losses) on investments in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The determination of credit-related or non-credit-related impairment is first based on an assessment of qualitative factors, which may determine that a qualitative analysis is sufficient to support the conclusion that the present value of expected cash flows equals or exceeds the security’s amortized cost basis. However, if the qualitative assessment suggests a credit loss may exist, a quantitative assessment is performed, and the amount of the allowance for a given security will generally be the difference between a discounted cash flow model and the Company’s
carrying value. The Company will adjust the credit allowance account for future changes in credit loss estimates for a security and record this adjustment through net gains (losses) on investments in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Fixed maturity securities designated as held to maturity consist of debt securities for which the Company has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity or redemption and are reported at amortized cost, net of the current expected credit loss allowance. Interest income for fixed maturity securities held to maturity is determined in the same manner as interest income for fixed maturity securities available for sale. The Company evaluates fixed maturity securities classified as held to maturity for current expected credit losses utilizing risk characteristics of each security, including credit rating, remaining time to maturity, adjusted for prepayment considerations, and subordination level, and applying default and recovery rates, which include the incorporation of historical credit loss experience and macroeconomic forecasts, to develop an estimate of current expected credit losses.
The Company does not create an allowance for uncollectible interest. If interest is not received when due, the interest receivable is immediately reversed and no additional interest is accrued. If future interest is received that has not been accrued, it is recorded as income at that time.
The Company’s assessments are based on the issuers’ current and expected future financial position, timeliness with respect to interest and/or principal payments, speed of repayments and any applicable credit enhancements or breakeven constant default rates on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, as well as relevant information provided by rating agencies, investment advisors and analysts.
Retrospective adjustments are employed to recalculate the values of asset-backed securities. All of the Company’s asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities have a pass-through structure. Each acquisition lot is reviewed to recalculate the effective yield. The recalculated effective yield is used to derive a book value as if the new yield were applied at the time of acquisition. Outstanding principal factors from the time of acquisition to the adjustment date are used to calculate the prepayment history for all applicable securities. Conditional prepayment rates, computed with life to date factor histories and weighted average maturities, are used in the calculation of projected prepayments for pass-through security types.
For equity securities, the Company reflects changes in fair value as net gains (losses) on investments. Interest income on all fixed maturities and dividend income on all equity securities are included as part of net investment income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Short-term investments comprise securities due to mature within one year from the date of purchase and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
Realized gains or losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of identified cost. For some non-publicly traded securities, market prices are determined through the use of pricing models that evaluate securities relative to the U.S. Treasury yield curve, taking into account the issue type, credit quality, and cash flow characteristics of each security. For other non-publicly traded securities, investment managers’ valuation committees will estimate fair value, and in many instances, these fair values are supported with opinions from qualified independent third parties. For publicly traded securities, fair value is based on quoted market prices or valuation models that use observable market inputs. When a sector of the financial markets is inactive or illiquid, the Company may use its own assumptions about future cash flows and risk-adjusted discount rates to determine fair value.
Other invested assets include limited partnerships, corporate-owned life insurance (“COLI”), rabbi trusts and other investments. Limited partnerships are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, which can be recorded on a monthly or quarterly lag and are included within net investment income. Corporate-owned life insurance policies are carried at policy cash surrender value and changes in the policy cash surrender value are included within net investment income.
Other invested assets, at fair value, are comprised of convertible preferred stock of Everest Preferred International Holdings, Ltd. (“Preferred Holdings”), an affiliated entity. The fair values of the Preferred Holdings convertible preferred stock at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were determined using a pricing model.
Cash includes cash on hand. Restricted cash is included within cash in the consolidated balance sheets and represents amounts held for the benefit of third parties that is legally or contractually restricted as to its withdrawal or usage. Amounts include trust funds set up for the benefit of ceding companies.
C.Allowance for Premium Receivable and Reinsurance Recoverables.
The Company applies the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) methodology for estimating allowances for credit losses. The Company evaluates the recoverability of its premiums and reinsurance recoverable balances and establishes an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts.
Premiums receivable, excluding receivables for losses within a deductible and retrospectively-rated policy premiums, are primarily comprised of premiums due from policyholders/cedents. Balances are considered past due when amounts that have been billed are not collected within contractually stipulated time periods. For these balances, the allowance is estimated based on recent historical credit loss and collection experience, adjusted for current economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, when appropriate.
A portion of the Company's commercial lines business is written with large deductibles or under retrospectively-rated plans. Under some commercial insurance contracts with a large deductible, the Company is obligated to pay the claimant the full amount of the claim and the Company is subsequently reimbursed by the policyholder for the deductible amount. As such, the Company is subject to credit risk until reimbursement is made. Retrospectively-rated policies are policies whereby the ultimate premium is adjusted based on actual losses incurred. Although the premium adjustment feature of a retrospectively-rated policy substantially reduces insurance risk for the Company, it presents credit risk to the Company. The Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected if a significant portion of such policyholders failed to reimburse the Company for the deductible amount or the amount of additional premium owed under retrospectively-rated policies. The Company manages these credit risks through credit analysis, collateral requirements, and oversight. The allowance for receivables for loss within a deductible and retrospectively-rated policy premiums is recorded within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The allowance is estimated as the amount of the receivable exposed to loss multiplied by estimated factors for probability of default. The probability of default is assigned based on each policyholder's credit rating, or a rating is estimated if no external rating is available. Credit ratings are reviewed and updated at least annually. The exposure amount is estimated net of collateral and other offsets, considering the nature of the collateral, potential future changes in collateral values, and historical loss information for the type of collateral obtained. The probability of default factors are historical corporate defaults for receivables with similar durations estimated through multiple economic cycles. Credit ratings are forward-looking and consider a variety of economic outcomes. The Company's evaluation of the required allowance for receivables for loss within a deductible and retrospectively-rated policy premiums considers the current economic environment as well as the probability-weighted macroeconomic scenarios.
The Company records total credit loss expenses related to premiums receivable in Other underwriting expenses and records credit loss expenses related to deductibles in Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable reflects management’s best estimate of reinsurance cessions that may be uncollectible in the future due to reinsurers’ unwillingness or inability to pay. The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable comprises an allowance and an allowance for disputed balances. Based on this analysis, the Company may adjust the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable or charge off reinsurer balances that are determined to be uncollectible.
Due to the inherent uncertainties as to collection and the length of time before reinsurance recoverable become due, it is possible that future adjustments to the Company’s reinsurance recoverable, net of the allowance, could be required, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows in a particular quarter or annual period.
The allowance is estimated as the amount of reinsurance recoverable exposed to loss multiplied by estimated factors for the probability of default. The reinsurance recoverable exposed is the amount of reinsurance recoverable net of collateral and other offsets, considering the nature of the collateral, potential future changes in collateral values, and historical loss information for the type of collateral obtained. The probability of default factors are historical insurer and reinsurer defaults for liabilities with similar durations to the reinsured liabilities as estimated through multiple economic cycles. Credit ratings are forward-looking and consider a variety of economic outcomes. The Company's evaluation of the required allowance for reinsurance recoverable considers the current economic environment as well as macroeconomic scenarios.
The Company records credit loss expenses related to reinsurance recoverable in Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Write-offs of
reinsurance recoverable and any related allowance are recorded in the period in which the balance is deemed uncollectible.
D.Deferred Acquisition Costs.
Acquisition costs, consisting principally of commissions and brokerage expenses and certain premium taxes and fees incurred at the time a contract or policy is issued and that vary with and are directly related to the Company’s reinsurance and insurance business, are deferred and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. Deferred acquisition costs are limited to their estimated realizable value by line of business based on the related unearned premiums, anticipated claims and claim expenses and anticipated investment income.
E.Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.
The reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) is based on individual case estimates and reports received from ceding companies.  A provision is included for losses and LAE incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) based on past experience.  Provisions are also included for certain potential liabilities, including those relating to asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) exposures, catastrophe exposures, COVID-19 and other exposures, for which liabilities cannot be estimated using traditional reserving techniques.  See also Note 3.  The reserves are reviewed periodically and any changes in estimates are reflected in earnings in the period the adjustment is made.  The Company’s loss and LAE reserves represent management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability.  Loss and LAE reserves are presented gross of reinsurance recoverable and incurred losses and LAE are presented net of reinsurance.
Accruals for commissions are established for reinsurance contracts that provide for the stated commission percentage to increase or decrease based on the loss experience of the contract. Changes in estimates for such arrangements are recorded as commission expense. Commission accruals for contracts with adjustable features are estimated based on expected loss and LAE.
F.Premium Revenues.
Written premiums are earned ratably over the periods of the related insurance and reinsurance contracts.  Unearned premium reserves are established relative to the unexpired contract period.  For reinsurance contracts, such reserves are established based upon reports received from ceding companies or estimated using pro rata methods based on statistical data.  Reinstatement premiums represent additional premium recognized and earned at the time a loss event occurs and losses are recorded, most prevalently catastrophe related, when limits have been depleted under the original reinsurance contract and additional coverage is granted.  The recognition of reinstatement premiums is based on estimates of loss and LAE, which reflects management’s judgement. Written and earned premiums and the related costs, which have not yet been reported to the Company, are estimated and accrued.  Premiums are net of ceded reinsurance.
During 2023, the Company refined its premium estimation methodology for its risk attaching reinsurance contracts within its Reinsurance Segment to continue to recognize gross written premium over the term of the treaty, albeit over a different pattern than what was previously used. The refined estimate resulted in an increase of gross written premium for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 period and has further aligned the estimation methodology across the reinsurance division globally. This change had no impact on the total written premium to be recognized over the term of the treaty. There was no impact on net earned premium and therefore, no impact on income from continuing operations, net income, or any related per-share amounts.
G.Prepaid Reinsurance Premiums.
Prepaid reinsurance premiums represent unearned premium reserves ceded to other reinsurers. Prepaid reinsurance premiums for any foreign reinsurers comprising more than 10% of the outstanding balance at December 31, 2023 were collateralized either through collateralized trust arrangements, rights of offset or letters of credit, thereby limiting the credit risk to the Company.
H.Income Taxes.
The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries and foreign branches of its U.S. subsidiaries file country and local corporation income tax returns as required. Deferred U.S. federal and foreign income taxes have been recorded to recognize the tax effect of temporary differences between the GAAP and income tax basis of assets and liabilities, which arise because of differences between the financial reporting and income tax rules.
As an accounting policy, the Company has adopted the aggregate portfolio approach for releasing disproportionate income tax effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.
I.Foreign Currency.
The Company transacts business in numerous currencies through business units located around the world. The functional currency for each business unit is determined by the local currency used for most economic activity in that area. Movements in exchange rates related to transactions in currencies other than a business unit’s functional currency for monetary assets and liabilities are measured through the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in other income (expense), except for currency movements related to available for sale fixed maturity securities, which are excluded from net income (loss) and accumulated in stockholder’s equity, net of deferred taxes.
The business units’ functional currency financial statements are translated to the Company’s reporting currency, U.S. dollars, using the exchange rates at the end of period for the balance sheets and the average exchange rates in effect for the reporting period for the statements of operations. Gains and losses resulting from translating the foreign currency financial statements, net of deferred income taxes, are excluded from net income (loss) and accumulated as a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholder’s equity.
J.Segmentation.
The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in two segments: Reinsurance and Insurance. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company revised the classification and presentation of certain products related to its accident and health business within the segment groupings. These products have been realigned from within the Reinsurance segment to the Insurance segment to appropriately reflect how the business segments are managed. These changes have been reflected retrospectively. See also Note 6.
K.Recent Accounting Pronouncements.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
The Company did not adopt any new accounting standards that had a material impact in 2023.
Future Adoption of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
The Company assessed the adoption impacts of recently issued accounting standards that are affective after 2023 by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Additionally, the Company assessed whether there have been material updates to previously issued accounting standards that are effective after 2023 . There were no accounting standards identified, other than those directly reference below, that are expected to have a material impact to Holdings.
Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2023-09, which requires expanded income tax disclosures, including the disaggregation of existing disclosures related to the tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Prospective application is required, with retrospective application permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the updated guidance will have on the Company's financial statement disclosures.