FedNat Holding Co - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
x Annual
Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31,
2008
or
¨ Transition Report under
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period of
_____________to_______________
Commission
file number: 0-2500111
21st Century
Holding Company
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its Charter)
Florida
|
65-0248866
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation
or organization)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No)
|
3661
West Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite 300, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
33311
|
(Address
of principal executive
offices) (Zip
Code)
|
Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code (954)
581-9993
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title
of Each Class
|
Name
of Each Exchange on Which Registered
|
Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share
|
NASDAQ
Global Market, LLC
|
Securities registered pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the
Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the
Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate
by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yesx No o
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See the definition of
“accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer o Accelerated
filer x Non-accelerated
filer o
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Act). YesoNo x
The
aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates
was $57,775,675 on June 30, 2008, computed on the basis of the closing sale
price of the Registrant’s common stock on that date.
As
of March 16, 2009, the total number of common shares outstanding of Registrant's
common stock was 8,013,894.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions
of the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III, of this Form
10K.
- 1
-
21st Century
Holding Company
Table
of Contents
PART I
|
3
|
|
ITEM 1
|
BUSINESS
|
3
|
ITEM 1A
|
RISK FACTORS
|
24
|
ITEM 1B
|
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
|
34
|
ITEM 2
|
PROPERTIES
|
34
|
ITEM 3
|
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
|
35
|
ITEM 4
|
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY
HOLDERS
|
35
|
PART II
|
35
|
|
ITEM 5
|
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
|
35
|
ITEM 6
|
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
|
38
|
ITEM 7
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|
40
|
ITEM 7A
|
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT
MARKET RISK
|
66
|
ITEM 8
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY
DATA
|
68
|
ITEM 9
|
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
|
110
|
ITEM 9A
|
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
|
110
|
ITEM 9B
|
OTHER INFORMATION
|
111
|
PART III
|
111
|
|
ITEM 10
|
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
|
111
|
ITEM 11
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
|
111
|
ITEM 12
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
|
111
|
ITEM 13
|
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS,
AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
|
111
|
ITEM 14
|
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND
SERVICES
|
111
|
PART IV
|
112
|
|
ITEM 15
|
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND
REPORTS ON FORM 10-K
|
112
|
SIGNATURES
|
115
|
- 2
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21st
Century Holding Company
PART I
SPECIAL
NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain
statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, other than purely historical
information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our
business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions
upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words
“believes,” “project,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,”
“strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will
likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties
which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such
forward-looking statements is included in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in
Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report. We undertake no obligation to update or
revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
ITEM
1 BUSINESS
GENERAL
21st Century
Holding Company (“21st
Century”, “Company”, “we”, “us”) is an insurance holding company, which, through
our subsidiaries and our contractual relationships with our independent agents
and general agents, controls substantially all aspects of the insurance
underwriting, distribution and claims processes. We are authorized to underwrite
fire, allied lines, homeowners’ property and casualty insurance, commercial
general liability insurance, commercial multi peril, inland marine, personal
automobile insurance and commercial automobile insurance in various states with
various lines of authority through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Federated
National Insurance Company (“Federated National”) and American Vehicle Insurance
Company (“American Vehicle”). We market and distribute our own and third-party
insurers’ products and our other services primarily in Florida, through
contractual relationships with a network of approximately 1,500 independent
agents and a select number of general agents.
The
insurable events during 2008, 2007 and 2006 did not include any weather related
catastrophic events such as the well publicized series of hurricanes that
occurred in Florida during 2005 and 2004. During 2008, 2007 and 2006 we
processed property and liability claims stemming from our homeowners’,
commercial general liability and private passenger automobile lines of business.
Our automobile claims generally will exceed commercial general liability and
homeowners’ claims with respect to frequency of claimant activity; however the
per-claim severity in connection with our commercial general liability and
homeowner lines would be expected to exceed the automobile line. Our reinsurance
strategy serves to smooth the liquidity requirements imposed by the most severe
insurable events and for all other insurable events we manage, at a micro and
macro perspective, in the normal course of business.
Federated
National is authorized to underwrite fire, allied lines, personal automobile,
and homeowners’ property and casualty insurance in Florida as an admitted
carrier. American Vehicle is authorized to underwrite commercial multi peril,
inland marine and personal and commercial automobile insurance in Florida as an
admitted carrier. In addition, American Vehicle is authorized to underwrite
commercial general liability insurance in fifteen states, of which eleven states
had ongoing operations in 2008, as either an admitted or non-admitted carrier.
American Vehicle will continue its expansion of commercial general liability
insurance into new states.
An admitted carrier is an
insurance company that has received a license from the state department of
insurance giving the company the authority to write specific lines of insurance
in that state. These companies are also bound by rate and form regulations, and
are strictly regulated to protect policyholders from a variety of illegal and
unethical practices, including fraud. Admitted carriers are also required to
financially contribute to the state guarantee fund, which is used to pay for
losses if an insurance carrier becomes insolvent or unable to pay the losses due
their policyholders.
A non-admitted carrier is not
licensed by the state, but is allowed to do business in that state and is
strictly regulated to protect policyholders from a variety of illegal and
unethical practices, including fraud. Sometimes, non-admitted carriers are
referred to as “excess and surplus” lines carriers. Non-admitted
carriers are subject to considerably less regulation with respect to policy
rates and forms.
- 3
-
21st
Century Holding Company
The table
below denotes American Vehicle’s authority by state.
States
|
Admitted
carrier
|
Non-
Admitted
Carrier
|
||
Alabama
|
ü
|
|||
Arkansas
|
ü
|
|||
California
|
ü
|
|||
Florida
|
ü
|
|||
Georgia
|
ü
|
|||
Kentucky
|
ü
|
|||
Louisiana
|
ü
|
|||
Maryland
|
ü
|
|||
Missouri
|
ü
|
|||
Nevada
|
ü
|
|||
Oklahoma
|
ü
|
|||
South
Carolina
|
ü
|
|||
Tennessee
|
ü
|
|||
Texas
|
ü
|
|||
Virginia
|
ü
|
During
2007 American Vehicle applied for and was granted, by the State of Florida in
2008, a license to underwrite commercial multiple peril and inland marine lines
of business as an admitted carrier. We believe these new lines of authority will
bode well with American Vehicle’s existing customers. Operations under American
Vehicle’s newly granted lines of authority are expected to begin during
2009.
During
2008 Federated National applied for and was granted, by the State of Florida, a
license to underwrite fire and allied lines insurance as an admitted carrier.
Operations under Federated National’s newly granted allied lines began in 2008
as a cedant for the insurance policies it underwrites for federal flood program.
Operations under Federated National’s newly granted fire line of business is
pending approval by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) and we
expect to begin operations in 2009.
During
the year ended December 31, 2008, 68.8%, 27.0%, 3.7% and 0.6% of the premiums we
underwrote were for homeowners’ property and casualty insurance, commercial
general liability insurance, federal flood, and personal automobile insurance,
respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2007, 74.5%, 24.1% and 1.4% of
the premiums we underwrote were for homeowners’ property and casualty insurance,
commercial general liability insurance and personal automobile insurance,
respectively.
Our
business, results of operations and financial condition are subject to
fluctuations due to a variety of factors. Abnormally high severity or frequency
of claims in any period could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if our estimated
liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) are less than
actual losses and LAE, we will be required to increase reserves with a
corresponding reduction in our net income in the period in which the deficiency
is identified. We internally process claims made by our insureds through our
wholly owned claims adjusting company, Superior Adjusting, Inc.
(“Superior”).
Our
executive offices are located at 3661 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite 300,
Lauderdale Lakes, Florida and our telephone number is (954)
581-9993.
Our web
site is located at www.21centuryholding.com. Information on our website is not
incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K and should not be
considered part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other filing that
we make with the SEC. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports are
available, free of charge, through our website as soon as reasonably practicable
after we electronically file or furnish such material to the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Further, a copy of this annual report on
Form 10-K is located at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F
Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public
Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC
maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding our filings at
www.sec.gov.
- 4
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21st Century Holding Company
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Proposed
Florida Legislation
Throughout 2008 industry leaders and
lawmakers have met to discuss legislative options
including a significant reduction of capacity in the Florida
Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”), substantially increasing members’
co-insurance participation and the reorganization of the FHCF under the Florida
Cabinet. Efforts by the Governor and Commissioner of Insurance at the Federal
level to secure post catastrophic event liquidity commitments remain
ongoing.
Additionally,
the Board of Directors of the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (“FIGA”)
held separate meetings to discuss their continued financial challenges in
connection with the insolvency of a particular insurance company that was
assumed subsequent to the 2005 – 2006 hurricane season. At this time, we do not
know if any new laws or regulations will be adopted in Florida which will impact
our property and casualty insurance business in fiscal 2009 or any subsequent
years.
BUSINESS
STRATEGY
We expect
that in 2009 we will capitalize on our operational efficiencies and business
practices by:
|
·
|
expanding
our lines of business, such as our recent approval to write allied line
insurance and last year’s approval for commercial multi-peril and inland
marine insurance in the State of Florida. While new lines of operations
are in various stages of deployment, we expect to introduce many of these
new insurance products during 2009;
|
|
·
|
continued
expansion of our commercial general liability insurance product into
additional states. In addition to our ongoing operations in eleven states,
we expect to commence operations in four states where we obtained licenses
to underwrite and sell commercial general liability insurance in
2008;
|
|
·
|
employing
our business practices developed and used in Florida in our expansion to
other selected states;
|
|
·
|
maintaining
a commitment to provide high quality customer service to our agents and
insureds;
|
|
·
|
expansion
of our marketing efforts by retaining key personnel and implementing
direct marketing technologies;
|
|
·
|
offering
attractive incentives to our agents to place a high volume of high quality
business with our companies;
|
|
·
|
assumption
of existing risks from other
carriers;
|
|
·
|
additional
strategies that may include possible acquisitions or further dispositions
of assets, and development of procedures to improve claims history and
mitigate losses from claims.
|
There can
be no assurances, however, that any of the foregoing strategies will be
developed or successfully implemented or, if implemented, that they will
positively affect our results of operations.
Additionally,
State of Florida legislative initiatives, increased competition, softening
general market conditions, an unfolding economic downturn and additional loss
development from catastrophic events over two years old suggest that continued
financial challenges exist in 2009.
INSURANCE
OPERATIONS AND RELATED SERVICES
General
We are
authorized to underwrite fire, allied lines, homeowners’ property and casualty
insurance, commercial general liability insurance, commercial multi peril,
inland marine, personal automobile insurance and commercial automobile insurance
in various states with various lines of authority through our wholly owned
subsidiaries, Federated National and American Vehicle.
Federated
National is authorized to underwrite fire, allied lines, personal automobile,
and homeowners’ property and casualty insurance in Florida as an admitted
carrier.
- 5
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21st Century Holding Company
American
Vehicle is authorized to underwrite commercial multi peril, inland marine and
personal and commercial automobile insurance in Florida as an admitted carrier.
In addition, American Vehicle is authorized to underwrite commercial general
liability insurance in fifteen states, of which eleven states had ongoing
operations in 2008, as either an admitted or non-admitted carrier. American
Vehicle will continue its expansion of commercial general liability insurance
into new states.
In
January 2008, the Florida OIR granted American Vehicle licenses to underwrite
commercial multiple peril and inland marine lines of business as an admitted
carrier.
The
following tables set forth the amount and percentages of our gross premiums
written, premiums ceded to reinsurers and net premiums written by line of
business for the periods indicated.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Premium
|
Percent
|
Premium
|
Percent
|
Premium
|
Percent
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross
written premiums:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Automobile
|
$ | 487 | 0.6 | % | $ | 1,867 | 1.4 | % | $ | 6,064 | 4.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Federal
Flood
|
3,263 | 3.7 | % | - | 0.0 | % | - | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
60,709 | 68.7 | % | 99,502 | 74.5 | % | 114,388 | 74.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
23,790 | 27.0 | % | 32,222 | 24.1 | % | 32,213 | 21.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total
gross written premiums
|
$ | 88,248 | 100.0 | % | $ | 133,591 | 100.0 | % | $ | 152,665 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Ceded
premiums:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Automobile
|
$ | - | 0.0 | % | $ | - | 0.0 | % | $ | - | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Federal
Flood
|
3,263 | 9.4 | % | - | 0.0 | % | - | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
31,291 | 90.6 | % | 44,551 | 100.0 | % | 67,520 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
- | 0.0 | % | - | 0.0 | % | - | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total
ceded premiums
|
$ | 34,553 | 100.0 | % | $ | 44,551 | 100.0 | % | $ | 67,520 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Net
written premiums
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Automobile
|
$ | 487 | 0.9 | % | $ | 1,867 | 2.1 | % | $ | 6,064 | 7.2 | % | ||||||||||||
Federal
Flood
|
- | 0.0 | % | - | 0.0 | % | - | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
29,418 | 54.8 | % | 54,952 | 61.7 | % | 46,868 | 55.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
23,790 | 44.3 | % | 32,222 | 36.2 | % | 32,213 | 37.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total
net written premiums
|
$ | 53,695 | 100.0 | % | $ | 89,041 | 100.0 | % | $ | 85,145 | 100.0 | % |
We
marketed our insurance products through our network of independent agents and
general agents during fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006.
Homeowners’
Property and Casualty Insurance
We
underwrite homeowners’ insurance principally in South and Central Florida.
Homeowners’ insurance generally protects an owner of real and personal property
against covered causes of loss to that property. The table that follows reflects
the number of homeowner policies in-force by South Florida counties and all
other Florida counties and reflects our concentrations of risk from catastrophic
events.
As
of the years ended December 31
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
In-force policy count
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
County
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
||||||||||||||||||
Dade
|
2,981 | 9.7 | % | 4,587 | 12.7 | % | 9,151 | 21.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
Broward
|
3,629 | 11.8 | % | 4,446 | 12.3 | % | 6,629 | 15.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
West
Palm Beach
|
14,152 | 45.7 | % | 14,969 | 41.3 | % | 13,539 | 31.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
All
others
|
10,122 | 32.8 | % | 12,239 | 33.7 | % | 13,099 | 30.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
30,884 | 100.0 | % | 36,241 | 100.0 | % | 42,418 | 100.0 | % |
- 6
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21st Century Holding Company
Our
homeowner insurance products typically provide maximum coverage in the amount of
$750,000, with the aggregate maximum policy limit being approximately
$1,350,000. We continually subject these limits to review though there were no
changes during 2008. The approximate average premium on the policies currently
in-force is $2,016, as compared with $2,769 for 2007, and the typical deductible
is either $2,500 or $1,000 for non-hurricane-related claims and generally 2% of
the coverage amount for the structure for hurricane-related
claims.
Premium
rates charged to our homeowner insurance policyholders are continually evaluated
to assure that they meet the expectation, are actuarially sound and produce a
reasonable level of profit (neither excessive nor inadequate). In Florida,
premium rates are also regulated by the Florida OIR, and rate increases must be
approved by the Florida OIR.
Our May
2008 “file and use” rate filing reflects an average rate decrease of 11.3%. The
June 2007 rate filing resulted in an average rate reduction of
15.2%.
Commercial
General Liability
We underwrite commercial general
liability insurance for approximately 250 classes of artisan and mercantile
trades (excluding home-builders and developers), habitational exposures and
certain special events. The limits of liability range from $100,000 per
occurrence with a $200,000 policy aggregate to $1.0 million per occurrence with
a $2.0 million policy aggregate. We continually subject these limits to review,
though there were no changes during 2008. We market the commercial general
liability insurance products through independent agents and a limited number of
general agencies unaffiliated with the Company. The average annual premium on
policies, with deductibles of $250 to $500 per claim, and currently in-force is
approximately $798, as compared with $989 in 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
The
following table sets forth the amounts and percentages of our gross premiums
written in connection with our commercial general liability program by
state:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
State
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alabama
|
$ | 117 | 0.49 | % | $ | 26 | 0.08 | % | $ | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||
Arkansas
|
12 | 0.05 | % | - | 0.00 | % | - | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
California
|
269 | 1.13 | % | 23 | 0.07 | % | - | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
Florida
|
16,011 | 67.30 | % | 21,192 | 65.77 | % | 22,965 | 71.29 | % | |||||||||||||||
Georgia
|
568 | 2.39 | % | 1,023 | 3.17 | % | 1,805 | 5.60 | % | |||||||||||||||
Kentucky
|
1 | 0.00 | % | 8 | 0.03 | % | 9 | 0.03 | % | |||||||||||||||
Louisiana
|
4,481 | 18.84 | % | 5,595 | 17.36 | % | 5,743 | 17.83 | % | |||||||||||||||
Maryland
|
2 | 0.01 | % | - | 0.00 | % | - | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
South
Carolina
|
70 | 0.29 | % | 182 | 0.57 | % | 77 | 0.24 | % | |||||||||||||||
Texas
|
2,252 | 9.47 | % | 4,127 | 12.81 | % | 1,604 | 4.98 | % | |||||||||||||||
Virginia
|
7 | 0.03 | % | 46 | 0.14 | % | 10 | 0.03 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 23,790 | 100.00 | % | $ | 32,222 | 100.00 | % | $ | 32,213 | 100.00 | % |
In order
to expand our commercial general liability business, we entered into a 100%
quota-share reinsurance treaty with Republic Underwriters Insurance Company
(“Republic”) on March 28, 2006. This agreement was in place for approximately
one year until March 31, 2007, when it was cancelled at the request of Republic.
Republic is domiciled in the State of Texas and licensed both directly and on a
surplus lines basis in approximately 32 states. This arrangement would have
facilitated the policyholder who requires their commercial general liability
insurance policy to come from an insurance company with a satisfactory A.M. Best
Company (“A.M. Best”) rating.
Our
arrangement with Republic allowed for a 4.75% commission on net written premium
and reimbursement for all other costs in connection with the treaty such as
premium taxes and assessments. We also remitted a 1% commission to the
intermediary broker on the same net written premium. Under this agreement, the
Company assumed approximately $325,000 and $23,000 in premiums in connection
with its operations in the State of Texas in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Our
operations in Texas began in December 2006. During the three months ended March
31, 2007, this 100% quota-sharing reinsurance treaty with Republic was
cancelled, on a run-off basis, at their request, effective June 30, 2007. All
premiums in connection with this program have been fully earned, and $0.2
million of Loss and LAE remain unpaid.
- 7
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21st Century Holding Company
We are
currently in the process of replacing the Republic quota-share reinsurance
treaty with another “A” rated A.M. Best carrier. This agreement is currently
pending Florida OIR approval.
Personal
Automobile
Personal
automobile insurance markets can be divided into two categories, standard
automobile and nonstandard automobile. Standard personal automobile insurance is
principally provided to insureds who present an average risk profile in terms of
driving record, vehicle type and other factors. Nonstandard personal automobile
insurance is principally provided to insureds that are unable to obtain standard
insurance coverage because of their driving record, age, vehicle type or other
factors, including market conditions. The average annual premium on policies
currently in force is approximately $1,292, as compared with $1,075 for 2007,
and the nonstandard personal automobile insurance lines represents 100% and more
than 99.5% of our written premiums for personal automobile insurance in 2008 and
2007, respectively.
Limits on
standard personal automobile insurance are generally significantly higher than
those for nonstandard coverage, but typically provide for deductibles and other
restrictive terms. Underwriting criteria for standard coverage has become more
restrictive, thereby requiring more insureds to seek nonstandard coverage and
contributing to the increase in the size of the nonstandard automobile market.
Nonstandard automobile insurance, however, generally involves the potential for
increased loss exposure and higher claims experience. Loss exposure is mitigated
because premiums usually are written at higher rates than those written for
standard insurance coverage.
Both of
our insurance subsidiaries currently underwrite nonstandard personal automobile
insurance in Florida, where the maximum exposures are predominantly $10,000 per
individual, $20,000 per accident for bodily injury, $10,000 per accident for
property damage, and predominantly $50,000 for comprehensive and collision.
American Vehicle’s commercial automobile program in Florida is expected to
experience managed growth in 2009. The maximum exposure is
predominantly $25,000 on a combined single limit basis.
Federated
National underwrites new and renewal policies for this coverage on primarily an
annual basis and to a much lesser extent, on a semi-annual basis.
American
Vehicle underwrites only renewal policies for this coverage on primarily an
annual basis and to a much lesser extent, on a semi-annual basis.
Due to
the purchasing habits of nonstandard automobile insureds (for example,
nonstandard automobile insureds tend to seek the least expensive insurance
required of the policyholder by statute that satisfies the requirements of state
laws to register a vehicle), policy renewal rates tend to be low compared with
standard policies. Our experience has been that a significant number of existing
nonstandard policyholders allow their policies to lapse and then reapply for
insurance as new policyholders.
Federated
National underwrites standard personal automobile insurance policies providing
coverage no higher than $100,000 per individual, $300,000 per accident for
bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for property damage and comprehensive and
collision up to $50,000 per accident, with deductibles ranging from $200 to
$1,000. The average premium on the policies in-force was $1,346 for 2007, and
represented approximately 0.5% of our written premiums for personal automobile
insurance in 2007. They were no standard personal automobile insurance policies
offered during 2008.
Flood
Federated
National writes flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program
(“NFIP”). We write the policy for the NFIP, which assumes 100% of the flood risk
while we retain a commission for our service. The average flood policy premium
is approximately $400 with limits up to $250,000. Commissions in connection with
this program totaled $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million in 2008, 2007
and 2006, respectively. Pursuant to the Florida OIR regulations, we are required
to report write-your-own-flood premiums on a direct and ceded basis for 2008 and
subsequent years. Prior to 2008, we reported only the commissions income
associated with this program.
Assurance
Managing General Agents, Inc. (“Assurance MGA”)
Assurance
MGA, a wholly owned subsidiary, acts as Federated National’s and American
Vehicle’s exclusive managing general agent in the state of Florida. As American
Vehicle continues its expansion into other states, we intend to retain other
general agents to market our commercial general liability insurance products.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, Assurance MGA became licensed in the
states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada,
North Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
- 8
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21st Century Holding Company
Assurance
MGA currently provides underwriting policy administration, marketing, accounting
and financial services to Federated National and American Vehicle, and
participates in the negotiation of reinsurance contracts. For the
above-mentioned services, Assurance MGA generates revenue through a 6%
commission fee from the insurance companies’ gross written premium, policy fee
income of $25 per policy and other administrative fees. The 6% commission fee
from Federated National and American Vehicle was made effective January 1, 2005.
Assurance MGA plans to establish relationships with additional carriers and add
additional insurance products in the future.
Superior
Superior
processes claims made by insureds from Federated National and American Vehicle.
Our agents have no authority to settle claims or otherwise exercise control over
the claims process. Furthermore, we believe that the retention of independent
adjusters, in cooperation with our employment of salaried claims personnel,
results in reduced ultimate loss payments, lower LAE and improved customer
service for our policyholders. We also employ an in-house legal department to
cost-effectively manage claims-related litigation and to monitor our claims
handling practices for efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Federated
Premium Finance, Inc. (“Federated Premium”)
Federated
Premium provides premium financing to Federated National's, American Vehicle’s
and third-party’s insureds. Premium financing has been marketed through our
distribution network of general agents and independent agents.
Premiums
for property and casualty insurance, in certain circumstances, are payable at
the time a policy is placed in force or renewed. Federated Premium's services
allow the insured to pay a portion of the premium when the policy is placed in
force and the balance in monthly installments over a specified term, generally
between six and nine months. As security, Federated Premium retains a
contractual right, if a premium installment is not paid when due, to cancel the
insurance policy and to receive the unearned premium from the insurer, or in the
event of insolvency of an insurer, from FIGA, subject to a $100 per policy
deductible. In the event of cancellation, Federated Premium applies the unearned
premium towards the payment obligation of the insured.
The
following table sets forth the amount and percentages of premiums financed for
Federated National, American Vehicle and other insurers for the periods
indicated:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Premium
|
Percent
|
Premium
|
Percent
|
Premium
|
Percent
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Federated
National
|
$ | 311 | 41.3 | % | $ | 2,547 | 62.7 | % | $ | 6,279 | 56.2 | % | ||||||||||||
American
Vehicle
|
175 | 23.3 | % | 169 | 4.2 | % | 1,981 | 17.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
Other
insurers
|
267 | 35.4 | % | 1,346 | 33.1 | % | 2,917 | 26.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 753 | 100.00 | % | $ | 4,062 | 100.00 | % | $ | 11,177 | 100.00 | % |
Federated
Premium’s operations were funded by a revolving loan agreement (“Revolving
Agreement”) with FlatIron Funding Company LLC (“Flatiron”). The Revolving
Agreement was structured as a sale of contracts receivable under a sale and
assignment agreement with Westchester Premium Acceptance Corporation (“WPAC”) (a
wholly-owned subsidiary of FlatIron), which gave WPAC the right to sell or
assign these contracts receivable. Federated Premium, which serviced these
contracts, recorded transactions under the Revolving Agreement as secured
borrowings. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Agreement
as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. Outstanding borrowings under the Revolving
Agreement as of December 31, 2006 were approximately $0.01 million. This credit
facility terminated, at our request, during 2007.
Finance
contracts receivable decreased $0.2 million, or 52.3%, to $02 million as of
December 31, 2008, compared with $0.4 million as of December 31, 2007. We
anticipate a continued decline in the short-term in connection with premium
financed contracts. The Company anticipates continued use of the direct bill
feature associated with Federated National and American Vehicle lines of
business.
- 9
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21st Century Holding Company
The
direct billing opportunity is very similar to the premium finance arrangement
with respect to down payments and scheduled monthly payments. Direct billing is
when the insurance company accepts from the insured, as a receivable, a promise
to pay the premium, as opposed to requiring payment of the full amount of the
policy, either directly from the insured or from a premium finance company. We
believe that the direct billing program does not increase our risk because the
insurance policy, which serves as collateral, is managed by our computer system.
Underwriting criteria are designed with down payment requirements and monthly
payments that create policyholder equity in the insurance policy. The equity in
the policy is collateral for the extension of credit to the insured. Through our
monitoring systems, we track delinquent payments and, in accordance with the
terms of the extension of credit, cancel if payment is not made. If any excess
premium remains after cancellation of the policy and deduction of applicable
penalties, this excess is refunded to the policyholder. Similarly, we believe
that the premium financing that we offer to our own insureds involves limited
credit risk. By primarily financing policies underwritten by our own insurance
carriers, our credit risks are reduced because we can more securely rely on the
underwriting processes of our own insurance carriers. Furthermore, the direct
bill program enables us to closely manage our risk while providing credit to our
insureds.
Insure-Link,
Inc. (“Insure-Link”)
Insure-Link
was formed in March 2008. Insure-Link was created to serve as an independent
insurance agency. The insurance agency markets to the general public to serve
all of their insurance needs. Insure-Link will acquire new business through
marketing and acquisition.
MARKETING
AND DISTRIBUTION
We are
focusing our marketing efforts on continuing to expand our distribution network
and market our products and services throughout Florida and in other states by
establishing relationships with additional independent agents and general
agents. As this occurs, we will seek to replicate our distribution network in
those states. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to obtain
the required regulatory approvals to offer additional insurance products or
expand into other states.
Our
independent agents and general agents have the authority to sell and bind
insurance coverage in accordance with procedures established by Assurance MGA.
Assurance MGA reviews all coverage bound by the agents promptly and generally
accepts all coverage that falls within stated underwriting criteria. For
automobile and commercial general liability policies, Assurance MGA also has the
right, within a period that varies by state between 60 days and 120 days from a
policy's inception, to cancel any policy, upon an advanced notice provided in
accordance with statutory specific guidelines, even if the risk falls within our
underwriting criteria.
During
2008, the Company formed a wholly owned Florida insurance agency named
Insure-Link and operations began during the second quarter of 2008. Insure-Link
has binding authority for Federated National and American Vehicle as well as
many national and local insurance carriers. There were no other agency
relationships with affiliated captive or franchised agents in 2008, 2007 and
2006.
During
periods under emergency order as defined by the Florida OIR, there typically
exists a moratorium on cancellations and non-renewals of various types of
insurance coverage. The homeowner policy provides Assurance MGA the right to
cancel any policy within a period of 90 days from the policy's inception with 25
days’ notice, or after 90 days from policy inception with 95 days’ notice, even
if the risk falls within our underwriting criteria.
We
believe that our integrated computer system, which allows for rapid automated
premium quotation and policy issuance by our agents, is a key element in
providing quality service to both our agents and insureds. For example, upon
entering a customer's basic personal information, the customer's driving record
is accessed and a premium rate is quoted. If the customer chooses to purchase
the insurance, the system can generate the policy on-site.
We
believe that the management of our distribution system now centers on our
ability to capture and maintain relevant data by producing agents, none of whom
are affiliated with us. We believe that information management of agent
production, coupled with loss experience, will enable us to maximize
profitability.
REINSURANCE
As is
common practice within the insurance industry, we transfer a portion of the
risks insured under our policies to other companies through the purchase of
reinsurance. This reinsurance is maintained to protect our insurance subsidiary
against the severity of losses on individual claims, unusually serious
occurrences in which a number of claims produce an aggregate extraordinary loss
and catastrophic events. Although reinsurance does not discharge our insurance
subsidiary from its primary obligation to pay for losses insured under the
policies it issues, reinsurance does make the assuming reinsurer liable to the
insurance subsidiary for the reinsured portion of the risk. A credit exposure
exists with respect to ceded losses to the extent that any reinsurer is unable
or unwilling to meet the obligations assumed under the reinsurance contracts.
The collectibility of reinsurance is subject to the solvency of the reinsurers,
interpretation of contract language and other factors. A
reinsurer's insolvency or inability to make payments under the terms of a
reinsurance contract could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition.
- 10
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21st Century Holding Company
The
availability and costs associated with the acquisition of reinsurance will vary
year to year. These fluctuations, which can be significant, are not subject to
our control and may limit our ability to purchase adequate coverage. The
recovery of increased reinsurance costs through rate action is not immediate and
can not be presumed, as it is subject to Florida OIR approval.
For the
2008-2009 hurricane season, the excess of loss and FHCF treaties will insure us
for approximately $310.0 million of aggregate catastrophic losses and LAE with a
maximum single event coverage totaling approximately $245.0 million, with the
Company retaining the first $3.0 million of losses and LAE. Our reinsurance
program included coverage purchased from the private market, which afforded
optional Reinstatement Premium Protection that provides coverage beyond the
first event, along with coverage from the FHCF. Coverage afforded by the FHCF
totals approximately $167.0 million or 54% of the $310.0 million of aggregate
catastrophic losses and LAE. The FHCF affords coverage for the entire season,
subject to maximum payouts, without regard to any particular insurable
event.
Our
reinsurance structure has significant risks, including the fact that the FHCF
may not be able to raise sufficient money to pay their claims or impair their
ability to pay their claims in a timely manner. This could result in significant
financial, legal and operational challenges to all companies, including
ours.
Therefore,
in the event of a catastrophic loss, we may become dependent upon the FHCF's
ability to pay, which may, in turn, be dependent upon the FHCF's ability to
issue bonds in amounts that would be required to meet its reinsurance
obligations in the event of such a catastrophic loss. There is no assurance that
the FHCF will be able to do this. The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance
Committee (“Senate Committee”) recently published an insurance-related Interim
Report entitled Status of the
Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Notable findings in the report
include:
|
·
|
The
total liability of the FHCF could be up to $28.0 billion for a single
season storm
|
|
·
|
The
FHCF has approximately $10.3 billion in liquidity, which includes the $4.0
billion “put” option. The “putt” option is the guarantee arrangement with
Berkshire Hathaway approved by the State Board of Administration this
summer
|
|
·
|
The
FHCF has “potential obligations that it can not pay of approximately $14.5
billion in the event of a major
storm”
|
Additionally,
the FHCF treaty contains an exclusion that specifically states “Losses in excess
of the sum of the Balance of the Fund as of December 31 of the Contract Year and
the amount the SBA is able to raise through the issuance of revenue bonds or by
the use of other financing mechanisms, up to the limit pursuant to Section
215.555(4) (c), Florida Statutes.”
The
Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance released a report in early
December 2008 that was meant to enlighten lawmakers before the legislative
session begin in March 2009. The Senate Committee reported that the FHCF
has a possible $19.0 billion deficit in 2009. Even though Florida remained
largely unscathed in 2008, the insurance industry as a whole was battered by
various natural catastrophes and a global financial crisis that undercut its
profits more than at any time in the past 20 years. Experts say that the
FHCF’s ability to come up with money after a storm would be dependent on its
ability to market and sell bonds, an option that is severely limited by the
global credit crunch that intensified this past fall.
- 11
-
21st Century Holding Company
The
2008-2009 private reinsurance companies and their respective A. M. Best rating
are listed in the table as follows:
Reinsurer
|
A.M. Best Rating
|
|||||
UNITED
STATES
|
||||||
Everest
Reinsurance Company
|
A+
|
|||||
GMAC
Re/Motors Insurance Corporation
|
A-
|
|||||
Munich
Reinsurance America, Inc.
|
A+
|
|||||
QBE
Reinsurance Corporation
|
A
|
*
|
||||
BERMUDA
|
||||||
Actua
Re Limited
|
NR
|
*
|
(1)
|
|||
Ariel
Reinsurance Company Limited
|
A-
|
*
|
||||
DaVinci
Reinsurance Limited
|
A
|
*
|
||||
Flagstone
Reinsurance Limited
|
A-
|
|||||
Hiscox
Insurance Company Limited
|
A-
|
|||||
Max
Bermuda Limited
|
A-
|
|||||
New
Castle Reinsurance Company Limited
|
A-
|
*
|
||||
Renaissance
Reinsurance Limited
|
A+
|
*
|
||||
Amlin
Bermuda Limited
|
A
|
|||||
EUROPE
|
||||||
Lansforsakringar
Sak Forsakringsaktiebolag
|
NR
|
(2)
|
||||
SCOR
Switzerland AG
|
A-
|
* 2008
Reinstatement Premium Protection Program Participants
(1)
Participant has funded a trust agreement for their unearned premium with
approximately $1.3 million of cash and U.S. Government obligations of American
institutions at fair market value.
(2)
Standard & Poor's rated "A" (investment grade - economic situation can
affect finance)
Subsequent
to December 31, 2008 and pursuant to the provisions of our reinsurance treaties,
we elected to cancel the contract with New Castle Reinsurance Company Limited
(“New Castle”) and funds considered immaterial are in the process of settlement.
New Castle’s participation in our reinsurance program represented approximately
1% of the aggregate catastrophic loss exposure. We are in the process of
replacing this coverage however there can be no assurances that we can be
successful, though our increased exposure is limited.
For the
2007-2008 hurricane season, the excess of loss and FHCF treaties insured us for
approximately $403.0 million of aggregate catastrophic losses and LAE with a
maximum single event coverage totaling approximately $320.0 million, with the
Company retaining the first $3.0 million of losses and LAE. Our reinsurance
program included coverage purchased from the private market, which afforded
optional Reinstatement Premium Protection that provided coverage beyond the
first event, along with coverage from the FHCF. Coverage afforded by the FHCF
totaled approximately $261.0 million or 65% of the $403.0 million of aggregate
catastrophic losses and LAE. The FHCF afforded coverage for the entire season,
subject to maximum payouts, without regard to any particular insurable
event.
- 12
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21st Century Holding Company
The
2007-2008 private reinsurance companies and their respective A. M. Best rating
are listed in the table as follows:
Reinsurer
|
A.M. Best Rating
|
|||
UNITED
STATES
|
||||
Everest
Reinsurance Company
|
A+
|
|||
Folksamerica
Reinsurance Company
|
A-
|
|||
GMAC
Re/Motors Insurance Corporation
|
A-
|
|||
Munich
Reinsurance America, Inc.
|
A
|
|||
Odyssey
America Reinsurance Corporation
|
A
|
|||
QBE
Reinsurance Corporation
|
A
|
|||
BERMUDA
|
||||
ACE
Tempest Reinsurance Limited, Bermuda
|
A+
|
|||
Amlin
Bermuda Limited
|
A-
|
|||
Ariel
Reinsurance Company Limited, Bermuda
|
A-
|
|||
DaVinci
Reinsurance Ltd, Bermuda
|
A
|
|||
Flagstone
Reinsurance Limited
|
A-
|
|||
Max
Bermuda Limited
|
A-
|
|||
New
Castle Reinsurance Company Limited
|
A-
|
|||
Renaissance
Reinsurance Ltd, Bermuda
|
A
|
|||
UNITED
KINGDOM
|
||||
Amlin
Syndicate No. 2001 (AML)
|
A
|
|||
Ascot
Underwriting Syndicate No. 1414 (RTH)
|
A
|
|||
G.S.
Christensen and Others Syndicate No. 958 (GSC)
|
A
|
|||
MAP
Underwriting Syndicate No. 2791 (MAP)
|
A
|
|||
Talbot
Underwriting Syndicate No. 1183 (TAL)
|
A
|
|||
|
||||
EUROPE
|
||||
Converium
Limited, Switzerland
|
B++
|
The cost
to the Company for these reinsurance products for the 2008–2009 and 2007–2008
hurricane seasons, including the prepaid automatic premium reinstatement
protection totals approximately $31.3 million and $44.6 million,
respectively.
Our
reinsurance structure has significant risks, including the fact that the FHCF
may not be able to raise sufficient money to pay their claims or impair their
ability to pay their claims in a timely manner. This could result in significant
financial, legal and operational challenges to all companies, including ours. It
is our understanding, based upon a memo from The Florida House of
Representatives, Committee on Insurance, to House Speaker Marco Rubio, dated
April 2, 2008, that it is probable, under the current FHCF structure, that
hundreds of millions of dollars of FHCF claims in Florida will go unpaid for
some time. The FHCF currently has limited cash available to pay claims in
connection with a catastrophic event. The FHCF has the authority to raise
additional cash to pay claims through the issuance of FHCF bonds. The retirement
of these bonds would be funded by imposing additional assessments on future
insurance premiums written in the state. In the current economic climate, it is
not clear if FHCF would be able to raise funds through a bond
issuance.
To date,
there have been no claims asserted against the reinsurers in connection with the
2007-2008 excess of loss and FHCF treaties.
We are
selective in choosing reinsurers and consider numerous factors, the most
important of which are the financial stability of the reinsurer, their history
of responding to claims and their overall reputation. In an effort to minimize
our exposure to the insolvency of a reinsurer, we evaluate the acceptability and
review the financial condition of the reinsurer at least annually.
In order
to expand our commercial general liability business, we entered into a 100%
quota-share reinsurance treaty with Republic on March 28, 2006. This agreement
was in place for approximately one year until March 31, 2007, when it was
cancelled at the request of Republic. Republic is domiciled in the State of
Texas and licensed both directly and on a surplus lines basis in approximately
32 states. This arrangement would have facilitated the policyholder who requires
their commercial general liability insurance policy to come from an insurance
company with a satisfactory A.M. Best rating. We are currently in the process of
replacing the Republic quota-share reinsurance treaty with another “A” rated
A.M. Best carrier. This agreement with the other carrier is currently pending
Florida OIR approval.
- 13
-
21st Century Holding Company
Our
arrangement with Republic allowed for a 4.75% commission on net written premium
and reimbursement for all other costs in connection with the treaty such as
premium taxes and assessments. We also remitted a 1% commission to the
intermediary broker on the same net written premium. Under this agreement, the
Company assumed approximately $325,000 and $23,000 in premiums in connection
with its operations in the State of Texas in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Our
operations in Texas began in December 2006. During the three months ended March
31, 2007, this 100% quota-sharing reinsurance treaty with Republic was
cancelled, on a run-off basis, at their request, effective June 30, 2007. All
premiums in connection with this program have been fully earned, and $0.2
million of Loss and LAE remain unpaid.
LIABILITY
FOR UNPAID LOSSES AND LAE
We are
directly liable for loss and LAE payments under the terms of the insurance
policies that we write. In many cases, there may be a time lag between the
occurrence and reporting of an insured loss and our payment of that
loss. As required by insurance regulations and accounting rules, we
reflect the liability for the ultimate payment of all incurred losses and LAE by
establishing a liability for those unpaid losses and LAE for both reported and
unreported claims, which represent estimates of future amounts needed to pay
claims and related expenses.
When a
claim, other than personal automobile, involving a probable loss is reported, we
establish a liability for the estimated amount of our ultimate losses and LAE
payments. The estimate of the amount of the ultimate loss is based
upon such factors as the type of loss, jurisdiction of the occurrence, knowledge
of the circumstances surrounding the claim, severity of injury or damage,
potential for ultimate exposure, estimate of liability on the part of the
insured, past experience with similar claims and the applicable policy
provisions.
All newly
reported claims received with respect to personal automobile policies are set up
with an initial average liability. The average liability for these claims is
determined by dividing the number of reported claims into the total amount paid
during the same period. If a claim is open more than 45 days, that open case
liability is evaluated and the liability is adjusted upward or downward
according to the facts and circumstances of that particular claim.
In
addition, management provides for a liability on an aggregate basis to provide
for losses Incurred But Not Reported (“IBNR”). We utilize independent actuaries
to help establish liability for unpaid losses and LAE. We do not discount the
liability for unpaid losses and LAE for financial statement
purposes.
The
estimates of the liability for unpaid losses and LAE are subject to the effect
of trends in claims severity and frequency and are continually reviewed. As part
of this process, we review historical data and consider various factors,
including known and anticipated legal developments, changes in social attitudes,
inflation and economic conditions. As experience develops and other data become
available, these estimates are revised, as required, resulting in increases or
decreases to the existing liability for unpaid losses and LAE. Adjustments are
reflected in results of operations in the period in which they are made and the
liabilities may deviate substantially from prior estimates.
Among our
classes of insurance, the automobile and homeowners’ liability claims
historically tend to have longer time lapses between the occurrence of the
event, the reporting of the claim and the final settlement, than do automobile
physical damage and homeowners’ property claims. These liability claims often
involve parties filing suit and therefore may result in litigation. By
comparison, property damage claims tend to be reported in a relatively shorter
period of time and settled in a shorter time frame with less occurrence of
litigation.
There can
be no assurance that our liability for unpaid losses and LAE will be adequate to
cover actual losses. If our liability for unpaid losses and LAE proves to be
inadequate, we will be required to increase the liability with a corresponding
reduction in our net income in the period in which the deficiency is identified.
Future loss experience substantially in excess of established liability for
unpaid losses and LAE could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
- 14
-
21st Century Holding Company
The
following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending liability
for unpaid losses and LAE as shown in our consolidated financial statements for
the periods indicated.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Balance
at January 1:
|
$ | 59,684,790 | $ | 39,615,478 | $ | 154,038,543 | ||||||
Less
reinsurance recoverables
|
(20,133,375 | ) | (12,382,028 | ) | (128,419,923 | ) | ||||||
Net
balance at January 1
|
$ | 39,551,415 | $ | 27,233,450 | $ | 25,618,620 | ||||||
Incurred
related to:
|
||||||||||||
Current
year
|
$ | 37,397,179 | $ | 38,452,431 | $ | 35,105,812 | ||||||
Prior
years
|
4,471,081 | 9,166,491 | 9,294,096 | |||||||||
Total
incurred
|
$ | 41,868,260 | $ | 47,618,922 | $ | 44,399,908 | ||||||
Paid
related to:
|
||||||||||||
Current
year
|
$ | 13,277,261 | $ | 15,628,017 | $ | 17,420,147 | ||||||
Prior
years
|
16,072,908 | 19,672,941 | 25,364,930 | |||||||||
Total
paid
|
$ | 29,350,169 | $ | 35,300,958 | $ | 42,785,077 | ||||||
Net
balance at year-end
|
$ | 52,069,506 | $ | 39,551,415 | $ | 27,233,450 | ||||||
Plus
reinsurance recoverables
|
12,712,980 | 20,133,375 | 12,382,028 | |||||||||
Balance
at year-end
|
$ | 64,782,486 | $ | 59,684,790 | $ | 39,615,478 |
As shown above, and as a result of our
review of liability for losses and LAE, which includes a re-evaluation of the
adequacy of reserve levels for prior year’s claims, we increased the liability
for losses and LAE for claims occurring in prior years by $4.5 million, $9.2
million and $9.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
In 2008,
we increased incurred losses and LAE for claims in connection with the
hurricanes in 2005 and 2004 by approximately $0.4 million and increased the
incurred loss and LAE in connection with our automobile and commercial general
liability lines of business by $4.1 million.
In 2007,
we increased incurred losses and LAE for claims in connection with the
hurricanes in 2005 and 2004 by approximately $1.2 million and increased the
incurred loss and LAE in connection with our automobile and commercial general
liability lines of business by $8.0 million.
There can
be no assurance concerning future adjustments of reserves, positive or negative,
for claims incurred through December 31, 2008.
Based
upon discussions with our independent actuarial consultants and their statements
of opinion on losses and LAE, we believe that the liability for unpaid losses
and LAE is currently adequate to cover all claims and related expenses which may
arise from incidents reported and IBNR.
- 15
-
21st Century Holding Company
The
following table presents total unpaid loss and LAE, net, and total reinsurance
recoverable, on a run-off basis, due from our automobile reinsurers as shown in
our consolidated financial statements for the periods indicated.
As of December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Transatlantic
Reinsurance Company (A+ A.M. Best Rated):
|
||||||||
Reinsurance
recoverable on paid losses and LAE
|
$ | 4,521 | $ | 20,823 | ||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
92,931 | 137,546 | ||||||
$ | 97,452 | $ | 158,369 | |||||
Amounts
due from reinsurers consisted of amounts related to:
|
||||||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
$ |
92,931
|
$ |
137,546
|
||||
Reinsurance
recoverable on paid losses and LAE
|
4,521
|
20,823
|
||||||
$ |
97,452
|
$ |
158,369
|
In
addition to reinsurance due from our automobile reinsurers, we also have
reinsurance due from our catastrophic reinsurance companies. These reinsurance
recoverables relate to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma from 2005 and to
the four hurricanes that occurred in August and September of 2004. The following
table presents total unpaid loss and LAE, net, and total reinsurance recoverable
due from our catastrophic reinsurers as shown in our consolidated financial
statements.
As of December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Catastrophe
Excess of Loss (Various participants) and FHCF
|
||||||||
Reinsurance
recoverable on paid losses and LAE
|
$ | 4,262,572 | $ | 2,771,624 | ||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
12,612,804 | 19,971,394 | ||||||
$ | 16,875,376 | $ | 22,743,018 | |||||
Amounts
due from reinsurers consisted of amounts related to:
|
||||||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
$ | 12,612,804 | $ | 19,971,394 | ||||
Reinsurance
recoverable on paid LAE
|
4,262,572 | 2,771,624 | ||||||
Reinsurance
payable
|
(11,088,023 | ) | (12,605,238 | ) | ||||
$ | 5,787,353 | $ | 10,137,780 |
The
following table presents the liability for unpaid losses and LAE for the years
ended December 31, 1999 through 2008 and does not distinguish between
catastrophic and non-catastrophic events. The top line of the table shows the
estimated net liabilities for unpaid losses and LAE at the balance sheet date
for each of the periods indicated. These figures represent the estimated amount
of unpaid losses and LAE for claims arising in all prior years that were unpaid
at the balance sheet date, including losses that had been IBNR. The portion of
the table labeled "Cumulative paid as of" shows the net cumulative payments for
losses and LAE made in succeeding years for losses incurred prior to the balance
sheet date. The lower portion of the table shows the re-estimated amount of the
previously recorded liability based on experience as of the end of each
succeeding year.
- 16
-
21st Century Holding Company
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
2002
|
2001
|
2000
|
1999
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
Sheet Liability
|
$ | 52,070 | $ | 39,551 | $ | 27,259 | $ | 25,733 | $ | 37,390 | $ | 15,314 | $ | 9,422 | $ | 6,207 | $ | 6,976 | $ | 4,428 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative
paid as of:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One
year later
|
7,666 | 19,331 | 25,465 | 35,114 | 10,466 | 8,101 | 5,283 | 8,160 | 4,224 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Two
years later
|
26,997 | 34,073 | 48,285 | 12,499 | 9,857 | 7,215 | 9,487 | 5,666 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three
years later
|
39,012 | 53,621 | 14,220 | 10,417 | 7,711 | 10,094 | 6,182 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Four
years later
|
56,926 | 15,033 | 11,410 | 7,953 | 10,352 | 6,394 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Five
years later
|
15,261 | 11,725 | 8,171 | 10,476 | 6,542 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six
years later
|
11,763 | 8,296 | 10,641 | 6,563 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seven
years later
|
8,270 | 10,749 | 6,576 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eight
years later
|
10,720 | 6,587 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine
years later
|
6,586 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6,586 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Re-estimated
net liability as of:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End
of year
|
$ | 52,070 | $ | 39,551 | $ | 27,259 | $ | 25,733 | $ | 37,390 | $ | 15,314 | $ | 9,422 | $ | 6,207 | $ | 6,976 | $ | 4,428 | ||||||||||||||||||||
One
year later
|
44,440 | 35,370 | 35,618 | 44,690 | 14,256 | 10,897 | 6,954 | 9,445 | 5,872 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Two
years later
|
40,796 | 41,280 | 52,317 | 14,273 | 10,625 | 7,842 | 10,200 | 6,284 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three
years later
|
45,131 | 56,147 | 14,890 | 10,770 | 8,069 | 10,425 | 6,605 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Four
years later
|
59,583 | 15,854 | 11,650 | 8,312 | 10,616 | 6,561 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Five
years later
|
16,304 | 12,365 | 8,542 | 10,782 | 6,664 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six
years later
|
12,410 | 8,621 | 10,945 | 6,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seven
years later
|
8,458 | 11,241 | 6,743 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eight
years later
|
10,644 | 7,228 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine
years later
|
5,967 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative
redundancy (deficiency)
|
$ | (4,888 | ) | $ | (13,537 | ) | $ | (19,398 | ) | $ | (22,193 | ) | $ | (991 | ) | $ | (2,988 | ) | $ | (2,251 | ) | $ | (3,668 | ) | $ | (1,539 | ) | |||||||||||||
Cumulative
redundancy (-) deficiency as a % of reserves originally
established
|
-12.4 | % | -49.7 | % | -75.4 | % | -59.4 | % | -6.5 | % | -31.7 | % | -36.3 | % | -52.6 | % | -34.8 | % |
The
cumulative redundancy or deficiency represents the aggregate change in the
estimates over all prior years. A deficiency indicates that the latest estimate
of the liability for losses and LAE is higher than the liability that was
originally estimated and a redundancy indicates that such estimate is lower. It
should be emphasized that the table presents a run-off of balance sheet
liability for the periods indicated rather than accident or policy loss
development for those periods. Therefore, each amount in the table includes the
cumulative effects of changes in liability for all prior periods. Conditions and
trends that have affected liabilities in the past may not necessarily occur in
the future.
As noted
above, we have since experienced a $4.9 million cumulative deficiency in
connection with the re-estimation of all loss that occurred in 2007 and a $13.5
million cumulative deficiency in connection with the re-estimation of all loss
that occurred in 2006. Relative to the $4.9 million deficiency, our homeowner
and commercial general liability losses totaled $1.1 million and $4.4 million,
respectively, and our automobile benefit totaled $0.7 million. Relative to the
$13.5 million deficiency, our homeowner and commercial general liability and
automobile losses totaled $5.5 million, $6.6 million and $1.4 million,
respectively.
As noted
last year, we had since experienced an $8.2 million cumulative deficiency in
connection with the re-estimation of all loss that occurred in 2006 and a $15.7
million cumulative deficiency in connection with the re-estimation of all loss
that occurred in 2005. Relative to the $8.2 million deficiency, our homeowner,
commercial general liability and automobile losses totaled $2.2, $4.0 and $2.0,
respectively. Relative to the $15.7 million deficiency, our homeowner and
commercial general liability and automobile losses totaled $9.4 million, $3.4
million and $2.8 million, respectively.
- 17
-
21st Century Holding Company
As noted
in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, we experienced a
$15.2 million cumulative deficiency recognized in 2006 and 2005 in connection
with the re-estimation of all loss that occurred in 2004 and a $10.0 million
cumulative deficiency recognized in 2006 in connection with the re-estimation of
all loss that occurred in 2005. Relative to the $15.2 million deficiency, our
homeowner and commercial general liability losses totaled $15.4 million and $0.6
million, respectively offset by automobile redundancies totaling $0.9 million.
Relative to the $10.0 million deficiency, our homeowner and commercial general
liability and automobile losses totaled $7.3 million, $1.7 million and $1.0
million, respectively.
The table
below sets forth the differences between loss and LAE reserves as disclosed for
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) basis compared with Statutory
Accounting Principles (“SAP”) basis of presentation for the years ended 2008,
2007 and 2006.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
(Dollars
in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||
GAAP
basis Loss and LAE reserves
|
$ | 64,782 | $ | 59,685 | $ | 39,615 | ||||||
Less
unpaid Losses and LAE ceded
|
12,713 | 20,133 | 12,401 | |||||||||
Balance
Sheet Liability
|
52,070 | 39,552 | 27,214 | |||||||||
Add
Insurance Apportionment Plan
|
25 | 37 | 45 | |||||||||
SAP
basis Loss and LAE reserves
|
$ | 52,094 | $ | 39,589 | $ | 27,259 |
The table below sets forth the
differences between loss and LAE incurred as disclosed for GAAP basis compared
with SAP basis presentation for the years ended 2008, 2007 and
2006.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
(Dollars
in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||
GAAP
basis Loss and LAE incurred
|
$ | 41,868 | $ | 47,619 | $ | 44,400 | ||||||
Intercompany
adjusting and other expenses
|
4,313 | 7,361 | 6,465 | |||||||||
Insurance
apportionment plan
|
4 | 12 | (294 | ) | ||||||||
SAP
basis Loss and LAE incurred
|
$ | 46,185 | $ | 54,992 | $ | 50,571 |
Underwriting
results of insurance companies are frequently measured by their Combined Ratios.
However, investment income, federal income taxes and other non-underwriting
income or expense are not reflected in the Combined Ratio. The profitability of
property and casualty insurance companies depends on income from underwriting,
investment and service operations. Underwriting results are considered
profitable when the Combined Ratio is under 100% and unprofitable when the
Combined Ratio is over 100%.
The
following table sets forth Loss Ratios, Expense Ratios and Combined Ratios for
the periods indicated for the insurance business of Federated National and
American Vehicle for 2008, 2007 and 2006. The ratios, inclusive of Unallocated
Loss Adjustment Expenses (“ULAE”), are shown in the table below, and are
computed based upon SAP.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Loss
Ratio
|
69.1 | % | 54.6 | % | 54.8 | % | ||||||
Expense
Ratio
|
43.9 | % | 38.9 | % | 42.5 | % | ||||||
Combined
Ratio
|
113.0 | % | 93.5 | % | 97.3 | % |
- 18
-
21st Century Holding Company
COMPETITION
We
operate in highly competitive markets and face competition from national,
regional and residual market insurance companies in the property and casualty,
commercial general liability and automobile markets, many of whom are larger and
have greater financial and other resources, have better ratings and offer more
diversified insurance coverage. Our competitors include companies that market
their products through agents, as well as companies that sell insurance directly
to their customers. Large national writers may have certain competitive
advantages over agency writers, including increased name recognition, increased
loyalty of their customer base and reduced policy acquisition costs. Competition
is having a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
Significant
competition has emerged as a result of the January 2007 emergency Florida
legislation session wherein it passed, and the Governor signed into law, a bill
known as “CS/HB-1A.”. This law made fundamental changes to the property and
casualty insurance business in Florida and undertook a multi-pronged approach to
address the cost of residential property insurance in Florida. First, the law
increased the capacity of reinsurance that stabilized the reinsurance market to
the benefit of the insurance companies writing properties lines in the state of
Florida. Secondly, the law provided for rate relief to all
policyholders.
The law
also authorized the state-owned insurance company, Citizens Property Insurance
Corporation (“Citizens”), which is free of many of the restraints on private
carriers such as surplus, ratios, income taxes and reinsurance expense, to
reduce its premium rates and begin competing against private insurers in the
residential property insurance market and expands the authority of Citizens to
write commercial insurance.
Additionally,
in an effort to foster competition in the Florida homeowners’ property insurance
market, the State of Florida created a Capital Build-Up incentive program in
response to the catastrophic events that occurred during 2004 and 2005. This
program provides matching statutory capital to any new or existing carrier
licensed to write homeowners insurance in the state of Florida. This Capital
Build-Up incentive program has certain default covenants that require
participating carriers to maintain minimum net written premium
ratios.
Finally,
during 2007 and 2008, approximately two dozen new homeowner insurance companies
have received authority by the Florida OIR to commence business as admitted
carriers in the state of Florida.
We
believe that these aggressive marketplace changes have forced some carriers to
pursue market share based on “best case” pricing models that may ultimately
prove unprofitable from an underwriting perspective.
We have
not participated in the Capital Build-Up incentive program and therefore have
been able to remain committed to the discipline of writing business that is
profitable from an underwriting perspective. This commitment has resulted in a
significant erosion of our homeowners’ property insurance market share in 2007
and 2008. Although our pricing is inevitably influenced to some degree by that
of our competitors, we believe that it is generally not in our shareholders’
best interest to compete solely on price. We compete on the basis of
underwriting criteria, our distribution network and superior service to our
agents and insureds.
In
Florida, more than 200 companies are authorized to underwrite homeowners’
insurance. National and regional companies that compete with us in the
homeowners’ market include Allstate Insurance Company and First Floridian
Insurance Company. In addition to these nationally recognized names, we also
compete with several Florida domestic property and casualty companies such as
Universal Insurance Company of North America, Universal Property and Casualty
Insurance Company, Royal Palm Insurance Company, Edison Insurance Company,
Olympus Insurance Company, St. Johns Insurance Company, Cypress Property and
Casualty Insurance Company, Tower Hill Insurance Company, Florida Family
Insurance Company and American Strategic Insurance Company.
Comparable
companies which compete with us in the commercial general liability insurance
market include Century Surety Insurance Company, Atlantic Casualty Insurance
Company, Colony Insurance Company and Burlington/First Financial Insurance
Companies. We also face new competition in Florida from such companies as
Seminole Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Cypress Property and Casualty
Company and U.S. Security Insurance Company.
.
With
respect to automobile insurance in Florida, we intentionally market only to our
existing policyholders by offering to renew the existing policy. Presently, we
have chosen not to compete with more than 100 companies, which underwrite
personal automobile insurance in Florida. Comparable companies in the personal
automobile insurance market include U.S. Security Insurance Company, United
Automobile Insurance Company, Direct General Insurance Company and Security
National Insurance Company, as well as major insurers such as Progressive
Casualty Insurance Company.
- 19
-
21st Century Holding Company
REGULATION
General
We are,
or will be, subject to the laws and regulations in Alabama, Arkansas,
California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada,
Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia and regulations of
any other states in which we seek to conduct business in the future. The
regulations cover all aspects of our business and are generally designed to
protect the interests of insurance policyholders, as opposed to the interests of
shareholders. Such regulations relate to authorized lines of business, capital
and surplus requirements, allowable rates and forms, investment parameters,
underwriting limitations, transactions with affiliates, dividend limitations,
changes in control, market conduct, maximum amount allowable for premium
financing service charges and a variety of other financial and non-financial
components of our business. Our failure to comply with certain provisions of
applicable insurance laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect
on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, any
changes in such laws and regulations, including the adoption of consumer
initiatives regarding rates charged for coverage, could materially and adversely
affect our operations or our ability to expand.
A recent
example of such consumer initiatives may be found with Florida’s property
insurers’ operating under a new emergency rule which requires existing premium
rates as of January 25, 2007, to remain in effect until a rate filing reflecting
the provisions as provided in Florida’s newly enacted property insurance
legislation. The legislation, which among other issues, provided low cost
reinsurance to member insurance companies, accelerated rate filings to reflect
the reduced reinsurance costs and expanded the role of Citizens in the market
place. Other provisions contained in the emergency rule prevent non-renewals and
cancellation (except for material misrepresentation and non-payment of premium)
and new restrictions on coverage are prohibited. We are aware of the continued
financial challenges that face the State of Florida in connection with the
current consumer initiatives. The consumer initiatives stem from the
catastrophic hurricanes during 2004 and 2005. The financial challenges have
affected our business, results of operations and financial condition in the past
and there can be no assurance that they will not continue to affect business,
results of operations and financial condition in the future. We are unaware of
any other jurisdictions with similar consumer initiatives that could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial
condition.
Most
states have also enacted laws which restrict an insurer’s underwriting
discretion, such as the ability to terminate policies, terminate agents or
reject insurance coverage applications, and many state regulators have the power
to reduce, or to disallow increases, in premium rates. These laws may adversely
affect the ability of an insurer to earn a profit on its underwriting
operations.
Most
states also have insurance laws requiring that rate schedules and other
information be filed with the state's insurance regulatory authority, either
directly or through a rating organization with which the insurer is affiliated.
The regulatory authority may disapprove a rate filing if it finds that the rates
are inadequate, excessive or unfairly discriminatory. Rates, which are not
necessarily uniform for all insurers, vary by class of business, hazard covered,
and size of risk. Certain states have recently adopted laws or are considering
proposed legislation which, among other things, limit the ability of insurance
companies to effect rate increases or to cancel, reduce or non-renew insurance
coverage with respect to existing policies, particularly personal automobile
insurance. As discussed above, the recent consumer initiatives with Florida’s
property insurers’ demonstrate the State of Florida’s ability to adopt such
laws. Also, the Florida legislature may adopt additional laws of this type in
the future, which may adversely affect the Company's business.
Most
states require licensure or regulatory approval prior to the marketing of new
insurance products. Typically, licensure review is comprehensive and includes a
review of a company’s business plan, solvency, reinsurance, character of its
officers and directors, rates, forms and other financial and non-financial
aspects of a company. The regulatory authorities may prohibit entry into a new
market by not granting a license or by withholding approval.
All
insurance companies must file quarterly and annual statements with certain
regulatory agencies and are subject to regular and special examinations by those
agencies. The last regulatory examination conducted by the Florida OIR on
Federated National covered the three-year period ended on December 31, 2004. The
last regulatory examination conducted by the Florida OIR on American Vehicle
covered the three-year period ended on December 31, 2005.
Federated
National’s 2004 regularly scheduled statutory triennial examination for the
three years ended December 31, 2004 was performed by the Florida OIR in 2005.
American Vehicle's examination was for the three years ended December 31, 2005
was also performed by the Florida OIR, in 2006. A loss reserve deficiency
totaling approximately $1.3 million (net of income taxes) was recorded in the
fourth quarter of 2006 on American Vehicle in connection with the Florida OIR
examination. We may be the subject of additional targeted examinations or
analysis. These examinations or analysis may result in one or more corrective
orders being issued by the Florida OIR.
- 20
-
21st Century Holding Company
Federated
National anticipates a regularly scheduled statutory examination by the Florida
OIR to occur during 2010 for the five years ended December 31, 2009. American
Vehicle anticipates a regularly scheduled statutory examination by the Florida
OIR to occur during 2011 for the five years ended December 31, 2010. We have not
received any notice of such examinations.
In some
instances, various states routinely require deposits of assets for the
protection of policyholders either in those states or for all policyholders. As
an example, the Florida OIR requires Federated National and American Vehicle to
have securities with a fair market value of $1.0 million held in escrow. As of
December 31, 2008, Federated National and American Vehicle held investment
securities with a fair value of approximately $1.1 million, each as deposits
with the State of Florida. Additionally, as of December 31, 2008 American
Vehicle has cash deposits totaling, $409,640 with the State of Alabama, $167,109
with the State of Arkansas and $116,715 with the State of
Louisiana.
As of
December 31, 2007, Federated National and American Vehicle held investment
securities with a fair value of approximately $1.1 million, each as deposits
with the State of Florida. Additionally, as of December 31, 2007 American
Vehicle has cash deposits totaling, $397,102 with the State of Alabama, $153,750
with the State of Arkansas and $113,614 with the State of
Louisiana.
Restrictions
in Payments of Dividends by Domestic Insurance Companies
Under
Florida law, a domestic insurer may not pay any dividend or distribute cash or
other property to its shareholders except out of that part of its available and
accumulated capital surplus funds which is derived from realized net operating
profits on its business and net realized capital gains. A Florida domestic
insurer may not make dividend payments or distributions to shareholders without
prior approval of the Florida OIR if the dividend or distribution would exceed
the larger of (i) the lesser of (a) 10.0% of its capital surplus or (b) net
income, not including realized capital gains, plus a two-year carryforward, (ii)
10.0% of capital surplus with dividends payable constrained to unassigned funds
minus 25% of unrealized capital gains or (iii) the lesser of (a) 10.0% of
capital surplus or (b) net investment income plus a three-year carryforward with
dividends payable constrained to unassigned funds minus 25.0% of unrealized
capital gains.
Alternatively,
a Florida domestic insurer may pay a dividend or distribution without the prior
written approval of the Florida OIR (i) if the dividend is equal to or less than
the greater of (a) 10.0% of the insurer’s capital surplus as regards
policyholders derived from realized net operating profits on its business and
net realized capital gains or (b) the insurer’s entire net operating profits and
realized net capital gains derived during the immediately preceding calendar
year, (ii) the insurer will have policy holder capital surplus equal to or
exceeding 115.0% of the minimum required statutory capital surplus after the
dividend or distribution, (iii) the insurer files a notice of the dividend or
distribution with the Florida OIR at least ten business days prior to the
dividend payment or distribution and (iv) the notice includes a certification by
an officer of the insurer attesting that, after the payment of the dividend or
distribution, the insurer will have at least 115% of required statutory capital
surplus as to policyholders. Except as provided above, a Florida domiciled
insurer may only pay a dividend or make a distribution (i) subject to prior
approval by the Florida OIR or (ii) 30 days after the Florida OIR has received
notice of such dividend or distribution and has not disapproved it within such
time.
No
dividends were paid by Federated National or American Vehicle in 2008, 2007 or
2006, and none are anticipated in 2009. Although we believe that amounts
required to meet our financial and operating obligations will be available from
sources other than dividends from our insurance subsidiaries, there can be no
assurance in this regard. Further, there can be no assurance that, if requested,
the Florida OIR will allow any dividends in excess of the amount available, to
be paid by Federated National and American Vehicle to us, the parent company, in
the future. The maximum dividends permitted by state law are not necessarily
indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay dividends or other
distributions to a parent company, which also may be constrained by business and
regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on capital surplus,
which could affect an insurer’s competitive position, the amount of premiums
that can be written and the ability to pay future dividends. Further, state
insurance laws and regulations require that the statutory capital surplus of an
insurance company following any dividend or distribution by it be reasonable in
relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate for its financial
needs.
While the
non-insurance company subsidiaries (Assurance MGA, Superior and any other
affiliate) are not subject directly to the dividend and other distribution
limitations, insurance holding company regulations govern the amount that any
affiliate within the holding company system may charge any of the insurance
companies for service (e.g., management fees and commissions).
- 21
-
21st Century Holding Company
National
Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) Risk Based Capital
Requirements
In order
to enhance the regulation of insurer solvency, the NAIC established risk-based
capital requirements for insurance companies that are designed to assess capital
adequacy and to raise the level of protection that statutory surplus provides
for policy holders. These requirements measure three major areas of risk facing
property and casualty insurers: (i) underwriting risks, which encompass the risk
of adverse loss developments and inadequate pricing; (ii) declines in asset
values arising from credit risk; and (iii) other business risks from
investments. Insurers having less statutory surplus than required will be
subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, depending on the level of
capital inadequacy. The Florida OIR, which follows these requirements, could
require Federated National or American Vehicle to cease operations in the event
they fail to maintain the required statutory capital.
Based
upon the 2008 statutory financial statements for Federated National and American
Vehicle, statutory surplus exceeded all regulatory action levels established by
the NAIC’s risk-based capital requirements.
Based
upon the 2007 statutory financial statements for Federated National and American
Vehicle, statutory surplus exceeded all regulatory action levels established by
the NAIC’s risk-based capital requirements.
Based on
risk-based capital requirements, the extent of regulatory intervention and
action increases as the ratio of an insurer’s statutory surplus to its
Authorized Control Level (“ACL”), as calculated under the NAIC’s requirements,
decreases. The first action level, the Company Action Level, requires an insurer
to submit a plan of corrective actions to the insurance regulators if statutory
surplus falls below 200.0% of the ACL amount. The second action level, the
Regulatory Action Level, requires an insurer to submit a plan containing
corrective actions and permits the insurance regulators to perform an
examination or other analysis and issue a corrective order if statutory surplus
falls below 150.0% of the ACL amount. The third action level, ACL, allows the
regulators to rehabilitate or liquidate an insurer in addition to the
aforementioned actions if statutory surplus falls below the ACL amount. The
fourth action level is the Mandatory Control Level, which requires the
regulators to rehabilitate or liquidate the insurer if statutory surplus falls
below 70.0% of the ACL amount. Federated National’s ratio of statutory surplus
to its ACL was 739.4%, 653.0 % and 165.4% at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. American Vehicle’s ratio of statutory surplus to its ACL was
402.5%, 448.5% and 444.2% at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
NAIC
Insurance Regulatory Information Systems Ratios
The NAIC
has also developed Insurance Regulatory Information Systems (“IRIS”) ratios to
assist state insurance departments in identifying companies which may be
developing performance or solvency problems, as signaled by significant changes
in the companies’ operations. Such changes may not necessarily result from any
problems with an insurance company, but may merely indicate changes in certain
ratios outside the ranges defined as normal by the NAIC. When an insurance
company has four or more ratios falling outside “usual ranges,” state regulators
may investigate to determine the reasons for the variance and whether corrective
action is warranted.
As of
December 31, 2008, Federated National was outside NAIC’s usual ranges with
respect to its IRIS tests on two out of thirteen ratios. There was one exception
in connection with change in net written premium and one in connection with two
year reserve development to policyholders’ surplus. As of December 31, 2007,
Federated National was outside NAIC’s usual ranges with respect to its IRIS
tests on three out of thirteen ratios. There were two exceptions in connection
with surplus growth and one exception in connection with adverse homeowner
claims in connection with the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005.
As of
December 31, 2008, American Vehicle was outside NAIC’s usual range for two of
thirteen ratios. There was one exception in connection with the two year overall
operating ratio and one in connection with two year reserve development to
policyholders’ surplus. As of December 31, 2007, American Vehicle was outside
NAIC’s usual range for two of thirteen ratios. The exceptions were in connection
with reserve development in connection with our commercial general liability
program.
There was
no action taken by the Florida OIR in connection with the December 31, 2007 IRIS
ratio results. We do not currently believe that the Florida OIR will take any
significant action with respect to Federated National or American Vehicle
regarding the 2008 IRIS ratios, although there can be no assurance that will be
the case.
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21st Century Holding Company
Insurance
Holding Company Regulation
We, the
parent company, are subject to laws governing insurance holding companies in
Florida where Federated National and American Vehicle are domiciled. These laws,
among other things, (i) require us to file periodic information with the Florida
OIR, including information concerning our capital structure, ownership,
financial condition and general business operations, (ii) regulate certain
transactions between us and our affiliates, including the amount of dividends
and other distributions, the terms of surplus notes and amounts that our
affiliates can charge the holding company for services such as management fees
or commissions, (iii) restrict the ability of any one person to acquire certain
levels of our voting securities without prior regulatory approval. Any purchaser
of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock will be presumed to
have acquired control of Federated National and American Vehicle unless the
Florida OIR, upon application, determines otherwise.
Finance
Company Regulation
Our
financing program remains subject to certain laws governing the operation of
premium finance companies. These laws pertain to such matters as books and
records that must be kept, forms, licensing, fees and charges. For example, in
Florida, the maximum late payment fee Federated Premium may charge for personal
line policies is $10 per month.
Underwriting
and Marketing Restrictions
During
the past several years, various regulatory and legislative bodies have adopted
or proposed new laws or regulations to address the cyclical nature of the
insurance industry, catastrophic events and insurance capacity and pricing.
These regulations include (i) the creation of "market assistance plans" under
which insurers are induced to provide certain coverages, (ii) restrictions on
the ability of insurers to rescind or otherwise cancel certain policies in
mid-term, (iii) advance notice requirements or limitations imposed for certain
policy non-renewals and (iv) limitations upon or decreases in rates permitted to
be charged.
Legislation
From time
to time, new regulations and legislation are proposed to limit damage awards, to
control plaintiffs' counsel fees, to bring the industry under regulation by the
Federal government, to control premiums, policy terminations and other policy
terms and to impose new taxes and assessments. It is not possible to predict
whether, in what form or in what jurisdictions, any of these proposals might be
adopted, or the effect, if any, on us.
During
February 2008 Florida’s House Insurance Committee held a workshop on a proposal
and legislation developed by the Florida Department of Financial Services
(“DFS”) regarding a significant reduction of capacity in the FHCF, substantially
increasing members’ co-insurance participation and the reorganization of the
FHCF under the Florida Cabinet. Additionally, the Board of Directors of FIGA
held separate meetings to discuss their continued financial challenges in
connection with the insolvency of a particular insurance company that was
assumed subsequent to the 2005 – 2006 hurricane season. Additional assessments
by regulatory agencies are possible though not quantifiable at this
time.
Industry
Ratings Services
Third-party
rating agencies assess and rate the ability of insurers to pay their claims.
These financial strength ratings are used by the insurance industry to assess
the financial strength and quality of insurers. These ratings are based on
criteria established by the rating agencies and reflect evaluations of each
insurer's profitability, debt and cash levels, customer base, adequacy and
soundness of reinsurance, quality and estimated market value of assets, adequacy
of reserves, and management. Ratings are based upon factors of concern to
agents, reinsurers and policyholders and are not directed toward the protection
of investors, such as purchasers of our common stock.
In August
2004, A.M. Best notified us that Federated National and American Vehicle were
being placed under review with negative implications. In connection with this
review, we requested that A.M. Best cease its ratings of these subsidiaries and
assign a rating of “NR-4 – Not rated, company’s request” to each. The withdrawal
of our ratings could limit or prevent us from writing or renewing desirable
insurance policies, obtaining adequate reinsurance or borrowing on our line of
credit.
Federated
National and American Vehicle are currently rated by Demotech as "A"
("Exceptional"), which is the third of seven ratings, and defined as “Regardless
of the severity of a general economic downturn or deterioration in the insurance
cycle, insurers earning a Financial Stability Rating of “A” possess
“Exceptional” financial stability related to maintaining surplus as regards to
policyholders”. Demotech’s ratings are based upon factors of concern to agents,
reinsurers and policyholders and are not primarily directed toward the
protection of investors. However, our Demotech rating could be jeopardized by
such other factors including adverse development and various surplus related
ratio exceptions.
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21st Century Holding Company
In a
letter from Demotech’s Chief Executive Officer, dated January 15, 2009, Demotech
warned Florida policymakers, including Florida Insurance Council representatives
that “The potential inability of the FHCF to honor meritorious claims related to
a significant event adversely influences the Financial Stability Rating of each
of the carriers that are heavily dependent on the reinsurance provided by the
FHCF. Under current circumstances and conditions, we will provide, monitor and
support Financial Stability Ratings through the period ending May 15, 2009. An
extension of financial Stability Ratings beyond May 15, 2009, will require
definitive financial information regarding participation in the FHCF,
documentation of bridge loans or alternative financing mechanisms that provide
liquidity during a period in which the FHCF would be raising capital and other
precaution or protection regarding reinsurance collectibility or catastrophe
reinsurance.”
The
withdrawal of our ratings could limit or prevent us from writing or renewing
desirable insurance policies, from competing with insurers who have higher
ratings, from obtaining adequate reinsurance, or from borrowing on a line of
credit. Furthermore, a withdrawal of the rating could cause the Company’s
insurance policies to no longer be acceptable to the secondary marketplace and
mortgage lenders, which could cause a material adverse effect of the Company’s
results of operations and financial position.
EMPLOYEES
As of
December 31, 2008, we had approximately 110 employees, including three executive
officers. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreement and we have
not experienced work stoppages or strikes as a result of labor disputes. We
consider relations with our employees to be satisfactory.
SENIOR
MANAGEMENT
Set forth
below is certain information concerning our executive officers who are not also
directors, as of December 31, 2008:
Mr.
Stephen C. Young (age 34), has served as the Company’s President from June 2007
through the present date, and as President of Federated Premium from January
1998 through the present date. Mr. Young served as Vice President of Operations
of the Company from June 2006 through May 2007.
ITEM
1A RISK
FACTORS
We are
subject to certain risks in our business operations which are described below.
Careful consideration of these risks should be made before making an investment
decision. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones
facing 21st
Century. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or currently
deemed immaterial may also impair our business operations.
Risks
Related to Our Business
Our
financial condition could be adversely affected by the occurrence of natural and
man-made disasters.
We write
insurance policies that cover homeowners', business owners and automobile owners
for losses that result from, among other things, catastrophes. Catastrophic
losses can be caused by hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, wind, hail,
fires, riots and explosions, and their incidence and severity are inherently
unpredictable. The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of two
factors: the total amount of the insurance company's exposure in the area
affected by the event and the severity of the event. Our policyholders are
currently concentrated in South and Central Florida, which is especially subject
to adverse weather conditions such as hurricanes and tropical
storms.
In 2004
and 2005, the state of Florida experienced nine hurricanes. One of our
subsidiaries, Federated National, incurred significant losses relative to its
homeowners’ and mobile homeowners’ insurance lines of business in connection
with these catastrophic weather events. Aggregate losses in connection with
these storms involved over 23,000 claims at a cost in excess of $69.9 million,
net of our reinsurance participation.
The
occurrence of claims from catastrophic events could result in substantial
volatility in our results of operations or financial condition for any fiscal
quarter or year. Increases in the values and concentrations of insured property
may also increase the severity of these occurrences in the future. Although we
attempt to manage our exposure to such events through the use of underwriting
controls and the purchase of third-party reinsurance, catastrophic events are
inherently unpredictable and the actual nature of such events when they occur
could be more frequent or severe than contemplated in our pricing and risk
management expectations. As a result, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic
events could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or
financial condition.
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21st Century Holding Company
Although
we follow the industry practice of reinsuring a portion of our risks, our costs
of obtaining reinsurance fluctuates and we may not be able to successfully
alleviate risk through reinsurance arrangements.
The state
of Florida has a history of exposure to extremely volatile weather related
catastrophic events including hurricanes and tornados. The frequency and
severity of these events can have a profound impact on our balance sheet and
statements of operations and cash flows. Though the Company attempts to mitigate
the impact of these events, there can be no assurance that we will be
successful.
We have a
reinsurance structure that is a combination of private reinsurance and the FHCF.
Our reinsurance structure is comprised of several reinsurance companies with
varying levels of participation providing coverage for loss and LAE at
pre-established minimum and maximum amounts. Losses incurred in connection with
a catastrophic event below the minimum and above the maximum are the
responsibility of Federated National.
As a
result of the nine hurricanes experienced in Florida during the fourteen month
period between August 2004 and October 2005, and changes in Florida law in 2007
regarding the pricing and availability of reinsurance, we continue to review,
and may determine to modify, our reinsurance structure.
Though
there has been no occurrence of hurricanes in Florida within the last three
hurricane seasons, some weather analysts believe that we have entered a period
of greater hurricane activity while others suggest a diminished expectation for
the near future. To address this risk, we are exploring alternatives to reduce
our exposure to these types of storms. Although these measures may increase
operating expenses, management believes that they will assist us in protecting
long-term profitability, although there can be no assurances that will be the
case.
The
availability and costs associated with the acquisition of reinsurance will vary
year to year. These fluctuations, which can be significant, are not subject to
our control and may limit our ability to purchase adequate coverage. The
recovery of increased reinsurance costs through rate action is not immediate and
can not be presumed, as it is subject to Florida OIR approval.
Insolvency
of our primary reinsurer or any of our other current or future reinsurers
including the FHCF, or their inability otherwise to pay claims, would increase
the claims that we must pay, thereby potentially harming significantly our
balance sheet, results of operations and cash flow. In addition, prevailing
market conditions have increased the availability and limited the cost of
reinsurance, although there can be no assurances that these conditions will
persist.
Subsequent
to December 31, 2008 and pursuant to the provisions of our reinsurance treaties,
we elected to cancel the contract with New Castle and funds considered
immaterial are in the process of settlement. New Castle’s participation in our
reinsurance program represented approximately 1% of the aggregate catastrophic
loss exposure. We are in the process of replacing this coverage however there
can be no assurances that we can be successful, though our increased exposure is
limited.
We face a risk of non-collectibility
of reinsurance, which could materially and adversely affect our business,
results of operations and/or financial condition.
As is
common practice within the insurance industry, we transfer a portion of the
risks insured under our policies to other companies through the purchase of
reinsurance. This reinsurance is maintained to protect our insurance subsidiary
against the severity of losses on individual claims, unusually serious
occurrences in which a number of claims produce an aggregate extraordinary loss
and catastrophic events. Although reinsurance does not discharge our insurance
subsidiary from its primary obligation to pay for losses insured under the
policies it issues, reinsurance does make the assuming reinsurer liable to the
insurance subsidiary for the reinsured portion of the risk. A credit exposure
exists with respect to ceded losses to the extent that any reinsurer is unable
or unwilling to meet the obligations assumed under the reinsurance contracts.
The collectibility of reinsurance is subject to the solvency of the reinsurers,
interpretation of contract language and other factors. A
reinsurer's insolvency or inability to make payments under the terms of a
reinsurance contract could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition.
The
availability and costs associated with the acquisition of reinsurance will vary
year to year. These fluctuations, which can be significant, are not subject to
our control and may limit our ability to purchase adequate coverage. The
recovery of increased reinsurance costs through rate action is not immediate and
can not be presumed, as it is subject to Florida OIR approval.
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21st Century Holding Company
For the
2008-2009 hurricane season, the excess of loss and FHCF treaties will insure us
for approximately $310.0 million of aggregate catastrophic losses and LAE with a
maximum single event coverage totaling approximately $245.0 million, with the
Company retaining the first $3.0 million of losses and LAE. Our reinsurance
program included coverage purchased from the private market, which afforded
optional Reinstatement Premium Protection that provides coverage beyond the
first event, along with coverage from the FHCF. Coverage afforded by the FHCF
totals approximately $167.0 million or 54% of the $310.0 million of aggregate
catastrophic losses and LAE. The FHCF affords coverage for the entire season,
subject to maximum payouts, without regard to any particular insurable
event.
Our
reinsurance structure has significant risks, including the fact that the FHCF
may not be able to raise sufficient money to pay their claims or impair their
ability to pay their claims in a timely manner. This could result in significant
financial, legal and operational challenges to our company.
Therefore,
in the event of a catastrophic loss, we may become dependent upon the FHCF's
ability to pay, which may, in turn, be dependent upon the FHCF's ability to
issue bonds in amounts that would be required to meet its reinsurance
obligations in the event of such a catastrophic loss. In this economic climate,
there is no assurance that the FHCF will be able to do this. Please
see “Business-Reinsurance” for more information about FHCF.
We
may experience financial exposure from climate change.
Our
financial exposure from climate change is most notably associated with losses in
connection with the occurrence of hurricanes striking Florida. We mitigate the
risk of financial exposure from climate change by restrictive underwriting
criteria, sensitivity to geographic concentrations and reinsurance.
Restrictive
underwriting criteria can include, but are not limited to, higher premiums and
deductibles and more specifically excluded policy risks such as fences and
screened-in enclosures. New technological advances in computer generated
geographical mapping afford us an enhanced perspective as to geographic
concentrations of policyholders and proximity to flood prone areas. Our amount
of maximum reinsurance coverage is determined by subjecting our homeowner and
mobile homeowner exposures to statistical forecasting models that are designed
to quantify a catastrophic event in terms of the frequency of a storm occurring
once in every “n” years. Our reinsurance coverage contemplated a catastrophic
event occurring once every 100 years. Our amount of losses retained (our
deductible) in connection with a catastrophic event is determined by market
capacity, pricing conditions and surplus preservation.
Our
loss reserves may be inadequate to cover our actual liability for losses,
causing our results of operations to be adversely affected.
We
maintain reserves to cover our estimated ultimate liabilities for loss and
LAE. These reserves are estimates based on historical data and
statistical projections of what we believe the settlement and administration of
claims will cost based on facts and circumstances then known to us. Actual loss
and LAE reserves, however, may vary significantly from our
estimates.
Factors
that affect unpaid loss and LAE include the estimates made on a claim-by-claim
basis known as “case reserves” coupled with bulk estimates known as
IBNR. Periodic estimates by management of the ultimate costs required
to settle all claim files are based on our analysis of historical data and
estimations of the impact of numerous factors such as (i) per claim information;
(ii) company and industry historical loss experience; (iii) legislative
enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages,
and changes in political attitudes; and (iv) trends in general economic
conditions, including the effects of inflation. Management revises
its estimates based on the results of its analysis. This process
assumes that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments
and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for estimating the ultimate
settlement of all claims. There is no precise method for subsequently
evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of the reserves,
because the eventual redundancy or deficiency is affected by multiple
factors.
Because
of the uncertainties that surround estimated loss reserves, we cannot be certain
that our reserves will be adequate to cover our actual losses. If our reserves
for unpaid losses and LAE are less than actual losses and LAE, we will be
required to increase our reserves with a corresponding reduction in our net
income in the period in which the deficiency is identified. For example, during
the quarter ended December 31, 2006 we increased our reserves in connection with
our homeowners’ and commercial general liability insurance programs upon the
advice of our newly appointed actuaries. Future loss experience substantially in
excess of our reserves for unpaid losses and LAE could substantially harm our
results of operations and financial condition.
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21st Century Holding Company
Our
revenues and operating performance will fluctuate due to statutorily approved
assessments that support property and casualty insurance pools and
associations.
We
operate in a regulatory environment where certain entities and organizations
have the authority to require us to participate in assessments. Currently these
entities and organizations include, but are not limited to, the Florida Joint
Underwriters Association (“JUA”), FIGA, Citizens and the FHCF. The current
assessments stem from the catastrophic effects to the property insurance
industry in the state of Florida from the hurricanes that occurred during the
fourteen months between August 2004 and October 2005.
Most of
the recent assessments result in a charge to current operations. The insurance
companies will then pass the assessments on to insurance policies, in the form
of a policy surcharge, and reflect the collection of these assessments as fully
earned credits to operations in the period collected. The collection of these
fees may adversely affect our over all marketing strategy due to the competitive
landscape in Florida. All other pricing considerations remaining the same, a
newly formed property insurance company would not be subject to the recoupment
of previously imposed assessments.
Future
assessments are likely, however the impact of these assessments on our balance
sheet, results of operations or cash flow are undeterminable at this
time.
Our
investment portfolio may suffer reduced returns or losses, which would
significantly reduce our earnings.
As do
other insurance companies, we depend on income from our investment portfolio for
a substantial portion of our earnings. During the time that normally elapses
between the receipt of insurance premiums and any payment of insurance claims,
we invest the funds received, together with our other available capital,
primarily in fixed-maturity investments and to a lesser extent in equity
securities, in order to generate investment income.
In
connection with our equity securities, we determined that certain securities
qualified for other than temporary impairment status in 2008. In connection with
this process we charged to operations a net realized investment loss that
totaled approximately $9.9 million, net of an estimated provisional tax effect
of approximately $3.7 million. Most of these investments were subsequently sold
during the third and fourth quarter of the year, and, we recognized an
additional $0.2 million loss, net of an estimated tax benefit of approximately
$0.1 million.
Our
investment portfolio contains interest rate sensitive instruments, such as
bonds, which may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates. A
significant increase in interest rates or decrease in credit worthiness could
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of
operations. Generally, bond prices decrease as interest rates rise. Changes in
interest rates could also have an adverse effect on our investment income and
results of operations. For example, if interest rates decline, investment of new
premiums received and funds reinvested will earn less than
expected.
We
may experience a loss due to the concentration of credit risk.
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of
credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents held in a mutual fund money
market account. Management believes that the financial institution holding the
Company’s mutual fund money market account is credit worthy and accordingly
minimal credit risk exists with respect to those investments.
As of
December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately $121.4 million invested in the
MTB Prime Money Market-Inst Fund Number 142, for which the NAIC classification
is Class 1. A money market fund is eligible for listing on the Class
1 List if the fund meets the following conditions:
|
·
|
The
fund maintains a rating of Am or better from Standard and Poor’s or a
rating of A or better from Moody’s Investor’s Services (“Moody’s”) or an
equivalent or better rating from another NAIC
ARO;
|
|
·
|
The
fund maintains a constant net asset value of $1.00 at all
times;
|
|
·
|
The
fund allows a maximum of seven-day redemption of proceeds;
and
|
|
·
|
The
fund invests at least ninety-five percent (95%) of its total assets in any
combination of: the U.S. Government securities listed in Section 14 of the
Appendix, securities rated in the highest short term rating category by an
NAIC ARO, unrated securities determined by the fund’s Board to be of
comparable quality, securities of money market funds that are registered
investment companies and collateralized repurchase agreements comprised of
such obligations at all times. The remaining five percent (5%) may be
invested in Second Tier Securities as that phrase is defined by Rule 2a-7
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR
270.2a-7).
|
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21st Century Holding Company
Subsequent
to year end these funds were invested in long and short term investments with
yields that best match our liquidity needs.
We
face risks in connection with potential material weakness resulting from our
Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 management report and any related remedial measures
that we undertake.
In
conjunction with our ongoing reporting obligations as a public company and the
requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, management reported on
the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2008. In order to identify any material weaknesses in our internal
control over financial reporting, we engaged in a process to document, evaluate
and test our internal controls and procedures, including corrections to existing
controls and implement additional controls and procedures that we may deem
necessary. As a result of this evaluation and testing process, no material
financial reporting deficiencies were noted.
Although
we did not have any material weaknesses in our internal controls for our fiscal
year ended December 31, 2008, we can not be certain that there will be none in
the future. In future periods, if the process required by Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act reveals significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, the
correction of any such significant deficiencies or material weaknesses could
require additional remedial measures that could be costly and time-consuming. In
addition, the discovery of material weaknesses could also require the
restatement of prior period operating results. If a material weakness exists as
of a future period year-end (including a material weakness identified prior to
year-end for which there is an insufficient period of time to evaluate and
confirm the effectiveness of the corrections or related new procedures), our
management will be unable to report favorably as of such future period year-end
as to the effectiveness of our control over financial reporting and we could
lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial
reports, which could have an adverse effect on our stock price and potentially
subject us to litigation.
The
failure of any of the loss limitation methods we employ could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition or our results of
operations.
Various
provisions of our policies, such as limitations or exclusions from coverage
which have been negotiated to limit our risks, may not be enforceable in the
manner we intend. At the present time we employ a variety of endorsements to our
policies that limit exposure to known risks, including, but not limited to,
exclusions relating to types of vehicles we
insure, specific artisan activities and homes in close proximity to the coast
line.
In
addition, the policies we issue contain conditions requiring the prompt
reporting of claims to us and our right to decline coverage in the event of a
violation of that condition. While our insurance product exclusions and
limitations reduce the loss exposure to us and help eliminate known exposures to
certain risks, it is possible that a court or regulatory authority could nullify
or void an exclusion or legislation could be enacted modifying or barring the
use of such endorsements and limitations in a way that would adversely effect
our loss experience, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition or results of operations.
The
effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on our business are
uncertain.
As
industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other conditions change,
unexpected and unintended issues related to claims and coverage may emerge.
These issues may adversely affect our business by either extending coverage
beyond our underwriting intent or by increasing the number or size of claims. In
some instances, these changes may not become apparent until some time after we
have issued insurance contracts that are affected by the changes. As a result,
the full extent of liability under our insurance contracts may not be known for
many years after a contract is issued.
Our
failure to pay claims accurately could adversely affect our business, financial
results and capital requirements.
We must
accurately evaluate and pay claims that are made under our policies. Many
factors affect our ability to pay claims accurately, including the training and
experience of our claims representatives, the culture of our claims organization
and the effectiveness of our management, our ability to develop or select and
implement appropriate procedures and systems to support our claims functions and
other factors. Our failure to pay claims accurately could lead to material
litigation, undermine our reputation in the marketplace, impair our image and
negatively affect our financial results.
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21st Century Holding Company
In
addition, if we do not train new claims adjusting employees effectively or if we
lose a significant number of experienced claims adjusting employees, our claims
department’s ability to handle an increasing workload as we grow could be
adversely affected. In addition to potentially requiring that growth be slowed
in the affected markets, we could suffer decreased quality of claims work, which
in turn could lower our operating margins.
If
we are unable to continue our growth because our capital must be used to pay
greater than anticipated claims, our financial results may suffer.
Our
future growth will depend on our ability to expand the types of insurance
products we offer and the geographic markets in which we do business, both
balanced by the business risks we chose to assume and cede. We believe that our
Company is sufficiently capitalized to operate our business as it now exists and
as we currently plan to expand it. Our existing sources of funds include
possible sales of our investment securities and our earnings from operations and
investments. Unexpected catastrophic events in our market areas, such as the
hurricanes experienced in Florida, have resulted and may result in greater
claims losses than anticipated, which could require us to limit or halt our
growth while we redeploy our capital to pay these unanticipated
claims.
We
may require additional capital in the future which may not be available or only
available on unfavorable terms.
Our
future capital requirements depend on many factors, including our ability to
write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at
levels sufficient to cover losses. To the extent that our present capital is
insufficient to meet future operating requirements and/or cover losses, we may
need to raise additional funds through financings or curtail our growth. Based
on our current operating plan, we believe current capital, together with our
anticipated retained earnings, will support our operations without the need to
raise additional capital. However, we cannot provide any assurance in that
regard, since many factors will affect our capital needs and their amount and
timing, including our growth and profitability, our claims experience, and the
availability of reinsurance, as well as possible acquisition opportunities,
market disruptions and other unforeseeable developments.
If we had
to raise additional capital, equity or debt financing may not be available at
all or may be available only on terms that are not favorable to us. In the case
of equity financings, dilution to our stockholders’ ownership could result, and
in any case such securities may have rights, preferences and privileges that are
senior to those of existing shareholders. If we cannot obtain adequate capital
on favorable terms or at all, our business, financial condition or results of
operations could be materially adversely affected.
Our
business is heavily regulated, and changes in regulation may reduce our
profitability and limit our growth.
We are
subject to extensive regulation in the states in which we conduct business. This
regulation is generally designed to protect the interests of policyholders, as
opposed to shareholders and other investors, and relates to authorization for
lines of business, capital and surplus requirements, investment limitations,
underwriting limitations, transactions with affiliates, dividend limitations,
changes in control, premium rates and a variety of other financial and
non-financial components of an insurance company’s business. The NAIC and state
insurance regulators are constantly reexamining existing laws and regulations,
generally focusing on modifications to holding company regulations,
interpretations of existing laws and the development of new laws.
From time
to time, some states in which we conduct business have considered or enacted
laws that may alter or increase state authority to regulate insurance companies
and insurance holding companies. In other situations, states in which we conduct
business have considered or enacted laws that impact the competitive environment
and marketplace for property and casualty insurance. For example, in 2007
Florida enacted legislation that requires us to charge rates for homeowners
insurance that we believe are inadequate to cover the related underwriting risk.
This same legislation authorizes a state-owned insurance company to reduce its
premium rates and begin competing against private insurers in the Florida
residential property insurance market.
Currently
the federal government does not directly regulate the insurance business.
However, in recent years the state insurance regulatory framework has come under
increased federal scrutiny. Congress and some federal agencies from time to time
investigate the current condition of insurance regulation in the United States
to determine whether to impose federal regulation or to allow an optional
federal charter, similar to banks. In addition, changes in federal legislation
and administrative policies in several areas, including changes in the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, financial services regulation and federal taxation, can
significantly impact the insurance industry and us.
- 29
-
21st Century Holding Company
We cannot
predict with certainty the effect any enacted, proposed or future state or
federal legislation or NAIC initiatives may have on the conduct of our business.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the regulatory requirements
applicable to our business will not become more stringent in the future or
result in materially higher costs than current requirements. Changes in the
regulation of our business may reduce our profitability, limit our growth or
otherwise adversely affect our operations.
Our insurance companies are subject
to minimum capital and surplus requirements, and our failure to meet these
requirements could subject us to regulatory action.
Our
insurance companies are subject to risk-based capital standards and other
minimum capital and surplus requirements imposed under applicable state laws,
including the laws of their state of domicile, Florida. The risk-based capital
standards, based upon the Risk Based Capital Model Act adopted by the NAIC
require our insurance companies to report their results of risk-based capital
calculations to state departments of insurance and the NAIC. These risk-based
capital standards provide for different levels of regulatory attention depending
upon the ratio of an insurance company’s total adjusted capital, as calculated
in accordance with NAIC guidelines, to its authorized control level risk-based
capital. Authorized control level risk-based capital is the number determined by
applying the NAIC’s risk-based capital formula, which measures the minimum
amount of capital that an insurance company needs to support its overall
business operations.
Any
failure by one of our insurance companies to meet the applicable risk-based
capital or minimum statutory capital requirements imposed by the laws of Florida
or other states where we do business could subject it to further examination or
corrective action imposed by state regulators, including limitations on our
writing of additional business, state supervision or liquidation. As of December
31, 2008, American Vehicle and Federated National were in compliance with the
NAIC risk-based capital requirements (see “Business-Regulation” for further
discussion).
Any
changes in existing risk-based capital requirements or minimum statutory capital
requirements may require us to increase our statutory capital levels, which we
may be unable to do.
Our
revenues and operating performance may fluctuate with business cycles in the
property and casualty insurance industry.
Historically,
the financial performance of the property and casualty insurance industry has
tended to fluctuate in cyclical patterns characterized by periods of significant
competition in pricing and underwriting terms and conditions, which is known as
a "soft" insurance market, followed by periods of lessened competition and
increasing premium rates, which is known as a "hard" insurance market. Although
an individual insurance company's financial performance is dependent on its own
specific business characteristics, the profitability of most property and
casualty insurance companies tends to follow this cyclical market pattern, with
profitability generally increasing in hard markets and decreasing in soft
markets. At present, we are experiencing a soft market in the property and
casualty market in Florida because of regulatory changes. We cannot predict,
however, how long these market conditions will persist. We do not compete
entirely on price or targeted market share. Our ability to compete is governed
by our ability to assess and price an insurance product with an acceptable risk
for obtaining profit.
We
may not obtain the necessary regulatory approvals to expand the types of
insurance products we offer or the states in which we operate.
The
insurance industry is highly regulated. Prior to selling a new insurance product
in a state, we must obtain approval from the applicable state insurance
regulators. The insurance regulators in states to which we might apply may
request additional information, add conditions to the license that we find
unacceptable, or deny our application. This would delay or prevent us from
operating in that state. If we want to operate in any additional states, we must
file similar applications for licenses, which we may not be successful in
obtaining.
We
are named as a defendant in a securities class action lawsuit and a derivative
lawsuit and it may have an adverse impact on our business.
We are
named as a defendant in a securities class action lawsuit and a shareholder’s
derivative lawsuit. For more information about the status of these lawsuits, see
“Part I, Item 3 Legal Proceedings.” An unfavorable resolution of this pending
litigation could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Litigation may result in substantial costs and expenses and significantly divert
the attention of the Company's management regardless of the outcome. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve a favorable settlement
of pending litigation or obtain a favorable resolution of litigation if it is
not settled. In addition, current litigation could lead to increased costs or
interruptions of normal business operations of the Company.
- 30
-
21st Century Holding Company
Adverse
ratings by insurance rating agencies may adversely impact our ability to write
new policies, renew desirable policies or obtain adequate insurance, which could
limit or halt our growth and harm our business.
Third-party
rating agencies assess and rate the ability of insurers to pay their claims.
These financial strength ratings are used by the insurance industry to assess
the financial strength and quality of insurers. These ratings are based on
criteria established by the rating agencies and reflect evaluations of each
insurer's profitability, debt and cash levels, customer base, adequacy and
soundness of reinsurance, quality and estimated market value of assets, adequacy
of reserves, and management. Ratings are based upon factors of concern to
agents, reinsurers and policyholders and are not directed toward the protection
of investors, such as purchasers of our common stock.
Demotech
has publicly stated that the potential inability of the Florida Hurricane
Catastrophe Fund to honor its obligations to carriers in Florida who are
dependent on its reinsurance has impacted its ratings process. See
Business-Ratings. The withdrawal of our ratings could limit or
prevent us from writing or renewing desirable insurance policies, from competing
with insurers who have higher ratings, from obtaining adequate reinsurance, or
from borrowing on our line of credit Furthermore, a withdrawal of the
rating could cause the Company's insurance policies to no longer be acceptable
to the secondary marketplace and mortgage lenders, which could cause a material
adverse effect of the Company's results of operations and financial
position.
We
rely on independent and general agents to write our insurance policies, and if
we are not able to attract and retain independent and general agents, our
revenues would be negatively affected.
We
currently market and distribute Federated National's and American Vehicle's
products and services through contractual relationships with a network of
approximately 1,500 independent agents and a selected number of general agents.
Our independent agents are our primary source for our automobile and property
insurance policies. Many of our competitors also rely on independent agents. As
a result, we must compete with other insurers for independent agents' business.
Our competitors may offer a greater variety of insurance products, lower
premiums for insurance coverage, or higher commissions to their agents. If our
products, pricing and commissions do not remain competitive, we may find it more
difficult to attract business from independent agents to sell our products. A
material reduction in the amount of our products that independent agents sell
could negatively affect our revenues.
We rely on our information technology
and telecommunications systems, and the failure of these systems could disrupt
our operations.
Our
business is highly dependent upon the successful and uninterrupted functioning
of our current information technology and telecommunications systems. We rely on
these systems to process new and renewal business, provide customer service,
make claims payments and facilitate collections and cancellations, as well as to
perform actuarial and other analytical functions necessary for pricing and
product development. As a result, the failure of these systems could interrupt
our operations and adversely affect our financial results.
Nonstandard
automobile insurance historically has a higher frequency of claims than standard
automobile insurance, thereby increasing our potential for loss exposure beyond
what we would be likely to experience if we offered only standard automobile
insurance.
Nonstandard
automobile insurance is provided to insureds that are unable to obtain preferred
or standard insurance coverage because of their payment histories, driving
records, age, vehicle types, or prior claims histories. This type of automobile
insurance historically has a higher frequency of claims than does preferred or
standard automobile insurance policies, although the average dollar amount of
the claims is usually smaller under nonstandard insurance policies. As a result,
we are exposed to the possibility of increased loss exposure and higher claims
experience than would be the case if we offered only standard automobile
insurance.
Florida's
personal injury protection insurance statute contains provisions that favor
claimants, causing us to experience a higher frequency of claims than might
otherwise be the case if we operated only outside of Florida.
Florida's
personal injury protection insurance statute limits an insurer's ability to deny
benefits for medical treatment that is unrelated to the accident, that is
unnecessary, or that is fraudulent. In addition, the statute allows claimants to
obtain awards for attorney's fees. Although this statute has been amended
several times in recent years, primarily to address concerns over fraud, the
Florida legislature has been only marginally successful in implementing
effective mechanisms that allow insurers to combat fraud and other abuses. We
believe that this statute contributes to a higher frequency of claims under
nonstandard automobile insurance policies in Florida, as compared with claims
under standard automobile insurance policies in Florida and nonstandard and
standard automobile insurance polices in other states. Although we believe that
we have successfully offset these higher costs with premium increases, because
of competition, we may not be able to do so with as much success in the
future.
- 31
-
21st Century Holding Company
Our success depends on our ability to
accurately price the risks we underwrite.
The
results of our operations and the financial condition of our insurance companies
depend on our ability to underwrite and set premium rates accurately for a wide
variety of risks. Rate adequacy is necessary to generate sufficient premiums to
pay losses, LAE and underwriting expenses and to earn a profit. In order to
price our products accurately, we must collect and properly analyze a
substantial amount of data; develop, test and apply appropriate rating formulas;
closely monitor and timely recognize changes in trends; and project both
severity and frequency of losses with reasonable accuracy. Our ability to
undertake these efforts successfully, and as a result price our products
accurately, is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are
outside our control, including:
·
|
the
availability of sufficient reliable data and our ability to properly
analyze available data;
|
·
|
the
uncertainties that inherently characterize estimates and
assumptions;
|
·
|
our
selection and application of appropriate rating and pricing
techniques;
|
·
|
changes
in legal standards, claim settlement practices, medical care expenses and
restoration costs; and
|
·
|
legislatively
imposed consumer initiatives.
|
Consequently,
we could under-price risks, which would negatively affect our profit margins, or
we could overprice risks, which could reduce our sales volume and
competitiveness. In either event, the profitability of our insurance companies
could be materially and adversely affected.
Current
operating resources are necessary to develop future new insurance
products.
We
currently intend to expand our product offerings by underwriting additional
insurance products and programs, and marketing them through our distribution
network. Expansion of our product offerings will result in increases in expenses
due to additional costs incurred in actuarial rate justifications, software and
personnel. Offering additional insurance products may also require regulatory
approval, further increasing our costs. There can be no assurance that we will
be successful bringing new insurance products to our marketplace.
Our
business strategy is to avoid competition based on price to the extent possible.
This strategy, however, may result in the loss of business in the short
term.
In
Florida, more than 200 companies are authorized to underwrite homeowners’
insurance. National and regional companies that compete with us in the
homeowners’ market include Allstate Insurance Company and First Floridian
Insurance Company. In addition to these nationally recognized names, we also
compete with several Florida domestic property and casualty companies such as
Universal Insurance Company of North America, Universal Property and Casualty
Insurance Company, Royal Palm Insurance Company, Edison Insurance Company,
Olympus Insurance Company, St. Johns Insurance Company, Cypress Property and
Casualty Insurance Company, Tower Hill Insurance Company, Florida Family
Insurance Company and American Strategic Insurance Company.
Significant
competition has emerged as a result of the January 2007 emergency Florida
legislation session wherein it passed, and the Governor signed into law, a bill
known as “CS/HB-1A.”. This law made fundamental changes to the property and
casualty insurance business in Florida and undertook a multi-pronged approach to
address the cost of residential property insurance in Florida. First, the law
increased the capacity of reinsurance that stabilized the reinsurance market to
the benefit of the insurance companies writing properties lines in the state of
Florida. Secondly, the law provided for rate relief to all
policyholders.
The law
also authorized the state-owned insurance company, Citizens, which is free of
many of the restraints on private carriers such as surplus, ratios, income taxes
and reinsurance expense, to reduce its premium rates and begin competing against
private insurers in the residential property insurance market and expands the
authority of Citizens to write commercial insurance.
Finally,
during 2007 and 2008, approximately two dozen new homeowner insurance companies
have received authority by the Florida OIR to commence business as admitted
carriers in the state of Florida.
- 32
-
21st Century Holding Company
We face
increased competition from existing carriers and new entrants in our niche
markets. In an effort to foster competition, the State of Florida has loaned
money to multiple carriers with certain debt covenants including the maintenance
of minimum written premium. Our competition has attempted to gain market share
through aggressive pricing and generous policy acquisition costs which has had
an adverse affect on our ability to maintain market share. Although our pricing
is inevitably influenced to some degree by that of our competitors, we believe
that it is generally not in our best interest to compete solely on price. We
compete on the basis of underwriting criteria, our distribution network and
superior service to our agents and insureds.
Comparable
companies which compete with us in the commercial general liability insurance
market include Century Surety Insurance Company, Atlantic Casualty Insurance
Company, Colony Insurance Company and Burlington/First Financial Insurance
Companies. We also face new competition in Florida from such companies as
Seminole Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Cypress Property and Casualty
Company and U.S. Security Insurance Company.
With
respect to automobile insurance in Florida, we intentionally market only to our
existing policyholders by offering to renew the existing policy. Presently, we
have chosen not to compete with more than 100 companies, which underwrite
personal automobile insurance in Florida. Comparable companies in the personal
automobile insurance market include U.S. Security Insurance Company, United
Automobile Insurance Company, Direct General Insurance Company and Security
National Insurance Company, as well as major insurers such as Progressive
Casualty Insurance Company.
Competition
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition. If we do not meet the prices offered by our competitors, we
may lose business in the short term, which could also result in reduced
revenues.
Our
senior management team is critical to the strategic direction of our company. If
there were an unplanned loss of service by any of our officers our business
could be harmed.
We
depend, and will continue to depend, on the services of our executive management
team which includes Michael Braun, our Chief Executive Officer and President of
Federated National, Peter Prygelski, our Chief Financial Officer and Stephen
Young, our President. Our success also will depend in part upon our ability to
attract and retain qualified executive officers, experienced underwriting talent
and other skilled employees who are knowledgeable about our business. If we were
to lose the services of members of our executive management team, our business
could be adversely affected. We believe we have been successful in attracting
and retaining key personnel throughout our history. We have employment
agreements with select members of our executive management team.
Nevertheless,
because of the executive management role and involvement in developing and
implementing our current business strategy, any unplanned loss of service could
substantially harm our business.
Risks
Related to an Investment in Our Shares
Our largest shareholders currently
control approximately 8.6% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock,
which could discourage potential acquirers and prevent changes in
management.
Edward J.
Lawson and Michele V. Lawson beneficially own approximately 8.6% of our
outstanding common stock. This information is based on the beneficial owner’s
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13 and/or
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As our largest shareholders,
the Lawson’s have significant influence over the outcome of any shareholder
vote. This voting power may discourage takeover attempts, changes in our
officers and directors or other changes in our corporate governance that other
shareholders may desire.
We
have authorized but unissued preferred stock, which could affect rights of
holders of common stock.
Our
articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of preferred stock with
designations, rights and preferences determined from time to time by our board
of directors. Accordingly, our board of directors is empowered, without
shareholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividends, liquidation,
conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power
or other rights of the holders of common stock. In addition, the preferred stock
could be issued as a method of discouraging a takeover attempt. Although we do
not intend to issue any preferred stock at this time, we may do so in the
future.
Our
articles of incorporation, bylaws and Florida law may discourage takeover
attempts and may result in entrenchment of management.
Our
articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage
takeover attempts and may result in entrenchment of management.
- 33
-
21st Century Holding Company
·
|
Our
board of directors is elected in classes, with only two or three of the
directors elected each year. As a result, shareholders would not be able
to change the membership of the board in its entirety in any one year.
Shareholders would also be unable to bring about, through the election of
a new board of directors, changes in our
officers.
|
·
|
Our
articles of incorporation prohibit shareholders from acting by written
consent, meaning that shareholders will be required to conduct a meeting
in order to vote on any proposals or take any
action.
|
·
|
Our
bylaws require at least 60 days' notice if a shareholder desires to submit
a proposal for a shareholder vote or to nominate a person for election to
our board of directors.
|
In
addition, Florida has enacted legislation that may deter or frustrate takeovers
of Florida corporations, such as our company.
·
|
The
Florida Control Share Act provides that shares acquired in a "control
share acquisition" will not have voting rights unless the voting rights
are approved by a majority of the corporation's disinterested
shareholders. A "control share acquisition" is an acquisition, in whatever
form, of voting power in any of the following ranges: (a) at least 20% but
less than 33-1/3% of all voting power, (b) at least 33-1/3% but less than
a majority of all voting power; or (c) a majority or more of all voting
power.
|
·
|
The
Florida Affiliated Transactions Act requires supermajority approval by
disinterested shareholders of certain specified transactions between a
public company and holders of more than 10% of the outstanding voting
shares of the corporation (or their
affiliates).
|
As
a holding company, we depend on the earnings of our subsidiaries and their
ability to pay management fees and dividends to the holding company as the
primary source of our income.
We are an
insurance holding company whose primary assets are the stock of our
subsidiaries. Our operations, and our ability to service future potential debt,
are limited by the earnings of our subsidiaries and their payment of their
earnings to us in the form of management fees, commissions, dividends, loans,
advances or the reimbursement of expenses. These payments can be made only when
our subsidiaries have adequate earnings. In addition, dividend payments made to
us by our insurance subsidiaries are restricted by Florida law governing the
insurance industry. Generally, Florida law limits the dividends payable by
insurance companies under complicated formulas based on the subsidiary's
available capital and earnings.
We
may not continue making dividend payments on our common stock.
During 2008 and 2007, we paid quarterly
dividends of $0.18 per share. In the first quarter of 2009, we lowered our
dividend to $0.06 per share. We can not assure you that we will continue to make
quarterly dividend payments. Payment of dividends in the future will depend on
our earnings, financial position and such other factors, as our Board of
Directors deems relevant. Moreover, our ability to continue to pay dividends may
be restricted by regulatory limits on the amount of dividends that Federated
National and American Vehicle are permitted to pay the parent
company.
ITEM 1B UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None
ITEM
2 PROPERTIES
Our
executive offices are located at 3661 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Lauderdale
Lakes, Florida in a 39,250 square feet office facility. All of our operations
are consolidated within this facility.
Effective
March 1, 2005, Federated National sold its interest in the Lauderdale Lakes
property to 21st Century
at the property’s net book value of approximately $2.9 million. Effective on or
about March 1, 2006, 21st Century
sold the property to an unrelated party for approximately $5.0 million cash and
a $0.9 million six year 5% note. As part of the transaction, 21st Century
has agreed to lease the same facilities for a six year term. Our lease for this
office space expires in December 2011.
We
believe that the facilities are well maintained, in substantial compliance with
environmental laws and regulations, and adequately covered by insurance. We also
believe that these leased facilities are not unique and could be replaced, if
necessary, at the end of the lease term.
- 34
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21st Century Holding Company
ITEM
3 LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
We are
involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of
business. These proceedings are set forth below as either resolved or
ongoing.
Resolved
legal proceeding:
Specifically
related to our ordinary course of business, we were a party to four lawsuits in
connection with coverage disputes associated with claims resulting from
Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne. Hurricane Ivan occurred on September 14, 2004.
Hurricane Jeanne occurred on September 25, 2004. During the three months ended
September 30, 2006, the resolution of other lawsuits involving similarly styled
coverage issues involving other property insurers came to fruition. Accordingly,
based on the resolution of these lawsuits involving similarly styled coverage
issues we charged operations with approximately $3.9 million of additional loss
and LAE during the quarter ended September 30, 2006. Additional development for
approximately $1.0 million occurred relative to these claims during the three
months ended March 31, 2007. Predominately, only the underlying legal fees
associated with these particular proceedings remain uncertain and continue to be
negotiated.
In the opinion of management, the
ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on
our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or
liquidity.
Ongoing legal proceedings:
From July
27, 2007 to August 7, 2007, several securities class action lawsuits were filed
against the Company and certain of its executive officers in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of Florida (“District Court”) on behalf
of all persons and entities (the “plaintiff’s”) who purchased the Company's
securities during the various class periods specified in the complaints. A
consolidated amended complaint was filed on behalf of the class on January 22,
2008. The complaint alleges that the defendants made false and misleading
statements and failed to accurately project the Company's business and financial
performance during the putative class period. The plaintiffs seek an unspecified
amount of damages and claim violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5.
On November
7, 2008, the District Court granted in part and denied in part the
Company's motion to dismiss the consolidated class complaint with leave to amend
by December 8, 2009 or the allegations dismissed would be deemed dismissed
with prejudice without further order of the Court. Lead plaintiffs did not
seek to amend the consolidated complaint and the defendants have answered.
The action will proceed on allegations with respect to the company's setting of
loss reserves for the year ending 2006 and first quarter of 2007.
The
District Court granted both defendants' motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s
derivative complaint and the Company’s subsequent motion to stay the amended
derivative complaint.
While the
Company believes that the allegations in the complaint are without merit, an
unfavorable resolution of pending litigation could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition. Litigation may result in substantial costs
and expenses and significantly divert the attention of the Company's management
regardless of the outcome. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to achieve a favorable settlement of pending litigation or obtain a
favorable resolution of this litigation if it is not settled. In addition,
current litigation could lead to increased costs or interruptions of normal
business operations of the Company.
ITEM
4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A
VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
PART II
ITEM
5 MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S
COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our common stock has been listed for
trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “TCHC” since November 5,
1998. The following table sets out the high and low closing sale prices as
reported on the NASDAQ Global Market. These reported prices reflect inter-dealer
prices without adjustments for retail markups, markdowns or
commissions.
- 35
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21st Century Holding Company
Quarter Ended
|
High
|
Low
|
||||||
March
31, 2008
|
$ | 14.05 | $ | 10.98 | ||||
June
30, 2008
|
$ | 12.98 | $ | 8.17 | ||||
September
30, 2008
|
$ | 8.88 | $ | 5.19 | ||||
December
31, 2008
|
$ | 5.42 | $ | 3.62 | ||||
March
31, 2007
|
$ | 23.03 | $ | 17.60 | ||||
June
30, 2007
|
$ | 19.99 | $ | 9.85 | ||||
September
30, 2007
|
$ | 14.60 | $ | 10.03 | ||||
December
31, 2007
|
$ | 17.31 | $ | 12.38 |
As of March 16, 2009, there were 48
holders of record of our common stock. We believe that the number of beneficial
owners of our common stock is in excess of 4,800.
DIVIDENDS
During
2008 and 2007 we have paid quarterly dividends of $0.18 per share. Payment of
dividends in the future will depend on our earnings and financial position and
such other factors, as our Board of Directors deems relevant. Moreover, our
ability to continue to pay dividends may be restricted by regulatory limits on
the amount of dividends that Federated National and American Vehicle are
permitted to pay to the parent company.
SECURITIES
AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The
following table summarizes our equity compensation plans as of December 31,
2008. All equity compensation plans were approved by stock holders.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
||||||||||||
|
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
|
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
|
|||||||||
Plan category
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
|||||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by stock holders*
|
788,250
|
$
|
14.08
|
146,997
|
*
|
Includes
options from the 1998 Stock Option Plan and the 2002 Stock Option
Plan.
|
For additional information concerning
our capitalization please see Footnote 16 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements included under Item 8 of this Report on Form 10-K.
ISSUER
REPURCHASES
On May 14, 2007, the Company’s Board of
Directors authorized, pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act, the
repurchase of up to $5.0 million of its common stock. Acting upon the Board’s
authorization, the Company repurchased, for approximately $0.1 million, 12,308
shares for an average price of $11.65 on February 13, 2008; $1.8 million,
135,277 shares for an average price of $13.44 between November 12, 2007 and
November 28, 2007; for approximately $0.5 million, 47,433 shares for an average
price of $10.16 between July 12, 2007 and July 18, 2007; and for approximately
$1.5 million, 138,261 shares for an average price of $11.01 between May 16, 2007
and May 21, 2007. The Company may purchase up to an additional $1.1
million of its common stock.
- 36
-
21st Century Holding Company
SALES
OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
During
the fourth quarter of 2008, there were no options exercised under our various
stock option plans.
STOCK
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph shows the
cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock over the last five
fiscal years as compared with the total returns of the NASDAQ Composite Index
and the SNL Property & Casualty Insurance Index. In accordance with SEC
rules, this graph includes indices that we believe are comparable and
appropriate.
Period Ending
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Index
|
12/31/03
|
12/31/04
|
12/31/05
|
12/31/06
|
12/31/07
|
12/31/08
|
||||||||||||||||||
21st
Century Holding Company
|
100.00 | 99.65 | 119.70 | 170.60 | 100.79 | 37.92 | ||||||||||||||||||
NASDAQ
Composite
|
100.00 | 108.59 | 110.08 | 120.56 | 132.39 | 78.72 | ||||||||||||||||||
SNL
Insurance P&C
|
100.00 | 109.61 | 119.82 | 139.67 | 150.81 | 116.73 |
Source
: SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA
|
(434)
977-1600
|
©
2009
|
www.snl.com
|
Returns are based on the change in
year-end to year-end price. The graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31,
2003 in our common stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the SNL Property &
Casualty Insurance Index and that all dividends were reinvested. Past
performance is not necessarily an indicator of future results.
Our
filings with the SEC may incorporate information by reference, including this
Form 10-K. Unless we specifically state otherwise, the information
under this heading "Stock Performance Graph" shall not be deemed to be
"soliciting materials" and shall not be deemed to be "filed" with the SEC or
incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
- 37
-
21st Century Holding Company
ITEM
6 SELECTED FINANCIAL
DATA
The
following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”
appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As of the years ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(Amounts in 000's except Book value per share)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||||||||
Balance
sheet data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 197,109 | $ | 219,361 | $ | 207,897 | $ | 290,155 | $ | 163,601 | ||||||||||
Investments
|
26,065 | 136,224 | 124,834 | 100,086 | 84,382 | |||||||||||||||
Cash
and short term investments
|
124,577 | 22,524 | 17,917 | 6,071 | 6,128 | |||||||||||||||
Finance
contracts, consumer loans and pay advances receivable, net
|
201 | 420 | 1,831 | 7,313 | 8,289 | |||||||||||||||
Total
liabilities
|
120,878 | 138,104 | 141,704 | 249,387 | 138,625 | |||||||||||||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
64,782 | 59,685 | 39,615 | 154,039 | 46,571 | |||||||||||||||
Unearned
premiums
|
40,508 | 56,394 | 77,829 | 61,839 | 50,153 | |||||||||||||||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
76,231 | 81,257 | 66,193 | 40,767 | 24,977 | |||||||||||||||
Book
value per share
|
$ | 9.51 | $ | 10.32 | $ | 8.38 | $ | 6.02 | $ | 4.13 |
- 38
-
21st Century Holding Company
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(Amounts in 000's except EPS and Dividends)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||||||||
Operations
Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
$ | 88,248 | $ | 133,591 | $ | 152,665 | $ | 119,440 | $ | 100,662 | ||||||||||
Gross
premiums ceded
|
(34,553 | ) | (44,551 | ) | (67,520 | ) | (31,414 | ) | (15,486 | ) | ||||||||||
Net
premiums written
|
53,695 | 89,041 | 85,145 | 88,026 | 85,176 | |||||||||||||||
(Decrease)
Increase in prepaid reinsurance premiums
|
(4,451 | ) | (11,251 | ) | 20,193 | 6,623 | (2,905 | ) | ||||||||||||
Decrease
(Increase) in unearned premiums
|
15,886 | 21,435 | (15,990 | ) | (11,686 | ) | (16,030 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net
change in prepaid reinsurance premiums and unearned
premiums
|
11,435 | 10,184 | 4,203 | (5,063 | ) | (18,935 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
65,130 | 99,224 | 89,348 | 82,963 | 66,241 | |||||||||||||||
Commission
income
|
1,612 | 7,214 | 1,679 | 409 | - | |||||||||||||||
Finance
revenue
|
350 | 545 | 1,686 | 3,567 | 3,668 | |||||||||||||||
Managing
general agent fees
|
1,745 | 2,035 | 2,625 | 2,420 | 2,040 | |||||||||||||||
Net
investment income
|
6,354 | 7,964 | 5,933 | 3,841 | 3,172 | |||||||||||||||
Net
realized investment (losses) gains
|
(10,593 | ) | (145 | ) | 1,063 | 458 | 689 | |||||||||||||
Regulatory
assessments recovered
|
2,104 | 1,655 | 132 | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Other
income
|
654 | 641 | 1,449 | 1,010 | 762 | |||||||||||||||
Total
revenue
|
67,357 | 119,132 | 103,915 | 94,669 | 76,571 | |||||||||||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Losses
and LAE
|
41,868 | 47,619 | 44,400 | 48,336 | 74,993 | |||||||||||||||
Operating
and underwriting expenses
|
7,102 | 12,684 | 13,160 | 8,219 | 8,140 | |||||||||||||||
Salaries
and wages
|
7,428 | 6,732 | 7,011 | 6,384 | 6,134 | |||||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
- | 173 | 656 | 1,398 | 1,087 | |||||||||||||||
Policy
acquisition costs, net of amortization
|
14,760 | 19,420 | 17,395 | 14,561 | 8,423 | |||||||||||||||
Total
expenses
|
71,159 | 86,627 | 82,622 | 78,899 | 98,777 | |||||||||||||||
(Loss)
income from continuing operations before provision for income tax
(benefit) expense
|
(3,802 | ) | 32,505 | 21,293 | 15,771 | (22,206 | ) | |||||||||||||
Provision
for income tax (benefit) expense
|
(1,324 | ) | 11,226 | 7,396 | 4,690 | (8,601 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net
(loss) income from continuing operations
|
(2,478 | ) | 21,280 | 13,896 | 11,081 | (13,605 | ) | |||||||||||||
Discontinued
operations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Income
from discontinued operations (including 2005 and 2004 gain on disposal of
$1,630 and $5,384, respectively)
|
- | - | - | 1,630 | 4,484 | |||||||||||||||
Provision
for income tax expense
|
- | - | - | 595 | 1,737 | |||||||||||||||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
- | - | - | 1,035 | 2,747 | |||||||||||||||
Net
(loss) income
|
$ | (2,478 | ) | $ | 21,280 | $ | 13,896 | $ | 12,116 | $ | (10,858 | ) | ||||||||
Earnings
per share data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic
net (loss) income per share from continuing operations
|
$ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 2.69 | $ | 1.84 | $ | 1.78 | $ | (2.33 | ) | ||||||||
Basic
net income per share from discontinued operations
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||||
Basic
net (loss) income per share
|
$ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 2.69 | $ | 1.84 | $ | 1.95 | $ | (1.86 | ) | ||||||||
Fully
diluted net (loss) income per share from continuing
operations
|
$ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 2.65 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.67 | $ | (2.33 | ) | ||||||||
Fully
diluted net income per share from discontinued operations
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||||
Fully
diluted net (loss) income per share
|
$ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 2.65 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.83 | $ | (1.86 | ) | ||||||||
Dividends
paid per share
|
$ | 0.72 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.32 |
- 39
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
21st Century
is an insurance holding company, which, through our subsidiaries and our
contractual relationships with our independent agents and general agents,
controls substantially all aspects of the insurance underwriting, distribution
and claims processes. We are authorized to underwrite fire, allied lines,
homeowners’ property and casualty insurance, commercial general liability
insurance, commercial multi peril, inland marine, personal automobile insurance
and commercial automobile insurance in various states with various lines of
authority through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Federated National and American
Vehicle. We market and distribute our own and third-party insurers’ products and
our other services primarily in Florida, through contractual relationships with
a network of approximately 1,500 independent agents and a select number of
general agents.
The
insurable events during 2008, 2007 and 2006 did not include any weather related
catastrophic events such as the well publicized series of hurricanes that
occurred in Florida during 2005 and 2004. During 2008, 2007 and 2006 we
processed property and liability claims stemming from our homeowners’,
commercial general liability and private passenger automobile lines of business.
Our automobile claims generally will exceed commercial general liability and
homeowners’ claims with respect to frequency of claimant activity; however the
per-claim severity in connection with our commercial general liability and
homeowner lines would be expected to exceed the automobile line. Our reinsurance
strategy serves to smooth the liquidity requirements imposed by the most severe
insurable events and for all other insurable events we manage, at a micro and
macro perspective, in the normal course of business.
We are
not certain how hurricanes and other insurable events will affect our future
results of operations and liquidity. Loss and LAE are affected by a number of
factors including:
·
|
the
quality of the insurable risks
underwritten;
|
·
|
the
nature and severity of the loss;
|
·
|
weather-related
patterns;
|
·
|
the
availability, cost and terms of
reinsurance;
|
·
|
underlying
settlement costs, including medical and legal
costs;
|
·
|
legal
and political factors such as legislative initiatives and public
opinion.
|
We
continue to manage the foregoing to the extent within our control. Many of the
foregoing are partially, or entirely, outside our control.
Assurance
MGA, a wholly owned subsidiary, acts as Federated National’s and American
Vehicle’s exclusive managing general agent in the state of Florida. As American
Vehicle continues its expansion into other states we shall contract with general
agents to market our commercial general liability insurance product beyond the
state of Florida. Assurance MGA currently provides underwriting policy
administration, marketing, accounting and financial services to Federated
National and American Vehicle, and participates in the negotiation of
reinsurance contracts.
Assurance
MGA generates revenue through a 6% commission fee from the insurance companies’
gross written premium, policy fee income of $25 per policy and other
administrative fees from the marketing of company products through the Company’s
distribution network. The 6% commission fee from Federated National and American
Vehicle was made effective January 1, 2005. Assurance MGA plans to establish
relationships with additional carriers and servicing additional insurance
products in the future.
Our business, results of operations and
financial condition are subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors.
Abnormally high severity or frequency of claims in any period could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition. Also, if our estimated liabilities for unpaid losses and LAE are less
than actual losses and LAE, we will be required to increase reserves with a
corresponding reduction in our net income in the period in which the deficiency
is identified.
- 40
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management
to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts
reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and
their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the
determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results
inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be
material to the financial statements.
The most
significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial
statements include estimates associated with management’s evaluation of the
determination of liability for unpaid losses and LAE and the amount and
recoverability of amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”). In
addition, significant estimates form the basis for our reserves with respect to
finance contracts, premiums receivable and deferred income taxes. Various
assumptions and other factors underlie the determination of these significant
estimates, which are described in greater detail at Footnote 2 in this Form
10-K.
Except as
described below, we believe that in 2008 there were no significant changes in
those critical accounting policies and estimates. Senior management has reviewed
the development and selection of our critical accounting policies and estimates
and their disclosure in this Form 10-K with the Audit Committee of our Board of
Directors.
The
process of determining significant estimates is fact specific and takes into
account factors such as historical experience, current and expected economic
conditions, and in the case of unpaid losses and LAE, an actuarial valuation.
Management regularly reevaluates these significant factors and makes adjustments
where facts and circumstances dictate. In selecting the best estimate, we
utilize various actuarial methodologies. Each of these methodologies is designed
to forecast the number of claims we will be called upon to pay and the amounts
we will pay on average to settle those claims. In arriving at our best estimate,
our actuaries consider the likely predictive value of the various loss
development methodologies employed in light of underwriting practices, premium
rate changes and claim settlement practices that may have occurred, and weight
the credibility of each methodology. Our actuarial methodologies take into
account various factors, including, but not limited to, paid losses, liability
estimates for reported losses, paid allocated LAE, salvage and other recoveries
received, reported claim counts, open claim counts and counts for claims closed
with and without payment of loss.
Accounting
for loss contingencies pursuant to Statements of Financial Accounting Standards
(“SFAS”) Number 5, Accounting
for Contingencies (“SFAS No. 5”) involves the existence of a condition,
situation or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as to possible loss that
will ultimately be resolved when one or more future event(s) occur or fail to
occur. Additionally, accounting for a loss contingency requires management to
assess each event as probable, reasonably possible or remote. Probable is
defined as the future event or events are likely to occur. Reasonably possible
is defined as the chance of the future event or events occurring is more than
remote but less than probable, while remote is defined as the chance of the
future event or events occurring is slight. An estimated loss in connection with
a loss contingency shall be recorded by a charge to current operations if both
of the following conditions are met: First, the amount can be reasonably
estimated, and second, the information available prior to issuance of the
financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability has been
incurred at the date of the financial statements. It is implicit in this
condition that it is probable that one or more future events will occur
confirming the fact of the loss or incurrence of a liability.
SFAS
Number 115, Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (“SFAS No. 115”)
addresses accounting and reporting for (a) investments in equity securities that
have readily determinable fair values and (b) all investments in debt
securities. SFAS No. 115 requires that these securities be classified into one
of three categories, Held-to-maturity, Trading securities or
Available-for-sale.
Investments
classified as held-to-maturity include debt securities wherein the Company’s
intent and ability are to hold the investment until maturity. The accounting
treatment for held-to-maturity investments is to carry them at amortized cost
without consideration to unrealized gains or losses. Investments classified as
trading securities include debt and equity securities bought and held primarily
for the sale in the near term. The accounting treatment for trading securities
is to carry them at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included
in current period operations. Investments classified as available-for-sale
include debt and equity securities that are not classified as held-to-maturity
or as trading security investments. The accounting treatment for
available-for-sale securities is to carry them at fair value with unrealized
holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate
component of shareholders’ equity, namely “Other Comprehensive
Income”.
- 41
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The
following is an overview of management’s loss reserving process
The
Company’s loss reserves can generally be categorized into two distinct groups. One group is
short-tail classes of business consisting principally of property risks in
connection with homes and automobiles. The other group is long-tail casualty
classes of business which include primarily commercial general liability and to
a much lesser extent, homeowner and automobile liability. For operations writing
short-tail coverages our loss reserves were generally geared toward determining
an expected loss ratio for current business rather than maintaining a reserve
for the outstanding exposure. Estimations of ultimate net loss reserves for
long-tail casualty classes of business is a more complex process and depends on
a number of factors including class and volume of business involved. Experience
in the more recent accident years of long-tail casualty classes of business
shows limited statistical credibility in reported net losses because a
relatively low proportion of net losses would be reported claims and expenses
and even smaller percentage would be net losses paid. Therefore, IBNR would
constitute a relatively high proportion of net losses.
Additionally,
the different methodologies are utilized the same, regardless of the line of
business. However, the final selection of ultimate loss and LAE is certain to
vary by both line of business and by accident period maturity. There is no
prescribed combination of line of business, accident year maturity, and
methodologies; consistency in results of the different methodologies and
reasonableness of the result are the primary factors that drive the final
selection of ultimate loss and LAE.
Methods used to estimate Loss &
LAE reserves
The
methods we use for our short-tail business do not differ from the methods we use
for our long-tail business. The Incurred and Paid Development Methods
intrinsically recognize the unique development characteristics contained within
the historical experience of each material short-tail and long-tail line of
business. The Incurred and Paid Cape Cod Methods reflect similar historical
development unique to each material short-tail and long-tail line of
business.
We apply
the following general methods in projecting loss and LAE reserves:
·
|
Paid
and Incurred Loss Development
Method
|
·
|
Paid
and Incurred Cape Cod Method
|
Description of ultimate loss
estimation methods
The
estimated Ultimate Loss and Defense & Cost Containment Expense (“DCCE”) is
based on an analysis by line of business, coverage and by accident quarter
performed using data as of December 31, 2008. The analysis relies primarily on
four actuarial methods: Incurred Loss & DCCE Development
Method, Paid Loss &
DCCE Development Method, Bornhuetter-Ferguson Incurred
Method, and Bornhuetter-Ferguson Paid Method. Each method relies on
company experience, and, where relevant, the analysis includes comparisons to
industry experience. The following is a description of each of these
methods:
Incurred Loss & DCCE Development
Method – This reserving method is based on the assumption that the
historical incurred loss & DCCE development pattern as reflected by the
Company is appropriate for estimating the future loss & DCCE development.
Incurred paid plus case amounts separated by accident quarter of occurrence and
at quarterly evaluations are used in this analysis. Case reserves do not have to
be adequately stated for this method to be effective; they only need to have a
fairly consistent level of adequacy at all stages of maturity. Historical
“age-to-age” loss development factors were calculated to measure the relative
development of an accident quarter from one maturity point to the next. Loss
& DCCE development factors (“LDF”) are selected based on a review of the
historical relationships between incurred loss & DCCE at successive
valuations and based on industry patterns. The LDFs are multiplied
together to derive cumulative LDF’s that, when multiplied by actual incurred
loss & DCCE, produce estimates of ultimate loss & DCCE.
Paid Loss &
DCCE Development Method – This method is
similar to the Incurred Loss & DCCE Development Method only paid loss &
DCCE and paid patterns are substituted for the incurred loss & DCCE and
incurred patterns.
Bornhuetter-Ferguson Incurred Method
– This reserving method combines estimated initial expected unreported
loss & DCCE with the actual loss & DCCE to yield the ultimate loss &
DCCE estimate. Expected unreported loss & DCCE are equal to expected total
loss & DCCE times the expected unreported percentage of loss & DCCE for
each policy year. The incurred loss & DCCE emergence pattern used
to determine the unreported percentages in our projections is based on the
selected LDF’s from the Incurred Loss & DCCE Development Method described
above. The estimate of initial expected total loss & DCCE is
based on the historical loss ratio for more mature accident
years. While this approach reduces the independence of the
Bornhuetter-Ferguson Method from the loss & DCCE development methods for
older policy years, it is used primarily for estimating ultimate loss & DCCE
for more recent, less mature, policy years.
- 42
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Bornhuetter-Ferguson Paid Method –
This method is similar to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson Incurred Method only
paid loss & DCCE and paid patterns are substituted for the incurred loss
& DCCE and incurred patterns.
We select
an estimate of ultimate loss & DCCE for each accident quarter after
considering the results of each projection method for the quarter and the
relative maturity of the quarter (the time elapsed between the start of the
quarter and December 31, 2008). Reserves for unpaid loss & DCCE for each
quarter are the differences between these ultimate estimates and the amount
already paid. The reserves for each quarter and each coverage are summed, and
the result is the overall estimate of unpaid loss & DCCE liability for the
company.
We also
produce an estimate of unpaid Adjusting and Other Expense (“A&O”), as a
reserve is required under statutory accounting principles even if this expense
has been pre-paid or with an unconsolidated affiliate. Although we do not prepay
for A&O, the majority of the A&O incurred is with an affiliated company
and eliminated under the accounting principles for consolidation. The unpaid
A&O is added to unpaid loss & DCCE, resulting in total unpaid loss and
LAE.
The
validity of the results from using a loss development approach can be affected
by many conditions, such as internal claim department processing changes, a
shift between single and multiple claim payments, legal changes, or variations
in a company’s mix of business from year to year. Also, since the percentage of
losses paid for immature years is often low, development factors can be
volatile. A small variation in the number of claims paid can have a leveraging
effect that could lead to significant changes in estimated ultimate values.
Accordingly, our reserves are estimates because there are uncertainties inherent
in the determination of ultimate losses. Court decisions, regulatory changes and
economic conditions can affect the ultimate cost of claims that occurred in the
past as well as create uncertainties regarding future loss cost trends. We
compute our estimated ultimate liability using the most appropriate principles
and procedures applicable to the lines of business written. However, because the
establishment of loss reserves is an inherently uncertain process, we cannot be
certain that ultimate losses will not exceed the established loss reserves and
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial
condition.
A key
assumption underlying the estimation of the reserve for loss and LAE is that
past experience serves as the most reliable estimator of future events. This
assumption may materially affect the estimates when the insurance market, the
regulatory environment, the legal environment, the economic environment, the
book of business, the claims handling department, or other factors (known or
unknown) have varied over time during the experience period and / or will vary
(expectedly or unexpectedly) in the future. Changes in estimates, or differences
between estimates and amounts ultimately paid, are reflected in the operating
results of the period during which such adjustments are made. Therefore, the
ultimate liability for unpaid loss and LAE will likely differ from the amount
recorded at December 31, 2008.
The
following describes the extent of our procedures for determining the reserve for
loss and LAE on both an annual and interim reporting basis:
Annually
- Our policy is to select a single point estimate that best reflects our
in-house actuarial determination for unpaid loss and LAE. Our independent
actuaries, examining the exact same data set, will independently select a point
estimate which determines a high point and low point range. Both processes rely
on objective and subjective determinations. If our point estimate falls within
the range determined from the point estimate of our actuaries, then no
adjustments by management would be required. In consideration thereof,
management does not have a policy for adjusting the liability for unpaid loss
and LAE to an amount that is different than an amount set forth within the range
determined by the independent actuaries.
Interim –
During 2008 our interim approach was very similar to the annual process noted
above. During 2007 for Federated National’s homeowners’ program, our selection
of loss reserves was weighted more to the Paid Loss Development Method and the
Incurred Loss Development Method. American Vehicle’s commercial general
liability program relied upon the Cape Cod Method on a paid and incurred basis
as well as the Paid Loss Development Method and the Incurred Loss Development
Method. During the year-end process for 2007, we were able to employ long-tail
methodologies to our commercial general liability program’s loss reserve process
based on no specific event other than newly available in-house
resources.
A number
of other actuarial assumptions are generally made in the review of reserves for
each class of business. For the long-tail classes of business, other actuarial
assumptions generally are made with respect to the following:
- 43
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
·
|
Loss
trend factors which are used to establish expected loss ratios for
subsequent accident years based on the projected loss ratio for prior
accident years.
|
·
|
Expected
loss ratios for the latest accident year and, in some cases for accident
years prior to the latest accident year. The expected loss ratio generally
reflects the projected loss ratio from prior accident years, adjusted for
the loss trend and the effect of rate changes and other quantifiable
factors on the loss ratio.
|
In
practice there are factors that change over time; however, many (such as
inflation) are intrinsically reflected in the historical development patterns,
and others typically do not materially affect the estimate of the reserve for
unpaid loss and LAE. Therefore, no specific adjustments have been incorporated
for such contingencies projecting future development of losses and LAE. There
are no key assumptions as of December 31, 2008 premised on future emergence
inconsistent with historical loss reserve development patterns.
The table
below distinguishes total loss reserves between IBNR, as discussed above, and
case estimates for specific claims as established by routine claims
management.
Reserves for unpaid loss and LAE net of reinsurance
recoverable as of December 31,
2008
|
Case Loss
Reserves
|
Case LAE
Reserves
|
Total Case
Reserves
|
IBNR
Reserves
(Including
LAE)
|
Reinsurance
Recoverable on
Unpaid Loss
and Loss
Expenses
|
Net Reserves
|
||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
$ | 7,132 | $ | 899 | $ | 8,031 | $ | 19,677 | $ | 12,613 | $ | 15,095 | ||||||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
6,166 | 1,364 | 7,530 | 27,323 | - | 34,853 | ||||||||||||||||||
Automobile
|
412 | 255 | 667 | 1,555 | 100 | 2,122 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 13,710 | $ | 2,518 | $ | 16,228 | $ | 48,555 | $ | 12,713 | $ | 52,070 |
Reserves for unpaid loss and LAE net of reinsurance
recoverable as of
December 31, 2007
|
Case Loss
Reserves
|
Case LAE
Reserves
|
Total Case
Reserves
|
IBNR
Reserves
(Including
LAE)
|
Reinsurance
Recoverable on
Unpaid Loss
and Loss
Expenses
|
Net Reserves
|
||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
$ | 6,995 | $ | 781 | $ | 7,776 | $ | 22,909 | $ | 19,971 | $ | 10,713 | ||||||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
4,780 | 635 | 5,415 | 17,890 | - | 23,305 | ||||||||||||||||||
Automobile
|
373 | 157 | 530 | 5,165 | 162 | 5,533 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 12,148 | $ | 1,573 | $ | 13,721 | $ | 45,964 | $ | 20,133 | $ | 39,551 |
Our
reported results, financial position and liquidity would be affected by likely
changes in key assumptions that determine our net loss reserves. The table below
illustrates the change to equity that would occur as a result of a change in
loss and LAE reserves, net of reinsurance.
- 44
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||||
Change in loss and
LAE reserves, net of
reinsurance
|
Adjusted loss and
LAE reserves, net of
reinsurance
|
Percentage
change in
equity (1)
|
Adjusted loss and
LAE reserves, net of
reinsurance
|
Percentage
change in
equity (1)
|
||||||||||||||
-10.0%
|
46,863 | -12.8% | 35,596 | -9.2% | ||||||||||||||
-7.5%
|
48,164 | -9.6% | 36,585 | -6.9% | ||||||||||||||
-5.0%
|
49,466 | -6.4% | 37,574 | -4.6% | ||||||||||||||
-2.5%
|
50,768 | -3.2% | 38,563 | -2.3% | ||||||||||||||
Base
|
52,070 | - | 39,551 | - | ||||||||||||||
2.5%
|
53,371 | 3.2% | 40,540 | 2.3% | ||||||||||||||
5.0%
|
54,673 | 6.4% | 41,529 | 4.6% | ||||||||||||||
7.5%
|
55,975 | 9.6% | 42,518 | 6.9% | ||||||||||||||
10.0%
|
57,276 | 12.8% | 43,507 | 9.2% |
(1) Net of tax
For the
year ended December 31, 2008 our actuarial firm determined range of loss and LAE
reserves on a net basis range from a low of $47.8 million to a high of
$58.5 million, with a best estimate of $53.1 million. The Company’s net
loss and LAE reserves are carried at $52.4 million. Management’s point
estimate of reserves is 1.5% below our actuary’s best estimate in recognition of
the inherent uncertainty in assessing the potential ultimate liabilities given
legal developments as well as evolution in its operations.
For the
year ended December 31, 2007 the actuarial firm engaged by the Company
determined range of loss and LAE reserves on a net basis range from a low of
$37.9 million to a high of $45.6 million, with a best estimate of $42.1
million. The Company’s net loss and LAE reserves are carried at
$40.0 million. Management’s point estimate of reserves are 5.2% below our
actuary’s best estimate in recognition of the inherent uncertainty in assessing
the potential ultimate liabilities given legal developments as well as evolution
in its operations.
We are
required to review the contractual terms of all our reinsurance purchases to
ensure compliance with SFAS No. 113, Accounting and Reporting for
Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts (“SFAS No.
113”). The statement
establishes the conditions required for a contract with a reinsurer to be
accounted for as reinsurance and prescribes accounting and reporting standards
for those contracts. Contracts that do not result in the reasonable possibility
that the reinsurer may realize a significant loss from the insurance risk
assumed generally do not meet the conditions for reinsurance accounting and must
be accounted for as deposits. SFAS No. 113 also requires us to disclose the
nature, purpose and effect of reinsurance transactions, including the premium
amounts associated with reinsurance assumed and ceded. It also requires
disclosure of concentrations of credit risk associated with reinsurance
receivables and prepaid reinsurance premiums.
Please
see Footnote 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
discussions regarding critical accounting policies.
RECENT
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March
2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS
No. 161, Disclosures
about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB
Statement No. 133 (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 changes the
disclosure requirement for derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about how and why an
entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related
hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 Accounting for Derivatives
Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”) and its related
interpretations, and, how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect
an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The
Company does not utilize derivative instruments, as such; there is no impact to
our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2008.
- 45
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
In June
2006, FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes which clarifies the accounting for income tax reserves and
contingencies recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance
with SFAS No. 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes (“SFAS No. 109”). This Interpretation also provides
guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in
interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We adopted FIN 48 as of
January 1, 2007. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it
is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax
examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount
recognized is the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on
examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no
benefit is recorded. The Company evaluated the impact that FIN 48 will
have on its Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, we have developed a
process to capture and quantify any such effect that FIN 48 could have on the
Company and concluded there was no impact on our consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2008.
See Note 2(n), “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting
Pronouncements” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and their effect, if any,
on the Company.
- 46
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
As
of December 31, 2008 Compared with December 31, 2007
Total Investments
SFAS No.
115 addresses accounting and reporting for (a) investments in equity securities
that have readily determinable fair values and (b) all investments in debt
securities. SFAS No. 115 requires that these securities be classified into one
of three categories: (i) held-to-maturity, (ii) trading securities or (iii)
available-for-sale.
Investments
classified as held-to-maturity include debt securities wherein the Company’s
intent and ability are to hold the investment until maturity. The accounting
treatment for held-to-maturity investments is to carry them at amortized cost
without consideration to unrealized gains or losses. Investments classified as
trading securities include debt and equity securities bought and held primarily
for the sale in the near term. The accounting treatment for trading securities
is to carry them at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included
in current period operations. Investments classified as available-for-sale
include debt and equity securities that are not classified as held-to-maturity
or as trading security investments. The accounting treatment for
available-for-sale securities is to carry them at fair value with unrealized
holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate
component of shareholders’ equity, namely “Other Comprehensive
Income”.
Total
Investments decreased $110.2 million, or 80.9%, to $26.1 million as
of December 31, 2008, compared with $136.2 million as of December 31,
2007. Our fixed income portfolio contained callable features exercised in
2008. The proceeds from these called securities are currently in cash and
short-term investments, of which approximately $121.4 million are invested in
the MTB Prime Money Market-Inst Fund Number 142. We are currently evaluating
long and short- term investment options for best yields that match our liquidity
needs.
Subsequent
to December 31, 2008, the Company engaged external asset managers and the
funds were invested in long and short term investments with yields that
best match our liquidity needs.
The fixed
maturities and the equity securities that are available for sale and carried at
fair value represent 48% of total investments as of December 31, 2008, compared
with 85% as of December 31, 2007.
Below is
a summary of net unrealized gains and (losses) at December 31, 2008 and December
31, 2007 by category.
Unrealized Gains and (Losses)
|
||||||||
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||
Fixed
maturities:
|
||||||||
U.S.
government obligations
|
$ | - | $ | (68,975 | ) | |||
Obligations
of states and political subdivisions
|
(147,907 | ) | (1,706 | ) | ||||
(147,907 | ) | (70,681 | ) | |||||
Corporate
securities:
|
||||||||
Communications
|
(278,692 | ) | (3,481 | ) | ||||
Financial
|
(660,612 | ) | (16,984 | ) | ||||
Other
|
2,883 | (25,852 | ) | |||||
(936,421 | ) | (46,317 | ) | |||||
Equity
securities:
|
||||||||
Common
stocks
|
(818,645 | ) | (3,989,319 | ) | ||||
Total
fixed, corporate and equity securities
|
$ | (1,902,973 | ) | $ | (4,106,317 | ) |
Pursuant
to FASB SFAS No. 115, the Company records the unrealized losses, net of
estimated income taxes that are associated with that part of our portfolio
classified as available for sale through the shareholders' equity account titled
“Other Comprehensive Income”. Management periodically reviews the individual
investments that comprise our portfolio in order to determine whether a decline
in fair value below our cost either is other than temporary or permanently
impaired. Factors used in such consideration include, but are not limited to,
the extent and length of time over which the market value has been less than
cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and our
ability and intent to keep the investment for a period sufficient to allow for
an anticipated recovery in market value.
- 47
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
In
reaching a conclusion that a security is either other than temporary or
permanently impaired we consider such factors as the timeliness and completeness
of expected dividends, principal and interest payments, ratings from nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations such as Standard and Poor’s and
Moody's, as well as information released via the general media channels. In
2008, in connection with this process, we have charged to operations a net
realized investment loss totaling approximately $9.9 million with an estimated
provisional tax effect of approximately $3.7 million. The charge relates to
short-term investments in connection with the common stocks of financial and
pharmaceutical industries.
The
investments held at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were comprised
mainly of United States government and agency bonds, as well as municipal bonds
which are viewed by the Company as conservative and less risky holdings, though
sensitive to interest rate changes. There is a smaller concentration of
corporate bonds, predominantly held in the financial and conglomerate
industries. At December 31, 2008, approximately 89% of the equity holdings are
in mutual funds and 11% are in equities related to the financial industry and
insurance industry.
The
following table summarizes, by type, our investments as of December 31, 2008 and
2007.
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Carrying
|
Percent
|
Carrying
|
Percent
|
|||||||||||||
Amount
|
of Total
|
Amount
|
of Total
|
|||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Fixed
maturities, at market:
|
||||||||||||||||
U.S.
government agencies and authorities
|
$ | 4,544 | 17.43 | % | $ | 61,308 | 45.01 | % | ||||||||
Obligations
of states and political subdivisions
|
5,331 | 20.45 | % | 17,777 | 13.05 | % | ||||||||||
Corporate
securities
|
13,050 | 50.07 | % | 40,609 | 29.81 | % | ||||||||||
Total
fixed maturities
|
22,925 | 87.95 | % | 119,694 | 87.87 | % | ||||||||||
Equity
securities, at market
|
3,140 | 12.05 | % | 16,530 | 12.13 | % | ||||||||||
Total
investments
|
$ | 26,065 | 100.00 | % | $ | 136,224 | 100.00 | % |
All of
our securities, except as noted above, are in good standing and are not impaired
as defined by FASB SFAS No. 115.
In 2008,
we reclassified $14.2 million of our bond portfolio as held-to-maturity because
we decided that we had the ability to hold them until maturity. During the three
months ended December 31, 2008, we reclassified $3.4 million to
available-for-sale because a collateralized requirement was
reduced.
As of
December 31, 2008 we have classified $13.5 million of our bond portfolio as
held-to-maturity. The decision to classify this layer of our bond portfolio as
held-to-maturity was predicated on our intention and ability to hold these
securities until maturity. Additionally, we have and may continue to use this
position to secure irrevocable letters of credit to facilitate business
opportunities in connection with our commercial general liability program.
During April 2006, American Vehicle finalized a $15.0 million irrevocable letter
of credit in conjunction with the 100% Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement with
Republic which was terminated in April 2007. As of December 31, 2007 the letter
of credit in favor of Republic totaled $10.0 million. . As of December 31, 2008
the letter of credit in favor of Republic totaled $3.0 million.
Cash and Short Term
Investments
Cash and
short term investments, which include cash, certificates of deposits, and money
market accounts, increased $102.1 million, or 453.1%, to $124.6 million as of
December 31, 2008, compared with $22.5 million as of December 31, 2007. Our
excess cash and cash equivalents are invested in accordance with our long-term
liquidity requirements.
Our daily
closing cash balance of approximately $1.0 million is swept into an overnight
Repurchase Agreement (“Repo”) account backed by U.S. Government
securities.
Our fixed
income portfolio contained callable features exercised in 2008. The proceeds
from these called securities are currently in cash and short-term investments,
of which approximately $121.4 million are invested in the MTB Prime Money
Market-Inst Fund Number 142. We are currently evaluating long and short- term
investment securities for best yields that match our liquidity
needs.
- 48
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Receivable for Investments
Sold
Receivable
for investments sold decreased to nothing, as of December 31, 2008, compared
with $6.4 million as of December 31, 2007.
Finance Contracts Receivable, Net of
Allowance for Credit Losses
Finance
contracts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, decreased $0.2
million, or 52.3%, to $0.2 million as of December 31, 2008, compared with $0.4
million as of December 31, 2007. The decrease is primarily due to our sale in
December 2004 of our assets related to our non-standard automobile insurance
agency business in Florida and the associated financed contracts. We anticipate
a continued decline in the financed contracts receivable, net over the future
short term and its related conversion to cash and short term investments and
investments.
Prepaid Reinsurance
Premiums
Prepaid
reinsurance premiums decreased $2.9 million, or 34.6%, to $5.5 million as
of December 31, 2008, compared with $8.5 million as of December 31, 2007. The
decrease is due to our payments and amortization of prepaid reinsurance
premiums, which are reduced as compared with the prior year, associated with our
homeowners’ book of business.
Premiums Receivable, Net of Allowance
for Credit Losses
Premiums
receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, decreased $0.4 million, or
11.7%, to $3.4 million as of December 31, 2008, compared with $3.8 million as of
December 31, 2007.
Our
homeowners’ insurance premiums receivable increased $0.5 million, or 43.2%, to
$1.7 million as of December 30, 2008, compared with $1.2 million as of December
31, 2007. The increase can be attributed to the seasonality of the
purchasing patterns of our policyholders.
Our
commercial general liability insurance premiums receivable decreased $0.9
million, or 34.1%, to $1.7 million as of December 30, 2008, compared
with $2.6 million as of December 31, 2007.
Premiums
receivable in connection with our automobile line of business decreased $0.2
million, or 68.8%, to $0.1 million as of December 31, 2008, compared with $0.4
million as of December 31, 2007.
The activity in the allowance for
credit losses for premiums receivable was as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Allowance
for credit losses at beginning of year
|
$ | 288,373 | $ | 66,125 | ||||
Additions
charged to bad debt expense
|
(299,667 | ) | 854,005 | |||||
Write-downs
charged against the allowance
|
132,979 | (631,757 | ) | |||||
Allowance
for credit losses at end of year
|
$ | 121,685 | $ | 288,373 |
Reinsurance Recoverable, Net of
Allowance for Credit Losses
Reinsurance
recoverable, net of allowance for credit losses, decreased $6.1 million, or
26.4%, to $16.9 million as of December 31, 2008, compared with $22.9 million as
of December 31, 2007. The decrease is due to payment patterns by our
reinsurers. All amounts are current and deemed collectable, except for a
particular reinsurer in connection with the 2005 – 2006 reinsurance treaties,
for whom we have recorded a $0.2 million pretax valuation
allowance.
Deferred Policy Acquisition
Costs
Deferred
policy acquisition costs decreased $2.4 million, or 26.8%, to $6.6 million as of
December 31, 2008, compared with $9.0 million as of December 31, 2007. The
recent decreased production volume for both the homeowners’ and commercial
general liability product lines is the reason for the decrease in this
asset.
- 49
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
An
analysis of deferred acquisition costs follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Balance,
beginning of year
|
$ | 8,958,195 | $ | 11,153,168 | ||||
Acquisition
costs deferred
|
12,360,291 | 17,224,942 | ||||||
Amortization
expense during year
|
(14,760,249 | ) | (19,419,915 | ) | ||||
Balance,
end of year
|
$ | 6,558,237 | $ | 8,958,195 |
Deferred Income Taxes, net
Deferred
income taxes, net, increased $2.9 million, or 51.2%, to $8.5 million as of
December 31, 2008, compared with $5.6 million as of December 31, 2007.
Significant components of our net deferred tax asset are as
follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Deferred
tax assets:
|
||||||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
$ | 2,186,840 | $ | 1,675,398 | ||||
Unearned
premiums
|
1,770,709 | 2,670,007 | ||||||
Unrealized
loss on investment securities
|
716,089 | 1,510,438 | ||||||
Allowance
for credit losses
|
140,683 | 122,819 | ||||||
Allowance
for impairments
|
1,410,105 | - | ||||||
Regulatory
assessments
|
1,312,440 | 2,096,050 | ||||||
Discount
on advance premiums
|
- | 30,349 | ||||||
Depreciation
|
155,495 | - | ||||||
Capital
Loss Carryover
|
2,656,626 | - | ||||||
Deferred
gain on sale and leaseback
|
452,786 | 607,738 | ||||||
Stock
option expense per FASB 123R
|
237,065 | 173,056 | ||||||
Total
deferred tax assets
|
11,038,837 | 8,885,855 | ||||||
Deferred
tax liabilities:
|
||||||||
Deferred
acquisition costs, net
|
(2,467,865 | ) | (3,331,949 | ) | ||||
Discount
on advance premiums
|
(40,902 | ) | - | |||||
Depreciation
|
- | 86,498 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
- | (584 | ) | |||||
Total
deferred tax liabilities
|
(2,508,767 | ) | (3,246,035 | ) | ||||
Net
deferred tax asset
|
$ | 8,530,070 | $ | 5,639,820 |
Income Taxes Receivable
Income
taxes receivable increased to $2.3 million, as of December 31, 2008, compared
with nothing as of December 31, 2007. The increase is due to tax payment
patterns in connection with our tax liabilities.
The
Company’s consolidated federal income tax returns for 2003 and 2002 have been
examined by the IRS and there have been no material changes in the tax liability
for those years. See income taxes payable, below.
Property, Plant and Equipment,
net
Property,
plant and equipment, net, decreased $0.2 million, or 18.3%, to $0.9 million as
of December 31, 2008, compared with $1.0 million as of December 31,
2007. The decrease is primarily due to depreciation and amortization
of our existing property, plant and equipment.
- 50
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Other Assets
Other
assets decreased $0.6 million, or 22.2%, to $2.3 million as of December 31,
2008, compared with $2.9 million as of December 31, 2007. Major components of
other assets are as follows:
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||
Accrued
interest income receivable
|
$ | 242,906 | $ | 1,429,844 | ||||
Notes
receivable
|
703,109 | 807,275 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
747,930 | 547,542 | ||||||
Insurance
Receivables
|
282,000 | - | ||||||
Other
|
295,894 | 133,639 | ||||||
Total
|
$ | 2,271,839 | $ | 2,918,300 |
Unpaid Losses and LAE
Unpaid
losses and LAE increased $5.1 million, or 8.5%, to $64.8 million as of December
31, 2008, compared with $59.7 million as of December 31, 2007. The increase in
unpaid losses and LAE relates primarily to our loss reserve
strengthening relative to the commercial general liability and property
lines of business. The composition of unpaid loss and LAE by product line is as
follows:
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Case
|
Bulk
|
Total
|
Case
|
Bulk
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
$ | 8,030,680 | $ | 19,687,271 | $ | 27,717,951 | $ | 7,775,769 | $ | 24,599,143 | $ | 32,374,912 | ||||||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
7,530,756 | 27,303,049 | 34,833,805 | 5,414,633 | 17,870,404 | 23,285,037 | ||||||||||||||||||
Automobile
|
666,921 | 1,563,809 | 2,230,730 | 530,308 | 3,494,533 | 4,024,841 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 16,228,357 | $ | 48,554,129 | $ | 64,782,486 | $ | 13,720,710 | $ | 45,964,080 | $ | 59,684,790 |
Factors
that affect unpaid losses and LAE include the estimates made on a claim-by-claim
basis known as “case reserves” coupled with bulk estimates known as IBNR.
Periodic estimates by management of the ultimate costs required to settle all
claim files are based on the Company’s analysis of historical data and
estimations of the impact of numerous factors such as (i) per claim information;
(ii) company and industry historical loss experience; (iii) legislative
enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages,
and changes in political attitudes; and (iv) trends in general economic
conditions, including the effects of inflation.
Management
revises its estimates based on the results of its analysis. This process assumes
that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and
anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for estimating the ultimate
settlement of all claims. There is no precise method for subsequently evaluating
the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of the reserves, because the
eventual redundancy or deficiency is affected by multiple factors.
The
process of determining significant unpaid losses and LAE estimates is fact
specific and takes into account factors such as historical experience, current
and expected economic conditions, and an actuarial valuation. Management
regularly reevaluates these significant factors and makes adjustments where
facts and circumstances dictate. In selecting the best estimate, we utilize
various actuarial methodologies. Each of these methodologies is designed to
forecast the number of claims we will be called upon to pay and the amounts we
will pay on average to settle those claims. In arriving at our best estimate,
our actuaries consider the likely predictive value of the various loss
development methodologies employed in light of underwriting practices, premium
rate changes and claim settlement practices that may have occurred, and weight
the credibility of each methodology. Our actuarial methodologies take into
account various factors, including, but not limited to, paid losses, liability
estimates for reported losses, paid allocated LAE, salvage and other recoveries
received, reported claim counts, open claim counts and counts for claims closed
with and without payment of loss.
The
incurred loss development method relies on the assumption that, at any given
state of maturity, ultimate losses can be predicted by multiplying cumulative
reported losses (paid losses plus case reserves) by a cumulative development
factor. The validity of the results of this method depends on the stability of
claim reporting and settlement rates, as well as the consistency of case reserve
levels. Case reserves do not have to be adequately stated for this method to be
effective; they only need to have a fairly consistent level of adequacy at all
stages of maturity. Historical “age-to-age” loss development factors were
calculated to measure the relative development of an accident year from one
maturity point to the next. We then selected appropriate age-to-age loss
development factors based on these historical factors and use the selected
factors to project the ultimate losses.
- 51
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Unearned Premium
Unearned
premiums decreased $15.9 million, or 28.2%, to $40.5 million as of December
31, 2008, compared with $56.4 million as of December 31, 2007. The
decrease was due to a $13.1 million decrease in unearned homeowners’ insurance
premiums, a $4.0 million decrease in unearned commercial general liability
premiums, a $1.7 million increase in Federal Flood unearned premiums and a $0.4
million decrease in unearned automobile premiums. Generally, as is in this case,
a decrease in unearned premium directly relates to a decrease in written premium
on a rolling twelve-month basis. Conversely, in periods of increased written
premium on a rolling twelve-month basis, unearned premium generally would be
expected to rise. Competition could continue to negatively affect our unearned
premium.
Premium Deposits and Customer Credit
Balances
Premium
deposits and customer credit balances decreased $1.1 million, or 38.4%, to $1.7
million as of December 31, 2008, compared with $2.8 million as of December 31,
2007. Premium deposits are monies received on policies not yet in force as of
December 31, 2008.
Bank Overdraft
Bank
overdraft remained unchanged at $8.7 million as of December 31, 2008, compared
with December 31, 2007. The bank overdraft relates primarily to loss and
LAE disbursements paid but not yet presented for payment by the policyholder or
vendor. The balance relates to our payment patterns in relationship to the
rate at which those cash disbursements are presented to the bank for
payment.
Income Taxes Payable
Income
taxes payable decreased to nothing as of December 31, 2008, compared
with $4.2 million as of December 31, 2007. The change is due to
tax payment patterns in connection with our tax liabilities. See income
taxes receivable, above.
Deferred Gain from Sale of
Property
Deferred
gain from sale of property decreased $0.5 million, or 25.2%, to $1.5 million as
of December 31, 2008, compared with $2.0 million as of December 31, 2007. In
accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 13, we are amortizing the deferred
gain over the term of the leaseback, which is scheduled to end in December
2011.
Accounts Payable and Accrued
Expenses
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses decreased $0.6 million, or 14.9%, to $3.7 million
as of December 31, 2008, compared with $4.3 million as of December 31,
2007. This decrease is due to our cash management efforts and
timing of payments with our trade vendors.
- 52
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Year
Ended December 31, 2008 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2007
Gross
Premiums Written
Gross
premiums written decreased $45.3 million, or 33.9%, to $88.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 2008 (“2008”), compared with $133.6 million for
year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007”). The following table denotes
gross premiums written by major product line.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
|||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
$ | 60,708,773 | 68.79 | % | $ | 99,502,479 | 74.48 | % | ||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
23,789,581 | 26.96 | % | 32,221,551 | 24.12 | % | ||||||||||
Federal
Flood
|
3,262,719 | 3.70 | % | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
Automobile
|
486,908 | 0.55 | % | 1,867,304 | 1.40 | % | ||||||||||
Gross
written premiums
|
$ | 88,247,981 | 100.00 | % | $ | 133,591,334 | 100.00 | % |
The
Company’s sale of homeowners’ policies decreased $38.8 million, or 39.0% to
$60.7 million in 2008, compared with $99.5 million in 2007. The significant
erosion is primarily due to the soft market conditions prevailing in the state
of Florida. The soft market conditions are lead by Citizens, the state run
insurance company. We believe that these marketplace conditions have forced some
carriers to pursue market share based on “best case” pricing models that may
ultimately prove unprofitable from an underwriting perspective. We do not intend
to compete with others solely based on pricing. We will continue to market our
property insurance product in territories in Florida where our rates are
competitive.
The
Company experienced a decrease in homeowners’ gross premiums written in 2008
primarily because of the effects of state mandated homeowner’s rates reduction
and wind mitigation discounts.
As
previously discussed, a rate decrease required by the Florida Legislature
resulted in a rate decrease averaging 15.2% statewide on homeowners' policies
that was integrated into our rates on June 1, 2007. The effect of this rate
decrease on existing policies and the corresponding premium decrease in direct
written premium was fully recognized in policies by May 31, 2008. In addition, a
rate decrease of 11.3% statewide for homeowners' policies was approved by the
Florida OIR and implemented with an effective date of May 1, 2008 for new
business and June 1, 2008 for renewal business for the homeowners' program. The
effect of this rate decrease is flowing through the Company’s book of business
such that a full impact of the premium decreases on direct written premium
should be realized by April 2009 for the homeowners' program. These rate
decreases have had an adverse effect on premium volume.
In
addition, we implemented higher premium discounts in response to wind mitigation
efforts by policyholders. Such discounts, which were required by the
Florida Legislature and became effective on December 15, 2007 for new business
and renewal business, have also had a significant effect on
premium. As of December 31, 2007, 30.0% of our homeowners’
policyholders were receiving wind mitigation credits totaling $2.0 million, (a
2.0% reduction of in-force premium), while 50.0% of our homeowners’
policyholders were receiving wind mitigation credits totaling $17.0 million, (a
27.6% reduction of in-force premium), at December 31,
2008.
Pursuant
to the Florida OIR regulations, we are required to report write-your-own-flood
premiums on a direct and ceded basis for 2008 and subsequent years. Prior to
2008, we reported only the commissions income associated with this
program.
Federated
National and American Vehicle are currently rated by Demotech as "A"
("Exceptional"), which is the third of seven ratings, and defined as “Regardless
of the severity of a general economic downturn or deterioration in the insurance
cycle, insurers earning a Financial Stability Rating of “A” possess
“Exceptional” financial stability related to maintaining surplus as regards to
policyholders”. Demotech’s ratings are based upon factors of concern to agents,
reinsurers and policyholders and are not primarily directed toward the
protection of investors. However, our Demotech rating could be jeopardized by
such other factors including adverse development and various surplus related
ratio exceptions.
The
Company’s sale of commercial general liability policies decreased by $8.4
million to $23.8 million in 2008, compared with $32.2 million in 2007. This
decrease is due to increased competition in the commercial general liability
market. The following table sets forth the amounts and percentages of our gross
premiums written in connection with our commercial general liability program by
state:
- 53
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
|||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
State
|
||||||||||||||||
Alabama
|
$ | 117 | 0.49 | % | $ | 26 | 0.08 | % | ||||||||
Arkansas
|
12 | 0.05 | % | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
California
|
269 | 1.13 | % | 23 | 0.07 | % | ||||||||||
Florida
|
16,011 | 67.30 | % | 21,192 | 65.77 | % | ||||||||||
Georgia
|
568 | 2.39 | % | 1,023 | 3.17 | % | ||||||||||
Kentucky
|
1 | 0.00 | % | 8 | 0.03 | % | ||||||||||
Louisiana
|
4,481 | 18.84 | % | 5,595 | 17.36 | % | ||||||||||
Maryland
|
2 | 0.01 | % | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
South
Carolina
|
70 | 0.29 | % | 182 | 0.57 | % | ||||||||||
Texas
|
2,252 | 9.47 | % | 4,127 | 12.81 | % | ||||||||||
Virginia
|
7 | 0.03 | % | 46 | 0.14 | % | ||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 23,790 | 100.00 | % | $ | 32,222 | 100.00 | % |
The
Company’s sale of auto insurance policies decreased by $1.4 million, or 73.9%,
to $0.5 million in 2008, compared with $1.9 million in 2007. American Vehicle
markets automobile insurance in Florida only to its existing policyholders
by offering to renew the existing policy. Federated National
markets its automobile insurance in Florida to both existing and new
policyholders.
Gross
Premiums Ceded
Gross
premiums ceded decreased $10.0 million, or 22.4%, to $34.6 million in 2008,
compared with $44.6 million in 2007.
(Decrease) Increase in Prepaid
Reinsurance Premiums
The
(decrease) increase in prepaid reinsurance premiums was ($4.5) million in
2008, compared with ($11.3) million in 2007. The change in this account is
primarily associated with the timing of our reinsurance payments measured
against the term of the underling reinsurance policies.
Decrease
(Increase) in Unearned Premiums
The
decrease (increase) in unearned premiums was $15.9 million in
2008, compared with $21.4 million in 2007. The change was due to a $13.1
million decrease in unearned homeowners’ insurance premiums, a $4.0 million
decrease in unearned commercial general liability premiums, a $1.7 million
increase in Federal Flood unearned premiums and a $0.4 million decrease in
unearned automobile premiums. These changes are a result of our decreased
premium volume during this period. See Gross Premiums
Written.
Net
Premiums Earned
Net
premiums earned decreased $34.1 million, or 34.4%, to $65.1 million in 2008,
compared with $99.2 million in 2007. The following table denotes net premiums
earned by major product line.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
|||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
$ | 36,414,360 | 55.91 | % | $ | 63,121,360 | 63.62 | % | ||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
27,784,365 | 42.66 | % | 32,738,178 | 32.99 | % | ||||||||||
Federal
Flood
|
- | 0.00 | % | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
Automobile
|
930,946 | 1.43 | % | 3,364,583 | 3.39 | % | ||||||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
$ | 65,129,671 | 100.00 | % | $ | 99,224,121 | 100.00 | % |
- 54
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Commission
Income
Commission
income decreased $5.6 million, to $1.6 million in 2008, compared with $7.2
million in 2007. The 2008 commission income is primarily in connection with our
reinsurance treaties.
The
recurring components of our 2007 commission income totaled $1.4 million.
Non-reoccurring components of our 2007 commission income totaled $5.8 million
stemming from two separate events. First and pursuant to provisions contained in
the three-year reinsurance treaties, we were afforded the right to cancel the
remaining two years and be entitled to receive a no loss experience commission.
In connection with this treaty, we reported approximately $2.8 million in 2007.
The second non-reoccurring operating event was in connection with commission
income totaling approximately $3.0 million in connection with our participation
in a Citizens take out program which we began in 2004, wherein the commission
was earned by us upon the successful retention of the policyholder for
thirty-six months.
Finance Revenue
Finance
revenue decreased $0.2 million, or 35.7%, to $0.4 million in 2008, compared
with $0.5 million in 2007. The change is primarily due to the Company’s
decreased emphasis on automobile insurance and the finance revenue derived
there-from.
Managing General Agent
Fees
Managing
general agent fees decreased $0.3 million, or 14.2%, to $1.7 million in
2008, compared with $2.0 million in 2007.
Net
Investment Income
Net
investment income decreased $1.6 million, or 20.2%, to $6.4 million in 2008,
compared with $8.0 million in 2007. Net investment income on corporate bonds,
which generally provide a higher yield than U.S. government bonds, increased
$2.4 million, to $3.1 million in 2008, compared with $0.7 million in 2007. Net
investment income on U.S. government bonds decreased $3.6 million, to $0.9
million in 2008, compared with $4.5 million in 2007.
Affecting
our net investment income was a decrease in funds available for investment and a
decrease in the overall yield to 4.11% in 2008 compared with a yield of
5.28% in 2007.
Net Realized Investment
Losses
Net
realized investment losses were $10.6 million in 2008, compared with $0.1
million in 2007. The table below depicts the net realized investment losses by
investment category in 2008 as compared with the same period during
2007.
In
2008 we marked certain equity investments to market value pursuant to guidelines
prescribed in SFAS No. 115. In reaching a conclusion that a security is either
other than temporary or permanently impaired we consider such factors as the
timeliness and completeness of expected dividends, principal and interest
payments, ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations
such as Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, as well as information released via the
general media channels. The pretax charge to operations was approximately $9.9
million in connection with our estimates of the net realizable value of these
investments. A significant number of these investments were subsequently sold in
2008, and we recognized an additional pretax charge to operations of $0.2
million.
- 55
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Realized
gains:
|
||||||||
Fixed
securities
|
$ | 769,738 | $ | 17,587 | ||||
Equity
securities
|
544,440 | 2,115,461 | ||||||
Total
realized gains
|
1,314,178 | 2,133,048 | ||||||
Realized
losses:
|
||||||||
Fixed
securities
|
(854,004 | ) | (384 | ) | ||||
Equity
securities
|
(11,052,944 | ) | (2,278,083 | ) | ||||
Total
realized losses
|
(11,906,948 | ) | (2,278,467 | ) | ||||
Net
realized (losses) on investments
|
$ | (10,592,770 | ) | $ | (145,419 | ) |
Regulatory Assessments
Recovered
Regulatory Assessments Recovered
increased $0.4 million, or 27.2%, to $2.1 million in 2008, compared with $1.7
million in 2007.
Other Income
Other
income increased less than $0.1 million, or 2.1%, to $0.7 million in 2008,
compared with $0.6 million in 2007. Major components of other income in
2008 included approximately $0.5 million in partial recognition of our gain on
the sale of our Lauderdale Lakes property and $0.2 million of rental income,
interest income and miscellaneous income.
Losses
and LAE
Losses
and LAE, our most significant expense, represent actual payments made and
changes in estimated future payments to be made to or on behalf of our
policyholders, including expenses required to settle claims and losses. We
revise our estimates based on the results of analysis of estimated future
payments to be made. This process assumes that past experience, adjusted for the
effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis
for predicting future events.
Losses
and LAE decreased by $5.8 million, or 12.1%, to $41.9 million in 2008, compared
with $47.6 million in 2007. The overall change includes a $1.0 million decrease
in our homeowners’ program, a $2.2 million increase in our commercial general
liability program and a $7.0 million decrease in connection with our automobile
program.
We
continue to revise our estimates of the ultimate financial impact of past
storms. The revisions to our estimates are based on our analysis of subsequent
information that we receive regarding various factors, including: (i) per claim
information; (ii) company and industry historical loss experience; (iii)
legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding
of damages, and (iv) trends in general economic conditions, including the
effects of inflation.
The
composition of unpaid losses and LAE by product line is as follows:
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Case
|
Bulk
|
Total
|
Case
|
Bulk
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
$ | 8,030,680 | $ | 19,687,271 | $ | 27,717,951 | $ | 7,775,769 | $ | 24,599,143 | $ | 32,374,912 | ||||||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
7,530,756 | 27,303,049 | 34,833,805 | 5,414,633 | 17,870,404 | 23,285,037 | ||||||||||||||||||
Automobile
|
666,921 | 1,563,809 | 2,230,730 | 530,308 | 3,494,533 | 4,024,841 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 16,228,357 | $ | 48,554,129 | $ | 64,782,486 | $ | 13,720,710 | $ | 45,964,080 | $ | 59,684,790 |
Factors
that affect unpaid losses and LAE include the estimates made on a claim-by-claim
basis known as “case reserves” coupled with bulk estimates known as IBNR.
Periodic estimates by management of the ultimate costs required to settle all
claim files are based on the Company’s analysis of historical data and
estimations of the impact of numerous factors such as (i) per claim information;
(ii) company and industry historical loss experience; (iii) legislative
enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages,
and changes in political attitudes; and (iv) trends in general economic
conditions, including the effects of inflation.
- 56
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Management
revises its estimates based on the results of its analysis. This process assumes
that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and
anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for estimating the ultimate
settlement of all claims. There is no precise method for subsequently evaluating
the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of the reserves, because the
eventual redundancy or deficiency is affected by multiple factors. Because of
our process, reserves were increased by approximately $5.1 million in
2008.
In accordance with GAAP, our loss ratio
is computed as losses and LAE divided by net premiums earned. A lower loss ratio
generally results in higher operating income. Our loss ratio in 2008 was 64.3% compared with 48.0% for the same period in 2007. The table
below reflects the loss ratios by product line.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Homeowners'
|
56.2 | % | 37.4 | % | ||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
77.0 | % | 58.9 | % | ||||
Automobile
|
1.8 | % | 140.0 | % | ||||
All
lines
|
64.3 | % | 48.0 | % |
For
further discussion, see Footnote 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included under Part II, Item 8, of this Report.
Operating and Underwriting
Expenses
Operating
and underwriting expenses decreased $5.6 million, or 44.0%, to $7.1 million in
2008, compared with $12.7 million in 2007. The change is
primarily due to a $2.9 million decrease in fees paid to boards, bureaus and
associations, a $1.8 million decrease in premium taxes and a $1.2 million
decrease in bad debts.
Salaries
and Wages
Salaries
and wages increased $0.7 million, or 10.3%, to $7.4 million in 2008, compared
with $6.7 million in 2007. In 2008, we had a $0.3 million severance payment. The
charge to operations for stock based compensation, in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 123R Share Based Payment (“SFAS
No. 123R”), was approximately $0.5 million in 2008 compared with approximately
$0.6 million in 2007.
Interest Expense
Interest
expense decreased $0.2 million to nothing in 2008, compared with $0.2
million in 2007. The decrease results from the repayment of our subordinated
debt on September 30, 2007.
Policy Acquisition Costs, Net of
Amortization
Policy
acquisition costs, net of amortization, decreased $4.7 million, or 24.0%, to
$14.8 million in 2008, compared with $19.4 million in 2007. Policy
acquisition costs, net of amortization, consists of the actual policy
acquisition costs, including commissions, payroll and premium taxes, less
commissions earned on reinsurance ceded and policy fees earned. The recent
decreased production volume for both the homeowners’ and commercial general
liability product lines is the reason for the decrease in this
asset.
Provision for Income Tax (Benefit)
Expense
The
provision for income tax benefit was $1.3 million in 2008, compared with an
income tax expense of $11.2 million in 2007. The effective rate for
income taxes was 34.8% in 2008, compared with 34.5% in 2007.
Net
(Loss) Income
As a
result of the foregoing, the Company’s net loss in 2008 was $2.5 million
compared with net income of $21.3 million in 2007.
- 57
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Year
Ended December 31, 2007 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2006
Gross
Premiums Written
Gross
premiums written decreased $19.1 million, or 12.5%, to $133.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007”), compared with $152.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2006 (“2006”). The following table denotes gross
premiums written by major product line.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||||
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
|||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
$ | 99,502,479 | 74.48 | % | $ | 114,388,069 | 74.93 | % | ||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
32,221,551 | 24.12 | % | 32,213,179 | 21.10 | % | ||||||||||
Automobile
|
1,867,304 | 1.40 | % | 6,063,645 | 3.97 | % | ||||||||||
Gross
written premiums
|
$ | 133,591,334 | 100.00 | % | $ | 152,664,893 | 100.00 | % |
The
following table sets forth the amounts and percentages of our gross premiums
written in connection with our commercial general liability program by
state:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||||
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
|||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
State
|
||||||||||||||||
Alabama
|
$ | 26 | 0.08 | % | $ | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||
Arkansas
|
- | 0.00 | % | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
California
|
23 | 0.07 | % | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
Florida
|
21,192 | 65.79 | % | 22,965 | 71.29 | % | ||||||||||
Georgia
|
1,023 | 3.17 | % | 1,805 | 5.60 | % | ||||||||||
Kentucky
|
8 | 0.02 | % | 9 | 0.03 | % | ||||||||||
Louisiana
|
5,595 | 17.36 | % | 5,743 | 17.83 | % | ||||||||||
Maryland
|
- | 0.00 | % | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
South
Carolina
|
182 | 0.56 | % | 77 | 0.24 | % | ||||||||||
Texas
|
4,127 | 12.81 | % | 1,604 | 4.98 | % | ||||||||||
Virginia
|
46 | 0.14 | % | 10 | 0.03 | % | ||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 32,222 | 100.00 | % | $ | 32,213 | 100.00 | % |
The
Company’s sale of homeowners’ policies decreased $14.9 million, or 13.0% to
$99.5 million in 2007, compared with $114.4 million in 2006. The decrease is
primarily due to the soft market conditions prevailing in the state of Florida.
The soft market conditions are lead by Citizens, the state run insurance
company. We believe that the competition in this market is based primarily on
pricing insurance products at rates that do not reflect current economic
conditions. We do not intend to compete with others solely on the basis of
pricing mechanisms. Where our rates are competitive (and there are territories
in Florida that so exist) we will continue to market our property insurance
product.
The
Company’s sale of auto insurance policies decreased by $4.2 million, or 69.2%,
to $1.9 million in 2007, compared with $6.1 million in 2006.
Gross
Premiums Ceded
Gross
premiums ceded decreased $23.0 million, or 34.0%, to $44.6 million in 2007,
compared with $67.5 million in 2006.
(Decrease) Increase in Prepaid
Reinsurance Premiums
The
(decrease) increase in prepaid reinsurance premiums was ($11.3) million in
2007, compared with $20.2 million in 2006. The change in this account is
primarily associated with the timing of our reinsurance payments measured
against the term of the underling reinsurance policies.
- 58
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Decrease
(Increase) in Unearned Premiums
The
decrease (increase) in unearned premiums was $21.4 million in
2007, compared with ($16.0) million in 2006. The change was due to a $19.4
million decrease in unearned homeowners’ insurance premiums, a $0.5 million
decrease in unearned commercial general liability premiums, and a $1.5 million
decrease in unearned automobile premiums. These changes are a result of our
decreased premium volume during this period. See Gross Premiums
Written.
Net
Premiums Earned
Net
premiums earned increased $9.9 million, or 11.1%, to $99.2 million in
2007, compared with $89.3 million in 2006. The following table denotes net
premiums earned by major product line.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||||||||
Amount
|
Percentage
|
Amount
|
Percentage
|
|||||||||||||
Homeowners'
|
$ | 63,121,360 | 63.62 | % | $ | 48,206,614 | 53.95 | % | ||||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
32,738,178 | 32.99 | % | 27,658,007 | 30.96 | % | ||||||||||
Automobile
|
3,364,583 | 3.39 | % | 13,483,633 | 15.09 | % | ||||||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
$ | 99,224,121 | 100.00 | % | $ | 89,348,254 | 100.00 | % |
As noted
above, the Company’s efforts to expand its commercial general liability lines of
insurance products is coming to fruition, as reflected by increased net premiums
earned of $5.1 million, or 18.4 % to $32.7 million in 2007, compared with $27.7
million in 2006.
Commission
Income
Commission
income increased $5.5 million, to $7.2 million in 2007, compared with $1.7
million in 2006. Recurring components of our commission income totaled $1.4
million. Non-reoccurring components of our commission income totaled $5.8
million stemming from two separate events. First and pursuant to provisions
contained in the three-year reinsurance treaties, we were afforded the right to
cancel the remaining two years and be entitled to receive a no loss experience
commission. In connection with this treaty, we reported approximately $2.8
million in 2007. The second non-reoccurring operating event was in connection
with commission income totaling approximately $3.0 million in connection with
our participation in a Citizens take out program in 2004, wherein the commission
was earned by us upon the successful retention of the policyholder for
thirty-six months.
Finance Revenue
Finance
revenue decreased $1.1 million, or 67.7%, to $0.5 million in 2007, compared
with $1.7 million in 2006. The change is primarily due to the Company’s
decreased emphasis on automobile insurance and the finance revenue derived
there-from.
Managing General Agent
Fees
Managing
general agent fees decreased $0.6 million, or 22.5%, to $2.0 million in
2007, compared with $2.6 million in 2006.
Net
Investment Income
Net
investment income increased $2.0 million, or 34.2%, to $8.0 million in 2007,
compared with $5.9 million in 2006. The increase in investment income is
primarily a result of the additional amounts of invested assets. Also affecting
our net investment income was an increase in overall yield to 6.10 % in 2007
compared with a yield of 5.28 % in 2006.
Net Realized Investment (Losses)
Gains
Net
realized investment (losses) gains were ($0.1) million in 2007, compared with
$1.1 in 2006. The table below depicts (losses) gains by investment
category.
- 59
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||
Realized
gains:
|
||||||||
Fixed
income securities
|
$ | 17,587 | $ | 151 | ||||
Equity
securities
|
2,115,461 | 1,471,307 | ||||||
Total
realized gains
|
2,133,048 | 1,471,458 | ||||||
Realized
losses:
|
||||||||
Fixed
income securities
|
(384 | ) | (66,722 | ) | ||||
Equity
securities
|
(2,278,083 | ) | (341,874 | ) | ||||
Total
realized losses
|
(2,278,467 | ) | (408,596 | ) | ||||
Net
realized (losses) gains on investments
|
$ | (145,419 | ) | $ | 1,062,862 |
Regulatory Assessments
Recovered
Regulatory assessments recovered
increased $1.5 million to $1.7 million in 2007, compared with $0.1 million in
2006.
Other Income
Other
income decreased $0.8 million, or 55.7%, to $0.6 million in 2007, compared with
$1.4 million in 2006. Major components of other income in 2007 included
approximately $0.5 million in partial recognition of our gain on the sale of our
Lauderdale Lakes property and $0.1 million of rental income, interest income and
miscellaneous income.
Loss
and LAE
Loss and
LAE, our most significant expense, represent actual payments made and changes in
estimated future payments to be made to or on behalf of our policyholders,
including expenses required to settle claims and losses. We revise our estimates
based on the results of analysis of estimated future payments to be made. This
process assumes that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current
developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting
future events.
Loss and
LAE increased by $3.2 million, or 7.3%, to $47.6 million in 2007, compared
with $44.4 million in 2006. The increase includes $1.2 million adverse
development associated with the 2004 hurricanes.
We
continue to revise our estimates of the ultimate financial impact of past
storms. The revisions to our estimates are based on our analysis of subsequent
information that we receive regarding various factors, including: (i) per claim
information; (ii) company and industry historical loss experience; (iii)
legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding
of damages, and (iv) trends in general economic conditions, including the
effects of inflation. Management revises its estimates based on the results of
its analysis. This process assumes that past experience, adjusted for the
effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis
for estimating the ultimate settlement of all claims. There is no precise method
for subsequently evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of
the reserves, because the eventual redundancy or deficiency is affected by
multiple factors.
- 60
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The table
below reflects no impact to operations in 2007 from the four hurricanes that
occurred in July, August, September and October of 2005.
Claim
|
Gross
|
Reinsurance
|
Net
|
|||||||||||||
2005 Hurricanes
|
Count
|
Losses
|
Recoveries
|
Losses
|
||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions)
|
||||||||||||||||
Dennis
(July 10)
|
- | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||
Katrina
(August 25)
|
4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | - | ||||||||||||
Rita
(September 20)
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Wilma
(October 24)
|
205 | 20.5 | 20.5 | - | ||||||||||||
Total
Loss Estimate
|
209 | $ | 20.6 | $ | 20.6 | $ | - |
The
following table reflects the changes in 2007 in connection with the four
hurricanes that occurred in August and September of 2004. A charge of $1.2
million occurred in 2007 in connection with these storms.
Claim
|
Gross
|
Reinsurance
|
Net
|
|||||||||||||
2004 Hurricanes
|
Count
|
Losses
|
Recoveries
|
Losses
|
||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions)
|
||||||||||||||||
Charley
(August 13)
|
1 | $ | 2.2 | $ | 2.2 | $ | - | |||||||||
Frances
(September 3)
|
- | 0.8 | 0.8 | - | ||||||||||||
Ivan
(September 14)
|
- | 1.0 | - | 1.0 | ||||||||||||
Jeanne
(September 25)
|
1 | 0.2 | - | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Total
Loss Estimate
|
2 | $ | 4.2 | $ | 3.0 | $ | 1.2 |
Our loss
ratio, as determined in accordance with GAAP, in 2007 was 48.0%, compared with
49.7% in 2006. The table below reflects the loss ratios by product
line.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||
Homeowners'
|
37.4%
|
46.70%
|
||||||
Commercial
General Liability
|
58.9%
|
38.20%
|
||||||
Automobile
|
140.0%
|
84.40%
|
||||||
All
lines
|
48.0%
|
49.70%
|
For
further discussion, see Footnote 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included under Part II, Item 8, of this Report.
Operating and Underwriting
Expenses
Operating
and underwriting expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 3.6%, to $12.7 million in
2007, compared with $13.2 million in 2006. The change is primarily
due to a $2.3 million aggregate decrease in fees paid to boards, bureaus and
associations, bad debts, real estate taxes, motor vehicle reports, telephone,
temporary employment, postage and bank fees, offset by a $1.8 million aggregate
increase in legal fees, building rent, premium taxes, consulting fees,
licensing, accounting fees and a one time settlement payment to State
National.
Salaries
and Wages
Salaries
and wages decreased $0.3 million, or 4.0%, to $6.7 million in 2007, compared
with $7.0 million in 2006.
- 61
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Interest
Expense
Interest
expense decreased $0.5 million, or 73.6%, to $0.2 million in 2007, compared with
$0.7 million in 2006. The decrease results from our subordinated debt retirement
on September 30, 2007.
Policy Acquisition Costs, Net of
Amortization
Policy
acquisition costs, net of amortization, increased $2.0 million, or 11.6%, to
$19.4 million in 2007, compared with $17.4 million in 2006. The increase is
primarily in connection with a more generous commission structure during 2007.
Policy acquisition costs, net of amortization, consists of the actual policy
acquisition costs, including commissions, payroll and premium taxes, less
commissions earned on reinsurance ceded and policy fees
earned.
Provision for Income Tax
Expense
The
provision for income tax expense increased $3.8 million, or 51.8%, to $11.2
million in 2007, compared with $7.4 million in 2006. The effective
rate for income tax expense is 34.5% in 2007, compared with 34.7% in
2006.
Net
Income
As a
result of the foregoing, the Company’s net income in 2007 was $21.3 million
compared with net income of $13.9 million in 2006.
CONTRACTUAL
OBLIGATIONS
A summary
of long-term contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008 follows. The
amounts represent estimates of gross undiscounted amounts payable over
time.
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations
|
Total
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
Thereafter
|
||||||||||||||||||
Unpaid
Losses and LAE
|
$ | 64,782 | $ | 38,455 | $ | 15,489 | $ | 7,126 | $ | 2,488 | $ | 1,224 | ||||||||||||
Operating
leases
|
1,913 | 625 | 638 | 650 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 66,696 | $ | 39,080 | $ | 16,127 | $ | 7,776 | $ | 2,488 | $ | 1,224 |
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
In 2008,
our primary sources of capital were revenues generated from operations,
including decreased reinsurance recoverable, net, increased unpaid losses and
LAE, decreased prepaid reinsurance premiums, decreased policy acquisition costs,
net of amortization, non-cash compensation, depreciation and amortization,
decreased premiums receivable, decreased premium finance contracts receivable,
provision for uncollectible premiums receivable and decreased other assets. Also
contributing to our liquidity were proceeds from the sale of investment
securities and exercised employee stock options. Because we are a holding
company, we are largely dependent upon fees and commissions from our
subsidiaries for cash flow.
In 2008,
operations used net operating cash flow of $22.3 million, as compared with
provided $32.8 million and $27.5 million in 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
In 2008,
operations generated $18.0 million of gross cash flow, due to a $6.1 million
decrease in reinsurance recoverable, net, a $5.1 million increase in unpaid
losses and LAE, a $2.9 million decrease in prepaid reinsurance premiums, a $2.4
million decrease in policy acquisition costs, net of amortization, $0.4 million
of non-cash compensation, $0.3 million of depreciation and amortization, a $0.3
million decrease in premiums receivable, a $0.2 million decrease in premium
finance contracts receivable, $0.2 million in the provision for uncollectible
premiums receivable and a $0.1 million decrease in other assets.
In 2008,
operations used $40.3 million of gross cash flow primarily due to a $15.9
million decrease in unearned premiums, $10.6 million of net realized investment
losses, a $4.2 million decrease in income taxes payable and a $2.9 million
increase in deferred income tax expense. Additional operational uses of cash
include a $2.3 million increase in income taxes recoverable, a $1.1 million
decrease in premium deposits and customer credit balances, a $0.6 million
decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, $0.2 million of amortization
of investment discount, all in conjunction with a net loss of $2.5
million.
- 62
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
In 2008,
net investing activities provided $128.7 million, as compared with used $19.0
million and $19.7 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Our available for sale
investment portfolio is highly liquid as it consists entirely of readily
marketable securities. In 2008, investing activities generated $156.7 million
and used $28.0 million from the maturity several times over of our very short
municipal portfolio.
In 2008,
net financing activities used $4.3 million, as compared with used $9.2 million
and provided $4.1 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively. In 2008, the sources
of cash in connection with financing activities included $1.3 million of
exercised stock options and a $0.2 million tax benefit related to non-cash
compensation. The uses of cash in connection with financing activities included
$5.7 million in dividends paid and $0.1 million for the purchase of treasury
stock.
We offer
direct billing in connection with our automobile and homeowner programs. Direct
billing is an agreement in which the insurance company accepts from the insured,
as a receivable, a promise to pay the premium, as opposed to requiring the full
amount of the policy at policy inception, either directly from the insured or
from a premium finance company. The advantage of direct billing a policyholder
by the insurance company is that we are not reliant on a credit facility, but
remain able to charge and collect interest from the policyholder.
We
believe that our current capital resources will be sufficient to meet currently
anticipated working capital requirements. There can be no assurances, however,
that such will be the case.
Federated
National’s and American Vehicle’s statutory capital surplus levels as of
December 31, 2008 were approximately $31.5 million and $25.1 million,
respectively, and their statutory net losses in 2008 were $2.2 million and $2.4
million, respectively.
As of
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, we did not have any relationships with
unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often
referred to as “structured finance” or “special purpose” entities, which were
established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance-sheet arrangements or
other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, management believes
that we currently are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit
risks that could arise if we had engaged in transactions of that type requiring
disclosure herein.
IMPACT
OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES
The
consolidated financial statements and related data presented herein have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires the measurement of financial
position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without
considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to
inflation. Our primary assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a
result, interest rates have a more significant impact on performance than the
effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move
in the same direction or with the same magnitude as the inflationary effect on
the cost of paying losses and LAE.
Insurance
premiums are established before we know the amount of losses and LAE and the
extent to which inflation may affect such expenses. Consequently, we attempt to
anticipate the future impact of inflation when establishing rate levels. While
we attempt to charge adequate premiums, we may be limited in raising premium
levels for competitive and regulatory reasons. Inflation also affects the market
value of our investment portfolio and the investment rate of return. Any future
economic changes that result in prolonged and increasing levels of inflation
could cause increases in the dollar amount of incurred losses and LAE and
thereby materially adversely affect future liability
requirements.
- 63
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
SELECTED
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
Year Ended December 31, 2008
|
||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands except EPS)
|
||||||||||||||||
First
|
Second
|
Third
|
Fourth
|
|||||||||||||
Quarter
|
Quarter
|
Quarter
|
Quarter
|
|||||||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
$ | 18,606 | $ | 15,459 | $ | 16,249 | $ | 14,816 | ||||||||
Other
revenue
|
1,436 | (32 | ) | (283 | ) | 1,106 | ||||||||||
Total
revenue
|
20,042 | 15,427 | 15,966 | 15,922 | ||||||||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||
Losses
and LAE
|
7,874 | 12,493 | 9,888 | 11,613 | ||||||||||||
Other
expenses
|
7,150 | 7,024 | 7,927 | 7,189 | ||||||||||||
Total
expenses
|
15,024 | 19,517 | 17,815 | 18,803 | ||||||||||||
Income
(loss) before provision for income tax expense (benefit)
|
5,018 | (4,090 | ) | (1,849 | ) | (2,881 | ) | |||||||||
Provision
for income tax expense (benefit)
|
709 | (1,590 | ) | (336 | ) | (107 | ) | |||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
$ | 4,309 | $ | (2,500 | ) | $ | (1,513 | ) | $ | (2,774 | ) | |||||
Basic
net income (loss) per share
|
$ | 0.54 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | (0.19 | ) | $ | (0.35 | ) | |||||
Fully
diluted net income (loss) per share
|
$ | 0.54 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | (0.19 | ) | $ | (0.35 | ) | |||||
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding
|
7,913 | 7,974 | 8,014 | 8,014 | ||||||||||||
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding (assuming
dilution)
|
7,960 | 7,974 | 8,014 | 8,014 |
- 64
-
21st Century Holding Company
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands except EPS)
|
||||||||||||||||
First
|
Second
|
Third
|
Fourth
|
|||||||||||||
Quarter
|
Quarter
|
Quarter
|
Quarter
|
|||||||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
$ | 22,373 | $ | 24,814 | $ | 27,181 | $ | 24,856 | ||||||||
Other
revenue
|
3,212 | 9,679 | 2,390 | 4,627 | ||||||||||||
Total
revenue
|
25,585 | 34,493 | 29,571 | 29,483 | ||||||||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||
Losses
and LAE
|
14,103 | 9,658 | 14,850 | 9,009 | ||||||||||||
Other
expenses
|
10,215 | 9,802 | 11,066 | 7,925 | ||||||||||||
Total
expenses
|
24,318 | 19,460 | 25,916 | 16,934 | ||||||||||||
Income
(loss) before provision (benefit) for income tax expense
|
1,267 | 15,033 | 3,656 | 12,549 | ||||||||||||
Provision
(benefit) for income tax expense
|
425 | 4,555 | 1,787 | 4,459 | ||||||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
$ | 843 | $ | 10,478 | $ | 1,869 | $ | 8,090 | ||||||||
Basic
net income (loss) per share
|
$ | 0.11 | $ | 1.32 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 1.02 | ||||||||
Fully
diluted net income (loss) per share
|
$ | 0.10 | $ | 1.31 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 1.01 | ||||||||
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding
|
7,958 | 7,931 | 7,892 | 7,913 | ||||||||||||
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding (assuming
dilution)
|
8,187 | 8,015 | 7,948 | 7,988 |
OFF
BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS
For the years ended December 31, 2008
and 2007, there were no off balance sheet transactions.
- 65
-
21st Century Holding Company
ITEM
7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our
investment objective is to maximize total rate of return after Federal income
taxes while maintaining liquidity and minimizing risk. Our current investment
policy limits investment in non-investment grade fixed maturity securities
(including high-yield bonds), and limits total investments in preferred stock,
common stock and mortgage notes receivable. We also comply with applicable laws
and regulations, which further restrict the type, quality and concentration of
investments. In general, these laws and regulations permit investments, within
specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in Federal, state and
municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common equity securities
and real estate mortgages.
Our
investment policy is established by the Board of Directors Investment Committee
and is reviewed on a regular basis. Pursuant to this investment policy, as of
December 31, 2008, approximately 98% of investments were in fixed income
securities and cash and cash equivalents, which are considered to be either held
until maturity or available for sale, based upon our estimates of required
liquidity. Approximately 41% of the fixed maturities are considered available
for sale and are marked to market. We may in the future consider additional
fixed maturities to be held to maturity and carried at amortized cost. We do not
use any swaps, options, futures or forward contracts to hedge or enhance our
investment portfolio.
The table
below sets forth investment results for the periods indicated.
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Interest
on fixed maturities
|
$ | 4,840 | $ | 6,552 | $ | 4,618 | ||||||
Dividends
on equity securities
|
770 | 565 | 623 | |||||||||
Interest
on short-term securities
|
1,072 | 691 | 737 | |||||||||
Other
|
(222 | ) | 230 | - | ||||||||
Total
investment income
|
6,460 | 8,038 | 5,978 | |||||||||
Investment
expense
|
(106 | ) | (74 | ) | (45 | ) | ||||||
Net
investment income
|
$ | 6,354 | $ | 7,964 | $ | 5,933 | ||||||
Net
realized (loss) gain
|
$ | (10,593 | ) | $ | (145 | ) | $ | 1,063 |
The
following table summarizes, by type, our investments as of December 31, 2008 and
2007
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Carrying
|
Percent
|
Carrying
|
Percent
|
|||||||||||||
Amount
|
of Total
|
Amount
|
of
Total
|
|||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Fixed
maturities, at market:
|
||||||||||||||||
U.S.
government agencies and authorities
|
$ | 4,544 | 17.43 | % | $ | 61,308 | 45.01 | % | ||||||||
Obligations
of states and political subdivisions
|
5,331 | 20.45 | % | 17,777 | 13.05 | % | ||||||||||
Corporate
securities
|
13,050 | 50.07 | % | 40,609 | 29.81 | % | ||||||||||
Total
fixed maturities
|
22,925 | 87.95 | % | 119,694 | 87.87 | % | ||||||||||
Equity
securities, at market
|
3,140 | 12.05 | % | 16,530 | 12.13 | % | ||||||||||
Total
investments
|
$ | 26,065 | 100.00 | % | $ | 136,224 | 100.00 | % |
- 66
-
21st Century Holding Company
Fixed
maturities are carried on the balance sheet at market. At December 31, 2008 and
2007, fixed maturities had the following quality ratings by Moody's and for
securities not assigned a rating by Moody's, Standard and Poor's Company ratings
were used:
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Carrying
|
Percent
|
Carrying
|
Percent
|
|||||||||||||
Amount
|
of Total
|
Amount
|
of Total
|
|||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
AAA
|
$ | 15,180 | 66.22 | % | $ | 111,795 | 93.40 | % | ||||||||
AA
|
5,732 | 25.00 | % | 2,819 | 2.36 | % | ||||||||||
A
|
151 | 0.66 | % | 1,889 | 1.58 | % | ||||||||||
BBB
|
1,862 | 8.12 | % | 2,713 | 2.26 | % | ||||||||||
BB++
|
- | 0.00 | % | 478 | 0.40 | % | ||||||||||
Not
rated
|
- | 0.00 | % | - | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
$ | 22,925 | 100.00 | % | $ | 119,694 | 100.00 | % |
The
following table summarizes, by maturity, the fixed maturities as of December 31,
2008 and 2007.
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Carrying
|
Percent
|
Carrying
|
Percent
|
|||||||||||||
Amount
|
of Total
|
Amount
|
of Total
|
|||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Matures
In:
|
||||||||||||||||
One
year or less
|
$ | 2,388 | 10.42 | % | $ | 29,925 | 25.00 | % | ||||||||
One
year to five years
|
9,850 | 42.97 | % | 38,363 | 32.05 | % | ||||||||||
Five
years to 10 years
|
1,037 | 4.52 | % | 16,400 | 13.70 | % | ||||||||||
More
than 10 years
|
9,650 | 42.09 | % | 35,006 | 29.25 | % | ||||||||||
Total
fixed maturities
|
$ | 22,925 | 100.00 | % | $ | 119,694 | 100.00 | % |
At
December 31, 2008, the weighted average maturity of the fixed maturities
portfolio was approximately 6.0 years.
The
following table provides information about the financial instruments as of
December 31, 2008 that are sensitive to changes in interest
rates. The table presents principal cash flows and the related
weighted average interest rate by expected maturity date based upon par
values:
Carrying
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
Thereafter
|
Total
|
Amount
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal
amount by expected maturity:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
government agencies and authorities
|
$ | 400 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 4,000 | $ | 2,000 | $ | 60 | $ | 6,460 | $ | 4,544 | ||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of states and political subdivisions
|
1,465 | - | 760 | 910 | 500 | 1,775 | 5,410 | 5,331 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate
securities
|
500 | 2,150 | - | 250 | 1,250 | 10,102 | 14,252 | 13,050 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collateralized
mortgage obligations
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity
securities, at market
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3,140 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage
notes receivable
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
All
investments
|
$ | 2,365 | $ | 2,150 | $ | 760 | $ | 5,160 | $ | 3,750 | $ | 11,937 | $ | 26,122 | $ | 26,065 | ||||||||||||||||
Weighted
average interest rate by expected maturity:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
government agencies and authorities
|
3.38 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 4.38 | % | 3.88 | % | 7.25 | % | 4.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of states and political subdivisions
|
4.71 | % | 0.00 | % | 3.90 | % | 3.73 | % | 3.90 | % | 5.09 | % | 4.48 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate
securities
|
7.57 | % | 5.13 | % | 0.00 | % | 6.00 | % | 6.56 | % | 5.79 | % | 5.83 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Collateralized
mortgage obligations
|
0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity
securities, at market
|
0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage
notes receivable
|
0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
All
investments
|
5.09 | % | 5.13 | % | 0.00 | % | 4.34 | % | 4.78 | % | 5.70 | % | 5.14 | % |
- 67
-
21st Century Holding Company
ITEM
8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Accounting Firm
|
69
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
|
|
as
of December 31, 2008 and 2007
|
70
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
|
|
For
the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
|
71
|
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income
(Loss)
|
|
For
the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
|
72
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
|
|
For
the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
|
73
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
75
|
- 68
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the
Board of Directors and
Stockholders
of 21st Century Holding
Company
We have
audited the accompanying balance sheets of 21st Century Holding
Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related statements of
income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. We also have
audited 21st Century Holding
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO). 21st Century
Holding Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting,
included in the accompanying Certification Report included in the Company’s 2008
Form 10-K. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial
reporting based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk
that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and
operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our
audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary
in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for
our opinions.
A
company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to
the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2)
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of
the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of 21st Century
Holding Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, 21st Century
Holding Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established
in Internal Control—Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO).
/s/ De
Meo Young McGrath
Boca
Raton, FL
March 13,
2009
- 69
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER
31, 2008 AND 2007
Period Ending
|
||||||||
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Investments
|
||||||||
Fixed
maturities, available for sale, at fair value
|
$ | 9,429 | $ | 99,484 | ||||
Fixed
maturities, held to maturity, at amoritized cost
|
13,496 | 20,210 | ||||||
Equity
securities, available for sale, at fair value
|
3,140 | 16,530 | ||||||
Total
investments
|
26,065 | 136,224 | ||||||
Cash
and short term investments
|
124,577 | 22,524 | ||||||
Receivable
for investments sold
|
- | 6,420 | ||||||
Finance
contracts, net of allowance for credit losses of $26 in 2008 and $38
in
|
||||||||
2007,
and net of unearned finance charges of $7 in 2008 and $15 in
2007
|
201 | 420 | ||||||
Prepaid
reinsurance premiums
|
5,537 | 8,471 | ||||||
Premiums
receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $122 and $288,
respectively
|
3,353 | 3,797 | ||||||
Reinsurance
recoverable, net of allowance for credit losses of $226 and $0,
respectively
|
16,887 | 22,942 | ||||||
Deferred
policy acquisition costs
|
6,558 | 8,958 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes, net
|
8,530 | 5,640 | ||||||
Income
taxes receivable
|
2,275 | - | ||||||
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
855 | 1,046 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
2,272 | 2,918 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 197,109 | $ | 219,361 | ||||
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
$ | 64,782 | $ | 59,685 | ||||
Unearned
premiums
|
40,508 | 56,394 | ||||||
Premiums
deposits and customer credit balances
|
1,700 | 2,761 | ||||||
Bank
overdraft
|
8,694 | 8,695 | ||||||
Income
taxes payable
|
- | 4,226 | ||||||
Deferred
gain from sale of property
|
1,495 | 1,998 | ||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
3,699 | 4,346 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
120,878 | 138,104 | ||||||
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
- | - | ||||||
Shareholders'
equity:
|
||||||||
Common
stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and
outstanding 8,013,894 and 7,871,234, respectively. Preferred stock,
$0.01 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued or
outstanding.
|
80 | 79 | ||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
49,979 | 48,240 | ||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive (deficit)
|
(1,187 | ) | (2,596 | ) | ||||
Retained
earnings
|
27,359 | 35,534 | ||||||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
76,231 | 81,257 | ||||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
$ | 197,109 | $ | 219,361 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 70
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands except EPS and dividend data)
|
||||||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
$ | 88,248 | $ | 133,591 | $ | 152,665 | ||||||
Gross
premiums ceded
|
(34,553 | ) | (44,551 | ) | (67,520 | ) | ||||||
Net
premiums written
|
53,695 | 89,041 | 85,145 | |||||||||
(Decrease)
Increase in prepaid reinsurance premiums
|
(4,451 | ) | (11,251 | ) | 20,193 | |||||||
Decrease
(Increase) in unearned premiums
|
15,886 | 21,435 | (15,990 | ) | ||||||||
Net
change in prepaid reinsurance premiums and unearned
premiums
|
11,435 | 10,184 | 4,203 | |||||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
65,130 | 99,224 | 89,348 | |||||||||
Commission
income
|
1,612 | 7,214 | 1,679 | |||||||||
Finance
revenue
|
350 | 545 | 1,686 | |||||||||
Managing
general agent fees
|
1,745 | 2,035 | 2,625 | |||||||||
Net
investment income
|
6,354 | 7,964 | 5,933 | |||||||||
Net
realized investment (losses) gains
|
(10,593 | ) | (145 | ) | 1,063 | |||||||
Regulatory
assessments recovered
|
2,104 | 1,655 | 132 | |||||||||
Other
income
|
654 | 641 | 1,449 | |||||||||
Total
revenue
|
67,357 | 119,132 | 103,915 | |||||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||
Losses
and LAE
|
41,868 | 47,619 | 44,400 | |||||||||
Operating
and underwriting expenses
|
7,102 | 12,684 | 13,160 | |||||||||
Salaries
and wages
|
7,428 | 6,732 | 7,011 | |||||||||
Interest
expense
|
- | 173 | 656 | |||||||||
Policy
acquisition costs, net of amortization
|
14,760 | 19,420 | 17,395 | |||||||||
Total
expenses
|
71,159 | 86,627 | 82,622 | |||||||||
(Loss) Income before provision for income tax
(benefit) expense
|
(3,802 | ) | 32,505 | 21,293 | ||||||||
Provision
for income tax (benefit) expense
|
(1,324 | ) | 11,226 | 7,396 | ||||||||
Net
(loss) income
|
$ | (2,478 | ) | $ | 21,280 | $ | 13,896 | |||||
Basic
net (loss) income per share
|
$ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 2.69 | $ | 1.84 | |||||
Fully
diluted net (loss) income per share
|
$ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 2.65 | $ | 1.72 | |||||
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding
|
7,979,436 | 7,922,542 | 7,537,550 | |||||||||
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding (assuming
dilution)
|
7,979,436 | 8,030,205 | 8,085,722 | |||||||||
Dividends
paid per share
|
$ | 0.72 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.48 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 71
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(LOSS)
YEARS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional
|
Other
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
|
Common
|
Paid-in
|
Comprehensive
|
Retained
|
Shareholder's
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Income
|
Stock
|
Capital
|
Deficit
|
Earnings
|
Equity
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
as of December 31, 2005
|
$ | 68 | $ | 31,832 | $ | (1,537 | ) | $ | 10,405 | $ | 40,767 | |||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 13,896 | $ | 13,896 | $ | 13,896 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends
|
(4,290 | ) | (4,290 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stock
issued in lieu of cash payment for principal and interest associated with
our notes
|
$ | 1 | $ | 1,794 | 1,795 | |||||||||||||||||||
Treasury
stock acquired
|
(1 | ) | (2,000 | ) | (2,001 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock
options exercised
|
3 | 2,596 | 2,600 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants
exercised
|
8 | 10,661 | 10,669 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
based compensation
|
2,187 | 2,187 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
unrealized change in investments, net of tax effect of
$344
|
570 | $ | 570 | 570 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$ | 14,466 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
as of December 31, 2006
|
$ | 79 | $ | 47,070 | $ | (967 | ) | $ | 20,011 | $ | 66,193 | |||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 21,280 | $ | 21,280 | $ | 21,280 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends
|
(5,757 | ) | (5,757 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stock
issued in lieu of cash payment for principal and interest associated with
our notes
|
$ | 1 | $ | 2,192 | 2,193 | |||||||||||||||||||
Treasury
stock acquired
|
(3 | ) | (3,819 | ) | (3,823 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock
options exercised
|
176 | 176 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants
exercised
|
2 | 2,033 | 2,035 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
based compensation
|
589 | 589 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
unrealized change in investments, net of tax effect of
$927
|
(1,629 | ) | $ | (1,629 | ) | (1,629 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$ | 19,651 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
as of December 31, 2007
|
$ | 79 | $ | 48,240 | $ | (2,596 | ) | $ | 35,534 | $ | 81,256 | |||||||||||||
Net
(Loss)
|
$ | (2,478 | ) | $ | (2,478 | ) | $ | (2,478 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends
|
(5,697 | ) | (5,697 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury
stock acquired
|
$ | (144 | ) | (144 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Stock
options exercised
|
$ | 1 | 1,335 | 1,337 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants
exercised
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
based compensation
|
547 | 547 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
unrealized change in investments, net of tax effect of
$794,350
|
1,409 | $ | 1,409 | 1,409 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$ | (1,069 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
as of December 31, 2008
|
$ | 80 | $ | 49,979 | $ | (1,187 | ) | $ | 27,359 | $ | 76,231 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 72
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Cash
flow from operating activities:
|
||||||||||||
Net
(loss) income
|
$ | (2,478 | ) | $ | 21,280 | $ | 13,896 | |||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used) provided by
operating activities:
|
||||||||||||
Amortization
of investment (discount), net
|
(223 | ) | (360 | ) | (297 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation
and amortization of property plant and equipment, net
|
290 | 317 | 342 | |||||||||
Net
realized investment (losses) gains
|
(10,593 | ) | (188 | ) | 1,063 | |||||||
Gain
on sale of assets
|
- | - | (578 | ) | ||||||||
Common
Stock issued for interest on Notes
|
- | 109 | 128 | |||||||||
(Recovery)
Provision for credit losses, net
|
(2 | ) | (31 | ) | 14 | |||||||
Provision
(Recovery) for uncollectible premiums receivable
|
157 | 222 | (102 | ) | ||||||||
Non-cash
compensation
|
365 | 405 | 539 | |||||||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||||||
Premiums
receivable
|
287 | 3,203 | 386 | |||||||||
Prepaid
reinsurance premiums
|
2,934 | 5,990 | (26,793 | ) | ||||||||
Reinsurance
recoverable, net
|
6,055 | (2,712 | ) | 140,912 | ||||||||
Income
taxes recoverable
|
(2,275 | ) | 787 | (787 | ) | |||||||
Deferred
income tax expense
|
(2,890 | ) | (2,030 | ) | (906 | ) | ||||||
Deffered
gain on sale of assets
|
- | - | (2,366 | ) | ||||||||
Policy
acquisition costs, net of amortization
|
2,400 | 2,195 | (1,970 | ) | ||||||||
Premium
finance contracts receivable
|
222 | 1,442 | 5,467 | |||||||||
Other
assets
|
144 | 1,169 | 2,491 | |||||||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
5,098 | 20,069 | (114,423 | ) | ||||||||
Unearned
premiums
|
(15,886 | ) | (21,435 | ) | 15,990 | |||||||
Premium
deposits and customer credit balances
|
(1,061 | ) | (1,032 | ) | 1,648 | |||||||
Funds
held under reinsurance treaties
|
- | - | (1,545 | ) | ||||||||
Income
taxes payable
|
(4,226 | ) | 4,226 | (3,020 | ) | |||||||
Bank
overdraft
|
(1 | ) | 588 | (4,130 | ) | |||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
(646 | ) | (1,379 | ) | 1,557 | |||||||
Net
cash (used) provided by operating activities
|
(22,330 | ) | 32,834 | 27,517 | ||||||||
Cash
flow provided by (used) investing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Proceeds
from sale of investment securities available for sale
|
156,674 | 195,812 | 271,265 | |||||||||
Purchases
of investment securities available for sale
|
(27,870 | ) | (214,733 | ) | (296,209 | ) | ||||||
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
(99 | ) | (67 | ) | (400 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds
from sale of assets
|
- | - | 5,607 | |||||||||
Net
cash provided by (used) in investing activities
|
128,705 | (18,988 | ) | (19,736 | ) | |||||||
Cash
flow (used) provided by financing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Subordinated
Debt
|
- | (2,083 | ) | (4,375 | ) | |||||||
Exercised
stock options
|
1,337 | 177 | 2,600 | |||||||||
Dividends
paid
|
(5,697 | ) | (5,758 | ) | (4,290 | ) | ||||||
Exercised
warrants, net
|
- | 2,035 | 10,669 | |||||||||
Acquisition
of Common Stock
|
(144 | ) | (3,823 | ) | (2,001 | ) | ||||||
Tax
benefit related to non-cash compensation
|
182 | 214 | 1,648 | |||||||||
Revolving
credit outstanding
|
- | - | (187 | ) | ||||||||
Net
cash (used) provided by financing activities
|
(4,322 | ) | (9,239 | ) | 4,064 | |||||||
Net
increase in cash and short term investments
|
102,053 | 4,608 | 11,845 | |||||||||
Cash
and short term investments at beginning of period
|
22,524 | 17,917 | 6,071 | |||||||||
Cash
and short term investments at end of period
|
$ | 124,577 | $ | 22,524 | $ | 17,917 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 73
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
(continued)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Supplemental
disclosure of cash flow information:
|
||||||||||||
Cash
paid during the period for:
|
||||||||||||
Interest
|
$ | - | $ | 44 | $ | 339 | ||||||
Income
taxes
|
$ | 8,800 | $ | 7,300 | $ | 7,425 | ||||||
Non-cash
investing and finance activities:
|
||||||||||||
Accrued
dividends payable
|
$ | 1,443 | $ | 1,475 | $ | 1,444 | ||||||
Retirement
of subordinated debt by Common Stock issuance
|
$ | - | $ | 2,193 | $ | 1,667 | ||||||
Stock
issued to pay interest on subordinated debt
|
$ | - | $ | 109 | $ | 128 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 74
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
(1)
ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
21st Century
is an insurance holding company, which, through our subsidiaries and our
contractual relationships with our independent agents and general agents,
controls substantially all aspects of the insurance underwriting, distribution
and claims processes. We are authorized to underwrite fire, allied lines,
homeowners’ property and casualty insurance, commercial general liability
insurance, commercial multi peril, inland marine, personal automobile insurance
and commercial automobile insurance in various states with various lines of
authority through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Federated National and American
Vehicle. We market and distribute our own and third-party insurers’ products and
our other services primarily in Florida, through contractual relationships with
a network of approximately 1,500 independent agents and a select number of
general agents.
The
insurable events during 2008, 2007 and 2006 did not include any weather related
catastrophic events such as the well publicized series of hurricanes that
occurred in Florida during 2005 and 2004. During 2008, 2007 and 2006 we
processed property and liability claims stemming from our homeowners’,
commercial general liability and private passenger automobile lines of business.
Our automobile claims generally will exceed commercial general liability and
homeowners’ claims with respect to frequency of claimant activity; however the
per-claim severity in connection with our commercial general liability and
homeowner lines would be expected to exceed the automobile line. Our reinsurance
strategy serves to smooth the liquidity requirements imposed by the most severe
insurable events and for all other insurable events we manage, at a micro and
macro perspective, in the normal course of business.
We are
not certain how hurricanes and other insurable events will affect our future
results of operations and liquidity. Loss and LAE are affected by a number of
factors including:
|
·
|
the
quality of the insurable risks
underwritten;
|
|
·
|
the
nature and severity of the loss;
|
|
·
|
weather-related
patterns;
|
|
·
|
the
availability, cost and terms of
reinsurance;
|
|
·
|
underlying
settlement costs, including medical and legal
costs;
|
|
·
|
legal
and political factors such as legislative initiatives and public
opinion.
|
We
continue to manage the foregoing to the extent within our control. Many of the
foregoing are partially, or entirely, outside our control.
Federated
National is authorized to underwrite fire, allied lines, personal automobile,
homeowners’ property and casualty insurance in Florida as an admitted carrier.
American Vehicle is authorized to underwrite commercial multi peril, inland
marine and personal and commercial automobile insurance in Florida as an
admitted carrier. In addition, American Vehicle is authorized to underwrite
commercial general liability insurance in fifteen states, of which eleven states
had ongoing operations in 2008, as either an admitted or non-admitted carrier.
American Vehicle will continue its expansion of commercial general liability
insurance into new states.
An admitted carrier is an
insurance company that has received a license from the state department of
insurance giving the company the authority to write specific lines of insurance
in that state. These companies are also bound by rate and form regulations, and
are strictly regulated to protect policyholders from a variety of illegal and
unethical practices, including fraud. Admitted carriers are also required to
financially contribute to the state guarantee fund, which is used to pay for
losses if an insurance carrier becomes insolvent or unable to pay the losses due
their policyholders.
A non-admitted carrier is not
licensed by the state, but is allowed to do business in that state and is
strictly regulated to protect policyholders from a variety of illegal and
unethical practices, including fraud. Sometimes, non-admitted carriers are
referred to as “excess and surplus” lines carriers. Non-admitted
carriers are subject to considerably less regulation with respect to policy
rates and forms. Additionally, both Federated National and American
Vehicle are authorized to underwrite personal and commercial automobile
insurance in Florida as an admitted carrier.
- 75
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
The table
below denotes American Vehicle’s authority, by state.
States
|
Admitted
carrier
|
Non-
admitted
carrier
|
||
Alabama
|
ü
|
|
||
Arkansas
|
ü
|
|||
California
|
ü
|
|||
Florida
|
ü
|
|||
Georgia
|
ü
|
|||
Kentucky
|
ü
|
|||
Louisiana
|
ü
|
|||
Maryland
|
ü
|
|||
Missouri
|
ü
|
|||
Nevada
|
ü
|
|||
Oklahoma
|
ü
|
|||
South
Carolina
|
ü
|
|||
Tennessee
|
ü
|
|||
Texas
|
ü
|
|||
Virginia
|
ü
|
During
2007 American Vehicle applied for and was granted, by the State of Florida in
2008, a license to underwrite commercial multiple peril and inland marine lines
of business as an admitted carrier. We believe these new lines of authority will
bode well with American Vehicle’s existing customers. Operations under American
Vehicle’s newly granted lines of authority are expected to begin in
2009.
During
2008 Federated National applied for and was granted, by the State of Florida, a
license to underwrite fire and allied lines insurance as an admitted carrier.
Operations under Federated National’s newly granted allied lines began in 2008
as a cedant for the insurance policies it underwrites to the federal flood
program. Operations under Federated National’s newly granted fire line of
business is pending approval by the Florida OIR and is expected to begin
operations in 2009.
In 2008,
68.8%, 27.0%, 3.7% and 0.6% of the premiums we underwrote were for homeowners’
property and casualty insurance, commercial general liability insurance, federal
flood, and personal automobile insurance, respectively. In 2007, 74.5%, 24.1%
and 1.4% of the premiums we underwrote were for homeowners’ property and
casualty insurance, commercial general liability insurance and personal
automobile insurance, respectively.
Our
business, results of operations and financial condition are subject to
fluctuations due to a variety of factors. Abnormally high severity or frequency
of claims in any period could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if our estimated
liabilities for unpaid losses and LAE are less than actual losses and LAE, we
will be required to increase reserves with a corresponding reduction in our net
income in the period in which the deficiency is identified. We internally
process claims made by our insureds through our wholly owned claims adjusting
company, Superior.
We are
focusing our marketing efforts on continuing to expand our distribution network
and market our products and services in other regions of Florida and other
states by establishing relationships with additional independent agents and
general agents. As this occurs, we will seek to replicate our distribution
network in those states. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be
able to obtain the required regulatory approvals to offer additional insurance
products or expand into other states.
Assurance
MGA, a wholly owned subsidiary, acts as Federated National’s and American
Vehicle’s exclusive managing general agent in the state of Florida. As American
Vehicle continues its expansion into other states, we intend to retain other
general agents to market our commercial general liability insurance products. In
2008, Assurance MGA became licensed in the states of Alabama, Arkansas,
Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Texas and
Virginia.
- 76
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
Assurance
MGA currently provides underwriting policy administration, marketing, accounting
and financial services to Federated National and American Vehicle, and
participates in the negotiation of reinsurance contracts. For the
above-mentioned services, Assurance MGA generates revenue through a 6%
commission fee from the insurance companies’ gross written premium, policy fee
income of $25 per policy and other administrative fees. The 6% commission fee
from Federated National and American Vehicle was made effective January 1, 2005.
Assurance MGA plans to establish relationships with additional carriers and add
additional insurance products in the future.
(2)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES
(a)
CASH AND SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS
We
consider all short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of
less than three months to be short term investments.
(b)
INVESTMENTS
Our
investment securities have been classified as either available-for-sale or held
to maturity in response to our liquidity needs, changes in market interest rates
and asset-liability management strategies, among other reasons. Investments
available-for-sale are stated at fair value on the balance sheet. Investments
designated as held to maturity are stated at amortized cost on the balance
sheet. Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and are reported
as a component of other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity, net of
related deferred income taxes.
A decline
in the fair value of an available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed
other than temporary results in a charge to income, resulting in the
establishment of a new cost basis for the security. Premiums and
discounts are amortized or accreted, respectively, over the life of the related
fixed maturity security as an adjustment to yield using a method that
approximates the effective interest method. Dividends and interest income are
recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses are included in earnings and
are derived using the specific-identification method for determining the cost of
securities sold.
(c)
PREMIUM REVENUE
Premium
revenue on all lines are earned on a pro-rata basis over the life of the
policies. Unearned premiums represent the portion of the premium related to the
unexpired policy term.
(d)
DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS
Deferred
acquisition costs primarily represent commissions paid to outside agents at the
time of policy issuance (to the extent they are recoverable from future premium
income) net of ceded premium commission earned from reinsurers, salaries and
premium taxes net of policy fees, and are amortized over the life of the related
policy in relation to the amount of premiums earned. The method followed in
computing deferred acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to
their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premium to be
earned, related investment income, unpaid loss and LAE and certain other costs
expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. There is no indication that
these costs will not be fully recoverable in the near term.
(e)
PREMIUM DEPOSITS
Premium
deposits represent premiums received primarily in connection with homeowner
policies that are not yet effective. We take approximately 30 working days to
issue the policy from the date the cash and policy application are
received.
(f)
UNPAID LOSSES AND LAE
Unpaid
losses and LAE are determined by establishing liabilities in amounts estimated
to cover incurred losses and LAE. Such liabilities are determined based upon our
assessment of claims pending and the development of prior years' loss liability.
These amounts include liabilities based upon individual case estimates for
reported losses and LAE and estimates of such amounts that are IBNR. Changes in
the estimated liability are charged or credited to operations as the losses and
LAE are settled.
- 77
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
The
estimates of unpaid losses and LAE are subject to the effect of trends in claims
severity and frequency and are continually reviewed. As part of the process, we
review historical data and consider various factors, including known and
anticipated legal developments, changes in social attitudes, inflation and
economic conditions. As experience develops and other data becomes available,
these estimates are revised, as required, resulting in increases or decreases to
the existing unpaid losses and LAE. Adjustments are reflected in results of
operations in the period in which they are made and the liabilities may deviate
substantially from prior estimates.
There can
be no assurance that our unpaid losses and LAE reserves will be adequate to
cover actual losses. If our unpaid losses and LAE prove to be inadequate, we
will be required to increase the liability with a corresponding reduction in our
net income in the period in which the deficiency is identified. Future loss
experience substantially in excess of the established unpaid losses and LAE
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
Accounting
for loss contingencies pursuant to SFAS No. 5 involves the existence of a
condition, situation or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as to
possible loss that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future event(s)
occur or fail to occur. Additionally, accounting for a loss contingency requires
management to assess each event as probable, reasonably possible or remote.
Probable is defined as the future event or events are likely to occur.
Reasonably possible is defined as the chance of the future event or events
occurring is more than remote but less than probable, while remote is defined as
the chance of the future event or events occurring is slight. An estimated loss
in connection with a loss contingency shall be recorded by a charge to current
operations if both of the following conditions are met: First, the amount can be
reasonably estimated; and second, the information available prior to issuance of
the financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability has been
incurred at the date of the financial statements. It is implicit in this
condition that it is probable that one or more future events will occur
confirming the fact of the loss or incurrence of a liability.
We do not
discount unpaid losses and LAE for financial statement purposes.
(g)
FINANCE REVENUE
Interest
and service income, resulting from the financing of insurance premiums, is
recognized using a method that approximates the effective interest method. Late
charges are recognized as income when chargeable.
(h)
CREDIT LOSSES
Provisions
for credit losses are provided in amounts sufficient to maintain the allowance
for credit losses at a level considered adequate to cover anticipated losses.
Generally, accounts that are over 90 days old are written off to the allowance
for credit losses. We have been increasing our reliance on direct billing of our
policyholders for their insurance premiums. Direct billing is when the insurance
company accepts from the insured, as a receivable, a promise to pay the premium,
as opposed to requiring payment of the full amount of the policy, either
directly from the insured or from a premium finance company. We manage the
credit risk associated with our direct billing program through our integrated
computer system which allows us to monitor the equity in the unearned premium to
the underlying policy. Underwriting criteria are designed with down payment
requirements and monthly payments that create policyholder equity, also called
unearned premium, in the insurance policy. The equity in the policy is
collateral for the extension of credit to the insured.
(i)
MANAGING GENERAL AGENT FEES
If
substantially all the costs associated with the MGA contracts which do not
involve affiliated insurers are incurred during the underwriting process, then
the MGA fees and the related acquisition costs are recognized at the time the
policy is underwritten, net of estimated cancellations. If the MGA contract
requires significant involvement subsequent to the completion of the
underwriting process, then the MGA fees and related acquisition costs are
deferred and recognized over the life of the policy. Included in Managing
General Agent Fees are policy fees charged by the insurance companies and passed
through to Assurance MGA. Policy fees are discussed below.
- 78
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
(j)
POLICY FEES
Policy
fees represent a $25 non-refundable application fee for insurance coverage,
which are intended to reimburse us for the costs incurred to underwrite the
policy. The fees and related costs are recognized when the policy is
underwritten. These fees are netted against underwriting costs and
are included as a component of deferred acquisition costs.
(k)
REINSURANCE
We
recognize the income and expense on reinsurance contracts principally on a
pro-rata basis over the term of the reinsurance contracts or until the
reinsurers maximum liability is exhausted, whichever comes first. We are
reinsured under separate reinsurance agreements for the different lines of
business underwritten. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve us from our
obligations to policyholders. We continually monitor our reinsurers to minimize
our exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. We only cede
risks to reinsurers whom we believe to be financially sound. At December 31,
2008, all reinsurance recoverables are considered current and deemed
collectable, except for a particular reinsurer in connection with the 2005 –
2006 reinsurance treaties, for whom we have recorded a $0.2 million pretax
valuation allowance.
(l)
INCOME TAXES
Income
taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating
loss, capital loss and tax-credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income or expense in the period that
includes the enactment date.
(m)
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial
instruments, which potentially expose us to concentrations of credit risk,
consist primarily of investments, premiums receivable, amounts due from
reinsurers on paid and unpaid losses and finance contracts. We have not
experienced significant losses related to premiums receivable from individual
policyholders or groups of policyholders in a particular industry or geographic
area. We believe no credit risk beyond the amounts provided for collection
losses is inherent in our premiums receivable or finance contracts. In order to
reduce credit risk for amounts due from reinsurers, we seek to do business with
financially sound reinsurance companies and regularly review the financial
strength of all reinsurers used. Additionally, our credit risk in connection
with our reinsurers is mitigated by the establishment of irrevocable clean
letters of credit in favor of Federated National.
(n)
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a
Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP FAS
157-3”). The purpose of FSP FAS 157-3 was to clarify the application
of SFAS No. 157 Fair Value
Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”) in a market that is not
active. It also allows for the use of management’s internal
assumptions about future cash flows with appropriately risk-adjusted discount
rates when relevant observable market data does not exist. FSP FAS
157-3 did not change the objective of SFAS No. 157 which is the determination of
the price that would be received in an orderly transaction that is not a forced
liquidation or distressed sale at the measurement date. FSP FAS 157-3
was effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial
statements had not been issued. Our adoption of FSP FAS 157-3 for the
period ended September 30, 2008 did not have a material effect on our financial
position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
In
April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of
Intangible Assets”. FSP 142-3 amends the factors an entity should
consider in developing renewal or extension assumptions used in determining the
useful life of recognized intangible assets under FASB Statement No. 142,
“Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets”. This new guidance applies prospectively to intangible assets
that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets in business
combinations and asset acquisitions. FSP 142-3 is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after
December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company does not
expect the impact of SFAS No. 142-3 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
(“SFAS No. 142-3”) on its financial position, results of operations or
cash flows to be material.
- 79
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
In
March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161
requires companies with derivative instruments to disclose information that
should enable financial-statement users to understand how and why a company uses
derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are
accounted for under FASB SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (“SFAS No. 133”) and how
derivative instruments and related hedged items affect a company’s financial
position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for
financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after
November 15, 2008. The Company does not utilize Derivative
Instruments, and, accordingly the adoption of SFAS No. 161 for the year ended
December 31, 2008 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
In
February 2008, FASB issued FSP FASB 157-2, Effective Date of FASB No.
157 (“FSP FASB 157-2”). FSP FASB 157-2, which was effective upon
issuance and delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets
and non-financial liabilities, except for items recognized or disclosed at fair
value at least once a year, to fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2008. FSP FASB No. 157-2 also covers interim periods within the fiscal
years for items within the scope of this FSP. We adopted SFAS No. 157
effective with the first interim period beginning after January 1,
2008.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, Business Combinations (“SFAS No. 141R”). SFAS
No. 141R clarifies the definitions of both a business combination and a
business. All business combinations will be accounted for under the acquisition
method (previously referred to as the purchase method). This standard defines
the acquisition date as the only relevant date for recognition and measurement
of the fair value of consideration paid. SFAS No. 141R requires the acquirer to
expense all acquisition related costs. SFAS No. 141R will also require acquired
loans to be recorded net of the allowance for loan losses on the date of
acquisition. SFAS No. 141R defines the measurement period as the time after the
acquisition date during which the acquirer may make adjustments to the
“provisional” amounts recognized at the acquisition date. This period cannot
exceed one year, and any subsequent adjustments made to provisional amounts are
done retrospectively and restate prior period data. The provisions of this
statement are effective for business combinations during fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2008. The Company has not determined the impact that
SFAS No. 141R will have on its financial position and results of operations and
believes that such determination will not be meaningful until the Company enters
into a business combination.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements — An Amendment of ARB No. 51
(“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS No. 160 requires noncontrolling interests to be
treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability or other item
outside of equity. Disclosure requirements include net income and comprehensive
income to be displayed for both the controlling and noncontrolling interests and
a separate schedule that shows the effects of any transactions with the
noncontrolling interests on the equity attributable to the controlling interest.
The provisions of this statement are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008. This statement should be applied prospectively except for the
presentation and disclosure requirements which shall be applied retrospectively
for all periods presented. The Company does not expect the impact of SFAS
No. 160 on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows to
be material.
In
February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159 The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of
SFAS No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”), which permits an entity to
measure many financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value that are
not currently required to be measured at fair value. Entities that elect the
fair value option will report unrealized gains and losses in earnings at each
subsequent reporting date. The fair value option may be elected on an
instrument-by-instrument basis, with a few exceptions. SFAS No. 159
amends previous guidance to extend the use of the fair value option to
available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities. The Statement also
establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to help financial statement
users understand the effect of the election. We adopted SFAS No. 159 on its
effective date, January 1, 2008. The Company did not elect to measure
any financial assets and liabilities with SFAS No. 159 fair value option, and
accordingly, to date, there is no impact to our consolidated financial
statements.
In
September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157, which enhances existing guidance for
measuring assets and liabilities using fair value and requires additional
disclosure about the use of fair value for measurement. SFAS No. 157 was
originally effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.
The adoption of SFAS No. 157 has not had a material impact, to date, on our
financial position or results of operations.
- 80
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
In
September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined
Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (“SFAS No. 158”). This statement requires an
employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a single-employer
defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of
financial position and to recognize changes in the funded status in the year in
which the changes occur through comprehensive income. SFAS No. 158 is effective
for years ending after December 15, 2006. The Company does not have a
single-employer defined benefit postretirement plan, and accordingly, there is
no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In
September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108 to
address diversity in practice in quantifying financial statement misstatements.
SAB No. 108 requires that registrants quantify the impact on the current year’s
financial statements of correcting all misstatements, including the carryover
and reversing effects of prior years’ misstatements, as well as the effects of
errors arising in the current year. SAB No. 108 is effective as of the first
fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006, allowing a one-time transitional
cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2006, for
errors that were not previously deemed material, but are material under the
guidance in SAB No. 108. There was no impact on our consolidated financial
statements with respect to the adoption of SAB No. 108.
In June
2006, FASB issued FASB FIN 48 that clarifies the accounting for income
tax reserves and contingencies recognized in an enterprise’s financial
statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.
This Interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification,
interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and
transition. This Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2006. The Company has adopted and concluded that the impact of FIN
48 will be minimal and includes a policy of classifying interest and penalties
related to income tax as elements of income tax expense in the consolidated
financial statements. As required by FIN 48, this change was done prospectively.
Previously, penalties and interest were classified as operating and underwriting
expenses.
In
February 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid
Financial Instruments (“SFAS No. 155”). This accounting standard
permits fair value re-measurement for any hybrid financial instrument containing
an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation; clarifies which
interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the
requirements of SFAS No. 133; establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in
securitized financial assets to identify them as freestanding derivatives or as
hybrid financial instruments containing an embedded derivative requiring
bifurcation; clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of
subordination are not embedded derivatives; and amends SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and
Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities – a replacement
of FASB Statement No. 125 (“SFAS No. 140”), to eliminate the prohibition
on a qualifying special-purpose entity from holding a derivative financial
instrument pertaining to a beneficial interest other than another derivative
financial instrument. SFAS No. 155 is effective for all financial instruments
acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year
beginning after September 15, 2006. There was no impact on our consolidated
financial statements with respect to the adoption of SFAS No. 155.
(o)
USE OF ESTIMATES
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management
to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts
reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and
their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the
determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results
inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be
material to the financial statements.
Similar
to other property and casualty insurers, our liability for unpaid losses and
LAE, although supported by actuarial projections and other data, is ultimately
based on management's reasoned expectations of future events. Although
considerable variability is inherent in these estimates, we believe that this
liability is adequate. Estimates are reviewed regularly and adjusted as
necessary. Such adjustments are reflected in current operations. In addition,
the realization of our deferred income tax assets is dependent on generating
sufficient future taxable income. It is reasonably possible that the
expectations associated with these accounts could change in the near term and
that the effect of such changes could be material to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
(p)
OPERATIONAL RISKS
We are
subject to certain risks in our business operations which are described below.
Careful consideration of these risks should be made before making an investment
decision. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones
facing 21st
Century. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or currently
deemed immaterial may also impair our business operations.
- 81
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
Risks
Related to Our Business
|
·
|
Our
financial condition could be adversely affected by the occurrence of
natural and man-made disasters.
|
|
·
|
Although
we follow the industry practice of reinsuring a portion of our risks, our
costs of obtaining reinsurance fluctuates and we may not be able to
successfully alleviate risk through reinsurance
arrangements.
|
|
·
|
We
face a risk of non-collectibility of reinsurance, which could materially
and adversely affect our business, results of operations and/or financial
condition.
|
|
·
|
We
may experience financial exposure from climate
change.
|
|
·
|
Our
loss reserves may be inadequate to cover our actual liability for losses,
causing our results of operations to be adversely
affected.
|
|
·
|
Our
revenues and operating performance may fluctuate due to statutorily
approved assessments that support property and casualty insurance pools
and associations.
|
|
·
|
Our
investment portfolio may suffer reduced returns or losses, which would
significantly reduce our earnings.
|
|
·
|
We
may experience a loss due to the concentration of credit
risk.
|
|
·
|
We
face risks in connection with potential material weakness resulting from
our Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 management report and any related remedial
measures that we undertake.
|
|
·
|
The
failure of any of the loss limitation methods we employ could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition or our results of
operations.
|
|
·
|
The
effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on our business are
uncertain.
|
|
·
|
Our
failure to pay claims accurately could adversely affect our business,
financial results and capital
requirements.
|
|
·
|
If
we are unable to continue our growth because our capital must be used to
pay greater than anticipated claims, our financial results may
suffer.
|
|
·
|
We
may require additional capital in the future which may not be available or
only available on unfavorable
terms.
|
|
·
|
Our
business is heavily regulated, and changes in regulation may reduce our
profitability and limit our growth.
|
|
·
|
Our
insurance companies are subject to minimum capital and surplus
requirements, and our failure to meet these requirements could subject us
to regulatory action.
|
|
·
|
Our
revenues and operating performance may fluctuate with business cycles in
the property and casualty insurance
industry.
|
|
·
|
We
may not obtain the necessary regulatory approvals to expand the types of
insurance products we offer or the states in which we
operate.
|
|
·
|
We
are named as a defendant in a securities class action lawsuit and a
derivative lawsuit and it may have an adverse impact on our
business.
|
|
·
|
Adverse
ratings by insurance rating agencies may adversely impact our ability to
write new policies, renew desirable policies or obtain adequate insurance,
which could limit or halt our growth and harm our
business.
|
|
·
|
We
rely on independent and general agents to write our insurance policies,
and if we are not able to attract and retain independent and general
agents, our revenues would be negatively
affected.
|
- 82
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
|
·
|
We
rely on our information technology and telecommunications systems, and the
failure of these systems could disrupt our
operations.
|
|
·
|
Nonstandard
automobile insurance historically has a higher frequency of claims than
standard automobile insurance, thereby increasing our potential for loss
exposure beyond what we would be likely to experience if we offered only
standard automobile insurance.
|
|
·
|
Florida's
personal injury protection insurance statute contains provisions that
favor claimants, causing us to experience a higher frequency of claims
than might otherwise be the case if we operated only outside of
Florida.
|
|
·
|
Our
success depends on our ability to accurately price the risks we
underwrite.
|
|
·
|
Current
operating resources are necessary to develop future new insurance
products.
|
|
·
|
Our
business strategy is to avoid competition based on price to the extent
possible. This strategy, however, may result in the loss of business in
the short term.
|
|
·
|
Our
senior management team is critical to the strategic direction of our
company. If there were an unplanned loss of service by any of our officers
our business could be harmed.
|
Risks
Related to an Investment in Our Shares
|
·
|
Our
largest shareholders currently control approximately 8.6% of the voting
power of our outstanding common stock, which could discourage potential
acquirers and prevent changes in
management.
|
|
·
|
We
have authorized but unissued preferred stock, which could affect rights of
holders of common stock.
|
|
·
|
Our
articles of incorporation, bylaws and Florida law may discourage takeover
attempts and may result in entrenchment of
management.
|
|
·
|
As
a holding company, we depend on the earnings of our subsidiaries and their
ability to pay management fees and dividends to the holding company as the
primary source of our income.
|
|
·
|
We
may not continue making dividend payments on our common
stock.
|
(q)
FAIR VALUE
The fair
value of our investments is estimated based on prices published by financial
services or quotations received from securities dealers and is reflective of the
interest rate environment that existed as of the close of business on December
31, 2008 and 2007. Changes in interest rates subsequent to December 31, 2008 may
affect the fair value of our investments. Refer to Footnote 3(a) of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for details.
The
carrying amounts for the following financial instrument categories approximate
their fair values at December 31, 2008 and 2007 because of their short-term
nature: cash and short term investments, premiums receivable, finance contracts,
due from reinsurers, revolving credit outstanding, bank overdraft, accounts
payable, accrued expenses and subordinated debt.
(r)
STOCK OPTION PLANS
During
the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company had two stock-based employee
compensation plans and one stock-based franchise compensation plan, which are
described later in Footnote 16, Stock Compensation Plans. Prior to January 1,
2006, we accounted for those plans under the recognition and measurement
provisions of stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method
prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, and related Interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123,
Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation (“SFAS No. 123”). Under these provisions, no
stock-based employee compensation cost was recognized in the Statement of
Operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 as all options granted under
those plans had an exercise price equal to or less than the market value of the
underlying common stock on the date of grant.
- 83
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
Effective
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognitions provisions of
SFAS No. 123R using the modified-prospective-transition method. Under that
transition method, compensation cost recognized in 2008 and 2007
includes:
|
·
|
Compensation
cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as
of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in
accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123,
and
|
|
·
|
Compensation
cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006,
based on the grant-date fair-value estimated in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Results for prior periods have not been
restated, as not required to by the
pronouncement.
|
(s)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property,
plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is calculated on a straight-line
basis over the following estimated useful lives: building and improvements - 30
years and furniture and fixtures - 7 years. We capitalize betterments and any
other expenditure in excess of $500 if the asset is expected to have a useful
life greater than one year. The carrying value of property, plant and
equipment is periodically reviewed based on the expected future undiscounted
operating cash flows of the related item. Based upon our most recent analysis,
we believe that no impairment of property, plant and equipment exists at
December 31, 2008.
(t)
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain 2007 and 2006 financial
statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2008
presentations.
(u)
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
During 2008, the Company purchased
three intangible assets totaling $0.6 million. In accordance with SFAS No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets (“SFAS No.142”), the accounting for these recognized intangible
assets is based on their useful life to the Company. The useful life of these
intangible assets is the period over which they are expected to contribute
directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the Company. These intangible
assets have definite finite lives ranging from six to twelve months, and are
amortized accordingly.
(3)
INVESTMENTS
SFAS No.
115 addresses accounting and reporting for (a) investments in equity securities
that have readily determinable fair values and (b) all investments in debt
securities. SFAS No. 115 requires that these securities be classified into one
of three categories, (a) held-to-maturity, (b) trading securities or (c)
available-for-sale. Investments classified as held-to-maturity include debt
securities wherein the Company’s intent and ability are to hold the investment
until maturity. The accounting treatment for held-to-maturity investments is to
carry them at amortized cost without consideration to unrealized gains or
losses. Investments classified as trading securities include debt and equity
securities bought and held primarily for the sale in the near term. The
accounting treatment for trading securities is to carry them at fair value with
unrealized holding gains and losses included in current period operations.
Investments classified as available-for-sale include debt and equity securities
that are not classified as held-to-maturity or as trading security investments.
The accounting treatment for available-for-sale securities is to carry them at
fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and
reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, namely “Other
Comprehensive Income”. We did not hold any non-trading equity investment
securities during 2008 or 2007.
Additional
provisions contained in SFAS No. 115 address the determination as to when an
investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than
temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. The Company’s policy for
the valuation of temporarily impaired securities is to determine impairment
based on the analysis of the following factors:
|
·
|
rating
downgrade or other credit event (eg., failure to pay interest when
due);
|
|
·
|
financial
condition and near term prospects of the issuer, including any specific
events which may influence the operations of the issuer such as changes in
technology or discontinuance of a business
segment;
|
- 84
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
|
·
|
prospects
for the issuer’s industry segment;
|
|
·
|
intent
and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time
sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in market
value.
|
The fixed
maturities and the equity securities that are available for sale and carried at
fair value represent 48% of total investments as of December 31, 2008, compared
with 85% as of December 31, 2007. The investments held at December 31,
2008 and December 31, 2007 were comprised mainly of United States government and
agency bonds, as well as municipal bonds which are viewed by the Company as
conservative and less risky holdings, though sensitive to interest rate
changes. There is a smaller concentration of corporate bonds, predominantly
held in the financial and conglomerate industries. At December 31, 2008,
approximately 89% of the equity holdings are in mutual funds and 11% are in
equities related to the financial industry and insurance industry.
As of
December 31, 2008 and 2007 we have classified $13.5 million and $20.2 million,
respectively, of our bond portfolio as held-to-maturity. The decision to
classify this layer of our bond portfolio as held-to-maturity was predicated on
our intention and ability to hold these securities until maturity. Additionally,
we have and may continue to use this position to secure irrevocable letters of
credit to facilitate business opportunities in connection with our commercial
general liability program. During April 2006, American Vehicle finalized a $15.0
million irrevocable letter of credit in conjunction with the 100% Quota Share
Reinsurance Agreement with Republic which was terminated in April 2007. As of
December 31, 2007 the letter of credit in favor of Republic totaled $10.0
million. During January 2008 this letter of credit was reduced to $3.0
million.
In
connection with our equity securities, we determined that certain securities
qualified for other than temporary impairment status in 2008. In connection with
this process we charged to operations a net realized investment loss that
totaled approximately $9.9 million, net of an estimated provisional tax effect
of approximately $3.7 million. Most of these investments were subsequently sold
during the third and fourth quarter of the year, and, we recognized an
additional $0.2 million loss, net of an estimated tax benefit of approximately
$0.1 million.
As of
December 31, 2008, the fair value of investments written down was $1.4 million;
there were no impaired investments written down as of December 31, 2007 and
2006.
(a)
FIXED MATURITIES AND EQUITY SECURITIES
The
following table summarizes, by type, our investments as of December 31, 2008 and
2007.
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Carrying
|
Percent
|
Carrying
|
Percent
|
|||||||||||||
Amount
|
of
Total
|
Amount
|
of
Total
|
|||||||||||||
(Dollars
in Thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Fixed
maturities, at market:
|
||||||||||||||||
U.S.
government agencies and authorities
|
$ | 4,544 | 17.43 | % | $ | 61,308 | 45.01 | % | ||||||||
Obligations
of states and political subdivisions
|
5,331 | 20.45 | % | 17,777 | 13.05 | % | ||||||||||
Corporate
securities
|
13,050 | 50.07 | % | 40,609 | 29.81 | % | ||||||||||
Total
fixed maturities
|
22,925 | 87.95 | % | 119,694 | 87.87 | % | ||||||||||
Equity
securities, at market
|
3,140 | 12.05 | % | 16,530 | 12.13 | % | ||||||||||
Total
investments
|
$ | 26,065 | 100.00 | % | $ | 136,224 | 100.00 | % |
- 85
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
The
following table shows the realized (losses) gains for fixed and equity
securities for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
Gains (Losses)
|
Fair Value
|
Gains (Losses)
|
Fair Value
|
|||||||||||||
2008
|
at Sale
|
2007
|
at Sale
|
|||||||||||||
Fixed
income securities
|
$ | 769,738 | $ | 64,258,393 | $ | 17,587 | $ | 28,999,444 | ||||||||
Equity
securities
|
544,440 | 8,744,897 | 2,115,461 | 27,337,819 | ||||||||||||
Total
realized gains
|
1,314,178 | 73,003,290 | 2,133,048 | 56,337,263 | ||||||||||||
Fixed
income securities
|
(854,004 | ) | 61,775,383 | (384 | ) | 10,705,063 | ||||||||||
Equity
securities
|
(11,052,944 | ) | 1,901,219 | (2,278,083 | ) | 20,152,671 | ||||||||||
Total
realized losses
|
(11,906,948 | ) | 63,676,602 | (2,278,467 | ) | 30,857,734 | ||||||||||
Net
realized (losses) gains on investments
|
$ | (10,592,770 | ) | $ | 136,679,892 | $ | (145,419 | ) | $ | 87,194,997 |
- 86
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
A summary
of the amortized cost, estimated fair value, gross unrealized gains and losses
of fixed maturities and equity securities at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as
follows:
Gross
|
Gross
|
|||||||||||||||
Amortized
|
Unrealized
|
Unrealized
|
Estimated
|
|||||||||||||
Cost
|
Gains
|
Losses
|
Fair Value
|
|||||||||||||
December
31, 2008
|
||||||||||||||||
Fixed
Maturities - Available For Sale:
|
||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of states and political
|
||||||||||||||||
subdivisions
|
$ | 5,478,748 | $ | 65,708 | $ | 213,615 | $ | 5,330,841 | ||||||||
Corporate
securities
|
5,034,892 | 13,313 | 949,735 | 4,098,470 | ||||||||||||
$ | 10,513,640 | $ | 79,021 | $ | 1,163,350 | $ | 9,429,311 | |||||||||
Fixed
Maturities - Held To Maturity:
|
||||||||||||||||
U.S.
government and agency obligations
|
$ | 4,544,322 | $ | 415,336 | $ | - | $ | 4,959,658 | ||||||||
Corporate
securities
|
8,951,825 | 1,205 | 3,197 | 8,949,833 | ||||||||||||
$ | 13,496,147 | $ | 416,541 | $ | 3,197 | $ | 13,909,491 | |||||||||
Equity
securities - common stocks
|
$ | 3,958,257 | $ | - | $ | 818,645 | $ | 3,139,612 | ||||||||
December
31, 2007
|
||||||||||||||||
Fixed
Maturities - Available For Sale:
|
||||||||||||||||
U.S.
government and agency obligations
|
$ | 42,168,621 | $ | 56,787 | $ | 125,762 | $ | 42,099,646 | ||||||||
Obligations
of states and political
|
||||||||||||||||
subdivisions
|
17,277,199 | 67,082 | 68,788 | 17,275,493 | ||||||||||||
Corporate
securities
|
40,155,178 | 230,106 | 276,419 | 40,108,865 | ||||||||||||
$ | 99,600,998 | $ | 353,975 | $ | 470,969 | $ | 99,484,004 | |||||||||
Fixed
Maturities - Held To Maturity:
|
||||||||||||||||
U.S.
government and agency obligations
|
$ | 19,208,295 | $ | 74,313 | $ | 88,498 | $ | 19,194,110 | ||||||||
Obligations
of states and political
|
||||||||||||||||
subdivisions
|
501,223 | - | 9,045 | 492,178 | ||||||||||||
Corporate
securities
|
500,000 | 2,700 | 11,210 | 491,490 | ||||||||||||
$ | 20,209,518 | $ | 77,013 | $ | 108,753 | $ | 20,177,778 | |||||||||
Equity
securities - common stocks
|
$ | 20,519,623 | $ | 18,440 | $ | 4,007,761 | $ | 16,530,302 |
- 87
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
The table
below reflects our unrealized investment losses by investment class, aged for
length of time in an unrealized loss position.
Fixed
maturities:
|
Unrealized net
losses
|
Less
than 12
months
|
12
months or
longer
|
|||||||||
U.S.
government obligations
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Obligations
of states and political subdivisions
|
213,615 | 179,437 | 34,178 | |||||||||
213,615 | 179,437 | 34,178 | ||||||||||
Corporate
securities:
|
||||||||||||
Financial
|
670,820 | 98,220 | 572,600 | |||||||||
Other
|
278,915 | - | 278,915 | |||||||||
949,735 | 98,220 | 851,515 | ||||||||||
Equity
securities:
|
||||||||||||
Common
stocks
|
818,645 | 328,644 | 490,001 | |||||||||
Total
fixed, corporate and equity securities
|
$ | 1,981,995 | $ | 606,301 | $ | 1,375,694 |
Below is
a summary of fixed maturities at December 31, 2008 and 2007 by contractual or
expected maturity periods. Expected maturities may differ from contractual
maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations
with or without call or prepayment penalties.
December 31,
2008
|
December 31,
2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Amortized
|
Estimated
|
Amortized
|
Estimated
|
|||||||||||||
Cost
|
Fair
Value
|
Cost
|
Fair
Value
|
|||||||||||||
Due
in one year or less
|
$ | 2,378,867 | $ | 2,387,939 | $ | 30,034,570 | $ | 29,925,570 | ||||||||
Due
after one year through five years
|
10,401,726 | 9,849,790 | 37,218,008 | 38,350,186 | ||||||||||||
Due
after five years through ten years
|
1,008,936 | 1,037,490 | 16,399,262 | 16,412,262 | ||||||||||||
Due
after ten years
|
10,220,258 | 9,650,239 | 36,158,676 | 35,005,501 | ||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 24,009,787 | $ | 22,925,458 | $ | 119,810,516 | $ | 119,693,519 |
United
States Treasury Notes with a book value of $1,043,000 and $1,050,000, both
maturing in 2012, were on deposit with the Florida OIR as of December 31, 2008,
as required by law for American Vehicle and Federated National respectively, and
are included with other investments held until maturity.
- 88
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
A summary
of the sources of net investment income follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Fixed
maturities
|
$ | 4,618,454 | $ | 6,191,238 | $ | 4,617,875 | ||||||
Equity
securities
|
770,143 | 564,634 | 622,791 | |||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
1,071,833 | 691,156 | 736,980 | |||||||||
Other
|
680 | 591,909 | - | |||||||||
Total
investment income
|
6,461,110 | 8,038,937 | 5,977,646 | |||||||||
Less
investment expenses
|
(107,026 | ) | (74,493 | ) | (44,963 | ) | ||||||
Net
investment income
|
$ | 6,354,084 | $ | 7,964,444 | $ | 5,932,683 |
Proceeds
from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities in 2008, 2007 and 2006 were
approximately $150.3 million, $202.2 million and $271.3 million,
respectively.
A summary
of realized investment (losses) gains and (increases) in net unrealized losses
follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Net
realized (losses) gains:
|
||||||||||||
Fixed
maturities
|
$ | (84,261 | ) | $ | 17,203 | $ | (66,571 | ) | ||||
Equity
securities
|
(10,508,509 | ) | (162,622 | ) | 1,129,433 | |||||||
Total
|
$ | (10,592,770 | ) | $ | (145,419 | ) | $ | 1,062,862 | ||||
Net
unrealized (losses):
|
||||||||||||
Fixed
maturities
|
$ | (1,084,329 | ) | $ | (116,996 | ) | $ | (919,625 | ) | |||
Equity
securities
|
(818,645 | ) | (3,989,319 | ) | (631,000 | ) | ||||||
Total
|
$ | (1,902,974 | ) | $ | (4,106,315 | ) | $ | (1,550,625 | ) |
(4)
FINANCE CONTRACTS RECEIVABLE
Below is
a summary of the components of the finance contracts receivable
balance:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Finance
contracts receivable
|
$ | 233,143 | $ | 473,240 | ||||
Less:
|
||||||||
Unearned
income
|
(6,584 | ) | (14,932 | ) | ||||
Allowance
for credit losses
|
(26,023 | ) | (38,014 | ) | ||||
Finance
contracts, net of allowance for credit losses
|
$ | 200,536 | $ | 420,294 |
- 89
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
The
activity in the allowance for credit losses was as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Allowance
for credit losses at beginning of year
|
$ | 38,014 | $ | 116,425 | ||||
Recoveries
credited against the allowance
|
(10,180 | ) | (47,799 | ) | ||||
Additions
charged to bad debt expense
|
(1,811 | ) | (30,612 | ) | ||||
Allowance
for credit losses at end of year
|
$ | 26,023 | $ | 38,014 |
As security, Federated Premium retains
a contractual right, if a premium installment is not paid when due, to cancel
the insurance policy and to receive the unearned premium from the
insurer.
(5)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment consist
of the following:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Building
and improvements
|
$ | 602,000 | $ | 602,000 | ||||
Furniture
and fixtures
|
3,120,612 | 3,021,969 | ||||||
Property,
plant and equipment, gross
|
3,722,612 | 3,623,969 | ||||||
Accumulated
depreciation
|
(2,867,985 | ) | (2,577,568 | ) | ||||
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
$ | 854,627 | $ | 1,046,401 |
Depreciation
of property, plant, and equipment was $290,417, $316,525 and $342,108 during
2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(6)
REINSURANCE
We
reinsure (cede) a portion of written premiums on an excess of loss or a
quota-share basis to nonaffiliated insurance companies in order to limit our
loss exposure. To the extent that reinsuring companies are unable to meet their
obligations assumed under these reinsurance agreements, we remain primarily
liable to our policyholders.
- 90
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
The
impact of the excess of loss reinsurance treaties on the financial statements is
as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Premium
written:
|
||||||||||||
Direct
|
$ | 88,247,983 | $ | 133,591,334 | $ | 152,664,893 | ||||||
Ceded
|
(34,553,350 | ) | (44,550,721 | ) | (67,519,911 | ) | ||||||
$ | 53,694,633 | $ | 89,040,613 | $ | 85,144,982 | |||||||
Premiums
earned:
|
||||||||||||
Direct
|
$ | 104,134,230 | $ | 155,025,959 | $ | 137,609,238 | ||||||
Ceded
|
(39,004,558 | ) | (55,801,838 | ) | (48,260,984 | ) | ||||||
$ | 65,129,672 | $ | 99,224,121 | $ | 89,348,254 | |||||||
Losses
and LAE incurred:
|
||||||||||||
Direct
|
$ | 46,761,233 | $ | 71,517,245 | $ | 77,463,843 | ||||||
Ceded
|
(4,892,973 | ) | (23,898,323 | ) | (33,063,935 | ) | ||||||
$ | 41,868,260 | $ | 47,618,922 | $ | 44,399,908 |
As of December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE, net:
|
||||||||
Direct
|
$ | 64,782,486 | $ | 59,684,790 | ||||
Ceded
|
(12,712,980 | ) | (20,133,374 | ) | ||||
$ | 52,069,506 | $ | 39,551,416 | |||||
Unearned
premiums:
|
||||||||
Direct
|
$ | 40,508,225 | $ | 56,394,473 | ||||
Ceded
|
(16,624,727 | ) | (21,075,936 | ) | ||||
$ | 23,883,498 | $ | 35,318,537 |
The
Company holds collateral under related reinsurance agreements in the form of
letters of credit totaling $2.8 million that can be drawn on for amounts that
remain unpaid for more than 120 days.
The
impact of the quota-share reinsurance treaties on the financial statements is as
follows:
As of December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Transatlantic
Reinsurance Company (A+ A.M. Best Rated):
|
||||||||
Reinsurance
recoverable on paid losses and LAE
|
$ | 4,521 | $ | 20,823 | ||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
92,931 | 137,546 | ||||||
$ | 97,452 | $ | 158,369 |
(7)
UNPAID LOSSES AND LAE
The
liability for unpaid losses and LAE is determined on an individual-case basis
for all incidents reported. The liability also includes amounts for unallocated
expenses, anticipated future claim development and IBNR.
- 91
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
Activity
in the liability for unpaid losses and LAE is summarized as
follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Balance
at January 1:
|
$ | 59,684,790 | $ | 39,615,478 | $ | 154,038,543 | ||||||
Less
reinsurance recoverables
|
(20,133,375 | ) | (12,382,028 | ) | (128,419,923 | ) | ||||||
Net
balance at January 1
|
$ | 39,551,415 | $ | 27,233,450 | $ | 25,618,620 | ||||||
Incurred
related to:
|
||||||||||||
Current
year
|
$ | 37,397,179 | $ | 38,452,431 | $ | 35,105,812 | ||||||
Prior
years
|
4,471,081 | 9,166,491 | 9,294,096 | |||||||||
Total
incurred
|
$ | 41,868,260 | $ | 47,618,922 | $ | 44,399,908 | ||||||
Paid
related to:
|
||||||||||||
Current
year
|
$ | 13,277,261 | $ | 15,628,017 | $ | 17,420,147 | ||||||
Prior
years
|
16,072,908 | 19,672,941 | 25,364,930 | |||||||||
Total
paid
|
$ | 29,350,169 | $ | 35,300,958 | $ | 42,785,077 | ||||||
Net
balance at year-end
|
$ | 52,069,506 | $ | 39,551,415 | $ | 27,233,450 | ||||||
Plus
reinsurance recoverables
|
12,712,980 | 20,133,375 | 12,382,028 | |||||||||
Balance
at year-end
|
$ | 64,782,486 | $ | 59,684,790 | $ | 39,615,478 |
- 92
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
Based
upon consultations with our independent actuarial consultants and their
statement of opinion on losses and LAE, we believe that the liability for unpaid
loses and LAE is adequate to cover all claims and related expenses which may
arise from incidents reported.
As a
result of our review of our liability for losses and LAE, which includes a
re-evaluation of the adequacy of reserve levels for prior year’s claims, we
increased the liability for loss and LAE for claims occurring in prior years by
$4,815,265, $9,166,491 and $9,294,096 for the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006, respectively. The adjustments in the liability were primarily
attributable to loss development in connection with the series of hurricanes
that occurred in Florida during 2005 and 2004. There can be no assurance
concerning future adjustments of reserves, positive or negative, for claims
through December 31, 2008.
(8)
REVOLVING CREDIT OUTSTANDING
Federated
Premium’s operations were funded by the revolving loan agreement with FlatIron.
The Revolving Agreement was structured as a sale of contracts receivable under a
sale and assignment agreement with WPAC, which gave them the right to sell or
assign these contracts receivable. Federated Premium, which serviced these
contracts, recorded transactions under the Revolving Agreement as secured
borrowings. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Agreement
as of December 31, 2008. Outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Agreement as
of December 31, 2007 and 2006 were approximately nothing and $0.01 million,
respectively. This credit facility terminated, at our request, during
2007.
Finance
contracts receivable decreased $0.2 million, or 52.3%, to $0.2 million as of
December 31, 2008, compared with $0.4 million as of December 31, 2007. We
anticipate a continued decline in the short-term in connection with premiums
financed contracts. The Company anticipates continued use of the direct bill
feature associated with the two insurance companies and their automobile lines
of business.
(9)
INCOME TAXES
A summary
of the provision for income tax expense is as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Federal:
|
||||||||||||
Current
|
$ | 2,033,048 | $ | 10,711,544 | $ | 7,732,974 | ||||||
Deferred
|
(3,091,405 | ) | (1,247,894 | ) | (798,161 | ) | ||||||
Provision
for Federal income tax (benefit) expense
|
(1,058,357 | ) | 9,463,650 | 6,934,813 | ||||||||
State:
|
||||||||||||
Current
|
263,766 | 1,895,000 | 546,796 | |||||||||
Deferred
|
(529,186 | ) | (133,131 | ) | (85,215 | ) | ||||||
Provision
for state income tax (benefit) expense
|
(265,419 | ) | 1,761,869 | 461,581 | ||||||||
Provision
for income tax (benefit) expense
|
$ | (1,323,776 | ) | $ | 11,225,519 | $ | 7,396,394 |
- 93
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
The
actual income tax expense differs from the "expected" income tax expense
(computed by applying the combined applicable effective federal and state tax
rates to income before provision for income tax expense) as
follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Computed
expected tax (benefit) provision, at federal rate
|
$ | (1,303,305 | ) | $ | 11,051,807 | $ | 8,151,908 | |||||
State
tax, net of federal deduction benefit
|
(139,147 | ) | 1,179,943 | (56,242 | ) | |||||||
Tax-exempt
interest
|
(211,752 | ) | (360,397 | ) | (304,135 | ) | ||||||
Dividend
received deduction
|
(155,800 | ) | (114,225 | ) | (139,442 | ) | ||||||
Valuation
allowance for capital loss carry forward
|
- | 71,545 | - | |||||||||
Interest
expense not requiring cash
|
- | 23,021 | 47,821 | |||||||||
Stock
option expense and other permanent differences
|
(14,883 | ) | - | - | ||||||||
2007
Income tax rate differential
|
313,281 | - | - | |||||||||
Other
net
|
187,829 | (626,175 | ) | (303,516 | ) | |||||||
Provision
for income tax (benefit) expense
|
$ | (1,323,776 | ) | $ | 11,225,519 | $ | 7,396,394 |
Deferred
income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and
the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of our net
deferred tax asset are as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Deferred
tax assets:
|
||||||||
Unpaid
losses and LAE
|
$ | 2,186,840 | $ | 1,675,398 | ||||
Unearned
premiums
|
1,770,709 | 2,670,007 | ||||||
Unrealized
loss on investment securities
|
716,089 | 1,510,438 | ||||||
Allowance
for credit losses
|
140,683 | 122,819 | ||||||
Allowance
for impairments
|
1,410,105 | - | ||||||
Regulatory
assessments
|
1,312,440 | 2,096,050 | ||||||
Discount
on advance premiums
|
- | 30,349 | ||||||
Depreciation
|
155,495 | - | ||||||
Capital
Loss Carryover
|
2,656,626 | - | ||||||
Deferred
gain on sale and leaseback
|
452,786 | 607,738 | ||||||
Stock
option expense per FASB 123R
|
237,065 | 173,056 | ||||||
Total
deferred tax assets
|
11,038,837 | 8,885,855 | ||||||
Deferred
tax liabilities:
|
||||||||
Deferred
acquisition costs, net
|
(2,467,865 | ) | (3,331,949 | ) | ||||
Discount
on advance premiums
|
(40,902 | ) | - | |||||
Depreciation
|
- | 86,498 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
- | (584 | ) | |||||
Total
deferred tax liabilities
|
(2,508,767 | ) | (3,246,035 | ) | ||||
Net
deferred tax asset
|
$ | 8,530,070 | $ | 5,639,820 |
Based
upon the results of our analysis and the application of the provisions of FIN
48, we have determined that all material tax positions meet the recognition
threshold and can be considered as highly certain tax positions. This is based
on clear and unambiguous tax law, and we are highly confident that the full
amount of each tax position will be sustained upon possible examination.
Accordingly, the full amount of the tax positions will be recognized in the
financial statements.
- 94
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
In
assessing the net realizable value of deferred tax assets, management considers
whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is
dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in
which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the
scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income
and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. At December 31, 2008 and
2007, based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for
future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are
deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will
realize the benefits of these deductible differences.
The
Company’s consolidated federal income tax returns for 2003 and 2002 have been
examined by the IRS and there have been no material changes in the tax liability
for those years.
In 2008,
approximately $30,000 penalties and interest were paid in conjunction with our
2007 Federal Income Tax Return.
(10)
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS
To retain
our certificate of authority, the Florida Insurance Code (the "Code") requires
Federated National and American Vehicle to maintain capital and surplus equal to
the greater of 10% of their liabilities or a statutory minimum capital and
surplus as defined in the Code. Federated National and American Vehicle are
required to have a minimum capital surplus of $4.0 million. At December 31,
2008, 2007 and 2006, Federated National’s statutory capital surplus was $31.5
million, $32.3 million and $19.5 million, respectively. At December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006, American Vehicle had statutory capital surplus of $25.1 million,
$27.6 million and $26.7 million, respectively.
The
insurance companies are also required to adhere to prescribed premium-to-capital
surplus ratios. As of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, both Federated National
and American Vehicle were in compliance with the prescribed premium-to-surplus
ratio.
As of
December 31, 2008, to meet regulatory requirements, we had bonds with a carrying
value of approximately $2.0 million pledged to the Florida OIR.
Under
Florida law, a domestic insurer may not pay any dividend or distribute cash or
other property to its shareholders except out of that part of its available and
accumulated capital surplus funds which is derived from realized net operating
profits on its business and net realized capital gains. A Florida domestic
insurer may not make dividend payments or distributions to shareholders without
prior approval of the Florida OIR if the dividend or distribution would exceed
the larger of (i) the lesser of (a) 10.0% of its capital surplus or (b) net
income, not including realized capital gains, plus a two-year carryforward, (ii)
10.0% of capital surplus with dividends payable constrained to unassigned funds
minus 25% of unrealized capital gains or (iii) the lesser of (a) 10.0% of
capital surplus or (b) net investment income plus a three-year carryforward with
dividends payable constrained to unassigned funds minus 25.0% of unrealized
capital gains.
Alternatively,
a Florida domestic insurer may pay a dividend or distribution without the prior
written approval of the Florida OIR (i) if the dividend is equal to or less than
the greater of (a) 10.0% of the insurer’s capital surplus as regards
policyholders derived from realized net operating profits on its business and
net realized capital gains or (b) the insurer’s entire net operating profits and
realized net capital gains derived during the immediately preceding calendar
year, (ii) the insurer will have policy holder capital surplus equal to or
exceeding 115.0% of the minimum required statutory capital surplus after the
dividend or distribution, (iii) the insurer files a notice of the dividend or
distribution with the Florida OIR at least ten business days prior to the
dividend payment or distribution and (iv) the notice includes a certification by
an officer of the insurer attesting that, after the payment of the dividend or
distribution, the insurer will have at least 115% of required statutory capital
surplus as to policyholders. Except as provided above, a Florida domiciled
insurer may only pay a dividend or make a distribution (i) subject to prior
approval by the Florida OIR or (ii) 30 days after the Florida OIR has received
notice of such dividend or distribution and has not disapproved it within such
time.
No
dividends were paid by Federated National or American Vehicle in 2008, 2007 or
2006, and none are anticipated in 2009. Although we believe that amounts
required to meet our financial and operating obligations will be available from
sources other than dividends from our insurance subsidiaries, there can be no
assurance in this regard. Further, there can be no assurance that, if requested,
the Florida OIR will allow any dividends in excess of the amount available, to
be paid by Federated National and American Vehicle to us in the future. The
maximum dividends permitted by state law are not necessarily indicative of an
insurer’s actual ability to pay dividends or other distributions to a parent
company, which also may be constrained by business and regulatory
considerations, such as the impact of dividends on capital surplus, which could
affect an insurer’s competitive position, the amount of premiums that can be
written and the ability to pay future dividends. Further, state insurance laws
and regulations require that the statutory capital surplus of an insurance
company following any dividend or distribution by it be reasonable in relation
to its outstanding liabilities and adequate for its financial
needs.
- 95
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
In order
to enhance the regulation of insurer solvency, the NAIC established risk-based
capital requirements for insurance companies that are designed to assess capital
adequacy and to raise the level of protection that statutory surplus provides
for policy holders. These requirements measure three major areas of risk facing
property and casualty insurers: (i) underwriting risks, which encompass the risk
of adverse loss developments and inadequate pricing; (ii) declines in asset
values arising from credit risk; and (iii) other business risks from
investments. Insurers having less statutory surplus than required will be
subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, depending on the level of
capital inadequacy. The Florida OIR, which follows these requirements, could
require Federated National or American Vehicle to cease operations in the event
they fail to maintain the required statutory capital.
Based
upon the 2008 statutory financial statements for Federated National and American
Vehicle, statutory surplus exceeded all regulatory action levels established by
the NAIC’s risk based capital requirements. Based upon the 2007 statutory
financial statements for Federated National and American Vehicle, statutory
surplus exceeded all regulatory action levels established by the NAIC’s
risk-based capital requirements.
Based on
risk-based capital requirements, the extent of regulatory intervention and
action increases as the ratio of an insurer’s statutory surplus to its
Authorized Control Level (“ACL”), as calculated under the NAIC’s requirements,
decreases. The first action level, the Company Action Level, requires an insurer
to submit a plan of corrective actions to the insurance regulators if statutory
surplus falls below 200.0% of the ACL amount. The second action level, the
Regulatory Action Level, requires an insurer to submit a plan containing
corrective actions and permits the insurance regulators to perform an
examination or other analysis and issue a corrective order if statutory surplus
falls below 150.0% of the ACL amount. The third action level, ACL, allows the
regulators to rehabilitate or liquidate an insurer in addition to the
aforementioned actions if statutory surplus falls below the ACL amount. The
fourth action level is the Mandatory Control Level, which requires the
regulators to rehabilitate or liquidate the insurer if statutory surplus falls
below 70.0% of the ACL amount. Federated National’s ratio of statutory surplus
to its ACL was 739.4%, 653.0% and 165.4 % at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. American Vehicle’s ratio of statutory surplus to its ACL was
402.5%, 448.5% and 444.2% at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
Federated
National’s 2004 regularly scheduled statutory triennial examination for the
three years ended December 31, 2004 was performed by the Florida OIR in 2005.
American Vehicle's examination was for the three years ended December 31, 2005
was also performed by the Florida OIR, in 2006. A loss reserve deficiency
totaling approximately $1.3 million (net of income taxes) was recorded in the
fourth quarter of 2006 on American Vehicle in connection with the Florida OIR
examination. We may be the subject of additional targeted examinations or
analysis. These examinations or analysis may result in one or more corrective
orders being issued by the Florida OIR.
Federated
National anticipates a regularly scheduled statutory examination by the Florida
OIR to occur during 2010 for the five years ended December 31, 2009. American
Vehicle anticipates a regularly scheduled statutory examination by the Florida
OIR to occur during 2011 for the five years ended December 31, 2010. We have not
received any notice of such examinations.
The NAIC
has also developed IRIS ratios to assist state insurance departments in
identifying companies which may be developing performance or solvency problems,
as signaled by significant changes in the companies’ operations. Such changes
may not necessarily result from any problems with an insurance company, but may
merely indicate changes in certain ratios outside the ranges defined as normal
by the NAIC. When an insurance company has four or more ratios falling outside
“usual ranges,” state regulators may investigate to determine the reasons for
the variance and whether corrective action is warranted.
As of
December 31, 2008, Federated National was outside NAIC’s usual ranges with
respect to its IRIS tests on two out of thirteen ratios. There was one exception
in connection with change in net written premium and one in connection with two
year reserve development to policyholders’ surplus. As of December 31, 2007,
Federated National was outside NAIC’s usual ranges with respect to its IRIS
tests on three out of thirteen ratios. There were two exceptions in connection
with surplus growth and one exception in connection with adverse homeowner
claims in connection with the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005.
- 96
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
As of
December 31, 2008, American Vehicle was outside NAIC’s usual range for two of
thirteen ratios. There was one exception in connection with the two year overall
operating ratio and one in connection with two year reserve development to
policyholders’ surplus. As of December 31, 2007, American Vehicle was outside
NAIC’s usual range for two of thirteen ratios. The exceptions were in connection
with reserve development in connection with our commercial general liability
program.
There was
no action taken by the Florida OIR in connection with the December 31, 2007 IRIS
ratio results. We do not currently believe that the Florida OIR will take any
significant action with respect to Federated National or American Vehicle
regarding the 2008 IRIS ratios, although there can be no assurance that will be
the case.
The table
below reflects the range and test results for both Federated National and
American Vehicle for the years ended December 31 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
Unusual Values Equal to Or
|
Federated National
|
American Vehicle
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Over
|
Under
|
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Gross
Premiums to Policyholders' Surplus
|
900 | - | 206 | 312 | 100 | 122 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
Premium to Policyholders' Surplus
|
300 | - | 96 | 174 | 100 | 122 | ||||||||||||||||||
Change
in Net Writings
|
33 | -33 | -46 | * | 28 | -26 | -24 | |||||||||||||||||
Surplus
Aid to Policyholders' Surplus
|
15 | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Two-year
Overall Operating Ratio
|
100 | - | 78 | 82 | 105 | * | 88 | |||||||||||||||||
Investment
Yield
|
6.5 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 6.2 | 4.4 | 4.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gross
Change in Policyholders' Surplus
|
50 | -10 | -3 | 66 | * | -9 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
Net
Change in Adjusted Policyholders' Surplus
|
25 | -10 | -3 | 66 | * | -9 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
Liabilities
to Liquid Assets
|
105 | - | 68 | 73 | 70 | 66 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gross
Agents' Balance to Policyholders' Surplus
|
40 | - | 5 | 3 | 6 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
One-Year
Reserve Development to Policyholders' Surplus
|
20 | - | 5 | 13 | 15 | 20 | * | |||||||||||||||||
Two-Year
Reserve Development to Policyholders' Surplus
|
20 | - | 27 | * | 49 | * | 28 | * | 29 | * | ||||||||||||||
Estimated
Current Reserve Deficiency to Policyholders' Surplus
|
25 | - | -16 | 19 | -68 | -25 |
*
indicates an unusual value
GAAP
differs in some respects from reporting practices prescribed or permitted by the
Florida OIR. Federated National's statutory capital and surplus was $31.5
million and $32.3 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Federated National's statutory net income (loss) was $(2.2) million, $15.3
million and 1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. Federated National’s statutory non-admitted assets were
approximately $2.4 million and $1.2 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
American
Vehicle’s statutory capital and surplus was $25.1 million and $27.6 million as
of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. American Vehicle’s statutory net
income (loss) was approximately ($2.4) million, $1.3 million and $6.2 million
for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 respectively. American
Vehicle’s statutory non-admitted assets were approximately $1.5 million and $0.9
million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
(11)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We are
involved in other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of
business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these
matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
position, results of operations, or liquidity. For additional discussion of our
involvement in other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of
business please see ITEM 3 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
The
Company’s consolidated federal income tax returns for 2003 and 2002 have been
examined by the IRS and there have been no material changes in the tax liability
for those years.
- 97
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
As a
direct premium writer in the state of Florida, we are required to participate in
certain insurer solvency associations under Florida Statutes 631.57(3) (a),
administered by FIGA. Participation in these pools is based on our written
premium by line of business to total premiums written statewide by all insurers.
Participation may result in assessments against us as it did in 2006 and 2007.
Through 2007 we have been assessed $6.7 million in connection with the
association. For statutory accounting purposes these assessments are not charged
to operations in contrast GAAP treatment is to charge current operations for the
assessments. Through policyholder surcharges, as approved by the Florida OIR, we
recouped $2.3 million and $1.8 million in connection with these assessments
during 2008 and 2007, respectively. There were no assessments made for the years
ended December 31, 2008.
During
its regularly scheduled meeting on August 17, 2005, the Board of Governors of
Citizens determined a 2004 plan year deficit existed in the High Risk Account.
Citizens decided that a $515 million Regular Assessment was in the best interest
of Citizens and consistent with Florida Statutes. On this basis, Citizens
certified for a Regular Assessment. Federated National’s
participation in this assessment totaled $2.0 million.
During a
subsequent regularly scheduled meeting on or about December 18, 2006, Citizens
board determined an additional 2004 plan year deficit existed in the High Risk
Account. Citizens decided that a $515 million Regular Assessment was in the best
interest of Citizens and consistent with Florida Statutes. On this basis,
Citizens certified for a Regular Assessment. Federated National’s participation
in this assessment totaled $0.3 million. Provisions contained in our excess of
loss reinsurance policies provide for participation of our reinsurers totaling
$1.5 million. There was no assessment made for the year ended December 31,
2008.
Pursuant
to Section 627.3512, Florida Statutes, insurers are permitted to recoup the
assessment by adding a surcharge to policies in an amount not to exceed the
amount paid by the insurer to Citizens. Federated National is currently
underwriting the recoupment in connection with the Citizens assessments and has
recouped approximately $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $1.6 million during 2008,
2007 and 2006, respectively. As noted above, Federated National subrogated $1.5
million to the reinsurers.
Federated National and American Vehicle
are also required to participate in an insurance apportionment plan under
Florida Statutes Section 627.351, which is referred to as a JUA Plan. The JUA
Plan provides for the equitable apportionment of any profits realized, or losses
and expenses incurred, among participating automobile insurers. In the event of
an underwriting deficit incurred by the JUA Plan which is not recovered through
the policyholders in the JUA Plan, such deficit shall be recovered from the
companies participating in the JUA Plan in the proportion that the net direct
written premiums of each such member during the preceding calendar year bear to
the aggregate net direct premiums written in this state by all members of the
JUA Plan.
In 2008, neither Federated National nor
American Vehicle was assessed by the JUA Plan. In 2007 Federated
National was assessed $7,470 and American Vehicle recovered $842 by and from the
JUA Plan based on its December 2007 Cash Activity Report. These charges are
contained in operating and underwriting expenses in the Statement of Operations.
Future assessments by this association are undeterminable at this
time.
As of
December 31, 2008 bonds totaling $3.4 million secure a $3.0 million irrevocable
letter of credit in favor of Republic in order to facilitate business
opportunities in connection with our commercial general liability
program.
(12)
LEASES
Effective
on or about March 1, 2006, the Company sold its interest in the property located
at 3661 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida to an unrelated
party for approximately $5.0 million cash and a $0.9 million six year 5% note.
As part of the transaction, the Company agreed to lease the same facilities for
a six year term; in accordance with SFAS No. 13 Accounting for Leases (“SFAS
No. 13”), the lease will be treated as an operating lease. The expected future
payout schedule is as follows:
Fiscal Year
|
Lease payments
|
|||
2009
|
$ | 625,165 | ||
2010
|
637,668 | |||
2011
|
650,421 | |||
Total
|
$ | 1,913,254 |
Rent
expense in 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.5,
respectively.
- 98
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
(13)
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
One of
our directors is a partner at a law firm that handles some of the Company’s
claims litigation. Fees paid to this law firm amounted to approximately
$145,000, $80,000 and $258,000 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and is
included in LAE.
(14)
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Net
income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the
weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents
outstanding during the periods presented.
In
accordance with GAAP, net (loss) per share is antidilutive, therefore the basic
and diluted (loss) per share is the same.
A summary
of the numerator and denominator of the basic and fully diluted 2008, 2007 and
2006 net income (loss) per share is presented below:
(Loss) Income
|
Shares Outstanding
|
Per-share
|
||||||||||
(Numerator)
|
(Denominator)
|
Amount
|
||||||||||
For
the year ended December 31, 2008:
|
||||||||||||
Basic
net (loss) per share
|
$ | (2,477,939 | ) | 7,979,436 | $ | (0.31 | ) | |||||
Fully
diluted (loss) per share
|
$ | (2,477,939 | ) | 7,979,436 | $ | (0.31 | ) | |||||
For
the year ended December 31, 2007:
|
||||||||||||
Basic
net income per share
|
$ | 21,279,797 | 7,922,542 | $ | 2.69 | |||||||
Fully
diluted income per share
|
$ | 21,279,797 | 8,030,205 | $ | 2.65 | |||||||
For
the year ended December 31, 2006:
|
||||||||||||
Basic
net income per share
|
$ | 13,896,267 | 7,537,550 | $ | 1.84 | |||||||
Fully
diluted income per share
|
$ | 13,896,267 | 8,085,722 | $ | 1.72 |
(15)
SEGMENT INFORMATION
SFAS No.
131, Disclosures About
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (“SFAS No. 131”),
requires that the amount reported for each segment item be based on what is used
by the chief operating decision maker in formulating a determination as to how
many resources to assign to a segment and how to appraise the performance of
that segment. The term chief operating decision maker may apply to the chief
executive officer or chief operating officer or to a group of executives. Note:
The term of chief operating decision maker may apply to a function and not
necessarily to a specific person. This is a management approach rather than an
industry approach in identifying segments. The segments are based on the
Company’s organizational structure, revenue sources, nature of activities,
existence of responsible managers, and information presented to the Board of
Directors.
If any
one of the following exists, a segment must be reported on:
|
·
|
Revenue,
including unaffiliated and inter-segment sales or transfers, is 10% or
more of total revenue of all operating
segments.
|
|
·
|
Operating
profit or loss is 10% or more of the greater, in absolute amount, of the
combined operating profit (or loss) of all industry segments with
operating profits (or losses).
|
|
·
|
Identifiable
assets are 10% or more of total assets of all operating
segments.
|
Operating
segments that are not reportable should be combined and disclosed in the ‘‘all
other’’ category. Disclosure should be made of the sources of revenue for these
segments.
- 99
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
Accordingly,
we have no segment information to report.
(16)
STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
We implemented a stock option plan in
September 1998, which expired in September 2008, and provided for the granting
of stock options to officers, key employees and consultants. The
objectives of this plan included attracting and retaining the best personnel,
providing for additional performance incentives, and promoting our success by
providing employees the opportunity to acquire common stock. Options outstanding
under this plan were granted at prices either equal to or above the market value
of the stock on the date of grant, typically vest over a four-year or five-year
period and expire six or ten years after the grant date. Under this plan, we
were authorized to grant options to purchase up to 900,000 common shares, and,
as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had outstanding exercisable
options to purchase 130,099 and 152,599 shares, respectively.
In 2001,
we implemented a franchisee stock option plan that was terminated during
September 2008, and provided for the granting of stock options to individuals
purchasing Company owned agencies that were then converted to franchised
agencies. The purpose of the plan was to advance our interests by
providing an additional incentive to encourage managers of Company owned
agencies to purchase the agencies and convert them to franchises. Options
outstanding under the plan were granted at prices, which were above the market
value of the stock on the date of grant, vested over a ten-year period, and
expired ten years after the grant date. Under this plan, we were authorized to
grant options to purchase up to 988,500 common shares, and, as of December 31,
2008, we had no outstanding exercisable options to purchase shares.
In 2002,
we implemented the 2002 Stock Option Plan. The purpose of this plan
is to advance our interests by providing an additional incentive to attract,
retain and motivate highly qualified and competent persons who are key to the
Company, including key employees, consultants, independent contractors, Officers
and Directors. Our success is largely dependent upon their efforts and judgment
therefore, by authorizing the grant of options to purchase common stock we
encourage stock ownership. Options outstanding under the plan were granted at
prices that are above the market value of the stock on the date of grant, vest
over a five-year period, and expire six years after the grant date. Under this
plan, we are authorized to grant options to purchase up to 1,800,000 common
shares, and, as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had outstanding
exercisable options to purchase 658,151 and 660,309 shares,
respectively.
Activity
in our stock option plans for the period from January 1, 2006 to December 31,
2008 is summarized below:
1998 Plan
|
2001 Franchisee Plan
|
2002 Plan
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of Shares
|
Weighted
Average
Option
Exercise Price
|
Number of
Shares
|
Weighted
Average
Option
Exercise Price
|
Number of
Shares
|
Weighted
Average
Option
Exercise Price
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding
at January 1, 2006
|
97,650 | $ | 6.67 | 15,000 | $ | 9.17 | 823,608 | $ | 12.35 | |||||||||||||||
Granted
|
25,000 | $ | 27.79 | - | $ | - | 86,000 | $ | 16.44 | |||||||||||||||
Exercised
|
(77,900 | ) | $ | 6.67 | (15,000 | ) | $ | 9.17 | (212,350 | ) | $ | 8.98 | ||||||||||||
Cancelled
|
- | $ | - | $ | - | (59,900 | ) | $ | 14.98 | |||||||||||||||
Outstanding
at January 1, 2007
|
44,750 | $ | 18.47 | - | $ | - | 637,358 | $ | 13.80 | |||||||||||||||
Granted
|
109,849 | $ | 13.32 | - | $ | - | 57,151 | $ | 13.18 | |||||||||||||||
Exercised
|
(2,000 | ) | $ | 6.67 | - | $ | - | (16,300 | ) | $ | 10.02 | |||||||||||||
Cancelled
|
- | $ | - | - | $ | - | (17,900 | ) | $ | 15.82 | ||||||||||||||
Outstanding
at January 1, 2008
|
152,599 | $ | 14.92 | - | $ | - | 660,309 | $ | 13.78 | |||||||||||||||
Granted
|
4,500 | $ | 8.67 | - | $ | - | 162,500 | $ | 8.92 | |||||||||||||||
Exercised
|
(13,500 | ) | $ | 6.67 | - | $ | - | (141,458 | ) | $ | 8.81 | |||||||||||||
Cancelled
|
(13,500 | ) | $ | 10.03 | - | $ | - | (23,200 | ) | $ | 12.60 | |||||||||||||
Outstanding
at December 31, 2008
|
130,099 | $ | 16.07 | - | $ | - | 658,151 | $ | 13.69 |
- 100
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
Options outstanding as of December 31,
2008 are exercisable as follows:
1998 Plan
|
2001 Franchisee Plan
|
2002 Plan
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of Shares
|
Weighted
Average
Option
Exercise Price
|
Number of
Shares
|
Weighted
Average
Option
Exercise Price
|
Number of
Shares
|
Weighted
Average
Option
Exercise Price
|
||||||||||||||||||
Options Exercisable at:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
December
31, 2008
|
46,219 | $ | 16.07 | - | $ | - | 309,429 | $ | 13.69 | |||||||||||||||
December
31, 2009
|
20,770 | $ | 16.07 | - | $ | - | 128,053 | $ | 13.69 | |||||||||||||||
December
31, 2010
|
20,770 | $ | 16.07 | - | $ | - | 105,658 | $ | 13.69 | |||||||||||||||
December
31, 2011
|
20,770 | $ | 16.07 | - | $ | - | 61,755 | $ | 13.69 | |||||||||||||||
December
31, 2012
|
20,770 | $ | 16.07 | - | $ | - | 32,356 | $ | 13.69 | |||||||||||||||
Thereafter
|
800 | $ | 16.07 | - | $ | - | 20,900 | $ | 13.69 | |||||||||||||||
Total
options exercisible
|
130,099 | - | 658,151 |
During
the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company had two stock-based employee
compensation plans and one stock-based franchise compensation plan, which are
described above. Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for those plans under
the recognition and measurement provisions of stock-based compensation using the
intrinsic value method prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, and related Interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123. Under these provisions, no
stock-based employee compensation cost was recognized in the Statement of
Operations as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal
to or less than the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of
grant.
Upon the
exercise of options, the Company issues previously outstanding
shares.
Effective
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognitions provisions of
SFAS No. 123R using the modified-prospective-transition method. Under that
transition method, compensation cost recognized in 2008 and 2007
includes:
|
·
|
Compensation
cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as
of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in
accordance with the original provisions of Statement 123,
and
|
|
·
|
Compensation
cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006,
based on the grant-date fair-value estimated in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Results for prior periods have not been
restated, as not required to by the
pronouncement.
|
As a
result of adopting SFAS No. 123R on January 1, 2006, the Company’s income from
continuing operations before provision for income taxes and net income in 2008
are lower by approximately $483,000 and $301,000, respectively, than if it had
continued to account for share-base compensation under ABP Opinion No.
25.
As a
result of adopting SFAS No. 123R on January 1, 2006, the Company’s income from
continuing operations before provision for income taxes and net income for the
year ended December 31, 2007, are lower by approximately $618,000 and $405,000,
respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-base compensation
under ABP Opinion No. 25.
Basic and
diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2008 would have been
($0.27) if the Company had not adopted SFAS No. 123R, compared with reported
basic and diluted earnings per share of ($0.31).
Basic and
diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2007 would have been
$2.74 and $2.70, respectively, if the Company had not adopted SFAS No. 123R,
compared with reported basic and diluted earnings per share of $2.69 and $2.65,
respectively.
- 101
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
Because
the change in income taxes payable includes the effect of excess tax benefits,
those excess tax benefits also must be shown as a separate operating cash
outflow so that operating cash flows exclude the effect of excess tax benefits.
SFAS No. 123R requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting
from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those
options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash
flows.
The
weighted average fair value of options granted during 2008, 2007 and 2006
estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model was
$0.59 to $3.63; $2.92 to $5.59 and $3.62 to $5.73, respectively.
The fair
value of options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the following
assumptions:
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
December 31, 2006
|
||||||||||
Dividend
yield
|
5.50%
- 17.30%
|
3.20%
- 6.70%
|
2.10%
- 3.70%
|
|||||||||
Expected
volatility
|
54.65%
- 58.20%
|
|
42.87%
- 54.77%
|
42.37%
- 44.30%
|
||||||||
Risk-free
interest rate
|
0.98%
- 2.95%
|
2.90%
- 4.86%
|
4.60%
- 4.90%
|
|||||||||
Expected
life (in years)
|
2.69
- 4.16
|
2.58
- 3.17
|
2.04
- 2.86
|
Summary
information about the Company’s stock options outstanding at December 31,
2008
Weighted Average
|
Weighted
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Range of
|
Outstanding at
|
Contractual
|
Average
|
Exercisable at
|
||||||||||||||||
Exercise Price
|
September 30, 2008
|
Periods in Years
|
Exercise Price
|
September 30, 2008
|
||||||||||||||||
1998
Plan
|
$6.67 - $27.79 | 130,099 | 4.35 | $ | 16.07 | 46,219 | ||||||||||||||
2001
Franchise Plan
|
- | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
2002
Plan
|
$4.59 - $18.21 | 658,151 | 3.59 | $ | 13.69 | 309,429 |
(17)
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
We have
established a profit sharing plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code. This plan allows eligible employees, except key and highly compensated
employees, to contribute up to 100 percent of their compensation not to exceed
statutory limits. We contributed $0.1 million in 2008. In 2007 and 2006 we did
not contribute to the plan. Our contributions, if any, are vested incrementally
over five years.
(18)
ACQUISITIONS
We made
no acquisitions during 2008 or 2007.
(19)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
As of
December 31, 2008 and 2007 we have classified $13.5 million and $20.2 million,
respectively, of our bond portfolio as held-to-maturity. The decision to
classify this layer of our bond portfolio as held-to-maturity was predicated on
our intention and ability to hold these securities until maturity.
Reclassification
adjustments related to the investment securities sold and previously included in
comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
are as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Unrealized
holdings net losses arising during the year
|
$ | (1,902,974 | ) | $ | (4,106,317 | ) | $ | (1,550,625 | ) | |||
Reclassification
adjustment for losses included in net income
|
(4,106,317 | ) | (1,550,625 | ) | (2,464,716 | ) | ||||||
2,203,343 | (2,555,692 | ) | 914,091 | |||||||||
Tax
effect
|
(794,352 | ) | 926,939 | (343,972 | ) | |||||||
Net
unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities
|
$ | 1,408,991 | $ | (1,628,753 | ) | $ | 570,119 |
- 102
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
(20)
AUTHORIZATION OF PREFERRED STOCK
Our
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of one
million shares of preferred stock with designations, rights and preferences
determined from time to time by our board of directors. Accordingly,
our Board of Directors is empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue
preferred stock with dividends, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights
that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of
common stock. We have not issued preferred shares as of December 31,
2008.
(21) 21ST CENTURY HOLDING
COMPANY
21st Century
(the parent company only) has no long term obligations, guarantees or material
contingencies as of December 31, 2008. The following summarizes the major
categories of the parent company’s financial statements:
Condensed
Balance Sheets
Period Ending December 31,
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Cash
and short term investments
|
$ | 2,489,483 | $ | 2,331,738 | ||||
Investments
and advances to subsidiaries
|
54,852,386 | 58,744,839 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes receivable
|
10,443,194 | 7,552,944 | ||||||
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
488,473 | 518,233 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
12,827,249 | 12,850,843 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 81,100,785 | $ | 81,998,597 | ||||
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
Income
taxes payable
|
8,695,403 | 6,626,680 | ||||||
Dividends
payable
|
1,442,501 | 1,474,599 | ||||||
Other
liabilities
|
2,360,539 | 3,078,360 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
12,498,443 | 11,179,639 | ||||||
Shareholders'
equity:
|
||||||||
Common
stock
|
80,729 | 80,655 | ||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
45,537,676 | 45,310,337 | ||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
2,390,615 | 1,498,139 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
|
20,593,322 | 23,929,827 | ||||||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
68,602,342 | 70,818,958 | ||||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
$ | 81,100,785 | $ | 81,998,597 |
- 103
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
Condensed
Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||||
Management
fees from subsidiaries
|
$ | 1,615,438 | $ | 1,683,378 | $ | 1,692,500 | ||||||
Equity
in income of subsidiaries
|
2,936,779 | 33,845,202 | 22,402,736 | |||||||||
Net
investment income
|
(3,623,090 | ) | 491,691 | 261,740 | ||||||||
Other
income
|
600,380 | 587,619 | 1,326,479 | |||||||||
Total
revenue
|
1,529,507 | 36,607,890 | 25,683,455 | |||||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||
Advertising
|
3,350 | 10,760 | 18,545 | |||||||||
Salaries
and wages
|
2,424,469 | 1,854,101 | 1,749,272 | |||||||||
Legal
fees
|
697,059 | 180,387 | 153,792 | |||||||||
Interest
expense and amortization of loan costs
|
- | 170,948 | 647,698 | |||||||||
Other
expenses
|
2,206,344 | 1,886,378 | 1,821,487 | |||||||||
Total
expenses
|
5,331,222 | 4,102,574 | 4,390,794 | |||||||||
(Loss)
Income before provision for income tax (benefit) expense
|
(3,801,715 | ) | 32,505,316 | 21,292,661 | ||||||||
Provision
for income tax (benefit) expense
|
(1,323,775 | ) | (11,225,519 | ) | (7,396,394 | ) | ||||||
Net
(loss) income
|
$ | (2,477,940 | ) | $ | 21,279,797 | $ | 13,896,267 |
- 104
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember
31, 2008
Condensed
Statements of Cash Flow
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Cash
flow from operating activities:
|
||||||||||||
Net
(loss) income
|
$ | (2,477,940 | ) | $ | 21,279,797 | $ | 13,896,267 | |||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating
activities:
|
||||||||||||
Equity
in loss of subsidiaries
|
(3,011,979 | ) | (33,845,202 | ) | (22,402,736 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation
and amortization of property plant and equipment, net
|
29,760 | 32,001 | 71,320 | |||||||||
Common
Stock issued for interest on Notes
|
- | 109,375 | 128,125 | |||||||||
Deferred
income tax expense
|
2,890,250 | 6,765,533 | 3,807,153 | |||||||||
Income
tax recoverable (payable)
|
2,068,723 | (2,043,422 | ) | (956,522 | ) | |||||||
Change
in dividends payable
|
(32,098 | ) | 30,283 | (695,475 | ) | |||||||
Non-cash
compensation
|
365,186 | 404,800 | 538,775 | |||||||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||||||
Property,
plant and equipment
|
- | - | 2,797,968 | |||||||||
Deferred
gain on sale of assets
|
- | - | (2,366,101 | ) | ||||||||
Other
assets
|
(23,594 | ) | (104,907 | ) | 1,388,004 | |||||||
Other
liabilities
|
(717,821 | ) | 398,688 | (2,259,029 | ) | |||||||
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
(909,513 | ) | (6,973,054 | ) | (6,052,251 | ) | ||||||
Cash
flow (used in) provided by investing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Proceeds
from property, plant and equipment
|
- | - | 5,607,266 | |||||||||
Purchases
of investment securities available for sale
|
3,892,453 | (133,444 | ) | (4,001,960 | ) | |||||||
Increased
capital of subsidiaries
|
(75,200 | ) | - | - | ||||||||
Cash
flow (used in) provided by investing activities:
|
3,817,253 | (133,445 | ) | 1,605,306 | ||||||||
Net
cash (used in) provided by financing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Dividends
paid
|
(5,696,825 | ) | (5,757,458 | ) | (4,289,683 | ) | ||||||
Payments
against subordinated debt
|
- | (2,083,334 | ) | (4,375,000 | ) | |||||||
Exercised
warrants, net
|
- | 2,034,531 | 10,669,372 | |||||||||
Stock
options exercised
|
1,336,708 | 176,638 | 2,599,558 | |||||||||
Tax
benefit related to non-cash compensation
|
181,786 | 213,540 | 1,647,751 | |||||||||
Acquisition
of common stock
|
(143,619 | ) | (3,822,645 | ) | (1,993,935 | ) | ||||||
Advances
from subsidiaries
|
1,571,955 | 12,339,412 | 5,991,378 | |||||||||
Net
cash (used in) provided by financing activities:
|
(2,749,995 | ) | 3,100,685 | 10,249,441 | ||||||||
Net
increase (decrease) in cash and short term investments
|
157,745 | (4,005,814 | ) | 5,802,496 | ||||||||
Cash
and short term investments at beginning of year
|
2,331,738 | 6,337,552 | 535,056 | |||||||||
Cash
and short term investments at end of year
|
$ | 2,489,483 | $ | 2,331,738 | $ | 6,337,552 |
(22)
SUBORDINATED DEBT
On July
31, 2003, we completed a private placement of our 6% Senior Subordinated Notes
(the “July 2003 Notes”), which were offered and sold to accredited investors as
units consisting of one July 2003 Note with a principal amount of $1,000 and
warrants (the “2003 Warrants”) to purchase shares of our Common
Stock. We sold an aggregate of $7.5 million of July 2003 Notes in
this placement, which resulted in proceeds to us (net of placement agent fees of
$450,724 and offering expenses of $110,778) of $6,938,498.
- 105
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
The July 2003 Notes paid interest at
the annual rate of 6%, were subordinated to senior debt of the Company, and
matured on July 31, 2006. Quarterly payments of principal and
interest due on the July 2003 Notes were made in cash or, at our option, in
shares of our Common Stock. When paid in shares of Common Stock, the
number of shares issued was determined by dividing the payment due by 95% of the
weighted-average volume price for the Common Stock on NASDAQ as reported by
Bloomberg for the 20 consecutive trading days preceding the payment
date.
The 2003 Warrants issued in this
placement to the purchasers of the July 2003 Notes and to the placement agent in
the offering, J. Giordano Securities Group (“J. Giordano”), each entitled the
holder to purchase ¾ of one share of our Common Stock at an exercise price of
$12.744 per whole share (as adjusted for the Company’s three-for-two stock
split) until July 31, 2006. The total number of shares issuable upon exercise of
2003 Warrants issued to the purchasers of the July 2003 Notes and to J. Giordano
totaled 612,074. GAAP required that detachable warrants be valued separately
from debt and included in paid-in capital. Based on the terms of the
purchase agreement with the investors in the private placement, management
determined that the July 2003 Warrants had zero value at the date of
issuance.
On July
31, 2006, we made the final principal payment of $625,000 on the July 2003 Notes
and the July 2003 warrants expired. Of the 612,074 shares that could have been
issued in connection with the July 2003 warrants, 301,430 were exercised,
225,000 were reacquired in the open market by us and 85,644 were unexercised.
The unexercised warrants were cancelled as of July 31, 2006.
On
September 30, 2004, we completed a private placement of 6% Senior Subordinated
Notes due September 30, 2007 (the “September 2004 Notes”). These
notes were offered and sold to accredited investors as units consisting of one
September 2004 Note with a principal amount of $1,000 and warrants to purchase
shares of our Common Stock (the “2004 Warrants”), the terms of which are similar
to our July 2003 Notes and 2003 Warrants, except as described
below. We sold an aggregate of $12.5 million of units in this
placement, which resulted in proceeds (net of placement agent fees of $700,000
and offering expenses of $32,500) to us of $11,767,500.
The September 2004 Notes paid interest
at the annual rate of 6%, matured on September 30, 2007, and ranked pari passu
in terms of payment and priority to the July 2003 Notes. Quarterly
payments of principal and interest due on the September 2004 Notes, like the
July 2003 Notes, were made in cash or, at our option, in shares of our Common
Stock. When paid in shares of Common Stock, the number of shares
issued was determined by dividing the payment due by 95% of the weighted-average
volume price for the Common Stock on NASDAQ as reported by Bloomberg for the 20
consecutive trading days preceding the payment date.
The 2004 Warrants issued to the
purchasers of the September 2004 Notes and to the placement agent in the
offering, J. Giordano, each entitled the holder to purchase one share of our
Common Stock at an exercise price of $12.75 per share and was exercisable until
September 30, 2007. The number of shares issued upon exercise of the 2004
Warrants to purchasers equaled $12.5 million divided by the exercise price of
the warrants, and totaled 980,392. The number of shares issued upon
exercise of the 2004 Warrants to J. Giordano equaled $500,000 divided by the
exercise price of the warrants, and totaled 39,216. GAAP required that
detachable warrants be valued separately from debt and included in paid-in
capital. Based on the terms of the purchase agreement with the investors in the
private placement, management determined that the September 2004 Warrants had
zero value at the date of issuance.
On
September 30, 2007, we made the final principal payment of $1,041,667 on the
September 2004 Notes and the September 2004 warrants expired. Of the 1,019,608
shares that could have been issued in connection with the September 2004
warrants, 911,270 were exercised and 108,338 were unexercised. The unexercised
warrants were cancelled as of September 30, 2007.
- 106
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
As
indicated below, we paid, pursuant to the terms of the July 2003 Notes and in
accordance with the contractual computations, selected quarterly payments of
principal and interest due in shares of our Common Stock.
Quarterly payment due date
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
January
31,
|
n/a | n/a | - | |||||||||
April
30,
|
n/a | n/a | 38,420 | |||||||||
July
31,
|
n/a | n/a | - | |||||||||
October
31,
|
n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||
Total
common stock issued
|
- | - | 38,420 |
As
indicated on the table below, we paid, pursuant to the terms of the September
2004 Notes and in accordance with the contractual computations, selected
quarterly payments of principal and interest due in shares of our Common
Stock.
Quarterly payment due date
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
January
31,
|
n/a | 54,211 | - | |||||||||
April
30,
|
n/a | 63,114 | 68,696 | |||||||||
July
31,
|
n/a | - | - | |||||||||
October
31,
|
n/a | n/a | - | |||||||||
Total
common stock issued
|
- | 117,325 | 68,696 |
For the
July 2003 Notes, the quarterly principal and interest payments totaling
approximately $0.6 million per payment were due quarterly with the last
installment paid in cash on July 31, 2006.
For the September 2004 Notes, the
quarterly principal and interest payments, totaling approximately $1.1 million
per payment, were due quarterly with the last installment paid in cash on
September 30, 2007.
- 107
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
(23)
SCHEDULE VI – SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE
OPERATIONS
Loss and LAE
|
Loss and LAE
|
Amortization of
deferred policy
acquisition
|
Paid losses and LAE
|
Net premiums
|
||||||||||||||||
-
Current Year
|
-
Prior year
|
Expenses
|
expenses
|
written
|
||||||||||||||||
2008
|
$ | 37,397,179 | $ | 4,471,081 | $ | 14,760,249 | $ | 13,277,261 | $ | 53,694,633 | ||||||||||
2007
|
$ | 38,452,431 | $ | 9,166,491 | $ | 19,419,915 | $ | 15,628,017 | $ | 89,040,613 | ||||||||||
2006
|
$ | 35,105,812 | $ | 9,294,096 | $ | 17,395,177 | $ | 17,420,147 | $ | 85,144,982 |
Affiliation with
registrant
|
Deferred policy
acquisition costs
|
Reserves for losses
and LAE
|
Discount, if any,
deducted from
previous column
|
Unearned premiums
|
Net premiums earned
|
Net investment
income
|
||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated
Property and Casualty Subsidiaries
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
$ | 6,558,237 | $ | 64,782,486 | $ | - | $ | 40,508,225 | $ | 65,129,672 | $ | 6,354,084 | ||||||||||||
2007
|
$ | 8,958,195 | $ | 59,684,790 | $ | - | $ | 56,394,473 | $ | 99,224,121 | $ | 7,964,444 | ||||||||||||
2006
|
$ | 11,153,168 | $ | 39,615,478 | $ | - | $ | 77,829,099 | $ | 89,348,254 | $ | 5,932,683 |
(24)
Fair Value Disclosure
In
October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3. The purpose of FSP FAS
157-3 was to clarify the application of SFAS No. 157 in a market that is not
active. FSP FAS 157-3 did not change the objective of SFAS No.
157. FSP FAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance, including prior
periods for which financial statements had not been issued. Our
adoption of FSP FAS 157-3 for the year ended December 31, 2008 did not have a
material effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or
disclosures.
In
September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the
exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a
liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the
asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the
measurement date. SFAS No. 157 also establishes a fair value
hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and
minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair
value. SFAS No. 157 categorizes assets and liabilities at fair value
into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs
employed in the measurement, as follows:
Level 1 —
inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for
identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price for
an identical asset or liability in an active market provides the most reliable
fair value measurement because it is directly observable to the
market.
Level 2 —
inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and
liabilities in active markets, and inputs are observable for the asset or
liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the
financial instrument.
Level 3 —
inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair
value measurement
- 108
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
Securities available for
sale: The fair value of securities available for sale is
determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized security
exchanges.
Assets
measured at fair value on a recurring basis, for which the Company has elected
the fair value option, are summarized below:
As of December 31, 2008
|
||||||||||||||||
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
US
government obligations and agencies
|
$ | - | $ | 5,331 | $ | - | $ | 5,331 | ||||||||
Corporate
securities and other
|
4,098 | - | - | 4,098 | ||||||||||||
$ | 4,098 | $ | 5,331 | $ | - | $ | 9,429 | |||||||||
Equity
securities
|
3,140 | - | - | 3,140 | ||||||||||||
$ | 3,140 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 3,140 |
(25)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On December 22, 2004, the
Company announced a definitive agreement to sell the assets of its subsidiaries,
Federated Agency Group, Inc. and Fed USA, Inc., to affiliates of Affirmative
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“Affirmative”) (NASDAQ: AFFM) for approximately $9.5
million. The sale of assets to Affirmative closed on December 31, 2004, at which
time the Company received $7 million cash, with up to an additional $2.5 million
due in the first quarter of 2006, subject to certain performance criteria being
met.
(26)
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
None
- 109
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
ITEM
9
|
CHANGES IN AND
DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
|
None
ITEM
9A
|
CONTROLS AND
PROCEDURES
|
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls
and Procedures
We
maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and
reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and
that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as
appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
As of the
end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under
the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer
and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation,
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31,
2008.
Management’s Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in condition, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule
13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted
an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO).
Based on
the results of this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal
control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008 to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in
accordance with GAAP. We reviewed the results of management’s assessment with
the Company’s Audit Committee.
Management's
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2008 has been audited by DeMeo Young & McGrath, CPA, the
independent registered public accounting firm who also audited the Company's
consolidated financial statements. Their attestation report on
management's assessment of the Company's internal control over financial
reporting is shown on page 69.
Changes in Internal Control over
Financial Reporting
There
were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the year ended December 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
Limitations
on Effectiveness
Our management and our audit committee
do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control
over financial reporting will prevent all errors or all instances of fraud. A
control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only
reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be
met. Further, the design of the control system must reflect the fact that there
are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered
relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control
systems, no evaluation of controls can provided absolute assurance that all
control gaps and instances of fraud have been detected. These inherent
limitations include the realities that judgments and decision-making can be
faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes.
Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by
collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The
design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about
the likelihood of future events, and any design may not succeed in achieving its
stated goals under all potential future conditions.
- 110
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
ITEM
9B
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
None
PART III
ITEM
10
|
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS AND CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
|
Except
for the information set forth under the caption “Senior Management” in Part I
hereof, information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from
21st
Century’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed by us for our Annual Meeting
of Shareholders, which meeting will involve the election of
directors.
ITEM
11
|
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
|
Information
required by this Item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy
statement, to be filed by us for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which
meeting will involve the election of directors.
ITEM
12
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
|
Information
required by this Item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy
statement, to be filed by us for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which
meeting will involve the election of directors.
ITEM
13
|
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
|
Information
required by this Item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy
statement, to be filed by us for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which
meeting will involve the election of directors.
ITEM
14
|
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING
FEES AND SERVICES
|
Information
required by this Item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy
statement, to be filed by us for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which
meeting will involve the election of directors.
- 111
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
PART
IV
ITEM
15
|
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM
10-K
|
(a)
|
The
following documents are filed as part of this report:
|
|
(1)
|
Financial
Statements
|
|
The
following consolidated financial statements of the Company and the reports
of independent auditors thereon are filed with this
report:
|
||
Independent
Auditors’ Report (De Meo, Young, McGrath)
|
||
Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
|
||
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and
2006.
|
||
Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
|
||
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and
2006.
|
||
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31,
2008, 2007 and 2006.
|
||
(2)
|
Financial
Statement Schedules.
|
|
Schedule
VI, Supplemental information concerning property-casualty insurance
operations, is included herein under Item 8, Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data.
|
||
(3)
Exhibits
|
- 112
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Exhibit
|
Description
|
|
3.1
|
Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed
with the SEC on September 17, 1998 [File No.
333-63623]).
|
|
3.2
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
November 28, 2007).
|
|
4.1
|
Specimen
of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 in
Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed
with the SEC on October 7, 1998 [File No. 333-63623]).
|
|
10.1
|
21st
Century Holding Company 2002 Stock Option Plan and Stock Plan
Acknowledgment (incorporated by reference to Annex A in the Company’s
Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
filed with the SEC on April 26, 2002 and Exhibit 10.2 in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2007 filed with the SEC on March 17, 2008).
+
|
|
10.2
|
21st
Century Holding Company 1998 Stock Option Plan and Stock Plan
Acknowledgment (incorporated by reference to Annex A in the Company’s
Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on May 12, 2000 and Exhibit
10.4 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its year ended
December 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on March 17, 2008).
+
|
|
10.3
|
Employment
Agreement dated as of May 5, 2008 between Michael H. Braun and the Company
dated May 5, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 in the
Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 6, 2008).
+
|
|
10.4
|
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement dated July 1, 2008 between the Company
and Peter J. Prygelski, III (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.8
in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2008 filed with the SEC on November 10,
2008).+
|
|
10.5
|
Transition
Agreement dated as of May 6, 2008 between the Company and Edward J. Lawson
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 in the Company’s Form 8-K/A
filed with the SEC on May 9, 2008). +
|
|
10.6
|
Agreement
dated July 2, 2008 between the Company and Michele Lawson (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.9 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 filed with the SEC on November
10, 2008).
|
|
10.7
|
Form
of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its directors and
executive officers (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.15 in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its year ended December 31, 2007
filed with the SEC on March 17, 2008).
|
|
10.8
|
Non-Compete
Agreement between the Company and Peter J. Prygelski, effective June 25,
2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 contained in the Company's
Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2007). +
|
|
10.9
|
Non-Compete
Agreement dated December 19, 2005 between the Company and Michael Braun
dated December 19, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 29,
2005). +
|
|
10.10
|
Reimbursement
Contract between Federated National Insurance Company and The State Board
of Administration of Florida (SBA) which administers the Florida Hurricane
Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) and Addendum Nos. 1 and 2 effective June 1, 2008
(incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.1 – 10.3 in the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 2,
2008).
|
|
10.11
|
Addendum
No. 4 to the Reimbursement Contract between Federated National Insurance
Company and The State Board of Administration of Florida (SBA) which
administers the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) effective June
1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2,
2008).
|
- 113
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
10.12
|
Reinstatement
Premium Protection Reinsurance Contract, effective as of July 1, 2008,
with Actua Re Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 2008 filed with the SEC on November 10, 2008).
|
|
10.13
|
Reinstatement
Premium Protection Reinsurance Contract effective July 1, 2008 issued to
Federated National Insurance Company and certain Subscribing
Reinsurance(s) executing the Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2008 as filed with the SEC on November 10,
2008).
|
|
10.14
|
Excess
Catastrophe Reinsurance Contract effective July 1, 2008 issued to
Federated National Insurance Company and certain Subscribing Reinsurer(s)
executing the Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 in the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 2008 filed with the SEC on November 10, 2008).
|
|
10.15
|
Additional
Layer Reinstatement Premium Protection Reinsurance Contract effective
August 29, 2008 issued to Federated National Insurance Company and certain
Subscribing Reinsurer(s) executing the Agreement (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 filed with the SEC on November
10, 2008).
|
|
10.16
|
Additional
Layer Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Contract effective August 29, 2008
issued to Federated National Insurance Company and certain Subscribing
Reinsurer(s) executing the Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.7 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2008 filed with the SEC on November 10,
2008).
|
|
10.17
|
Trust
Agreement dated as of July 1, 2008 among Federated National Insurance
Company, Actua Re Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Company’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 filed with
the SEC on November 10, 2008).
|
|
10.18
|
Interests
and Liabilities Agreement of Actua Re Ltd. with respect to Excess
Catastrophe Reinsurance Contract, effective July 1, 2008 issued to
Federated National Insurance Company by Actua Re Ltd. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 filed with the SEC on November
10, 2008).
|
|
10.19
|
American
Vehicle Insurance Company 100% Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement with
Republic Underwriters Insurance Company for a portion of its business and
a portion of the business assumed by it from its affiliated member
companies executed on April 15, 2006 and became effective April 15, 2006
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 in the Company’s current
report Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 19,
2006).
|
21.1
|
Subsidiaries
**
|
23.1
|
Consent
of De Meo, Young, McGrath, Independent Certified Public
Accountants.**
|
31.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. **
|
31.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. **
|
32.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. **
|
32.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. **
|
+ Management
Compensation Plan or Arrangement.
** Filed
herewith.
- 114
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this Form 10-K report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
21st
CENTURY HOLDING COMPANY
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Michael H. Braun
|
||
Michael
H. Braun, Chief Executive Officer
|
|||
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|||
/s/ Peter J. Prygelski,
III
|
|
||
Peter
J. Prygelski, III, Chief Financial Officer
|
|||
(Principal
Financial
Officer)
|
Dated:
March 16, 2009
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been
signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
/s/ Michael H. Braun
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
March
16, 2009
|
||
Michael
H. Braun
|
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|||
/s/
Peter J. Prygelski, III
|
Chief
Financial Officer (Principal
|
March
16, 2009
|
||
Peter
J. Prygelski, III
|
Financial
Officer)
|
|||
/s/
Carl Dorf
|
Director
|
March
16, 2009
|
||
Carl
Dorf
|
||||
/s/
Bruce F. Simberg
|
Director
|
March
16, 2009
|
||
Bruce
F. Simberg
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
|||
/s/
Charles B. Hart, Jr.
|
Director
|
March
16, 2009
|
||
Charles
B. Hart, Jr.
|
||||
/s/
Richard W. Wilcox, Jr.
|
Director
|
March
16, 2009
|
||
Richard
W. Wilcox, Jr.
|
|
|
- 115
-
21st Century
Holding Company and Subsidiaries
EXHIBIT
INDEX
21.1
|
Subsidiaries
|
23.1
|
Consent
of De Meo, Young, McGrath, Independent Certified Public
Accountants
|
31.1
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
|
31.2
|
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
|
32.1
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
|
32.2
|
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
|
- 116
-