DONEGAL GROUP INC - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

DONEGAL GROUP INC - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

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Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to .

Commission file number 0-15341

Donegal Group Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

23-2424711

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1195 River Road, P.O. Box 302, Marietta, PA 17547

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(717) 426-1931

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether 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. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark 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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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 check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 22,788,003 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 5,576,775 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding on October 31, 2018.

DONEGAL GROUP INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q REPORT


		Page
PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements		1

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		22

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		31

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		31

PART II	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		32

Item 1A.	Risk Factors		32

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		32

Item 3.	Defaults upon Senior Securities		32

Item 4.	Removed and Reserved		32

Item 5.	Other Information		32

Item 6.	Exhibits		33

Signatures			34

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets


	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments
Fixed maturities
Held to maturity, at amortized cost	$	400,233,054		$	366,655,077
Available for sale, at fair value		525,027,434			538,946,050
Equity securities, at fair value		57,972,976			50,445,243
Investment in affiliate		39,960,649			38,773,420
Short-term investments, at cost, which approximates fair value		5,096,047			11,049,915

Total investments		1,028,290,160			1,005,869,705
Cash		55,258,656			37,833,435
Accrued investment income		7,166,660			6,553,121
Premiums receivable		160,318,764			160,406,432
Reinsurance receivable		322,467,746			298,342,563
Deferred policy acquisition costs		64,566,885			60,289,860
Deferred tax asset, net		10,059,549			7,128,843
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		141,536,708			135,032,641
Property and equipment, net		4,825,788			7,280,415
Accounts receivable – securities		1,101,615			180,525
Federal income taxes receivable		19,595,519			10,935,105
Goodwill		5,625,354			5,625,354
Other intangible assets		958,010			958,010
Other		2,475,943			1,483,769

Total assets	$	1,824,247,357		$	1,737,919,778

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Unpaid losses and loss expenses	$	779,979,677		$	676,671,727
Unearned premiums		530,543,671			503,456,541
Accrued expenses		24,381,505			28,033,776
Reinsurance balances payable		3,191,746			4,116,159
Borrowings under lines of credit		60,000,000			59,000,000
Cash dividends declared to stockholders		—			3,841,820
Subordinated debentures		5,000,000			5,000,000
Due to affiliate		3,737,282			7,314,368
Other		1,873,448			1,789,283

Total liabilities		1,408,707,329			1,289,223,674

Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued		—			—
Class A common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 40,000,000 shares, issued 25,733,219 and 25,564,481 shares and outstanding 22,730,631 and 22,561,893 shares		257,333			255,645
Class B common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued 5,649,240 shares and outstanding 5,576,775 shares		56,492			56,492
Additional paid-in capital		259,667,062			255,401,558
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(18,943,910	)		(2,684,275	)
Retained earnings		215,729,408			236,893,041
Treasury stock, at cost		(41,226,357	)		(41,226,357	)

Total stockholders’ equity		415,540,028			448,696,104

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,824,247,357		$	1,737,919,778

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Revenues:
Net premiums earned	$	187,661,705	$	177,283,816
Investment income, net of investment expenses		6,620,491		5,979,834
Net realized investment gains (includes ($20,512) and $561,429 accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications)		3,463,504		561,429
Lease income		119,934		113,409
Installment payment fees		1,305,778		1,373,892
Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation		732,768		403,647

Total revenues		199,904,180		185,716,027

Expenses:
Net losses and loss expenses		140,726,106		114,386,379
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		31,110,000		29,008,000
Other underwriting expenses		24,528,860		31,790,251
Policyholder dividends		1,050,200		1,376,115
Interest		651,768		466,262
Other expenses, net		560,260		176,970

Total expenses		198,627,194		177,203,977

Income before income tax expense		1,276,986		8,512,050
Income tax expense (includes ($4,308) and $196,500 income tax (benefit) expense from reclassification items)		70,630		1,403,476

Net income	$	1,206,356	$	7,108,574

Income per common share:
Class A common stock – basic	$	0.04	$	0.27

Class A common stock – diluted	$	0.04	$	0.26

Class B common stock – basic and diluted	$	0.04	$	0.24

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Net income	$	1,206,356		$	7,108,574
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Unrealized (loss) gain on securities:
Unrealized holding (loss) gain during the period, net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($609,572) and $561,247		(2,293,154	)		1,042,317
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income, net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($4,308) and $196,500		16,204			(364,929	)

Other comprehensive (loss) income		(2,276,950	)		677,388

Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(1,070,594	)	$	7,785,962

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Revenues:
Net premiums earned	$	555,140,395		$	521,454,835
Investment income, net of investment expenses		19,341,012			17,385,103
Net realized investment gains (includes ($52,828) and $4,207,710 accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications)		4,062,475			4,207,710
Lease income		365,930			383,183
Installment payment fees		3,959,936			3,813,663
Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation		2,152,738			1,023,212

Total revenues		585,022,486			548,267,706

Expenses:
Net losses and loss expenses		433,063,019			356,825,751
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		91,354,000			85,391,000
Other underwriting expenses		82,343,932			88,538,755
Policyholder dividends		3,565,971			3,422,672
Interest		1,682,200			1,212,895
Other expenses, net		1,604,595			1,036,223

Total expenses		613,613,717			536,427,296

(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense		(28,591,231	)		11,840,410
Income tax (benefit) expense (includes ($11,094) and $1,472,698 income tax (benefit) expense from reclassification items)		(10,829,654	)		1,945,666

Net (loss) income	$	(17,761,577	)	$	9,894,744

(Loss) earnings per common share:
Class A common stock – basic	$	(0.64	)	$	0.37

Class A common stock – diluted	$	(0.64	)	$	0.36

Class B common stock – basic and diluted	$	(0.59	)	$	0.33

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Net (loss) income	$	(17,761,577	)	$	9,894,744
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Unrealized (loss) gain on securities:
Unrealized holding (loss) gain during the period, net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($3,025,784) and $2,215,869		(11,382,714	)		4,115,189
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net (loss) income, net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($11,094) and $1,472,698		41,734			(2,735,012	)

Other comprehensive (loss) income		(11,340,980	)		1,380,177

Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(29,102,557	)	$	11,274,921

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018


	Class A Shares		Class B Shares		Class A Amount		Class B Amount		Additional Paid-In Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance, December 31, 2017		25,564,481		5,649,240	$	255,645	$	56,492	$	255,401,558	$	(2,684,275	)	$	236,893,041		$	(41,226,357	)	$	448,696,104
Issuance of common stock		120,394		—		1,204		—		1,703,806		—			—			—			1,705,010
Share-based compensation		48,344		—		484		—		2,113,728		—			—			—			2,114,212
Net loss		—		—		—		—		—		—			(17,761,577	)		—			(17,761,577	)
Cash dividends declared		—		—		—		—		—		—			(7,872,741	)		—			(7,872,741	)
Grant of stock options		—		—		—		—		447,970		—			(447,970	)		—			—
Reclassification of equity unrealized gains		—		—		—		—		—		(4,918,655	)		4,918,655			—			—
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—		—		—		(11,340,980	)		—			—			(11,340,980	)

Balance, September 30, 2018		25,733,219		5,649,240	$	257,333	$	56,492	$	259,667,062	$	(18,943,910	)	$	215,729,408		$	(41,226,357	)	$	415,540,028

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(17,761,577	)	$	9,894,744

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items		5,288,171			4,791,010
Net realized investment gains		(4,062,475	)		(4,207,710	)
Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation		(2,152,738	)		(1,023,212	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss expenses		103,307,950			37,685,539
Unearned premiums		27,087,130			49,850,687
Premiums receivable		87,668			(4,035,543	)
Deferred acquisition costs		(4,277,025	)		(5,568,430	)
Deferred income taxes		83,985			(113,508	)
Reinsurance receivable		(24,125,183	)		(20,551,553	)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		(6,504,067	)		(13,554,734	)
Accrued investment income		(613,539	)		(656,215	)
Due to affiliate		(3,577,086	)		14,960,562
Reinsurance balances payable		(924,413	)		1,312,472
Current income taxes		(8,660,414	)		(995,307	)
Accrued expenses		(3,652,271	)		(5,018,331	)
Other, net		310,988			(101,676	)

Net adjustments		77,616,681			52,774,051

Net cash provided by operating activities		59,855,104			62,668,795

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of fixed maturities, held to maturity		(42,834,707	)		(43,710,213	)
Purchases of fixed maturities, available for sale		(88,940,126	)		(105,011,666	)
Purchases of equity securities, available for sale		(11,255,867	)		(9,030,858	)
Maturity of fixed maturities:
Held to maturity		9,485,969			14,580,714
Available for sale		84,617,730			75,856,616
Sales of fixed maturities, available for sale		1,388,934			9,634,968
Sales of equity securities, available for sale		7,843,437			10,782,859
Net purchases of property and equipment		(132,290	)		(740,608	)
Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments		5,953,868			(1,360,359	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(33,873,052	)		(48,998,547	)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash dividends paid		(11,714,561	)		(11,079,326	)
Issuance of common stock		2,157,730			4,363,003
Borrowings under line of credit		1,000,000			—

Net cash used in financing activities		(8,556,831	)		(6,716,323	)

Net increase in cash		17,425,221			6,953,925
Cash at beginning of period		37,833,435			24,587,214

Cash at end of period	$	55,258,656		$	31,541,139

Cash paid during period – Interest	$	937,470		$	1,016,678
Net cash paid during period – Taxes	$	—		$	3,050,000

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

DONEGAL GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1 -

Organization

Donegal Mutual Insurance Company (“Donegal Mutual”) organized us as an insurance holding company on August 26, 1986. Our insurance subsidiaries, Atlantic States Insurance Company (“Atlantic States”), Southern Insurance Company of Virginia (“Southern”), Le Mars Insurance Company (“Le Mars”), the Peninsula Insurance Group (“Peninsula”), which consists of Peninsula Indemnity Company and The Peninsula Insurance Company, Sheboygan Falls Insurance Company (“Sheboygan”) and Michigan Insurance Company (“MICO”), write property and casualty insurance exclusively through independent insurance agents in certain Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England and Southern states. We also own 48.2% of the outstanding stock of Donegal Financial Services Corporation (“DFSC”), a grandfathered unitary savings and loan holding company that owns Union Community Bank (“UCB”), a state savings bank. Donegal Mutual owns the remaining 51.8% of the outstanding stock of DFSC.

We have four segments: our investment function, our personal lines of insurance, our commercial lines of insurance and our investment in DFSC. The personal lines products of our insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of homeowners and private passenger automobile policies. The commercial lines products of our insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril and workers’ compensation policies.

At September 30, 2018, Donegal Mutual held approximately 43% of our outstanding Class A common stock and approximately 84% of our outstanding Class B common stock. This ownership provides Donegal Mutual with approximately 72% of the total voting power of our common stock. Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual have interrelated operations due to a pooling agreement and other intercompany agreements and transactions. While each company maintains its separate corporate existence, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. As such, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries share the same business philosophy, the same management, the same employees and the same facilities and offer the same types of insurance products.

Atlantic States, our largest subsidiary, participates in a pooling agreement with Donegal Mutual. Under the pooling agreement, the two companies pool their insurance business and each company receives an allocated percentage of the pooled business. Atlantic States has an 80% share of the results of the pooled business, and Donegal Mutual has a 20% share of the results of the pooled business.

The same executive management and underwriting personnel administer products, classes of business underwritten, pricing practices and underwriting standards of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries. In addition, as the Donegal Insurance Group, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries share a combined business plan to achieve market penetration and underwriting profitability objectives. The products our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual market are generally complementary, thereby allowing the Donegal Insurance Group to offer a broader range of products to a given market and to expand the Donegal Insurance Group’s ability to service entire personal lines or commercial lines accounts. Distinctions within the products Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries offer relate generally to specific risk profiles targeted within similar classes of business, such as preferred tier products versus standard tier products, but we do not allocate all of the standard risk gradients to any specific company within the Donegal Insurance Group. Therefore, the underwriting profitability of the business the individual companies write directly will vary. However, because the risk characteristics of all business Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States write directly are homogenized within the underwriting pool, Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States share the underwriting results in proportion to their respective participation in the underwriting pool.

Donegal Mutual completed the merger of Mountain States Mutual Casualty Company (“Mountain States”) with and into Donegal Mutual effective May 25, 2017. Donegal Mutual was the surviving company in the merger, and Mountain States’ insurance subsidiaries, Mountain States Indemnity Company and Mountain States Commercial Insurance Company, became insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Mutual upon completion of the merger. Upon completion of the merger, Donegal Mutual assumed all of the policy obligations of Mountain States and began to market its products together with those of its insurance subsidiaries as the Mountain States Insurance Group in four Southwestern states. For an indefinite period of time, Donegal Mutual will exclude the business of the Mountain States Insurance Group from the pooling agreement with Atlantic States. As a result, our consolidated results of operations exclude the results of Donegal Mutual’s operations in those Southwestern states.

On April 3, 2018, we announced plans to consolidate the branch office operations of Peninsula into our home office operations effective July 2, 2018 to achieve economies of scale and enhance service levels for policyholders of Peninsula. We recorded a restructuring charge in the second quarter of 2018 for employee termination costs associated with the Peninsula consolidation of approximately $1.9 million. We paid approximately $835,000 of these costs in the third quarter of 2018 and

had an accrual of approximately $1.1 million remaining at September 30, 2018. We entered into a definitive purchase arrangement for the sale of Peninsula’s branch office real estate, and expect to receive net proceeds of $1.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2018. We recorded an impairment charge of $1.0 million in other expenses in the third quarter of 2018 related to this real estate transaction and included the $1.2 million fair value of the real estate we held for sale in other assets at September 30, 2018.

On June 11, 2018, we and Donegal Mutual entered into an agreement whereby DFSC will merge with and into Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (“Northwest”) in exchange for payment by Northwest to us and Donegal Mutual of approximately $85.0 million in a combination of cash and Northwest common stock. Immediately prior to the closing of the transaction, DFSC will pay a dividend of approximately $30.0 million to us and Donegal Mutual. As the owner of 48.2% of DFSC’s common stock, we will receive a dividend payment from DFSC of approximately $14.5 million and consideration from Northwest that will range in value from $38.9 million to $43.0 million. Subject to receipt of various regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, we anticipate that the transaction will close during the first quarter of 2019.

On July 18, 2013, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program pursuant to which we have the authority to purchase up to 500,000 shares of our Class A common stock at prices prevailing from time to time in the open market subject to the provisions of applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in privately negotiated transactions. We did not purchase any shares of our Class A common stock under this program during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017. We have purchased a total of 57,658 shares of our Class A common stock under this program from its inception through September 30, 2018.

2 -

Basis of Presentation

Our financial information for the interim periods included in this Form 10-Q Report is unaudited; however, our financial information we include in this Form 10-Q Report reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of our management, are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for those interim periods. Our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations we expect for the year ending December 31, 2018.

We recommend you read the interim financial statements we include in this Form 10-Q Report in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes to our financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

3 -

Earnings Per Share

We have two classes of common stock, which we refer to as our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock. Our certificate of incorporation provides that whenever our board of directors declares a dividend on our Class B common stock, our board of directors shall simultaneously declare a dividend on our Class A common stock that is payable to the holders of our Class A common stock at the same time and as of the same record date at a rate that is at least 10% greater than the rate at which our board of directors declared a dividend on our Class B common stock. Accordingly, we use the two-class method to compute our earnings per common share. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share separately for each class of common stock based on dividends we have declared and an allocation of our remaining undistributed earnings using a participation percentage that reflects the dividend rights of each class. The table below presents for the periods indicated a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators we used to compute basic and diluted net income per share for our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	Class A			Class B			Class A		Class B
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic income per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of net income	$	1,006		$	200		$	5,787	$	1,322

Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding		22,717			5,577			21,756		5,577

Basic income per share	$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.27	$	0.24

Diluted income per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of net income	$	1,006		$	200		$	5,787	$	1,322

Denominator:
Number of shares used in basic computation		22,717			5,577			21,756		5,577
Weighted-average shares effect of dilutive securities:
Director and employee stock options		178			—			461		—

Number of shares used in diluted computation		22,895			5,577			22,217		5,577

Diluted income per share	$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.26	$	0.24


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	Class A			Class B			Class A		Class B
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic (loss) earnings per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of net (loss) income	$	(14,472	)	$	(3,290	)	$	8,066	$	1,829

Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding		22,673			5,577			21,669		5,577

Basic (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.64	)	$	(0.59	)	$	0.37	$	0.33

Diluted (loss) earnings per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of net (loss) income	$	(14,472	)	$	(3,290	)	$	8,066	$	1,829

Denominator:
Number of shares used in basic computation		22,673			5,577			21,669		5,577
Weighted-average shares effect of dilutive securities:
Director and employee stock options		—			—			778		—

Number of shares used in diluted computation		22,673			5,577			22,447		5,577

Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.64	)	$	(0.59	)	$	0.36	$	0.33

We did not include outstanding options to purchase 6,731,481 shares of Class A common stock in our computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2018 because the exercise price of the options exceeded the average market price of our Class A common stock during the period. We did not include any effect of dilutive securities in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 because we sustained a net loss for this period.

We did not include outstanding options to purchase 5,178,629 and 1,382,400 shares of Class A common stock in our computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 because the exercise price of the options exceeded the average market price of our Class A common stock during the applicable periods.

4 -

Reinsurance

Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual have participated in a pooling agreement since 1986 under which they pool substantially all of their direct premiums written, and Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual then share the underwriting results of the pool in accordance with the terms of the pooling agreement. Atlantic States has an 80% share of the results of the pool, and Donegal Mutual has a 20% share of the results of the pool.

Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual purchase certain third-party reinsurance on a combined basis. Le Mars, MICO, Peninsula and Sheboygan also separately purchase third-party reinsurance that provides that insurance subsidiary with reinsurance coverage that we believe is commensurate with its respective size and risk exposures. Our insurance subsidiaries use several different reinsurers, all of which have an A.M. Best rating of A- (Excellent) or better or, with respect to foreign reinsurers, have a financial condition that, in the opinion of our management, is equivalent to a company with at least an A- rating from A.M. Best. The following information describes the external reinsurance our insurance subsidiaries have in place for 2018:

•

excess of loss reinsurance, under which Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries recover, through a series of reinsurance agreements, losses over a set retention (generally $1.0 million), and

•

catastrophe reinsurance, under which Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries recover, through a series of reinsurance agreements, 100% of an accumulation of many losses resulting from a single event, including natural disasters, over a set retention (generally $5.0 million) and after exceeding an annual aggregate deductible (generally $5.0 million) up to aggregate losses of $170.0 million per occurrence.

Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual also purchase facultative reinsurance to cover exposures in excess of the covered limits of their third-party reinsurance agreements.

In addition to the pooling agreement and third-party reinsurance, our insurance subsidiaries have various reinsurance agreements with Donegal Mutual.

Effective March 1, 2018, Donegal Mutual and certain of our insurance subsidiaries modified their third-party reinsurance coverage related to umbrella liability policies to increase the maximum loss retention of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries from $250,000 to $1.0 million. Donegal Mutual and certain of our insurance subsidiaries also made various adjustments to the terms of their intercompany catastrophe reinsurance agreements effective January 1, 2018. We have made no other significant changes to our third-party reinsurance or the reinsurance agreements between our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

5 -

Investments

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of our fixed maturities at September 30, 2018 were as follows:


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Held to Maturity
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	76,078	$	5	$	2,120	$	73,963
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		156,055		6,890		1,721		161,224
Corporate securities		125,879		258		4,338		121,799
Mortgage-backed securities		42,221		—		1,033		41,188

Totals	$	400,233	$	7,153	$	9,212	$	398,174


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	44,192	$	4	$	1,668	$	42,528
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		81,704		1,696		726		82,674
Corporate securities		135,889		178		3,285		132,782
Mortgage-backed securities		276,973		37		9,967		267,043

Totals	$	538,758	$	1,915	$	15,646	$	525,027

At September 30, 2018, our holdings of obligations of states and political subdivisions included general obligation bonds with an aggregate fair value of $163.4 million and an amortized cost of $159.7 million. Our holdings at September 30, 2018 also included special revenue bonds with an aggregate fair value of $80.5 million and an amortized cost of $78.1 million. With respect to both categories of those bonds at September 30, 2018, we held no securities of any issuer that comprised more than 10% of our holdings of either bond category. Education bonds and water and sewer utility bonds represented 54% and 27%, respectively, of our total investments in special revenue bonds based on the carrying values of these investments at September 30, 2018. Many of the issuers of the special revenue bonds we held at September 30, 2018 have the authority to impose ad valorem taxes. In that respect, many of the special revenue bonds we held at September 30, 2018 are similar to general obligation bonds.

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of our fixed maturities at December 31, 2017 were as follows:


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Held to Maturity
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	71,736	$	804	$	547	$	71,993
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		137,581		11,162		112		148,631
Corporate securities		108,025		2,860		731		110,154
Mortgage-backed securities		49,313		516		157		49,672

Totals	$	366,655	$	15,342	$	1,547	$	380,450


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	44,759	$	20	$	730	$	44,049
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		128,478		3,942		303		132,117
Corporate securities		105,254		1,011		526		105,739
Mortgage-backed securities		259,923		445		3,327		257,041

Totals	$	538,414	$	5,418	$	4,886	$	538,946

At December 31, 2017, our holdings of obligations of states and political subdivisions included general obligation bonds

with an aggregate fair value of $190.7 million and an amortized cost of $181.4 million. Our holdings at December 31, 2017 also included special revenue bonds with an aggregate fair value of $90.0 million and an amortized cost of $84.7 million. With respect to both categories of those bonds at December 31, 2017, we held no securities of any issuer that comprised more than 10% of that category. Education bonds and water and sewer utility bonds represented 53% and 26%, respectively, of our total investments in special revenue bonds based on their carrying values at December 31, 2017. Many of the issuers of the special revenue bonds we held at December 31, 2017 have the authority to impose ad valorem taxes. In that respect, many of the special revenue bonds we held are similar to general obligation bonds.

We made reclassifications from available for sale to held to maturity of certain fixed maturities at fair value on November 30, 2013. We segregated within accumulated other comprehensive loss the net unrealized losses of $15.1 million arising prior to the November 30, 2013 reclassifications. We are amortizing this balance over the remaining life of the related securities as an adjustment to yield in a manner consistent with the accretion of discount on the same fixed maturities. We recorded amortization of $912,229 and $909,044 in other comprehensive (loss) income during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, net unrealized losses of $8.9 million and $9.8 million, respectively, remained within accumulated other comprehensive loss.

We show below the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our fixed maturities at September 30, 2018 by contractual maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.


	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Held to maturity
Due in one year or less	$	8,783	$	8,768
Due after one year through five years		70,790		70,505
Due after five years through ten years		136,673		135,068
Due after ten years		141,766		142,645
Mortgage-backed securities		42,221		41,188

Total held to maturity	$	400,233	$	398,174


Available for sale
Due in one year or less	$	39,265	$	39,465
Due after one year through five years		86,468		85,156
Due after five years through ten years		116,791		114,026
Due after ten years		19,261		19,337
Mortgage-backed securities		276,973		267,043

Total available for sale	$	538,758	$	525,027

The cost and estimated fair values of our equity securities at September 30, 2018 were as follows:


	Cost		Gross Gains		Gross Losses		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Equity securities	$	49,416	$	9,207	$	650	$	57,973

The cost and estimated fair values of our equity securities at December 31, 2017 were as follows:


	Cost		Gross Gains		Gross Losses		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Equity securities	$	44,219	$	6,505	$	279	$	50,445

Gross realized gains and losses from investments before applicable income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018		2017
	(in thousands)					(in thousands)
Gross realized gains:
Fixed maturities	$	5		$	87	$	16	$	138
Equity securities		2,976			513		6,246		4,142

		2,981			600		6,262		4,280

Gross realized losses:
Fixed maturities		25			39		70		69
Equity securities		(508	)		—		2,130		3

		(483	)		39		2,200		72

Net realized gains	$	3,464		$	561	$	4,062	$	4,208

We recognized $3.9 million of gains and $1.6 million of losses on equity securities held at September 30, 2018 in net realized investment gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

We held fixed maturities with unrealized losses representing declines that we considered temporary at September 30, 2018 as follows:


	Less Than 12 Months				More Than 12 Months
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	65,701	$	1,017	$	48,064	$	2,771
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		58,935		1,586		16,385		861
Corporate securities		179,587		5,150		39,074		2,473
Mortgage-backed securities		144,615		3,200		159,788		7,800

Totals	$	448,838	$	10,953	$	263,311	$	13,905

We held fixed maturities and equity securities with unrealized losses representing declines that we considered temporary at December 31, 2017 as follows:


	Less Than 12 Months				More Than 12 Months
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	24,024	$	287	$	33,987	$	990
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		10,223		120		14,127		295
Corporate securities		35,204		253		31,561		1,004
Mortgage-backed securities		100,534		817		124,062		2,667
Equity securities		4,292		279		—		—

Totals	$	174,277	$	1,756	$	203,737	$	4,956

We make estimates concerning the valuation of our investments and the recognition of other-than-temporary declines in the value of our investments. For equity securities, we measure investments at fair value and, beginning January 1, 2018, we recognize changes in fair value in our results of operations. With respect to a debt security that is in an unrealized loss position, we first assess if we intend to sell the debt security. If we determine we intend to sell the debt security, we recognize the impairment loss in our results of operations. If we do not intend to sell the debt security, we determine whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery. If we determine it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery, we recognize the impairment loss in our results of operations. If we determine it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery, we then evaluate whether a credit loss has occurred with respect to that security. We determine whether a credit loss has occurred by comparing the amortized cost of the debt security to the present value of the cash flows we expect to collect. If we expect a cash flow shortfall, we consider that a credit loss has occurred. If we determine that a credit loss has occurred, we consider the impairment to be other than temporary. We then recognize the amount of the impairment loss related to the credit loss in our results of operations, and we recognize the remaining portion of the impairment loss in our other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. In addition, we may write down securities in an unrealized loss position based on a number of other factors, including when the fair value of an investment is significantly below its cost, when the financial condition of the issuer of a security has deteriorated, the occurrence of industry, issuer or geographic events that have negatively impacted the value of a security and rating agency downgrades. We held 565 debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2018. Based upon our analysis of general market conditions and underlying factors impacting these debt securities, we considered these declines in value to be temporary.

We amortize premiums and discounts on debt securities over the life of the security as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. We compute realized investment gains and losses using the specific identification method.

We amortize premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed debt securities using anticipated prepayments.

Our investment in affiliate represents our 48.2% ownership interest in DFSC. We account for our investment in DFSC using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, we record our investment at cost, with adjustments for our share of DFSC’s earnings and losses as well as changes in the equity of DFSC due to unrealized gains and losses. We include our share of DFSC’s net income in our results of operations. We have compiled the following summary financial information for DFSC at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, from the financial statements of DFSC. The financial information of DFSC at September 30, 2018 and 2017 and for the three and nine months then ended is unaudited.


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in thousands)
Balance sheets:
Total assets	$	543,086	$	567,935

Total liabilities	$	460,292	$	487,604
Stockholders’ equity		82,794		80,331

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	543,086	$	567,935


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in thousands)				(in thousands)
Income statements:
Net income	$	1,519	$	837	$	4,464	$	2,122

6 -

Segment Information

We evaluate the performance of our personal lines and commercial lines segments based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries using statutory accounting principles (“SAP”) that various state insurance departments prescribe or permit. Our management uses SAP to measure the performance of our insurance subsidiaries instead of United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). SAP financial measures are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable SEC rules because they include or exclude certain items that the most comparable GAAP financial measures do not ordinarily include or exclude.

Financial data by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Revenues:
Premiums earned:
Commercial lines	$	84,251		$	80,724
Personal lines		103,410			96,560

Premiums earned		187,661			177,284
Net investment income		6,620			5,980
Realized investment gains		3,464			561
Equity in earnings of DFSC		733			404
Other		1,426			1,487

Total revenues	$	199,904		$	185,716

Income before income tax expense:
Underwriting (loss) income:
Commercial lines	$	2,125		$	8,998
Personal lines		(12,210	)		(8,919	)

SAP underwriting (loss) income		(10,085	)		79
GAAP adjustments		332			644

GAAP underwriting (loss) income		(9,753	)		723
Net investment income		6,620			5,980
Realized investment gains		3,464			561
Equity in earnings of DFSC		733			404
Other		213			844

Income before income tax expense	$	1,277		$	8,512


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Revenues:
Premiums earned:
Commercial lines	$	251,029		$	236,437
Personal lines		304,111			285,018

Premiums earned		555,140			521,455
Net investment income		19,341			17,385
Realized investment gains		4,062			4,208
Equity in earnings of DFSC		2,153			1,023
Other		4,326			4,197

Total revenues	$	585,022		$	548,268

(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense:
Underwriting (loss) income:
Commercial lines	$	(17,935	)	$	12,670
Personal lines		(42,358	)		(31,816	)

SAP underwriting loss		(60,293	)		(19,146	)
GAAP adjustments		5,106			6,423

GAAP underwriting loss		(55,187	)		(12,723	)
Net investment income		19,341			17,385
Realized investment gains		4,062			4,208
Equity in earnings of DFSC		2,153			1,023
Other		1,040			1,947

(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense	$	(28,591	)	$	11,840

7 -

Borrowings

Lines of Credit

In July 2018, we renewed our existing credit agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T”) relating to a $60.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit. The line of credit expires in July 2021. We have the right to request a one-year extension of the credit agreement as of each anniversary date of the credit agreement. At September 30, 2018, we had $25.0 million in outstanding borrowings from M&T and had the ability to borrow an additional $35.0 million at interest rates equal to M&T’s current prime rate or the then current LIBOR rate plus 2.25%. The interest rate on our outstanding borrowings from M&T is adjustable quarterly, and, at September 30, 2018, that interest rate was 4.51%. We pay a fee of 0.25% per annum on the loan commitment amount regardless of usage. The credit agreement requires our compliance with certain covenants. These covenants include minimum levels of our net worth, leverage ratio, statutory surplus and the A.M. Best ratings of our insurance subsidiaries. With the exception of a requirement that we maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio, we complied with all requirements of the credit agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. M&T waived the minimum interest coverage ratio requirement at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2018.

Atlantic States is a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh. Through its membership, Atlantic States has the ability to issue debt to the FHLB of Pittsburgh in exchange for cash advances. Atlantic States had $35.0 million in outstanding advances at September 30, 2018. The interest rate on the advances was 2.32% at September 30, 2018. The table below presents the amount of FHLB of Pittsburgh stock Atlantic States purchased, collateral pledged and assets related to Atlantic States’ membership in the FHLB of Pittsburgh at September 30, 2018.


FHLB of Pittsburgh stock purchased and owned	$	1,631,800
Collateral pledged, at par (carrying value $40,947,302)		41,858,302
Borrowing capacity currently available		3,817,595

MICO is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Indianapolis. During the second quarter of 2018, MICO terminated its line of credit with the FHLB of Indianapolis.

Subordinated Debentures

Donegal Mutual holds a $5.0 million surplus note that MICO issued to increase MICO’s statutory surplus. The surplus note carries an interest rate of 5.00%, and any repayment of principal or payment of interest on the surplus note requires prior approval of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

8 -

Share-Based Compensation

We measure all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options, and use a fair-value-based method for the recording of related compensation expense in our results of operations. In determining the expense we record for stock options granted to directors and employees of our subsidiaries and affiliates, we estimate the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The significant assumptions we utilize in applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model are the risk-free interest rate, the expected term, the dividend yield and the expected volatility.

We charged compensation expense related to our stock compensation plans against income before income taxes of $317,526 and $411,450 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, with a corresponding income tax benefit of $66,680 and $144,008, respectively. We charged compensation expense related to our stock compensation plans against income before income taxes of $1.4 million and $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, with a corresponding income tax benefit of $285,578 and $564,075, respectively. At September 30, 2018, we had $1.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested share-based compensation granted under our stock compensation plans that we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 1.4 years.

We received cash from option exercises under all stock compensation plans during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 of $217,112 and $765,127, respectively. We received cash from option exercises under all stock compensation plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 of $695,762 and $2.9 million, respectively. We realized actual tax benefits for the tax deductions related to those option exercises of $2,516 and $42,411 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We realized actual tax benefits for the tax deductions related to those option exercises of $21,319 and $220,767 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

9 -

Fair Value Measurements

We account for financial assets using a framework that establishes a hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of the inputs, or assumptions, we use in the determination of fair value, and we classify financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2 – directly or indirectly observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices; and

Level 3 – unobservable inputs not corroborated by market data.

For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, we use the quoted market price as fair value and include these investments in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. We classify publicly-traded equity securities as Level 1. When quoted market prices in active markets are not available, we base fair values on quoted market prices of comparable instruments or price estimates we obtain from independent pricing services and include these investments in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. We classify our fixed maturity investments as Level 2. Our fixed maturity investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies, obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate securities and mortgage-backed securities.

We present our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of a security may differ from the amount that could be realized if we sold the security in a forced transaction. In addition, the valuation of fixed maturity investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid, increasing the potential that the estimated fair value does not reflect the price at which an actual transaction would occur. We utilize nationally recognized independent pricing services to estimate fair values or obtain market quotations for substantially all of our fixed maturity and equity investments. These pricing services utilize market quotations for fixed maturity and equity

securities that have quoted prices in active markets. For fixed maturity securities that generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing services prepare estimates of fair value measurements based predominantly on observable market inputs. The pricing services do not use broker quotes in determining the fair values of our investments. Our investment personnel review the estimates of fair value the pricing services provide to verify that the estimates we obtain from the pricing services are representative of fair values based upon our investment personnel’s general knowledge of the market, their research findings related to unusual fluctuations in value and their comparison of such values to execution prices for similar securities. Our investment personnel regularly monitor the market, current trading ranges for similar securities and the pricing of specific investments. Our investment personnel review all pricing estimates that we receive from the pricing services against their expectations with respect to pricing based on fair market curves, security ratings, interest rates, security types and recent trading activity. Our investment personnel periodically review documentation with respect to the pricing services’ pricing methodology that they obtain to determine if the primary pricing sources, market inputs and pricing frequency for various security types are reasonable. At September 30, 2018, we received two estimates per security from the pricing services, and we priced substantially all of our Level 1 and Level 2 investments using those prices. In our review of the estimates the pricing services provided at September 30, 2018, we did not identify any material discrepancies, and we did not make any adjustments to the estimates the pricing services provided.

We present our cash and short-term investments at estimated fair value. We classify these items as Level 1.

The carrying values we report in our balance sheet for premium receivables and reinsurance receivables and payables for premiums and paid losses and loss expenses approximate their fair values. The carrying amounts we report in our balance sheets for our subordinated debentures and borrowings under lines of credit approximate their fair values. We classify these items as Level 3.

We evaluate our assets and liabilities to determine the appropriate level at which to classify them for each reporting period.

The following table presents our fair value measurements for our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at September 30, 2018:


	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
			(in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	42,528	$	—	$	42,528	$	—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		82,674		—		82,674		—
Corporate securities		132,782		—		132,782		—
Mortgage-backed securities		267,043		—		267,043		—
Equity securities		42,228		42,228		—		—

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy		567,255		42,228		525,027		—

Investment measured at net asset value		15,745		—		—		—

Totals	$	583,000	$	42,228	$	525,027	$	—

We did not transfer any investments between Levels 1 and 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The following table presents our fair value measurements for our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at December 31, 2017:


	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
			(in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	44,049	$	—	$	44,049	$	—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		132,117		—		132,117		—
Corporate securities		105,739		—		105,739		—
Mortgage-backed securities		257,041		—		257,041		—
Equity securities		36,736		36,736		—		—

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy		575,682		36,736		538,946		—

Investment measured at net asset value		13,709		—		—		—

Totals	$	589,391	$	36,736	$	538,946	$	—

10 -

Income Taxes

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, we had no material unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties. Tax years 2015 through 2018 remained open for examination at September 30, 2018. We provide a valuation allowance when we believe it is more likely than not that we will not realize some portion of our tax assets. We established a valuation allowance of $264,467 related to a portion of the net operating loss carryforward of Le Mars at January 1, 2004 and a valuation allowance of $77.1 million for our net state operating loss carryforward. We have determined that we are not required to establish a valuation allowance for our other deferred tax assets of $30.0 million and $23.1 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, because it is more likely than not that we will realize these deferred tax assets through reversals of existing temporary differences, future taxable income and the implementation of tax planning strategies.

Our deferred tax assets include a net operating loss carryforward of $2.0 million related to Le Mars, which will begin to expire in 2020 if not previously utilized. This carryforward is subject to an annual limitation of approximately $376,000.

11 -

Liability for Losses and Loss Expenses

The establishment of an appropriate liability for losses and loss expenses is an inherently uncertain process, and we can provide no assurance that our insurance subsidiaries’ ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses will not exceed their loss and loss expense reserves and have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we cannot predict the timing, frequency and extent of adjustments to our insurance subsidiaries’ estimated future liabilities, because the historical conditions and events that serve as a basis for our insurance subsidiaries’ estimates of ultimate claim costs may change. As is the case for substantially all property and casualty insurance companies, our insurance subsidiaries have found it necessary in the past to increase their estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses in certain periods, and, in other periods, their estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses have exceeded their actual liabilities for losses and loss expenses. Changes in our insurance subsidiaries’ estimate of their liability for losses and loss expenses generally reflect actual payments and their evaluation of information received subsequent to the prior reporting period.

We summarize activity in our insurance subsidiaries’ liability for losses and loss expenses as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Balance at January 1	$	676,672		$	606,665
Less reinsurance recoverable		(293,271	)		(259,147	)

Net balance at January 1		383,401			347,518

Incurred related to:
Current year		404,150			351,812
Prior years		28,913			5,014

Total incurred		433,063			356,826

Paid related to:
Current year		214,825			201,849
Prior years		140,806			133,587

Total paid		355,631			335,436

Net balance at end of period		460,833			368,908
Plus reinsurance recoverable		319,147			275,442

Balance at end of period	$	779,980		$	644,350

Our insurance subsidiaries recognized an increase in their liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years of $28.9 million and $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our insurance subsidiaries made no significant changes in their reserving philosophy or claims management personnel, and our insurance subsidiaries have made no significant offsetting changes in estimates that increased or decreased their loss and loss expense reserves in those periods. During the first quarter of 2018, our insurance subsidiaries received new information on previously-reported commercial automobile and personal automobile claims that led our insurance subsidiaries to conclude that their prior actuarial assumptions did not fully anticipate recent changes in severity and reporting trends. Our insurance subsidiaries have encountered increasing difficulties in projecting the ultimate severity of automobile losses over recent accident years, which our insurance subsidiaries attribute to worsening litigation trends and an increased delay in the reporting to our insurance subsidiaries of information with respect to the severity of claims. As a result, our insurance subsidiaries’ actuaries have increased their projections of the ultimate cost of our insurance subsidiaries’ prior-year commercial automobile and personal automobile losses, and our insurance subsidiaries added $13.0 million to their reserves for personal automobile and $19.1 million to their reserves for commercial automobile for accident years prior to 2018. Modest adverse development related to higher-than-expected severity in the homeowners and commercial multi-peril lines of business was offset by lower-than-expected severity in the workers’ compensation line of business in accident years prior to 2018. The 2018 development represented 7.5% of the December 31, 2017 net carried reserves. The majority of the 2018 development related to increases in the liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years for Atlantic States and Southern. The 2017 development represented 1.4% of the December 31, 2016 net carried reserves and resulted primarily from higher-than-expected severity in the commercial multi-peril and commercial automobile liability lines of business, offset by lower-than-expected severity in the workers’ compensation line of business, in accident years prior to 2017. The majority of the 2017 development related to increases in the liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years for Atlantic States and Peninsula.

Short-duration contracts are contracts for which our insurance subsidiaries receive premiums that they recognize as revenue over the period of the contract in proportion to the amount of insurance protection our insurance subsidiaries provide. Our insurance subsidiaries consider the policies they issue to be short-duration contracts. We consider the material lines of business of our insurance subsidiaries to be personal automobile, homeowners, commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril and workers’ compensation.

Our insurance subsidiaries determine incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves by subtracting the cumulative loss and loss expense amounts our insurance subsidiaries have paid and the case reserves our insurance subsidiaries have established at the balance sheet date from their actuaries’ estimate of the ultimate cost of losses and loss expenses. Accordingly, the IBNR reserves of our insurance subsidiaries include their actuaries’ projections of the cost of unreported claims as well as their actuaries’ projected development of case reserves on known claims and reopened claims. Our insurance subsidiaries’ methodology for estimating IBNR reserves has been in place for many years, and, other than the reserve strengthening actions we describe above, their actuaries made no significant changes to that methodology during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The actuaries for our insurance subsidiaries generally prepare an initial estimate for ultimate losses and loss expenses for the current accident year by multiplying earned premium by an expected loss ratio for each line of business our insurance subsidiaries write. Expected loss ratios represent the actuaries’ expectation of losses at the time our insurance subsidiaries price and write their policies and before the emergence of any actual claims experience. The actuaries determine an expected loss ratio by analyzing historical experience and adjusting for loss cost trends, loss frequency and severity trends, premium rate level changes, reported and paid loss emergence patterns and other known or observed factors.

The actuaries use a variety of actuarial methods to estimate the ultimate cost of losses and loss expenses. These methods include paid loss development, incurred loss development and the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method. The actuaries base their selection of a point estimate on a judgmental weighting of the estimates each of these methods produce.

The actuaries consider loss frequency and severity trends when they develop expected loss ratios and point estimates. Loss frequency is a measure of the number of claims per unit of insured exposure, and loss severity is a measure of the average size of claims. Factors that affect loss frequency include changes in weather patterns and economic activity. Factors that affect loss severity include changes in policy limits, reinsurance retentions, inflation rates and judicial interpretations.

Our insurance subsidiaries create a claim file when they receive notice of an actual demand for payment, an event that may lead to a demand for payment or when they otherwise determine that a demand for payment could potentially lead to a future demand for payment on another coverage under the same policy or another policy they have issued. In recent years, our insurance subsidiaries have noted an increase in the period of time between the occurrence of a casualty loss event and the date at which they receive notice of a liability claim. Changes in the length of time between the loss occurrence date and the claim reporting date affect the actuaries’ ability to predict loss frequency accurately and the amount of IBNR reserves our insurance subsidiaries require.

Our insurance subsidiaries generally create a claim file for a policy at the claimant level by type of coverage and generally recognize one count for each claim event. In certain lines of business where it is common for multiple parties to claim damages arising from a single claim event, our insurance subsidiaries recognize one count for each claimant involved in the event. Atlantic States recognizes one count for each claim event, or claimant involved in a multiple-party claim event, related to losses Atlantic States assumes through its participation in its pooling agreement with Donegal Mutual. Our insurance subsidiaries accumulate the claim counts and report them by line of business.

12 -

Impact of New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance that requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. While this guidance replaced most existing GAAP revenue recognition guidance, the scope of the guidance excludes insurance contracts. The new standard was effective on January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or the cumulative effect transition method. Because the accounting for insurance contracts is outside of the scope of this standard, the adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that generally requires entities to measure equity investments at fair value and recognize changes in fair value in their results of operations. This guidance also simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring entities to perform a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. The FASB issued other disclosure and presentation improvements related to financial instruments within the guidance. The guidance was effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. As a result of the adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018, we transferred $4.9 million of net unrealized gains from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings. We recognized $3.9 million of gains and $1.6 million of losses on equity securities held at September 30, 2018 in net realized investment gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires lessees to recognize leases, including operating leases, on the lessee’s balance sheet, unless a lease is considered a short-term lease. This guidance also requires entities to make new judgments to identify leases. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and permits early adoption. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance that amends previous guidance on the impairment of financial instruments by adding an impairment model that requires an entity to recognize expected credit losses as an allowance rather than impairments as credit losses are incurred. The intent of this guidance is to reduce complexity and result in a more timely recognition of expected credit losses. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the measurement of goodwill by modifying the goodwill impairment test previous guidance required. The guidance requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize impairment for the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and permits early adoption. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2018, the FASB issued updated guidance that allows entities to reclassify the stranded tax effects in AOCI resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”) from AOCI to retained earnings. Current guidance requires entities to report the effect of a change in tax laws or tax rates on deferred tax balances in income from continuing operations in the accounting period that includes the period of enactment, even if the entities originally charged or credited related income tax effects directly to AOCI. If an entity elects to reclassify the stranded tax effects, the guidance requires the reclassification to include the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the gross deferred tax amounts and related valuation allowances, if any, related to items in AOCI at the date of the enactment of TCJA. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and permits early adoption. We adopted this guidance effective on the December 22, 2017 date of the enactment of the TCJA. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance that modifies disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. The guidance removes the requirements to disclose the amounts of, and reasons for, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and permits early adoption. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

We recommend that you read the following information in conjunction with the historical financial information and the footnotes to that financial information we include in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We also recommend you read Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We combine our financial statements with those of our insurance subsidiaries and present our financial statements on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Our insurance subsidiaries make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts and disclosures we report in our financial statements. The most significant estimates relate to the reserves of our insurance subsidiaries for property and casualty insurance unpaid losses and loss expenses. While we believe our estimates and the estimates of our insurance subsidiaries are appropriate, the ultimate amounts of these liabilities may differ from the estimates we provided. We regularly review our methods for making these estimates and we reflect any adjustment we consider necessary in our current results of operations.

Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses

Liabilities for losses and loss expenses are estimates at a given point in time of the amounts an insurer expects to pay with respect to incurred policyholder claims based on facts and circumstances the insurer knows at that point in time. At the time of establishing its estimates, an insurer recognizes that its ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses will exceed or be less than such estimates. Our insurance subsidiaries base their estimates of liabilities for losses and loss expenses on assumptions as to future loss trends, expected claims severity, judicial theories of liability and other factors. However, during the loss adjustment period, our insurance subsidiaries may learn additional facts regarding individual claims, and, consequently, it often becomes necessary for our insurance subsidiaries to refine and adjust their estimates for these liabilities. We reflect any adjustments to the liabilities for losses and loss expenses of our insurance subsidiaries in our consolidated results of operations in the period in which our insurance subsidiaries make adjustments to their estimates.

Our insurance subsidiaries maintain liabilities for the payment of losses and loss expenses with respect to both reported and unreported claims. Our insurance subsidiaries establish these liabilities for the purpose of covering the ultimate costs of settling all losses, including investigation and litigation costs. Our insurance subsidiaries base the amount of their 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 the policyholder incurred. Our insurance subsidiaries determine the amount of their liability for unreported claims and loss expenses on the basis of historical information by line of insurance. Our insurance subsidiaries account for inflation in the reserving function through analysis of costs and trends and reviews of historical reserving results. Our insurance subsidiaries monitor their liabilities closely and recompute them periodically using new information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques. Our insurance subsidiaries do not discount their liabilities for losses and loss expenses.

Reserve estimates can change over time because of unexpected changes in assumptions related to our insurance subsidiaries’ external environment and, to a lesser extent, assumptions related to our insurance subsidiaries’ internal operations. For example, our insurance subsidiaries have encountered difficulties in projecting the ultimate severity of automobile losses over recent accident years, which we attribute to worsening litigation trends and an increased delay in the reporting of information with respect to the severity of claims to our insurance subsidiaries. These trend changes give rise to greater uncertainty as to the pattern of future loss settlements on automobile claims. Assumptions related to our insurance subsidiaries’ external environment include the absence of significant changes in tort law and the legal environment that increase liability exposure, consistency 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 statistics, consistency in the recording of claims, payment and case reserving methodology, 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 our insurance subsidiaries determine that underlying factors impacting their assumptions have changed, our insurance subsidiaries make adjustments in their reserves that they consider appropriate for such changes. Accordingly, our insurance subsidiaries’ ultimate liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses will likely differ from the amount recorded at September 30, 2018. For every 1% change in our insurance subsidiaries’ estimate for loss and loss expense reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable, the effect on our pre-tax results of operations would be approximately $4.6 million.

The establishment of appropriate liabilities is an inherently uncertain process and we can provide no assurance that our insurance subsidiaries’ ultimate liability will not exceed our insurance subsidiaries’ loss and loss expense reserves and have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we cannot predict the timing, frequency and extent of adjustments to our insurance subsidiaries’ estimated future liabilities, because the historical conditions and events that serve as a basis for our insurance subsidiaries’ estimates of ultimate claim costs may change. As is the case for substantially all property and casualty insurance companies, our insurance subsidiaries have found it necessary in the past to increase their estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses in certain periods and, in other periods, their estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses have exceeded their actual liabilities for losses and loss expenses. Changes in our insurance subsidiaries’ estimates of their liability for losses and loss expenses generally reflect actual payments and their evaluation of information received subsequent to the prior reporting period.

Excluding the impact of severe weather events, our insurance subsidiaries have noted stable amounts in the number of claims incurred and a slight downward trend in the number of claims outstanding at period ends relative to their premium base in recent years across most of their lines of business. However, the amount of the average claim outstanding has increased over the past several years due to various factors such as rising medical loss costs and increased litigation trends. We have also experienced a general slowing of settlement rates in litigated claims. Our insurance subsidiaries could have to make further adjustments to their estimates in the future. However, on the basis of our insurance subsidiaries’ internal procedures, which analyze, among other things, their prior assumptions, their experience with similar cases and historical trends such as reserving patterns, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes, we believe that our insurance subsidiaries have made adequate provision for their liability for losses and loss expenses.

Atlantic States’ participation in the pool with Donegal Mutual exposes Atlantic States to adverse loss development on the business of Donegal Mutual that the pool includes. However, pooled business represents the predominant percentage of the net underwriting activity of both companies, and Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States share proportionately any adverse risk development relating to the pooled business. The business in the pool is homogeneous and each company has a pro-rata share of the entire pool. Since the predominant percentage of the business of Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual is pooled and the results shared by each company according to its participation level under the terms of the pooling agreement, the intent of the underwriting pool is to produce a more uniform and stable underwriting result from year to year for each company than either would experience individually and to spread the risk of loss between the companies.

Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries operate together as the Donegal Insurance Group and share a combined business plan designed to achieve market penetration and underwriting profitability objectives. The products our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual offer are generally complementary, thereby allowing Donegal Insurance Group to offer a broader range of products to a given market and to expand Donegal Insurance Group’s ability to service an entire personal lines or commercial lines account. Distinctions within the products of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries generally relate to specific risk profiles targeted within similar classes of business, such as preferred tier products compared to standard tier products, but we do not allocate all of the standard risk gradients to one company. Therefore, the underwriting profitability of the business the individual companies write directly will vary. However, because the pool homogenizes the risk characteristics of the predominant percentage of the business Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States write directly and each company shares the underwriting results according to each company’s participation percentage, each company realizes its percentage share of the underwriting results of the pool.

Our insurance subsidiaries’ unpaid liability for losses and loss expenses by major line of business at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following:


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(in thousands)
Commercial lines:
Automobile	$	99,404	$	74,299
Workers’ compensation		111,500		103,318
Commercial multi-peril		86,719		71,011
Other		5,019		4,119

Total commercial lines		302,642		252,747

Personal lines:
Automobile		135,956		110,512
Homeowners		20,013		18,508
Other		2,222		1,634

Total personal lines		158,191		130,654

Total commercial and personal lines		460,833		383,401
Plus reinsurance recoverable		319,147		293,271

Total liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses	$	779,980	$	676,672

We have evaluated the effect on our insurance subsidiaries’ unpaid loss and loss expense reserves and our stockholders’ equity in the event of reasonably likely changes in the variables we consider in establishing the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries. We established the range of reasonably likely changes based on a review of changes in accident-year development by line of business and applied those changes to our insurance subsidiaries’ loss reserves as a whole. The range we selected does not necessarily indicate what could be the potential best or worst case or the most likely scenario. The following table sets forth the estimated effect on our insurance subsidiaries’ unpaid loss and loss expense reserves and our stockholders’ equity in the event of reasonably likely changes in the variables we considered in establishing the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries:


Percentage Change in Loss and Loss Expense Reserves Net of Reinsurance	Adjusted Loss and Loss Expense Reserves Net of Reinsurance at September 30, 2018	Percentage Change in Stockholders’ Equity at September 30, 2018(1)	Adjusted Loss and Loss Expense Reserves Net of Reinsurance at December 31, 2017	Percentage Change in Stockholders’ Equity at December 31, 2017(1)
(dollars in thousands)
(10.0)%	$414,750	8.8%	$345,061	6.8%
(7.5)	426,271	6.6	354,646	5.1
(5.0)	437,791	4.4	364,231	3.4
(2.5)	449,312	2.2	373,816	1.7
Base	460,833	—	383,401	—
2.5	472,354	(2.2)	392,986	(1.7)
5.0	483,875	(4.4)	402,571	(3.4)
7.5	495,395	(6.6)	412,156	(5.1)
10.0	506,916	(8.8)	421,741	(6.8)

(1)	Net of income tax effect.

Non-GAAP Information

We prepare our consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. Our insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit (“SAP”). SAP financial measures are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable SEC rules because the SAP financial measures include or exclude certain items that the most comparable GAAP financial measures do not ordinarily include or exclude. Our calculation of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures other companies use, so investors should exercise caution when comparing our non-GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP financial measures other companies use.

Because our insurance subsidiaries do not prepare GAAP financial statements, we evaluate the performance of our personal lines and commercial lines segments utilizing SAP financial measures that reflect the growth trends and underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries. The SAP financial measures we utilize are net premiums written and statutory combined ratio.

Net Premiums Written

We define net premiums written as the amount of full-term premiums our insurance subsidiaries record for policies effective within a given period less premiums our insurance subsidiaries cede to reinsurers. Net premiums earned is the most comparable GAAP financial measure to net premiums written. Net premiums earned represent the sum of the amount of net premiums written and the change in net unearned premiums during a given period. Our insurance subsidiaries earn premiums and recognize them as revenue over the terms of their policies, which are one year or less in duration. Therefore, increases or decreases in net premiums earned generally reflect increases or decreases in net premiums written in the preceding 12-month period compared to the comparable period one year earlier.

The following table provides a reconciliation of our net premiums earned to our net premiums written for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018		2017
Net premiums earned	$	187,662		$	177,284	$	555,140	$	521,455
Change in net unearned premiums		(3,144	)		5,194		20,583		36,296

Net premiums written	$	184,518		$	182,478	$	575,723	$	557,751

Statutory Combined Ratio

The combined ratio is a standard measurement of underwriting profitability for an insurance company. The combined ratio does not reflect investment income, net realized investment gains or losses, federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.

The statutory combined ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. We calculate our statutory combined ratio as the sum of:

•

the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year net incurred losses and loss expenses to net premiums earned;

•

the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to net premiums written; and

•

the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of dividends to holders of workers’ compensation policies to net premiums earned.

The calculation of our statutory combined ratio differs from the calculation of our GAAP combined ratio. In calculating our GAAP combined ratio, we do not deduct installment payment fees from incurred expenses, and we base the expense ratio on net premiums earned instead of net premiums written. Differences between our GAAP loss ratio and our statutory loss ratio result from anticipating salvage and subrogation recoveries for our GAAP loss ratio but not for our statutory loss ratio.

Combined Ratios

The following table presents comparative details with respect to our GAAP and statutory combined ratios for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)
Loss ratio (non-weather)		63.7	%		54.2	%		68.5	%		58.2	%
Loss ratio (weather-related)		11.3			10.3			9.5			10.2
Expense ratio		29.6			34.3			31.3			33.3
Dividend ratio		0.6			0.8			0.6			0.7

Combined ratio		105.2	%		99.6	%		109.9	%		102.4	%


Statutory Combined Ratios
Commercial lines:
Automobile		114.6	%		116.6	%		133.7	%		110.5	%
Workers’ compensation		83.6			67.6			86.6			78.5
Commercial multi-peril		96.0			86.7			101.2			96.6
Total commercial lines		97.5			86.9			104.8			91.8
Personal lines:
Automobile		115.8			103.8			114.5			105.8
Homeowners		110.3			117.0			112.0			115.2
Total personal lines		111.4			107.5			112.6			108.2
Total commercial and personal lines		105.2			98.2			109.0			100.8

Results of Operations – Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Net Premiums Earned. Our insurance subsidiaries’ net premiums earned for the third quarter of 2018 were $187.7 million, an increase of $10.4 million, or 5.9%, compared to $177.3 million for the third quarter of 2017, reflecting increases in net premiums written during 2018 and 2017.

Net Premiums Written. Our insurance subsidiaries’ net premiums written for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were $184.5 million, an increase of $2.0 million, or 1.1%, from the $182.5 million of net premiums written for the third quarter of 2017. We attribute the increase primarily to the impact of premium rate increases and an increase in the writing of new accounts in commercial lines of business. Personal lines net premiums written decreased $3.2 million, or 3.0%, for the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017. We attribute the decrease in personal lines primarily to net attrition as a result of underwriting measures our insurance subsidiaries have implemented to slow new policy growth and to increase pricing on renewal policies. Commercial lines net premiums written increased $5.2 million, or 6.8%, for the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017. We attribute the increase in commercial lines primarily to premium rate increases throughout 2017 and 2018 and increased writings of new commercial accounts.

Investment Income. Our net investment income increased to $6.6 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $6.0 million for the third quarter of 2017. We attribute the increase primarily to an increase in average invested assets.

Net Realized Investment Gains. Net realized investment gains for the third quarter of 2018 were $3.5 million, compared to $561,429 for the third quarter of 2017. The net realized investment gains for the third quarter of 2018 resulted primarily from unrealized gains within our equity securities portfolio and a limited partnership that invests in equity securities. New accounting guidance we adopted on January 1, 2018 requires us to measure equity investments at fair value and recognize changes in fair value in our results of operations. The net realized investment gains for the third quarter of 2017 resulted primarily from strategic sales of equity securities within our investment portfolio and unrealized gains within a limited partnership that invests in equity securities. We did not recognize any impairment losses in our investment portfolio during the third quarters of 2018 or 2017.

Equity in Earnings of DFSC. Our equity in the earnings of DFSC was $732,768 for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $403,647 for the third quarter of 2017. We attribute the increase in DFSC’s earnings primarily to higher net interest income related to loan portfolio growth that DFSC achieved during 2017.

Losses and Loss Expenses. Our insurance subsidiaries’ loss ratio, which is the ratio of incurred losses and loss expenses to premiums earned, for the third quarter of 2018 was 75.0%, an increase from our insurance subsidiaries’ loss ratio of 64.5% for the third quarter of 2017. On a statutory basis, our insurance subsidiaries’ commercial lines loss ratio was 67.5% for the third quarter of 2018, compared to 54.0% for the third quarter of 2017, primarily due to increases in the commercial automobile, commercial multiple-peril and workers’ compensation loss ratios. The personal lines statutory loss ratio of our insurance subsidiaries increased to 81.8% for the third quarter of 2018, compared to 73.7% for the third quarter of 2017. We attribute this increase primarily to an increase in the personal automobile loss ratio. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced adverse loss reserve development of approximately $2.7 million during the third quarter of 2018. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable loss reserve development of approximately $3.4 million during the third quarter of 2017.

Combined Ratio. The combined ratio represents the sum of the loss ratio, the expense ratio and the dividend ratio, which is the ratio of policyholder dividends incurred to premiums earned. Our insurance subsidiaries’ combined ratios were 105.2% and 99.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We attribute the increase in the combined ratio to an increase in the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017.

Interest Expense. Our interest expense for the third quarter of 2018 was $651,768, compared to $466,262 for the third quarter of 2017. We attribute the increase to higher interest rates in effect for borrowings under our lines of credit during the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017.

Income Taxes. We recorded income tax expense of $70,630 for the third quarter of 2018, which reflects our anticipation of an estimated carryback of our taxable loss in 2018 to prior tax years. Income tax expense was $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2017, representing an effective tax rate of 16.5%. The income tax expense and effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2017 represented an estimate based on our projected annual taxable income.

Net Income and Income Per Share. Our net income for the third quarter of 2018 was $1.2 million, or $.04 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis and $.04 per share of Class B common stock, compared to net income of $7.1 million, or $.26 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis and $.24 per share of Class B common stock, for the third quarter of 2017. We had 22.7 million and 21.8 million Class A shares outstanding at September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We had 5.6 million Class B shares outstanding at the end of both periods.

Results of Operations – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Net Premiums Earned. Our insurance subsidiaries’ net premiums earned for the first nine months of 2018 were $555.1 million, an increase of $33.6 million, or 6.5%, compared to $521.5 million for the first nine months of 2017, reflecting increases in net premiums written during 2018 and 2017.

Net Premiums Written. Our insurance subsidiaries’ net premiums written for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $575.7 million, an increase of $17.9 million, or 3.2%, from the $557.8 million of net premiums written for the first nine months of 2017. We attribute the increase primarily to the impact of premium rate increases and an increase in the writing of new accounts in commercial lines of business. Personal lines net premiums written increased $1.7 million, or 0.6%, for the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017. We attribute the increase in personal lines primarily to premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries implemented throughout 2017 and 2018, partially offset by net attrition as a result of underwriting measures our insurance subsidiaries have implemented to slow new policy growth and increased pricing on renewal policies. Commercial lines net premiums written increased $16.2 million, or 6.4%, for the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017. We attribute the increase in commercial lines primarily to premium rate increases throughout 2017 and 2018 and increased writings of new commercial accounts.

Investment Income. Our net investment income increased to $19.3 million for the first nine months of 2018, compared to $17.4 million for the first nine months of 2017. We attribute the increase primarily to an increase in average invested assets.

Net Realized Investment Gains. Net realized investment gains for the first nine months of 2018 were $4.1 million, compared to $4.2 million for the first nine months of 2017. The net realized investment gains for the first nine months of 2018 resulted primarily from net unrealized gains within our equity securities portfolio and a limited partnership that invests in equity securities. New accounting guidance we adopted on January 1, 2018 requires us to measure equity investments at fair value and recognize changes in fair value in our results of operations. The net realized investment gains for the first nine months of 2017 resulted primarily from strategic sales of equity securities within our investment portfolio and unrealized gains within a limited partnership that invests in equity securities. We did not recognize any impairment losses in our investment portfolio during the first nine months of 2018 or 2017.

Equity in Earnings of DFSC. Our equity in the earnings of DFSC was $2.2 million for the first nine months of 2018, compared to $1.0 million for the first nine months of 2017. We attribute the increase in DFSC’s earnings primarily to higher net interest income related to loan portfolio growth that DFSC achieved during 2017.

Losses and Loss Expenses. Our insurance subsidiaries’ loss ratio, which is the ratio of incurred losses and loss expenses to premiums earned, for the first nine months of 2018 was 78.0%, an increase from our insurance subsidiaries’ loss ratio of 68.4% for the first nine months of 2017. On a statutory basis, our insurance subsidiaries’ commercial lines loss ratio was 74.1% for the first nine months of 2018, compared to 60.4% for the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to increases in the commercial automobile, commercial multiple-peril and workers’ compensation loss ratios. The personal lines statutory loss ratio of our insurance subsidiaries increased to 81.8% for the first nine months of 2018, compared to 75.4% for the first nine months of 2017. We attribute this increase primarily to an increase in the personal automobile loss ratio. In the first nine months of 2018, our insurance subsidiaries added $13.0 million to their loss reserves for personal automobile and $19.1 million to their loss reserves for commercial automobile for accident years prior to 2018 based on new information they received during the first nine months of 2018. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced unfavorable loss reserve development of approximately $5.0 million during the first nine months of 2017.

Underwriting Expenses. The expense ratio for an insurance company is the ratio of policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to premiums earned. The expense ratio of our insurance subsidiaries was 31.3% for the first nine months of 2018, compared to 33.3% for the first nine months of 2017. We attribute the decrease to lower underwriting-based incentives for the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017, partially offset by a $1.9 million restructuring charge in the second quarter of 2018 for employee termination costs associated with the consolidation of certain operations and closing of the branch office of Peninsula. We expect to achieve annualized expense savings of approximately $3.7 million as a result of implementing the Peninsula consolidation.

Combined Ratio. The combined ratio represents the sum of the loss ratio, the expense ratio and the dividend ratio, which is the ratio of policyholder dividends incurred to premiums earned. Our insurance subsidiaries’ combined ratios were 109.9% and 102.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We attribute the increase in the combined ratio to an increase in the loss ratio for the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017.

Interest Expense. Our interest expense for the first nine months of 2018 was $1.7 million, compared to $1.2 million for the first nine months of 2017. We attribute the increase to higher interest rates in effect for borrowings under our lines of credit during the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017.

Income Taxes. We recorded an income tax benefit of $10.8 million for the first nine months of 2018 based upon an estimated carryback of our taxable loss in 2018 to prior tax years. We recorded income tax expense of $1.9 million for the first nine months of 2017, representing an effective tax rate of 16.4% . The income tax expense and effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2017 represented an estimate based on our projected annual taxable income.

Net (Loss) Income and (Loss) Earnings Per Share. Our net loss for the first nine months of 2018 was $17.8 million, or $.64 per share of Class A common stock and $.59 per share of Class B common stock, compared to net income of $9.9 million, or $.36 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis and $.33 per share of Class B common stock, for the first nine months of 2017. We had 22.7 million and 21.8 million Class A shares outstanding at September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We had 5.6 million Class B shares outstanding at the end of both periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of an entity’s ability to secure enough cash to meet its contractual obligations and operating needs as such obligations and needs arise. Our major sources of funds from operations are the net cash flows we generate from our insurance subsidiaries’ underwriting results, investment income and investment maturities.

Our operations have historically generated sufficient net positive cash flow to fund our commitments and add to our investment portfolio, thereby increasing future investment returns and enhancing our liquidity. The impact of the pooling agreement between Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States has historically been cash-flow positive because of the consistent underwriting profitability of the pool. Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States settle their respective obligations to each other under the pool monthly, thereby resulting in cash flows substantially similar to the cash flows that would result from each company writing the business directly. We have not experienced any unusual variations in the timing of claim payments associated with the loss reserves of our insurance subsidiaries. We maintain significant liquidity in our investment portfolio in the form of readily marketable fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments. We structure our fixed-maturity investment portfolio following a “laddering” approach, so that projected cash flows from investment income and principal maturities are evenly distributed from a timing perspective, thereby providing an additional measure of liquidity to meet our obligations should an unexpected variation occur in the future. Our operating activities provided net cash flows in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 of $59.9 million and $62.7 million, respectively.

At September 30, 2018, we had $25.0 million in outstanding borrowings under our line of credit with M&T and had the ability to borrow an additional $35.0 million at interest rates equal to M&T’s current prime rate or the then current LIBOR rate plus 2.25%. The interest rate on these borrowings was 4.51% at September 30, 2018. At September 30, 2018, Atlantic States had $35.0 million in outstanding advances with the FHLB of Pittsburgh. The interest rate on these advances was 2.32% at September 30, 2018.

The following table shows our expected payments for significant contractual obligations at September 30, 2018:


	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		4-5 years		After 5 years
	(in thousands)
Net liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses of our insurance subsidiaries	$	460,833	$	213,966	$	214,535	$	16,560	$	15,772
Subordinated debentures		5,000		—		—		—		5,000
Borrowings under lines of credit		60,000		35,000		25,000		—		—

Total contractual obligations	$	525,833	$	248,966	$	239,535	$	16,560	$	20,772

We estimate the date of payment for the net liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses of our insurance subsidiaries based on historical experience and expectations of future payment patterns. We show the liability net of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses to reflect expected future cash flows related to such liability. Amounts Atlantic States assumes pursuant to the pooling agreement with Donegal Mutual represent a substantial portion of our insurance subsidiaries’ gross liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses, and amounts Atlantic States cedes pursuant to the pooling agreement represent a substantial portion of our insurance subsidiaries’ reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses. We include cash settlement of Atlantic States’ assumed liability from the pool in monthly settlements of pooled activity, as we net amounts ceded to and assumed from the pool. Although Donegal Mutual and we do not anticipate any changes in the pool participation levels in the foreseeable future, any such change would be prospective in nature and therefore would not impact the timing of expected payments by Atlantic States for its percentage share of pooled losses occurring in periods prior to the effective date of such change.

We discuss in Note 7 – Borrowings our estimate of the timing of the amounts payable for the borrowings under our lines of credit based on their contractual maturities. The borrowings under our lines of credit carry interest rates that vary as we discuss in Note 7 – Borrowings. With the exception of a requirement that we maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio, we complied with all requirements of the credit agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. M&T waived the minimum interest coverage ratio requirement at September 30, 2018. Based upon the interest rates in effect at September 30, 2018, our annual interest cost associated with the borrowings under our lines of credit is approximately $2.1 million. For every 1% change in the interest rate associated with the borrowings under our lines of credit, the effect on our annual interest cost would be approximately $600,000.

We discuss in Note 7 – Borrowings our estimate of the timing of the amounts payable for the subordinated debentures based on their contractual maturity. The subordinated debentures carry an interest rate of 5%, and any repayment of principal or payment of interest on the subordinated debentures requires prior approval of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Our annual interest cost associated with the subordinated debentures is $250,000.

On July 18, 2013, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program pursuant to which we have the authority to purchase up to 500,000 shares of our Class A common stock at prices prevailing from time to time in the open market subject to the provisions of applicable rules of the SEC and in privately negotiated transactions. We did not purchase any shares of our Class A common stock under this program during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017. We have purchased a total of 57,658 shares of our Class A common stock under this program from its inception through September 30, 2018.

On October 18, 2018, our board of directors declared quarterly cash dividends of 14.25 cents per share of our Class A common stock and 12.50 cents per share of our Class B common stock, payable on November 15, 2018 to our stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2018. We are not subject to any restrictions on our payment of dividends to our stockholders, although there are state law restrictions on the payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries to us. Dividends from our insurance subsidiaries are our principal source of cash for payment of dividends to our stockholders. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations that restrict the payment of dividends from statutory surplus and may require prior approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities. Our insurance subsidiaries are also subject to risk based capital (“RBC”) requirements that limit their ability to pay dividends to us. Our insurance subsidiaries’ statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2017 exceeded the amount of statutory capital and surplus necessary to satisfy regulatory requirements, including the RBC requirements, by a significant margin. Our insurance subsidiaries paid $6.0 million in dividends to us during the first nine months of 2018. Amounts remaining available for distribution to us as dividends from our insurance subsidiaries without prior approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities in 2018 are $20.3 million from Atlantic States, $5.5 million from Southern, $2.3 million from Le Mars, $1.6 million from Peninsula, $0 from Sheboygan and $1.3 million from MICO, or a total of approximately $31.0 million.

At September 30, 2018, we had no material commitments for capital expenditures.

Equity Price Risk

Our portfolio of marketable equity securities, which we carry on our consolidated balance sheets at estimated fair value, has exposure to the risk of loss resulting from an adverse change in prices. We manage this risk by having our investment personnel perform an analysis of prospective investments and regular reviews of our portfolio of equity securities.

Credit Risk

Our portfolio of fixed-maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, our portfolio of short-term investments is subject to credit risk, which we define as the potential loss in market value resulting from adverse changes in the borrower’s ability to repay its debt. We manage this risk by having our investment personnel perform an analysis of prospective investments and regular reviews of our portfolio of fixed-maturity securities. We also limit the percentage and amount of our total investment portfolio that we invest in the securities of any one issuer.

Our insurance subsidiaries provide property and casualty insurance coverages through independent insurance agencies. We bill the majority of this business directly to the insured, although we bill a portion of our commercial business through licensed insurance agents to whom our insurance subsidiaries extend credit in the normal course of business.

Because the pooling agreement does not relieve Atlantic States of primary liability as the originating insurer, Atlantic States is subject to a concentration of credit risk arising from the business it cedes to Donegal Mutual. Our insurance subsidiaries maintain reinsurance agreements with Donegal Mutual and with a number of other major unaffiliated authorized reinsurers.

Impact of Inflation

We establish property and casualty insurance premium rates before we know the amount of unpaid losses and loss expenses or the extent to which inflation may impact such losses and expenses. Consequently, our insurance subsidiaries attempt, in establishing rates, to anticipate the potential impact of inflation.

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Our market risk generally represents the risk of gain or loss that may result from the potential change in the fair value of the securities we hold in our investment portfolio as a result of fluctuations in prices and interest rates and, to a lesser extent, our debt obligations. We manage our interest rate risk by maintaining an appropriate relationship between the average duration of our investment portfolio and the approximate duration of our liabilities, i.e., policy claims of our insurance subsidiaries and our debt obligations.

There have been no material changes to our quantitative or qualitative market risk exposure from December 31, 2017 through September 30, 2018.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, at September 30, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, and our disclosure controls and procedures were also effective to ensure that information we disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect materially, our internal control over financial reporting.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

We base all statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historic facts on our current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements we make may be identified by our use of words such as “will,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions. Our actual results could vary materially from our forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause our actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements we have previously made include, but are not limited to, adverse and catastrophic weather events, our ability to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, business and economic conditions in the areas in which we and our insurance subsidiaries operate, interest rates, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments, changes in regulatory requirements, our ability to integrate and manage successfully the companies we may acquire from time to time and the other risks that we describe from time to time in our filings with the SEC. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Part II. Other Information

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

None.

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

Our business, results of operations and financial condition, and, therefore, the value of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock, are subject to a number of risks. For a description of certain risks, we refer to “Risk Factors” in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K that we filed with the SEC on March 9, 2018. There have been no material changes in the risk factors we disclosed in that Form 10-K Report during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4.

Removed and Reserved.

Item 5.

Other Information.

None.

Item 6.

Exhibits.


Exhibit No.		Description

Exhibit 31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1		Statement of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code

Exhibit 32.2		Statement of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code

Exhibit 101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

Exhibit 101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

Exhibit 101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements 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.


	DONEGAL GROUP INC.

November 9, 2018	By:	/s/ Kevin G. Burke
		Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer

November 9, 2018	By:	/s/ Jeffrey D. Miller
		Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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