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KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2018 June (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark one)
 
 
 
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018
OR
 
 
 
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________to _________
 
Commission File Number 0-1665
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
36-2476480
(I.R.S. EmployerIdentification Number)
15 Joys Lane
Kingston, NY 12401
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(845) 802-7900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
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. Yes ☑ No ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
 
Accelerated filer
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
 
As of August 9, 2018, there were 10,663,599 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 
 
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC.
INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PAGE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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6
 
 
 
 
 
 
39
 
 
 
 
 
 
75
 
 
 
 
 
 
76
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
77
 
 
 
 
 
 
77
 
 
 
 
 
 
77
 
 
 
 
 
 
77
 
 
 
 
 
 
77
 
 
 
 
 
 
77
 
 
 
 
 
 
77
 
 
 
 
 
 
78
 
 
 
 
 
  EXHIBIT 3(a)
  EXHIBIT 3(b)
  EXHIBIT 31(a)
  EXHIBIT 31(b)
  EXHIBIT 32
  EXHIBIT 101.INS XBRL Instance Document
  EXHIBIT 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
  EXHIBIT 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
  EXHIBIT 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
  EXHIBIT 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
  EXHIBIT 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. The events described in forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report may not occur. Generally, these statements relate to business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of our plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions to be made by us, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings or other aspects of our operating results. The words "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend," "estimate," and "continue," and their opposites and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are beyond our control that may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projections upon which the statements are based. Factors which may affect our results include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 under “Factors That May Affect Future Results and Financial Condition.”
 
Any one or more of these uncertainties, risks and other influences could materially affect our results of operations and whether forward-looking statements made by us ultimately prove to be accurate. Our actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether from new information, future events or otherwise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
 Financial Statements.
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-maturity securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of
 
 
 
 
 
 
$5,033,545 at June 30, 2018 and $5,150,076 at December 31, 2017)
 $4,870,743 
 $4,869,808 
Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of
    
    
$145,707,769 at June 30, 2018 and $119,122,106 at December 31, 2017)
  142,545,533 
  119,988,256 
Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $17,291,038 at June 30, 2018 and
    
    
$13,761,841 at December 31, 2017)
  17,384,984 
  14,286,198 
Other investments
  2,120,700 
  - 
Total investments
  166,921,960 
  139,144,262 
Cash and cash equivalents
  19,387,971 
  48,381,633 
Investment subscription receivable
  - 
  2,000,000 
Premiums receivable, net
  14,337,192 
  13,217,698 
Reinsurance receivables, net
  27,892,404 
  28,519,130 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
  16,071,756 
  14,847,236 
Intangible assets, net
  840,000 
  1,010,000 
Property and equipment, net
  5,456,563 
  4,772,577 
Deferred income taxes
  429,459 
  - 
Other assets
  4,052,494 
  2,655,527 
 Total assets
 $255,389,799 
 $254,548,063 
 
    
    
 Liabilities
    
    
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
 $49,257,856 
 $48,799,622 
Unearned premiums
  71,139,929 
  65,647,663 
Advance premiums
  2,831,829 
  1,477,693 
Reinsurance balances payable
  4,185,624 
  2,563,966 
Deferred ceding commission revenue
  4,759,134 
  4,266,412 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
  5,281,458 
  7,487,654 
Deferred income taxes
  - 
  600,342 
Long-term debt, net
  29,207,161 
  29,126,965 
 Total liabilities
  166,662,991 
  159,970,317 
 
    
    
 Commitments and Contingencies
    
    
 
    
    
 Stockholders' Equity
    
    
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 2,500,000 shares
  - 
  - 
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued 11,685,904 shares
    
    
at June 30, 2018 and 11,618,646 at December 31, 2017; outstanding
    
    
10,661,460 shares at June 30, 2018 and 10,631,837 shares at December 31, 2017
  116,859 
  116,186 
Capital in excess of par
  68,347,784 
  68,380,390 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
  (2,496,981)
  1,100,647 
Retained earnings
  25,471,668 
  27,152,822 
 
  91,439,330 
  96,750,045 
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,024,444 shares at June 30, 2018
    
    
and 986,809 shares at December 31, 2017
  (2,712,522)
  (2,172,299)
 Total stockholders' equity
  88,726,808 
  94,577,746 
 
    
    
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 $255,389,799 
 $254,548,063 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
2
 
 
  KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
 
For the Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net premiums earned
 $24,104,614 
 $16,953,727 
 $46,942,231 
 $33,323,475 
 Ceding commission revenue
  1,691,168 
  3,305,938 
  3,386,326 
  6,490,390 
 Net investment income
  1,556,866 
  1,026,004 
  2,940,855 
  1,883,804 
 Net (losses) gains on investments
  (106,733)
  130,423 
  (629,860)
  75,917 
 Other income
  300,271 
  308,159 
  608,504 
  597,859 
 Total revenues
  27,546,186 
  21,724,251 
  53,248,056 
  42,371,445 
 
    
    
    
    
 Expenses
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
  11,176,085 
  7,454,922 
  28,442,415 
  15,747,918 
 Commission expense
  6,017,189 
  5,101,566 
  11,817,137 
  9,990,544 
 Other underwriting expenses
  5,075,986 
  4,199,616 
  10,107,489 
  8,412,033 
 Other operating expenses
  843,816 
  906,690 
  1,090,674 
  1,662,494 
 Depreciation and amortization
  424,161 
  326,174 
  833,592 
  644,872 
 Interest expense
  451,962 
  - 
  908,507 
  - 
 Total expenses
  23,989,199 
  17,988,968 
  53,199,814 
  36,457,861 
 
    
    
    
    
 Income from operations before taxes
  3,556,987 
  3,735,283 
  48,242 
  5,913,584 
 Income tax expense
  799,690 
  1,224,891 
  8,879 
  1,932,612 
 Net income
  2,757,297 
  2,510,392 
  39,363 
  3,980,972 
 
    
    
    
    
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
    
    
    
    Gross change in unrealized (losses) gains
 
    
    
    
on available-for-sale-securities
  (1,475,767)
  951,047 
  (4,349,246)
  1,475,869 
 
    
    
    
    
Reclassification adjustment for (losses) gains
    
    
    
    
included in net income
  76,126 
  (130,423)
  319,899 
  (75,917)
Net change in unrealized (losses) gains
  (1,399,641)
  820,624 
  (4,029,347)
  1,399,952 
    Income tax benefit (expense) related to items
 
    
    
    
of other comprehensive (loss) income
  293,723 
  (279,012)
  845,961 
  (475,984)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
  (1,105,918)
  541,612 
  (3,183,386)
  923,968 
 
    
    
    
    
Comprehensive income (loss)
 $1,651,379 
 $3,052,004 
 $(3,144,023)
 $4,904,940 
 
    
    
    
    
Earnings per common share:
    
    
    
    
Basic
 $0.26 
 $0.24 
 $0.00 
 $0.39 
Diluted
 $0.25 
 $0.23 
 $0.00 
 $0.39 
 
    
    
    
    
Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
    
    
    
Basic
  10,664,806 
  10,622,496 
  10,667,385 
  10,145,772 
Diluted
  10,820,322 
  10,822,577 
  10,828,020 
  10,337,213 
 
    
    
    
    
Dividends declared and paid per common share
 $0.1000 
 $0.0800 
 $0.2000 
 $0.1425 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3
 
 
  KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)            
Six months ended June 30, 2018                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Capital
 
 
 Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred Stock
 
 
 Common Stock
 
 
 in Excess
 
 
 Comprehensive
 
 
 Retained
 
 
 Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Shares
 
 
 Amount
 
 
 Shares
 
 
 Amount
 
 
 of Par
 
 
 Income (Loss)
 
 
 Earnings
 
 
 Shares
 
 
 Amount
 
 
 Total
 
Balance, January 1, 2018, as reported
  - 
 $- 
  11,618,646 
 $116,186 
 $68,380,390 
 $1,100,647 
 $27,152,822 
  986,809 
 $(2,172,299)
 $94,577,746 
Cumulative effect of adoption of updated
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
accounting guidance for equity
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
financial instruments at January 1, 2018
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (414,242)
  414,242 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Balance, January 1, 2018, as adjusted
  - 
  - 
  11,618,646 
  116,186 
  68,380,390 
  686,405 
  27,567,064 
  986,809 
  (2,172,299)
  94,577,746 
Stock-based compensation
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  284,477 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  284,477 
Shares deducted from exercise of stock
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
options for payment of withholding taxes
  - 
  - 
  (15,750)
  (158)
  (341,612)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (341,770)
Vesting of restricted stock awards
  - 
  - 
  10,886 
  109 
  (109)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Shares deducted from restricted stock
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
awards for payment of withholding taxes
  - 
  - 
  (1,154)
  (14)
  (21,509)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (21,523)
Exercise of stock options
  - 
  - 
  73,276 
  736 
  46,147 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  46,883 
Acquisition of treasury stock
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  37,635 
  (540,223)
  (540,223)
Dividends
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (2,134,759)
  - 
  - 
  (2,134,759)
Net income
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  39,363 
  - 
  - 
  39,363 
Change in unrealized losses on available-
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
for-sale securities, net of tax
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (3,183,386)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (3,183,386)
Balance, June 30, 2018
  - 
 $- 
  11,685,904 
 $116,859 
 $68,347,784 
 $(2,496,981)
 $25,471,668 
  1,024,444 
 $(2,712,522)
 $88,726,808 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4
 
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net income
 $39,363 
 $3,980,972 
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
    
    
Net losses (gains) on investments
  629,860 
  (75,917)
Depreciation and amortization
  833,592 
  644,872 
Amortization of bond premium, net
  174,110 
  258,269 
Amortization of discount and issuance costs on long-term debt
  80,196 
  - 
Stock-based compensation
  284,477 
  127,768 
Deferred income tax benefit
  (183,840)
  (303,093)
 (Increase) decrease in operating assets:
    
    
Premiums receivable, net
  (1,119,494)
  (1,476,679)
Reinsurance receivables, net
  626,726 
  (2,346,078)
Deferred policy acquisition costs
  (1,224,520)
  (1,044,884)
Other assets
  (1,400,192)
  173,510 
 Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
    
    
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
  458,234 
  2,459,857 
Unearned premiums
  5,492,266 
  4,040,470 
Advance premiums
  1,354,136 
  748,419 
Reinsurance balances payable
  1,621,658 
  657,922 
Deferred ceding commission revenue
  492,722 
  377,125 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
  (2,206,196)
  (849,674)
 Net cash flows provided by operating activities
  5,953,098 
  7,372,859 
 
    
    
 Cash flows from investing activities:
    
    
 Purchase - fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale
  (42,305,529)
  (36,818,402)
 Purchase - equity securities
  (8,221,931)
  (2,275,929)
 Sale and redemption - fixed-maturity securities held-to-maturity
  - 
  200,000 
 Sale or maturity - fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale
  15,172,845 
  5,732,151 
 Sale - equity securities available-for-sale
  4,746,825 
  798,973 
 Acquisition of fixed assets
  (1,347,578)
  (1,301,850)
 Net cash flows used in investing activities
  (31,955,368)
  (33,665,057)
 
    
    
 Cash flows from financing activities:
    
    
 Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
  - 
  30,136,699 
 Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  46,883 
  39,361 
 Withholding taxes paid on net exercise of stock options
  (341,770)
  - 
 Withholding taxes paid on vested retricted stock awards
  (21,523)
  (8,888)
 Purchase of treasury stock
  (540,223)
  (48,396)
 Dividends paid
  (2,134,759)
  (1,513,633)
 Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities
  (2,991,392)
  28,605,143 
 
    
    
 (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 $(28,993,662)
 $2,312,945 
 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
  48,381,633 
  12,044,520 
 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 $19,387,971 
 $14,357,465 
 
    
    
 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
    
    
 Cash paid for income taxes
 $801,000 
 $1,762,000 
 Cash paid for interest
 $875,417 
 $- 
_____________________________________________________________________________________
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5
 
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Note 1 - Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation
 
Kingstone Companies, Inc. (referred to herein as "Kingstone" or the “Company”), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Kingstone Insurance Company (“KICO”), underwrites property and casualty insurance to small businesses and individuals exclusively through independent agents and brokers. KICO is a licensed insurance company in the States of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Texas. KICO is currently offering its property and casualty insurance products in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Although New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts are now growing expansion markets for the Company, 94.1% and 95.4% of KICO’s direct written premiums for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, came from the New York policies.
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Form 10-Q and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. The principles for condensed interim financial information do not require the inclusion of all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Therefore, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2018. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) but, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018.
 
Note 2 – Accounting Policies
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions, which include the reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses and are subject to estimation errors due to the inherent uncertainty in projecting ultimate claim amounts that will be reported and settled over a period of many years. In addition, estimates and assumptions associated with receivables under reinsurance contracts related to contingent ceding commission revenue require judgments by management. On an on-going basis, management reevaluates its assumptions and the methods for calculating these estimates. Actual results may differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6
 
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements consist of Kingstone and its wholly owned subsidiaries: KICO and its wholly owned subsidiaries, CMIC Properties, Inc. (“Properties”) and 15 Joys Lane, LLC (“15 Joys Lane”), which together own the land and building from which KICO operates. All significant inter-company account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Accounting Changes
 
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to reflect the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount equal to the consideration the entity receives or expects to receive. ASU 2014-09, as amended by ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-20, is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018. The standard excludes from its scope the accounting for insurance contracts, financial instruments, and certain other agreements that are governed under other GAAP guidance. Accordingly, the adoption of ASU 2014-09, as amended, did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 – Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). Effective January 1, 2018, the Company has adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-01. The updated guidance requires equity investments, including limited partnership interests, except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, that have readily determinable fair value to be measured at fair value with any changes in fair value recognized in net income. Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values may be measured at estimated fair value or cost less impairment, if any, adjusted for subsequent observable price changes, with changes in the carrying value recognized in net income. A qualitative assessment for impairment is required for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The updated guidance also eliminates the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the recognition of approximately $414,000 of net after-tax unrealized gains on equity investments as a cumulative effect adjustment that increased retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 and decreased accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by the same amount. The Company elected to report changes in the fair value of equity investments in net losses on investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). At December 31, 2017, equity investments were classified as available-for-sale on the Company's balance sheet. However, upon adoption, the updated guidance eliminated the available-for-sale balance sheet classification for equity investments. Furthermore, the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018 net loss on investments of approximately $107,000 and $630,000, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) included approximately $30,000 and $310,000, respectively, from the fair value change of equity securities.
 
In August 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-15 – Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 320): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). The revised ASU provides accounting guidance for eight specific cash flow issues. FASB issued the standard to clarify areas where GAAP has been either unclear or lacking in specific guidance. The effective date of ASU 2016-15 was for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting (“ASU 2017-09”). ASU 2017-09 clarifies when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. The effective date of ASU 2017-09 was for interim and annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
7
 
 
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 - Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”). The deferred income tax liability for unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities that were re-measured due to the reduction in corporate income tax rates under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) resulted in a stranded tax effect within AOCI. This is due to the effect of the tax rate change being recorded through continuing operations as required under Accounting Standards Codification 740 (“ASC 740”). The revised ASU allows for the reclassification of the stranded tax effects as a result of the Act from AOCI to retained earnings and requires certain other disclosures. Effective December 31, 2017, the Company chose to early adopt the provisions of ASU 2018-02 and recorded a one-time reclassification of $182,912 from AOCI to retained earnings for the stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted corporate tax rate. The amount of the reclassification was the difference between the historical corporate tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate tax rate.
 
Accounting Pronouncements
 
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02 – Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). Under this ASU, lessees will recognize a right-of-use-asset and corresponding liability on the balance sheet for all leases, except for leases covering a period of fewer than 12 months. The liability is to be measured as the present value of the future minimum lease payments taking into account renewal options if applicable plus initial incremental direct costs such as commissions. The minimum payments are discounted using the rate implicit in the lease or, if not known, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate. The lessee’s income statement treatment for leases will vary depending on the nature of what is being leased. A financing type lease is present when, among other matters, the asset is being leased for a substantial portion of its economic life or has an end-of-term title transfer or a bargain purchase option as in today’s practice. The payment of the liability set up for such leases will be apportioned between interest and principal; the right-of use asset will be generally amortized on a straight-line basis. If the lease does not qualify as a financing type lease, it will be accounted for on the income statement as rent on a straight-line basis. The guidance will be effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-02 to have a significant impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). The revised accounting guidance requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and requires enhanced disclosures related to the significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses of available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. ASU 2016-13 will be effective on January 1, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the updated guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company has determined that all other recently issued accounting pronouncements will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, or do not apply to its operations.
 
 
 
8
 

Note 3 - Investments 
 
Fixed-Maturity Securities
 
The amortized cost, fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available-for-sale as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 obligations of U.S. government
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 corporations and agencies
 $8,207,870 
 $9,970 
 $(40,264)
 $- 
 $8,177,576 
 $(30,294)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Political subdivisions of States,
 
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  6,575,843 
  39,481 
  (55,324)
  (28,074)
  6,531,926 
  (43,917)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Corporate and other bonds
 
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  107,013,925 
  111,659 
  (2,617,680)
  (377,166)
  104,130,738 
  (2,883,187)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Residential mortgage and other
 
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities (1)
  23,910,131 
  306,272 
  (159,886)
  (351,224)
  23,705,293 
  (204,838)
 Total
 $145,707,769 
 $467,382 
 $(2,873,154)
 $(756,464)
 $142,545,533 
 $(3,162,236)
 
(1)
In 2017, KICO placed certain residential mortgage backed securities as eligible collateral in a designated custodian account related to its membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY") (See Note 7). The eligible collateral would be pledged to FHLBNY if KICO draws an advance from the FHBLNY credit line. As of June 30, 2018, the fair value of the eligible investments was approximately $6,083,000. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of June 30, 2018, there was no outstanding balance on the credit line.
 
 
9
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 obligations of U.S. government
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 corporations and agencies
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Political subdivisions of States,
 
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  11,096,122 
  250,135 
  (30,814)
  - 
  11,315,443 
  219,321 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Corporate and other bonds
 
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  87,562,631 
  1,189,207 
  (269,857)
  (340,516)
  88,141,465 
  578,834 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Residential mortgage and other
 
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities (1)
  20,463,353 
  305,499 
  (48,482)
  (189,022)
  20,531,348 
  67,995 
 Total
 $119,122,106 
 $1,744,841 
 $(349,153)
 $(529,538)
 $119,988,256 
 $866,150 
 
(1)
In 2017, KICO placed certain residential mortgage backed securities as eligible collateral in a designated custodian account related to its membership in the FHLBNY (see Note 7). The eligible collateral would be pledged to FHLBNY if KICO draws an advance from the FHBLNY credit line. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the eligible investments was approximately $6,703,000. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of December 31, 2017, there was no outstanding balance on the credit line.
 
A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investments in available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is shown below:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Amortized
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized
 
 
 
 
 Remaining Time to Maturity
 
Cost
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
Cost
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Less than one year
 $1,203,463 
 $1,200,051 
 $2,585,479 
 $2,595,938 
 One to five years
  38,902,149 
  38,568,541 
  31,716,345 
  32,065,197 
 Five to ten years
  78,718,637 
  76,286,658 
  62,702,945 
  63,129,543 
 More than 10 years
  2,973,389 
  2,784,990 
  1,653,984 
  1,666,230 
 Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities
  23,910,131 
  23,705,293 
  20,463,353 
  20,531,348 
 Total
 $145,707,769 
 $142,545,533 
 $119,122,106 
 $119,988,256 
 
The actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.
 
 
10
 
 
Equity Securities
 
Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, which resulted in changes in the fair value of equity securities held at June 30, 2018 being reported in net income instead of being reported in comprehensive income (loss). See Note 2, Accounting Policies, for additional discussion. The cost, fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of investments in equity securities as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred stocks
 $6,792,075 
 $25,774 
 $(43,333)
 $(114,138)
 $6,660,378 
 $(131,697)
 Common stocks and exchange
    
    
    
    
    
    
traded mutual funds
  10,498,963 
  662,490 
  (436,847)
  - 
  10,724,606 
  225,643 
 Total
 $17,291,038 
 $688,264 
 $(480,180)
 $(114,138)
 $17,384,984 
 $93,946 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred stocks
 $7,081,099 
 $60,867 
 $(20,313)
 $(120,712)
 $7,000,941 
 $(80,158)
 Common stocks and exchange
    
    
    
    
    
    
traded mutual funds
  6,680,742 
  841,250 
  (222,205)
  (14,530)
  7,285,257 
  604,515 
 Total
 $13,761,841 
 $902,117 
 $(242,518)
 $(135,242)
 $14,286,198 
 $524,357 
 
Other Investments
 
The cost, fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of the Company’s other investments as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Gain
 
 
 Cost
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Gain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Other Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hedge fund
 $2,000,000 
 $2,120,700 
 $120,700 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 Total
 $2,000,000 
 $2,120,700 
 $120,700 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 
 
11
 
 
Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
The amortized cost, fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of investments in held-to-maturity fixed-maturity securities as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
(Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 Held-to-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 $729,486 
 $147,553 
 $(5,934)
 $- 
 $871,105 
 $141,619 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of States,
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  998,898 
  32,522 
  - 
  - 
  1,031,420 
  32,522 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  3,142,359 
  33,076 
  (38,765)
  (5,650)
  3,131,020 
  (11,339)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $4,870,743 
 $213,151 
 $(44,699)
 $(5,650)
 $5,033,545 
 $162,802 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
(Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Held-to-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 $729,466 
 $147,573 
 $(1,729)
 $- 
 $875,310 
 $145,844 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Political subdivisions of States,
  
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  998,984 
  50,366 
  - 
  - 
  1,049,350 
  50,366 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Corporate and other bonds
  
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  3,141,358 
  90,358 
  - 
  (6,300)
  3,225,416 
  84,058 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $4,869,808 
 $288,297 
 $(1,729)
 $(6,300)
 $5,150,076 
 $280,268 
 
Held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury securities are held in trust pursuant to various states’ minimum funds requirements.
 
 
12
 
 
A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investments in held-to-maturity securities by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is shown below:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Amortized
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized
 
 
 
 
 Remaining Time to Maturity
 
Cost
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
Cost
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Less than one year
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 One to five years
  3,398,823 
  3,398,780 
  2,546,459 
  2,601,898 
 Five to ten years
  865,434 
  880,726 
  1,716,884 
  1,794,139 
 More than 10 years
  606,486 
  754,039 
  606,466 
  754,039 
 Total
 $4,870,743 
 $5,033,545 
 $4,869,808 
 $5,150,076 
 
The actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.
 
Investment Income
 
Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
 Three months ended
 
 
 Six months ended
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-maturity securities
 $1,361,506 
 $935,543 
 $2,511,799 
 $1,680,996 
 Equity securities
  194,091 
  128,501 
  394,588 
  264,986 
 Cash and cash equivalents
  42,582 
  2,505 
  115,841 
  8,674 
 Total
  1,598,179 
  1,066,549 
  3,022,228 
  1,954,656 
 Expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Investment expenses
  41,313 
  40,545 
  81,373 
  70,852 
 Net investment income
 $1,556,866 
 $1,026,004 
 $2,940,855 
 $1,883,804 
 
Proceeds from the redemption of fixed-maturity securities held-to-maturity were $-0- and $200,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
Proceeds from the sale and maturity of fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale were $15,172,845 and $5,732,151 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
Proceeds from the sale of equity securities were $4,746,825 and $798,973 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
 
13
 
 
The Company’s net (losses) gains on investments are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
 Three months ended
 
 
 Six months ended
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 Realized (Losses) Gains
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gross realized gains
 $10,694 
 $48,595 
 $112,212 
 $61,718 
 Gross realized losses (1)
  (149,859)
  (74,437)
  (483,227)
  (110,557)
 
  (139,165)
  (25,842)
  (371,015)
  (48,839)
 
    
    
    
    
 Equity securities:
    
    
    
    
 Gross realized gains
  90,427 
  156,265 
  315,250 
  156,265 
 Gross realized losses
  (27,638)
  - 
  (264,384)
  (31,509)
 
  62,789 
  156,265 
  50,866 
  124,756 
 
    
    
    
    
Net realized (losses) gains
  (76,376)
  130,423 
  (320,149)
  75,917 
 
    
    
    
    
 Unrealized (Losses) Gains
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
 Equity securities:
    
    
    
    
 Gross gains
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 Gross losses
  (123,197)
  - 
  (430,411)
  - 
 
  (123,197)
  - 
  (430,411)
  - 
 
    
    
    
    
 Other investments:
    
    
    
    
 Gross gains
  92,840 
  - 
  120,700 
  - 
 Gross losses
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 
  92,840 
  - 
  120,700 
  - 
 
    
    
    
    
Net unrealized losses
  (30,357)
  - 
  (309,711)
  - 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net (losses) gains on investments
 $(106,733)
 $130,423 
 $(629,860)
 $75,917 
 
(1)
Gross realized losses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 include $747 of loss from the redemption of fixed-maturity securities held-to-maturity.
 
Impairment Review
 
Impairment of investment securities results in a charge to operations when a market decline below cost is deemed to be other-than-temporary. The Company regularly reviews its fixed-maturity securities (and reviewed the equity securities portfolios prior to January 1, 2018) to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of investments. In evaluating potential impairment, GAAP specifies (i) if the Company does not have the intent to sell a debt security prior to recovery and (ii) it is more likely than not that it will not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery, the security would not be considered other-than-temporarily impaired unless there is a credit loss.  When the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, it will recognize the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in comprehensive (loss) income.  The credit loss component recognized in earnings is identified as the amount of principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security as projected based on cash flow projections.  For held-to-maturity debt securities, the amount of OTTI recorded in comprehensive (loss) income for the noncredit portion of a previous OTTI is amortized prospectively over the remaining life of the security on the basis of timing of future estimated cash flows of the security.
 
 
14
 
 
OTTI losses are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) as net realized losses on investments and result in a permanent reduction of the cost basis of the underlying investment. The determination of OTTI is a subjective process and different judgments and assumptions could affect the timing of loss realization. At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were 159 and 75 fixed-maturity securities that accounted for the gross unrealized loss, respectively. In December 2017, the Company disposed of one of its held-to-maturity debt securities that was previously recorded in OTTI, a bond issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (“PR”). In July 2016, PR defaulted on its interest payment to bondholders. Due to the credit deterioration of PR, the Company recorded its first credit loss component of OTTI on this investment as of June 30, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, the full amount of the write-down was recognized as a credit component of OTTI in the amount of $69,911. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria significantly affected Puerto Rico. The impact of this event further contributed to the credit deterioration of PR and, as a result, the Company recorded an additional credit loss component of OTTI on this investment for the amount of $50,000 during the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The total of the two OTTI write-downs of this investment through December 31, 2017 was $119,911. The Company determined that none of the other unrealized losses were deemed to be OTTI for its portfolio of fixed-maturity investments, equity securities in 2017, and other investments for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. Significant factors influencing the Company’s determination that unrealized losses were temporary included the magnitude of the unrealized losses in relation to each security’s cost, the nature of the investment and management’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery of fair value to the Company’s cost basis.
 
 
15
 
 
The Company held available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses representing declines that were considered temporary at June 30, 2018 as follows:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
Less than 12 months
 
 
12 months or more
 
 
Total
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 Aggregate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Positions
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Positions
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 Category
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Held
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Held
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and obligations of U.S.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 government corporations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and agencies
 $4,927,910 
 $(40,264)
  3 
 $- 
 $- 
  - 
 $4,927,910 
 $(40,264)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 States, Territories and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Possessions
  3,524,361 
  (55,324)
  7 
 616,383
  (28,074)
  1 
  3,524,361 
  (83,398)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  85,149,695 
  (2,617,680)
  107 
 6,491,755
  (377,166)
  13 
  85,149,695 
  (2,994,846)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities
  11,139,070 
  (159,886)
  13 
 9,439,267
  (351,224)
  15 
  11,139,070 
  (511,110)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total fixed-maturity
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 securities
 $104,741,036 
 $(2,873,154)
  130 
 $16,547,405
 $(756,464)
  29 
 $104,741,036 
 $(3,629,618)
 
 
16
 
 
The Company held available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses representing declines that were considered temporary at December 31, 2017 as follows:
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Less than 12 months
 
 
12 months or more
 
 
Total
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 Aggregate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Positions
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Positions
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 Category
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Held
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Held
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Political subdivisions of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 States, Territories and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Possessions
 $1,549,839 
 $(30,814)
  4 
 $- 
 $- 
  - 
 $1,549,839 
 $(30,814)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  15,036,462 
  (269,857)
  20 
  9,113,924 
  (340,516)
  17 
  24,150,386 
  (610,373)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities
  6,956,371 
  (48,482)
  6 
  7,867,572 
  (189,022)
  15 
  14,823,943 
  (237,504)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total fixed-maturity
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 securities
 $23,542,672 
 $(349,153)
  30 
 $16,981,496 
 $(529,538)
  32 
 $40,524,168 
 $(878,691)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Equity Securities:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Preferred stocks
 $1,605,217 
 $(20,313)
  5 
 $1,776,675 
 $(120,712)
  3 
 $3,381,892 
 $(141,025)
 Common stocks and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 exchange traded mutual funds
  1,446,375 
  (222,205)
  4 
  124,900 
  (14,530)
  1 
  1,571,275 
  (236,735)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total equity securities
 $3,051,592 
 $(242,518)
  9 
 $1,901,575 
 $(135,242)
  4 
 $4,953,167 
 $(377,760)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $26,594,264 
 $(591,671)
  39 
 $18,883,071 
 $(664,780)
  36 
 $45,477,335 
 $(1,256,451)
 
 
17
 
 
Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The valuation technique used by the Company to fair value its financial instruments is the market approach, which uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets.
 
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, including during period of market disruption, and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy and those investments included in each are as follows:
 
Level 1—Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets. Included are those investments traded on an active exchange, such as the NASDAQ Global Select Market, U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, together with corporate debt securities that are generally investment grade.
 
Level 2—Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.  Municipal and corporate bonds, and residential mortgage-backed securities, that are traded in less active markets are classified as Level 2.  These securities are valued using market price quotations for recently executed transactions.
 
Level 3—Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement. Material assumptions and factors considered in pricing investment securities and other assets may include appraisals, projected cash flows, market clearing activity or liquidity circumstances in the security or similar securities that may have occurred since the prior pricing period.
 
The availability of observable inputs varies and is affected by a wide variety of factors. When the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires significantly more judgment. The degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for investments categorized as Level 3. For investments in this category, the Company considers prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date. In periods of market dislocation, as characterized by current market conditions, the ability to observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause a security to be reclassified between levels.
 
 
18
 
 
The following table presents information about the Company’s investments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 indicating the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 Level 1
 
 
 Level 2
 
 
 Level 3
 
 
 Total
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and obligations of U.S.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 government corporations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and agencies
 $8,177,576 
 $- 
 $- 
 $8,177,576 
 
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of
    
    
    
    
 States, Territories and
    
    
    
    
 Possessions
  - 
  6,531,926 
  - 
  6,531,926 
 
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  100,445,692 
  3,685,046 
  - 
  104,130,738 
 
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage backed securities
  - 
  23,705,293 
  - 
  23,705,293 
 Total fixed maturities
  108,623,268 
  33,922,265 
  - 
  142,545,533 
 Equity securities
  17,384,984 
  - 
  - 
  17,384,984 
 Total investments
 $126,008,252 
 $33,922,265 
 $- 
 $159,930,517 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 Level 1
 
 
 Level 2
 
 
 Level 3
 
 
 Total
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Political subdivisions of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 States, Territories and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Possessions
 $- 
 $11,315,443 
 $- 
 $11,315,443 
 
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  83,597,300 
  4,544,165 
  - 
  88,141,465 
 
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage backed securities
  - 
  20,531,348 
  - 
  20,531,348 
 Total fixed maturities
  83,597,300 
  36,390,956 
  - 
  119,988,256 
 Equity securities
  14,286,198 
  - 
  - 
  14,286,198 
 Total investments
 $97,883,498 
 $36,390,956 
 $- 
 $134,274,454 
 
 
19
 
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s investment in a hedge fund investment subject to net asset valuation (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The Company measures this investment at fair value on a recurring basis. As of June 30, 2018, the Company used net asset value per share as a practical expedient for fair value. Fair value using NAV per share is as follows as of the dates indicated:
 
  Category
 
June 30,
2018
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Other Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hedge fund
 $2,120,700 
 $- 
 Total
 $2,120,700 
 $- 
 
The investment is generally redeemable with at least 45 days prior written notice. The hedge fund investment is accounted for as a limited partnership by the Company. Revenue is earned based upon the Company’s allocated share of the partnership's changes in unrealized gains and losses to its partners. Such amounts have been recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) within net losses on investments.
 
Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Real Estate
 
The Company uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of financial instruments:
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale fixed income securities, and other investments:  Fair value disclosures for these investments are included in “Note 3 - Investments” and “Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements”.
 
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
 
Premiums receivable, reinsurance receivables, and investment subscription receivable:  The carrying values reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of the assets.
 
Real estate: The fair value of the land and building included in property and equipment, which is used in the Company’s operations, approximates the carrying value. The fair value was based on an appraisal prepared using the sales comparison approach, and accordingly the real estate is a Level 3 asset under the fair value hierarchy.
 
Reinsurance balances payable:  The carrying value reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments approximates fair value.
 
Long-term debt:  The carrying value reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments approximates fair value.
 
 
20
 
 
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments and real estate as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Carrying Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
Carrying Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-maturity securities-held-to maturity
 $4,870,743 
 $5,033,545 
 $4,869,808 
 $5,150,076 
 Cash and cash equivalents
 $19,387,971 
 $19,387,971 
 $48,381,633 
 $48,381,633 
 Investment subscription receivable
 $- 
 $- 
 $2,000,000 
 $2,000,000 
 Premiums receivable, net
 $14,337,192 
 $14,337,192 
 $13,217,698 
 $13,217,698 
 Reinsurance receivables, net
 $27,892,404 
 $27,892,404 
 $28,519,130 
 $28,519,130 
 Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation
 $2,215,291 
 $2,705,000 
 $2,261,829 
 $2,705,000 
 Reinsurance balances payable
 $4,185,624 
 $4,185,624 
 $2,563,966 
 $2,563,966 
 Long-term debt, net
 $29,207,161 
 $29,207,161 
 $29,126,965 
 $29,126,965 
 
Note 6 – Property and Casualty Insurance Activity
 
Premiums Earned
 
Premiums written, ceded and earned are as follows:
 
 
 
 Direct
 
 
 Assumed
 
 
 Ceded
 
 
 Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Premiums written
 $68,389,960 
 $824 
 $(16,725,724)
 $51,665,060 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (5,495,329)
  3,064 
  769,436 
  (4,722,829)
 Premiums earned
 $62,894,631 
 $3,888 
 $(15,956,288)
 $46,942,231 
 
    
    
    
    
Six months ended June 30, 2017
    
    
    
    
 Premiums written
 $56,583,867 
 $6,293 
 $(20,128,555)
 $36,461,605 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (4,048,796)
  8,327 
  902,339 
 $(3,138,130)
 Premiums earned
 $52,535,071 
 $14,620 
 $(19,226,216)
 $33,323,475 
 
    
    
    
    
Three months ended June 30, 2018
    
    
    
    
 Premiums written
 $36,863,677 
 $488 
 $(8,899,489)
 $27,964,676 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (4,486,460)
  1,163 
  625,235 
  (3,860,062)
 Premiums earned
 $32,377,217 
 $1,651 
 $(8,274,254)
 $24,104,614 
 
    
    
    
    
Three months ended June 30, 2017
    
    
    
    
 Premiums written
 $30,458,400 
 $1,865 
 $(10,732,965)
 $19,727,300 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (3,717,893)
  5,346 
  938,974 
  (2,773,573)
 Premiums earned
 $26,740,507 
 $7,211 
 $(9,793,991)
 $16,953,727 
 
Premium receipts in advance of the policy effective date are recorded as advance premiums. The balance of advance premiums as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $2,831,829 and $1,477,693, respectively.
 
 
21
 
 
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
 
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves:
 
 
 
 Six months ended
 
 
 
June 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 Balance at beginning of period
 $48,799,622 
 $41,736,719 
 Less reinsurance recoverables
  (16,748,908)
  (15,776,880)
 Net balance, beginning of period
  32,050,714 
  25,959,839 
 
    
    
 Incurred related to:
    
    
 Current year
  28,215,069 
  15,958,020 
 Prior years
  227,346 
  (210,102)
 Total incurred
  28,442,415 
  15,747,918 
 
    
    
 Paid related to:
    
    
 Current year
  14,656,892
  7,462,585 
 Prior years
  10,977,023
  6,295,577 
 Total paid
  25,633,915 
  13,758,162 
  
    
    
 Net balance at end of period
  34,859,214 
  27,949,595 
 Add reinsurance recoverables
  14,398,642 
  16,246,981 
 Balance at end of period
 $49,257,856 
 $44,196,576 
 
Incurred losses and LAE are net of reinsurance recoveries under reinsurance contracts of $8,017,022 and $7,426,541 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
Prior year incurred loss and LAE development is based upon estimates by line of business and accident year. Prior year loss and LAE development incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was $227,346 unfavorable and $(210,102) favorable, respectively. The Company’s management continually monitors claims activity to assess the appropriateness of carried case and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves, giving consideration to Company and industry trends.
 
Due to the inherent uncertainty associated with the reserving process, the ultimate liability may differ, perhaps substantially, from the original estimate. Such estimates are regularly reviewed and updated and any resulting adjustments are included in the current year’s results. Reserves are closely monitored and are recomputed periodically using the most recent information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company reviews by line of business existing reserves, new claims, changes to existing case reserves and paid losses with respect to the current and prior years. Several methods are used, varying by line of business and accident year, in order to select the estimated year-end loss reserves. These methods include the following:
 
Paid Loss Development – historical patterns of paid loss development are used to project future paid loss emergence in order to estimate required reserves.
 
Incurred Loss Development – historical patterns of incurred loss development, reflecting both paid losses and changes in case reserves, are used to project future incurred loss emergence in order to estimate required reserves.
 
 
22
 
 
Paid Bornhuetter-Ferguson (“BF”) – an estimated loss ratio for a particular accident year is determined, and is weighted against the portion of the accident year claims that have been paid, based on historical paid loss development patterns. The estimate of required reserves assumes that the remaining unpaid portion of a particular accident year will pay out at a rate consistent with the estimated loss ratio for that year. This method can be useful for situations where an unusually high or low amount of paid losses exists at the early stages of the claims development process.
 
Incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson (“BF”) - an estimated loss ratio for a particular accident year is determined, and is weighted against the portion of the accident year claims that have been reported, based on historical incurred loss development patterns. The estimate of required reserves assumes that the remaining unreported portion of a particular accident year will pay out at a rate consistent with the estimated loss ratio for that year. This method can be useful for situations where an unusually high or low amount of reported losses exists at the early stages of the claims development process.
 
Incremental Claim-Based Methods – historical patterns of incremental incurred losses and paid LAE during various stages of development are reviewed and assumptions are made regarding average loss and LAE development applied to remaining claims inventory. Such methods more properly reflect changes in the speed of claims closure and the relative adequacy of case reserve levels at various stages of development. These methods also provide a more accurate estimate of IBNR for lines of business with relatively few remaining open claims but for which significant recent settlement activity has occurred.
 
Management’s best estimate of required reserves is generally based on an average of the methods above, with appropriate weighting of the various methods based on the line of business and accident year being projected. In some cases, additional methods or historical data from industry sources are employed to supplement the projections derived from the methods listed above.
 
Two key assumptions that materially affect the estimate of loss reserves are the loss ratio estimate for the current accident year used in the BF methods described above, and the loss development factor selections used in the loss development methods described above. The loss ratio estimates used in the BF methods are selected after reviewing historical accident year loss ratios adjusted for rate changes, trend, and mix of business.
 
The Company is not aware of any claim trends that have emerged or that would cause future adverse development that have not already been considered in existing case reserves and in its current loss development factors.
 
In New York State, lawsuits for negligence are subject to certain limitations and must be commenced within three years from the date of the accident or are otherwise barred. Accordingly, the Company’s exposure to unreported claims (‘pure’ IBNR) for accident dates of June 30, 2015 and prior is limited although there remains the possibility of adverse development on reported claims (‘case development’ IBNR).
 
The following is information about incurred and paid claims development as of June 30, 2018, net of reinsurance, as well as the cumulative reported claims by accident year and total IBNR reserves as of June 30, 2018 included in the net incurred loss and allocated expense amounts. The historical information regarding incurred and paid claims development for the years ended December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2015 is presented as supplementary unaudited information.
 
Reported claim counts are measured on an occurrence or per event basis.  A single claim occurrence could result in more than one loss type or claimant; however, the Company counts claims at the occurrence level as a single claim regardless of the number of claimants or claim features involved.  
 
 
23
 
 
All Lines of Business
(in thousands, except reported claims data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of
 
 
 
Incurred Loss and Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
Six
Months Ended
 
 

 
 
Cumulative Number of Reported Claims
 
Accident Year
 
2009
 
 
2010
 
 
2011
 
 
2012
 
 
2013
 
 
2014
 
 
2015
 
 
2016
 
 
2017
 
 
June 30,
2018
 
 
IBNR
 
 
  by Accident
Year
 
 
  (Unaudited 2009 - 2015)
 
    (Unaudited)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 $4,403 
 $4,254 
 $4,287 
 $4,384 
 $4,511 
 $4,609 
 $4,616 
 $4,667 
 $4,690 
 $4,675 
 $5 
  1,136 
2010
    
  5,598 
  5,707 
  6,429 
  6,623 
  6,912 
  6,853 
  6,838 
  6,840 
  6,845 
  (1)
  1,616 
2011
    
    
  7,603 
  7,678 
  8,618 
  9,440 
  9,198 
  9,066 
  9,144 
  9,186 
  9 
  1,913 
2012
    
    
    
  9,539 
  9,344 
  10,278 
  10,382 
  10,582 
  10,790 
  10,788 
  28 
  4,702(1)
2013
    
    
    
    
  10,728 
  9,745 
  9,424 
  9,621 
  10,061 
  10,055 
  187 
  1,559 
2014
    
    
    
    
    
  14,193 
  14,260 
  14,218 
  14,564 
  14,802 
  506 
  2,128 
2015
    
    
    
    
    
    
  22,340 
  21,994 
  22,148 
  22,071 
  713 
  2,541 
2016
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  26,062 
  24,941 
  24,356 
  2,008 
  2,853 
2017
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  31,605 
  32,227 
  4,227 
  3,304 
2018
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  26,940 
  5,436 
  2,017 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 Total
 
 $161,945 
    
    
(1) Reported claims for accident year 2012 includes 3,406 claims from Superstorm Sandy.
 
All Lines of Business
(in thousands)
 
 
Cumulative Paid Loss and Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
Accident Year
 
2009
 
 
2010
 
 
2011
 
 
2012
 
 
2013
 
 
2014
 
 
2015
 
 
2016
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
 
(Unaudited 2009 - 2015)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 $2,298 
 $3,068 
 $3,607 
 $3,920 
 $4,134 
 $4,362 
 $4,424 
 $4,468 
 $4,487 
 $4,659 
2010
    
  2,566 
  3,947 
  4,972 
  5,602 
  6,323 
  6,576 
  6,720 
  6,772 
  6,778 
2011
    
    
  3,740 
  5,117 
  6,228 
  7,170 
  8,139 
  8,540 
  8,702 
  8,715 
2012
    
    
    
  3,950 
  5,770 
  7,127 
  8,196 
  9,187 
  10,236 
  10,296 
2013
    
    
    
    
  3,405 
  5,303 
  6,633 
  7,591 
  8,407 
  8,698 
2014
    
    
    
    
    
  5,710 
  9,429 
  10,738 
  11,770 
  13,226 
2015
    
    
    
    
    
    
  12,295 
  16,181 
  18,266 
  19,150 
2016
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  15,364 
  19,001 
  19,993 
2017
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  16,704 
  23,287 
2018
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  13,944 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Total
 
 $128,746 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Net liability for unpaid loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses for the accident years presented
 
 $33,199 
 
All outstanding liabilities before 2009, net of reinsurance
 
  216 
 
Liabilities for loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
 
 $33,415 
 
 
24
 
 
The reconciliation of the net incurred and paid loss development tables to the loss and LAE reserves in the consolidated balance sheet is as follows:
 
 
Reconciliation of the Disclosure of Incurred and Paid Loss Development
 
 
to the Liability for Loss and LAE Reserves
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of
 
(in thousands)
 
June 30, 2018
 
Liabilities for allocated loss and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
 $33,415 
Total reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses
  14,399 
Unallocated loss adjustment expenses
  1,444 
Total gross liability for loss and LAE reserves
 $49,258 
 
Reinsurance
 
The Company’s quota share reinsurance treaties are on a July 1 through June 30 fiscal year basis; therefore, for year to date fiscal periods after June 30, two separate treaties will be included in such periods.
 
The Company’s quota share reinsurance treaties in effect for the six months ended June 30, 2018 for its personal lines business, which primarily consists of homeowners’ policies, were covered under the July 1, 2017/June 30, 2018 treaty year (“2017/2019 Treaty”) (two year treaty as described below). The Company’s quota share reinsurance treaties in effect for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were covered under the July 1, 2016/June 30, 2017 treaty year (“2016/2017 Treaty”).
 
In March 2017, the Company bound its personal lines quota share reinsurance treaty effective July 1, 2017. The treaty provides for a reduction in the quota share ceding rate to 20%, from 40% in the 2016/2017 Treaty, and an increase in the provisional ceding commission rate to 53%, from 52% in the 2016/2017 Treaty. The 2017/2019 Treaty covers a two year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.
 
The Company entered into new excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance treaties effective July 1, 2018. Material terms for reinsurance treaties in effect for the treaty years shown below are as follows:
 
 
25
 
 
 
 
 Treaty Year
 
 
 
July 1, 2018
 
 
July 1, 2017
 
 
July 1, 2016
 
 
 
to
 
 
to
 
 
to
 
 Line of Busines
 
June 30, 2019
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
June 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homeowners, dwelling fire and canine legal liability
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Quota share treaty:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Percent ceded
  20%
  20%
  40%
 Risk retained
 $800,000 
 $800,000 
 $500,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
 $1,000,000 
 $1,000,000 
 $833,333 
 Excess of loss coverage and facultative facility above quota share coverage (1)
 $9,000,000 
 $9,000,000 
 $3,666,667 
 
 
 in excess of
 
 in excess of
 in excess of
 
 $1,000,000 
 $1,000,000 
 $833,333 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $9,200,000 
 $9,200,000 
 $4,000,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage
 $10,000,000 
 $10,000,000 
 $4,500,000 
 Expiration date
 
June 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2017
 
    
    
    
 Personal Umbrella
    
    
    
 Quota share treaty:
    
    
    
 Percent ceded - first $1,000,000 of coverage
  90%
  90%
  90%
 Percent ceded - excess of $1,000,000 dollars of coverage
  100%
  100%
  100%
 Risk retained
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 Expiration date
 
June 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2018
June 30, 2017
 
    
    
    
Commercial Lines:
    
    
    
 General liability commercial policies
    
    
    
 Quota share treaty
 
None
 
None
None
 Risk retained
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 $500,000 
 Excess of loss coverage above risk retained
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 $4,000,000 
 
 
 in excess of
 
 in excess of
 in excess of
 
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 $500,000 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 $4,000,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage
 $4,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 
    
    
    
 Commercial Umbrella
    
    
    
 Quota share treaty:
    
    
    
 Percent ceded - first $1,000,000 of coverage
  90%
  90%
  90%
 Percent ceded - excess of $1,000,000 of coverage
  100%
  100%
  100%
 Risk retained
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 Expiration date
 
June 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2018
June 30, 2017
 
    
    
    
Catastrophe Reinsurance:
    
    
    
Initial loss subject to personal lines quota share treaty
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 Risk retained per catastrophe occurrence (2)
 $4,000,000 
 $4,000,000 
 $3,000,000 
 Catastrophe loss coverage in excess of quota share coverage (3) (4)
 $445,000,000 
 $315,000,000 
 $247,000,000 
 Reinstatement premium protection (5)
 
 Yes
 
 Yes
 Yes
 
(1)
For personal lines, the 2017/2019 Treaty includes the addition of an automatic facultative facility allowing KICO to obtain homeowners single risk coverage up to $10,000,000 in total insured value, which covers direct losses from $3,500,000 to $10,000,000.
(2)
Plus losses in excess of catastrophe coverage.
(3)
Catastrophe coverage is limited on an annual basis to two times the per occurrence amounts. Effective July 1, 2016, the duration of a catastrophe occurrence from windstorm, hail, tornado, hurricane and cyclone was extended to 168 consecutive hours from 120 consecutive hours.
(4)
Effective July 1, 2018, the top $50,000,000 layer of catastrophe reinsurance coverage has a two year term expiring on June 30, 2020.
(5)
Effective July 1, 2016, reinstatement premium protection for $20,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $5,000,000.
 
Effective July 1, 2017, reinstatement premium protection for $145,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $5,000,000.
 
Effective July 1, 2018, reinstatement premium protection for $210,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $5,000,000.
 
 
26
 
 
The single maximum risks per occurrence to which the Company is subject under the treaty years shown below are as follows:
 
 
 
July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018
 
July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017
Treaty
 
 Range of Loss
 
 Risk Retained
 
 Range of Loss
 
 Risk Retained
Personal Lines (1)
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$800,000
 
 Initial $833,333
 
$500,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $10,000,000
 
 None(2)
 
 $833,333 - $4,500,000
 
 None(3)
 
 
 Over $10,000,000
 
100%
 
 Over $4,500,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Umbrella
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Lines
 
 Initial $750,000
 
$750,000
 
 Initial $500,000
 
$500,000
 
 
 $750,000 - $4,500,000
 
 None(3)
 
 $500,000 - $4,500,000
 
None(3)
 
 
 Over $4,500,000
 
100%
 
 Over $4,500,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Umbrella
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophe (4)
 
 Initial $5,000,000
 
$4,000,000
 
 Initial $5,000,000
 
$3,000,000
 
 
$5,000,000 - $320,000,000
 
 None
 
$5,000,000 - $252,000,000
 
 None
 
 
 Over $320,000,000
 
100%
 
 Over $252,000,000
 
100%
_____________________________
 
(1)
Treaty for July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 is a two year treaty with expiration date of June 30, 2019.
(2)
Covered by excess of loss treaties up to $3,500,000 and by facultative facility from $3,500,000 to $10,000,000.
(3)
Covered by excess of loss treaties.
(4)
Catastrophe coverage is limited on an annual basis to two times the per occurrence amounts.
 
 
27
 
 
The single maximum risks per occurrence to which the Company is subject under the treaties effective July 1, 2018 are as follows:
 
 
 
July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019
Treaty
 
 Extent of Loss
 
 Risk Retained
Personal Lines (1)
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$800,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $10,000,000
 
 None(2)
 
 
 Over $10,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Umbrella
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Lines
 
 Initial $750,000
 
$750,000
 
 
 $750,000 - $4,500,000
 
 None(3)
 
 
 Over $4,500,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Umbrella
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophe (4)
 
 Initial $5,000,000
 
$4,000,000
 
 
 $5,000,000 - $450,000,000
 None
 
 
 Over $450,000,000
 
100%
 
(1)
Treaty for July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019 is a two year treaty with expiration date of June 30, 2019.
(2)
Covered by excess of loss treaties up to $3,500,000 and by facultative facility from $3,500,000 to $10,000,000.
(3)
Covered by excess of loss treaties.
(4)
Catastrophe coverage is limited on an annual basis to two times the per occurrence amounts.
 
The Company’s reinsurance program is structured to enable the Company to significantly grow its premium volume while maintaining regulatory capital and other financial ratios generally within or below the expected ranges used for regulatory oversight purposes. The reinsurance program also provides income as a result of ceding commissions earned pursuant to the quota share reinsurance contracts. The Company’s participation in reinsurance arrangements does not relieve the Company of its obligations to policyholders.
 
Ceding Commission Revenue
 
The Company earns ceding commission revenue under its quota share reinsurance agreements based on: (i) a fixed provisional commission rate at which provisional ceding commissions are earned, and (ii) a sliding scale of commission rates and ultimate treaty year loss ratios on the policies reinsured under each of these agreements based upon which contingent ceding commissions are earned. The sliding scale includes minimum and maximum commission rates in relation to specified ultimate loss ratios. The commission rate and contingent ceding commissions earned increases when the estimated ultimate loss ratio decreases and, conversely, the commission rate and contingent ceding commissions earned decreases when the estimated ultimate loss ratio increases.
 
The Company’s estimated ultimate treaty year loss ratios (“Loss Ratio(s)”) for treaties in effect for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018 are attributable to contracts for the 2017/2019 Treaty. The Company’s estimated ultimate treaty year Loss Ratios for treaties in effect for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017 are attributable to contracts for the 2016/2017 Treaty.
 
 
 
28
 
 
Treaty in effect for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018
 
Under the 2017/2019 Treaty, the Company receives an upfront fixed provisional rate that is subject to a sliding scale contingent adjustment based upon Loss Ratio. Under this arrangement, the Company earns and earned provisional ceding commissions that are subject to later adjustment dependent on changes to the estimated Loss Ratio for the 2017/2019 Treaty. The Company’s Loss Ratios for the period July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 attributable to the 2017/2019 Treaty were higher than the contractual Loss Ratio at which provisional ceding commissions were earned. Accordingly, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company incurred negative contingent ceding commissions as a result of the estimated Loss Ratio for the 2017/2019 Treaty, which reduced contingent ceding commissions earned.
 
Treaty in effect for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017
 
Under the 2016/2017 Treaty, the Company received an upfront fixed provisional rate that was subject to a sliding scale contingent adjustment based upon Loss Ratio. Under this arrangement, the Company earned provisional ceding commissions that were subject to later adjustment dependent on changes to the estimated Loss Ratio for the 2016/2017 Treaty. The Company’s Loss Ratios for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 (attributable to the 2016/2017 Treaty) were consistent with the contractual Loss Ratio at which the provisional ceding commissions were earned and therefore no contingent commission adjustment was recorded for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017.
 
In addition to the treaties that were in effect for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the Loss Ratios from prior years’ treaties are subject to change as incurred losses from those periods increase or decrease, resulting in an increase or decrease in the commission rate and contingent ceding commissions earned.
 
Ceding commission revenue consists of the following:
 
 
 
 Three months ended
 
 
 Six months ended
 
 
 
June 30,    
 
 
June 30,    
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Provisional ceding commissions earned
 $2,145,775 
 $3,424,577 
 $4,213,280 
 $6,768,346 
 Contingent ceding commissions earned
  (454,607)
  (118,639)
  (826,954)
  (277,956)
 
 $1,691,168 
 $3,305,938 
 $3,386,326 
 $6,490,390 
 
Provisional ceding commissions are settled monthly. Balances due from reinsurers for contingent ceding commissions on quota share treaties are settled annually based on the Loss Ratio of each treaty year that ends on June 30. As discussed above, the Loss Ratios from prior years’ treaties are subject to change as incurred losses from those periods develop, resulting in an increase or decrease in the commission rate and contingent ceding commissions earned. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, net contingent ceding commissions payable to reinsurers under all treaties was approximately $2,821,000 and $1,850,000, respectively.
 
 
29
 
 
Note 7 – Debt
 
Short-term Debt
 
In July 2017, KICO became a member of, and invested in, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”). The aggregate investment in dividend bearing common stock was $18,400 as of June 30, 2018. Members have access to a variety of flexible, low cost funding through FHLBNY’s credit products, enabling members to customize advances. Advances are to be fully collateralized; eligible collateral to pledge to FHLBNY includes residential and commercial mortgage backed securities, along with U.S. Treasury and agency securities. See Note 3 – Investments for eligible collateral held in a designated custodian account available for future advances. Advances are limited to 5% of KICO’s net admitted assets as of December 31 of the previous year and are due and payable within one year of borrowing. The maximum allowable advance as of June 30, 2018 was approximately $9,849,000 based on KICO’s net admitted assets as of December 31, 2017. Advances are limited to the amount of available collateral, which was approximately $6,083,000 as of June 30, 2018. There were no borrowings under this facility during the period ended June 30, 2018.
 
Long-term Debt
 
On December 19, 2017, the Company issued $30 million of its 5.50% Senior Unsecured Notes due December 30, 2022 (the “Notes”) in an underwritten public offering. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 30 of each year, beginning on June 30 2018 at the rate of 5.50% per year from December 19, 2017. The net proceeds of the issuance were $29,121,630, net of discount of $163,200 and transaction costs of $715,170, for an effective yield of 5.67%. The balance of long-term debt as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is as follows:
 
 
 
June 30,
2018
 
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
5.50% Senior Unsecured Notes
 $30,000,000 
 $30,000,000 
Discount
  (145,988)
  (162,209)
Issuance costs
  (646,851)
  (710,826)
Long-term debt, net
 $29,207,161 
 $29,126,965 
 
The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and are not the obligations of or guaranteed by any of the Company's subsidiaries. The Notes rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company's existing and future indebtedness that is by its terms expressly subordinated or junior in right of payment to the Notes. The Notes rank equally in right of payment to all of the Company's existing and future senior indebtedness, but will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such secured indebtedness. In addition, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other obligations of the Company's subsidiaries. The Company may redeem the Notes, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at the redemption price equal to the greater of: (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed that would be due if the Notes matured on the applicable redemption date (exclusive of interest accrued to the applicable redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points.
 
On December 20, 2017, the Company used $25,000,000 of the net proceeds from the offering to contribute capital to KICO, to support additional growth. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. A registration statement relating to the debt issued in the offering was filed with the SEC and became effective on November 28, 2017.
 
 
30
 
 
Note 8 – Stockholders’ Equity
 
Public Offering of Common Stock
 
On January 31, 2017, the Company closed on an underwritten public offering of 2,500,000 shares of its Common Stock. On February 14, 2017, the Company closed on the underwriters’ purchase option for an additional 192,500 shares of its Common Stock. The public offering price for the 2,692,500 shares sold was $12.00 per share. The aggregate net proceeds to the Company were approximately $30,137,000, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses in the aggregate amount of approximately $2,173,000.
 
On March 1, 2017, the Company used $23,000,000 of the net proceeds from the offering to contribute capital to its insurance subsidiary, KICO, to support its ratings upgrade plan and additional growth. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. A shelf registration statement relating to the shares sold in the offering was filed with the SEC and became effective on January 19, 2017.
 
Dividends Declared and Paid
 
Dividends declared and paid on Common Stock were $2,134,759 and $1,513,633 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend on August 8, 2018 of $.10 per share payable in cash on September 14, 2018 to stockholders of record as of August 31, 2018 (see Note 13).
 
Stock Options
 
Pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Equity Participation Plan (the “2005 Plan”), which provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options and restricted stock, a maximum of 700,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock are permitted to be issued pursuant to options granted and restricted stock issued. Pursuant to the Company’s 2014 Equity Participation Plan (the “2014 Plan”), a maximum of 700,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company are authorized to be issued pursuant to the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and stock bonuses. Incentive stock options granted under the 2014 Plan and 2005 Plan expire no later than ten years from the date of grant (except no later than five years for a grant to a 10% stockholder). The Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board determines the expiration date with respect to non-statutory stock options and the vesting provisions for restricted stock granted under the 2014 Plan and 2005 Plan.
 
The results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 include stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaling approximately $1,000 and $14,000, respectively. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 include stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaling approximately $4,000 and $30,000, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options is net of estimated forfeitures of 17% for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. Such amounts have been recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) within other operating expenses.
 
Stock-based compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 is the estimated fair value of options granted amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire portion of the award less an estimate for anticipated forfeitures. The Company uses the “simplified” method to estimate the expected term of the options because the Company’s historical share option exercise experience does not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. No options were granted during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
 
 
31
 
 
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because our stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of our stock options.
 
A summary of stock option activity under the Company’s 2014 Plan and 2005 Plan for the six months ended June 30, 2018 is as follows:
 
Stock Options
 
Number of Shares
 
 
 Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
 
 
 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
 
 
 Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2018
  341,150 
 $6.69 
  1.67 
 $4,131,028 
 
    
    
    
    
Granted
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
Exercised
  (93,900)
 $6.35 
  - 
 $1,407,509 
Forfeited
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
Outstanding at June 30, 2018
  247,250 
 $6.82 
  1.27 
 $2,492,109 
 
    
    
    
    
Vested and Exercisable at June 30, 2018
  237,250 
 $6.76 
  1.15 
 $2,406,371 
 
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable at June 30, 2018 is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the market price of the Company’s Common Stock for the options that had exercise prices that were lower than the $16.90 closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on June 30, 2018. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $1,407,509, determined as of the date of exercise.
 
Participants in the 2005 and 2014 Plans may exercise their outstanding vested options, in whole or in part, by having the Company reduce the number of shares otherwise issuable by a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the exercise price of the option being exercised (“Net Exercise”), or by exchanging a number of shares owned for a period of greater than one year having a fair market value equal to the exercise price of the option being exercised (“Share Exchange”). The Company received cash proceeds of $46,831 from the exercise of options for the purchase of 7,400 shares of Common Stock during the six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company received 4,860 shares from the exercise of options under a Share Exchange for the purchase of 20,000 shares of Common Stock during the six months ended June 30, 2018. The remaining 66,500 options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2018 were Net Exercises, resulting in the issuance of 30,126 shares of Common Stock. The Company received cash proceeds of $39,361 from the exercise of options for the purchase of 6,250 shares of Common Stock during the six months ended June 30, 2017. The remaining 250 options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2017 were Net Exercises, resulting in the issuance of 166 shares of Common Stock.
 
 
32
 
 
As of June 30, 2018, the fair value of unamortized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards was approximately $3,000. Unamortized compensation cost as of June 30, 2018 is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average vesting period of 0.28 years.
 
As of June 30, 2018, there were 487,137 shares reserved for grants under the 2014 Plan.
 
Restricted Stock Awards
 
A summary of the restricted common stock activity under the Company’s 2014 Plan for the six months ended June 30, 2018 is as follows:
 
Restricted Stock Awards
 
Shares
 
 
 Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
 
 
 Aggregate Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2018
  47,337 
 $14.35 
 $679,180 
 
    
    
    
Granted
  61,215 
 $20.68 
 $1,266,090 
Vested
  (10,886)
 $13.58 
 $(147,800)
Forfeited
  (664)
 $15.00 
 $(9,960)
 
    
    
    
Balance at June 30, 2018
  97,002 
 $18.43 
 $1,787,510 
 
Fair value was calculated using the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date. For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, stock-based compensation of approximately $175,000 and $54,000, respectively, for these grants is included in other operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, stock-based compensation of approximately $281,000 and $97,000, respectively, for these grants is included in other operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). These amounts reflect the Company’s accounting expense and do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the directors, executives and employees.
 
Note 9 – Income Taxes
 
The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return that includes all wholly owned subsidiaries. State tax returns are filed on a consolidated or separate return basis depending on applicable laws. The Company records adjustments related to prior years’ taxes during the period when they are identified, generally when the tax returns are filed.  The effect of these adjustments on the current and prior periods (during which the differences originated) is evaluated based upon quantitative and qualitative factors and are considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole for the respective periods.
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using the enacted tax rates applicable to the period the temporary differences are expected to be recovered. Accordingly, the current period income tax provision can be affected by the enactment of new tax rates. The net deferred income taxes on the balance sheets reflect temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and income tax purposes, tax effected at a various rates depending on whether the temporary differences are subject to federal taxes, state taxes, or both.
 
 
33
 
 
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was enacted by the U.S. federal government. The Company has accounted for the material impacts of the Act by re-measuring its deferred tax assets/(liabilities) at the 21% enacted tax rate as of December 31, 2017. Upon completion of the 2017 U.S. income tax return in 2018, the Company may identify additional re-measurement adjustments to its recorded deferred tax liabilities and the one-time transition tax. The Company will continue to assess its provision for income taxes as future guidance is issued, but does not currently anticipate significant revisions will be necessary. Any such revisions will be treated in accordance with the measurement period guidance outlined in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118.
 
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Deferred tax asset:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net operating loss carryovers (1)
 $87,018 
 $103,655 
 Claims reserve discount
  326,293 
  300,005 
 Unearned premium
  2,686,534 
  2,431,301 
 Deferred ceding commission revenue
  999,418 
  895,947 
 Net unrealized loss of securities - available for sale
  613,783 
  - 
 Other
  266,730 
  382,522 
 Total deferred tax assets
  4,979,776 
  4,113,430 
 
    
    
 Deferred tax liability:
    
    
 Investment in KICO (2)
  759,543 
  759,543 
 Deferred acquisition costs
  3,375,069 
  3,117,920 
 Intangibles
  176,400 
  212,100 
 Depreciation and amortization
  239,305 
  328,735 
 Net unrealized gains of securities - available for sale
  - 
  295,474 
 Total deferred tax liabilities
  4,550,317 
  4,713,772 
 
    
    
 Net deferred income tax asset (liability)
 $429,459 
 $(600,342)
_____________________________
 
(1) The deferred tax assets from net operating loss carryovers (“NOL”) are as follows:
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 Type of NOL
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
Expiration
 State only (A)
 $990,231 
 $824,996 
December 31, 2038
 Valuation allowance
  (905,313)
  (725,541)
 
 State only, net of valuation allowance
  84,918 
  99,455 
 
 Amount subject to Annual Limitation, federal only (B)
  2,100 
  4,200 
December 31, 2019
 Total deferred tax asset from net operating loss carryovers
 $87,018 
 $103,655 
 
 
(A) Kingstone generates operating losses for state purposes and has prior year NOLs available. The state NOL as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was approximately $15,234,000 and $12,692,000, respectively. KICO, the Company’s insurance underwriting subsidiary, is not subject to state income taxes. KICO’s state tax obligations are paid through a gross premiums tax, which is included in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) within other underwriting expenses. A valuation allowance has been recorded due to the uncertainty of generating enough state taxable income to utilize 100% of the available state NOLs over their remaining lives, which expire between 2027 and 2038.
 
 
34
 
 
(B) The Company has an NOL of $10,000 that is subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 382, which places a limitation on the utilization of the federal NOL loss to approximately $10,000 per year (“Annual Limitation”) as a result of a greater than 50% ownership change of the Company in 1999. The loss subject to the Annual Limitation will expire on December 31, 2019.
 
(2) Deferred tax liability – Investment in KICO
 
On July 1, 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of KICO (formerly known as Commercial Mutual Insurance Company (“CMIC”)) pursuant to the conversion of CMIC from an advance premium cooperative to a stock property and casualty insurance company. Pursuant to the plan of conversion, the Company acquired a 100% equity interest in KICO, in consideration for the exchange of $3,750,000 principal amount of surplus notes of CMIC. In addition, the Company forgave all accrued and unpaid interest on the surplus notes as of the date of conversion. As of the date of acquisition, unpaid accrued interest on the surplus notes along with the accretion of the discount on the original purchase of the surplus notes totaled $2,921,319 (together “Untaxed Interest”). As of the date of acquisition, the deferred tax liability on the Untaxed Interest was $1,169,000. A temporary difference with an indefinite life exists when the parent has a lower carrying value of its subsidiary for income tax purposes. The deferred tax liability was reduced to $759,543 upon the reduction of federal income tax rates as of December 31, 2017. The Company is required to maintain its deferred tax liability of $759,543 related to this temporary difference until the stock of KICO is sold, or the assets of KICO are sold or KICO and the parent are merged.
 
In assessing the valuation of deferred tax assets, the Company 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. No valuation allowance against deferred tax assets has been established, except for NOL limitations, as the Company believes it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be realized based on the historical taxable income of KICO, or by offset to deferred tax liabilities.
 
The Company had no material unrecognized tax benefit and no adjustments to liabilities or operations were required. There were no interest or penalties related to income taxes that have been accrued or recognized as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. If any had been recognized these would have been reported in income tax expense.
 
Generally, taxing authorities may examine the Company’s tax returns for the three years from the date of filing. The Company’s tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2017 remain subject to examination. In March 2018, the Company received a notice that its federal income tax return for the year ended December 31, 2016 was selected for examination by the Internal Revenue Service.  The final results of this examination are unknown, although management believes that the return, as filed, is fully compliant with applicable tax code.
 
Note 10 – Earnings Per Common Share
 
Basic net earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share reflect, in periods in which they have a dilutive effect, the impact of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options. The computation of diluted earnings per common share excludes those options with an exercise price in excess of the average market price of the Company’s common shares during the periods presented. The computation of diluted earnings per common share excludes outstanding options in periods where the exercise of such options would be anti-dilutive.
 
 
 
35
 
 
The reconciliation of the weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share follows:
 
 
 
 Three months ended
 
 
 Six months ended
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Weighted average number of shares outstanding
  10,664,806 
  10,622,496 
  10,667,385 
  10,145,772 
 
    
    
    
    
 Effect of dilutive securities, common share equivalents
    
    
    
    
 Stock options
  148,885 
  200,081 
  154,322 
  191,441 
 Restricted stock awards
  6,631 
 -0-
  6,313 
 -0-
 
    
    
    
    
 Weighted average number of shares outstanding,
    
    
    
    
 used for computing diluted earnings per share
  10,820,322 
  10,822,577
  10,828,020 
  10,337,213
 
Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies
 
Litigation
 
From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. For example, to the extent a claim is asserted by a third party in a lawsuit against one of the Company’s insureds covered by a particular policy, the Company may have a duty to defend the insured party against the claim. These claims may relate to bodily injury, property damage or other compensable injuries as set forth in the policy. Such proceedings are considered in estimating the liability for loss and LAE expenses. The Company is not subject to any other pending legal proceedings that management believes are likely to have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Office Lease
 
The Company is a party to a non-cancellable operating lease, dated March 27, 2015, for its office facility for KICO located in Valley Stream, New York. In June 2016, the Company entered into a lease modification agreement. The original lease had a term of seven years and nine months. The lease modification increased the space occupied by KICO and extended the lease term to seven years and nine months to be measured from the additional premises commencement date. The additional premises commencement date was September 19, 2016, and additional rent was payable beginning March 19, 2017. The original lease commencement date was July 1, 2015 and rent commencement began January 1, 2016.
 
In addition to the base rental costs, occupancy lease agreements generally provide for rent escalations resulting from increased assessments from real estate taxes and other charges. Rent expense under the lease is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. At June 30, 2018, cumulative rent expense exceeded cumulative rent payments by $91,900. This difference is recorded as deferred rent and is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
 
36
 
 
As of June 30, 2018, aggregate future minimum rental commitments under the Company’s modified lease agreement are as follows:
 
For the Year
 
 
 
 Ending
 
 
 
 December 31,
 
 Total
 
2018 (six months)
 $82,758 
2019
  169,861 
2020
  175,806 
2021
  181,959 
2022
  188,328 
 Thereafter
  244,064 
 Total
 $1,042,776 
 
Rent expense for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 amounted to $41,342 for each period. Rent expense for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 amounted to $82,684 for each period. Rent expense is included in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) within other underwriting expenses.
 
Employment Agreement
 
On March 14, 2018, the Company and Dale A. Thatcher, a director of the Company, entered into an employment agreement (the “Thatcher Employment Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Thatcher serves as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.  Mr. Thatcher also serves as KICO’s President.  The Thatcher Employment Agreement became effective as of March 15, 2018 and expires on December 31, 2018.
 
Pursuant to the Thatcher Employment Agreement, Mr. Thatcher is entitled to receive a base salary of $500,000 per annum and a minimum bonus equal to 15% of his base salary.  Concurrently with the execution of the Thatcher Employment Agreement, the Company granted to Mr. Thatcher 35,715 shares of restricted Common Stock under the 2014 Plan.  The shares granted will vest in three equal installments on each of the three annual anniversaries following the grant date, subject to the terms of the restricted stock grant agreement between the Company and Mr. Thatcher.
 
Note 12 – Deferred Compensation Plan
 
On June 18, 2018, the Company adopted the Kingstone Companies, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan"). The Deferred Compensation Plan is offered to a select group (“Participants”), consisting of management and highly compensated employees as a method of recognizing and retaining such Participants. The Deferred Compensation Plan provides for eligible Participants to elect to defer up to 75% of their base compensation and up to 100% of bonuses and other compensation and to have such deferred amounts deemed to be invested in specified investment options. In addition to the Participant deferrals, the Company may choose to make matching contributions to some or all of the Participants in this Deferred Compensation Plan to the extent the Participant did not receive the maximum matching or non-elective contributions permissible under the Company’s 401(k) Plan due to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code or the 401(k) Plan. Participants may elect to receive payment of their account balances in a single cash payment or in annual installments for a period of up to ten years. The first payroll subject to the Deferred Compensation Plan was in July 2018, and accordingly, no expenses for contributions were recorded for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
 
 
37
 
 
Note 13 – Subsequent Events
 
The Company has evaluated events that occurred subsequent to June 30, 2018 through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued for matters that required disclosure or adjustment in these condensed consolidated financial statements. No items were noted.
 
Dividends Declared
 
On August 8, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $.10 per share payable in cash on September 14, 2018 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 31, 2018 (see Note 8).
 
Reinsurance
 
KICO entered into new annual excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance treaties effective July 1, 2018. See Note 6, Property and Casualty Insurance Activity – Reinsurance.
 
 
38
 
 
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
 
Overview
 
We offer property and casualty insurance products to individuals and small businesses through our wholly owned subsidiary, Kingstone Insurance Company (“KICO”). KICO’s insureds are located primarily in downstate New York, consisting of New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, although we are actively writing business in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. We are licensed in the States of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Texas. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, 94.1% and 95.4% of KICO’s direct written premiums came from the New York policies.
 
We derive substantially all of our revenue from KICO, which includes revenues from earned premiums, ceding commissions from quota share reinsurance, net investment income generated from its portfolio, and net realized gains and losses on investment securities. All of KICO’s insurance policies are written for a one year term. Earned premiums represent premiums received from insureds, which are recognized as revenue over the period of time that insurance coverage is provided (i.e., ratably over the one year life of the policy). A significant period of time can elapse from the receipt of insurance premiums to the payment of insurance claims. During this time, KICO invests the premiums, earns investment income and generates net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses on investments. Our holding company earns investment income from its cash holdings and may also generate net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses on future investments.
 
Our expenses include the insurance underwriting expenses of KICO and other operating expenses. Insurance companies incur a significant amount of their total expenses from losses incurred by policyholders, which are commonly referred to as claims. In settling these claims, various loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) are incurred such as insurance adjusters’ fees and legal expenses. In addition, insurance companies incur policy acquisition costs. Policy acquisition costs include commissions paid to producers, premium taxes, and other expenses related to the underwriting process, including employees’ compensation and benefits.
 
Other operating expenses include our corporate expenses as a holding company. These expenses include legal and auditing fees, executive employment costs, interest expense and other costs directly associated with being a public company.
  
Product Lines
 
Our active product lines include the following:
 
Personal lines: Our largest line of business is personal lines, consisting of homeowners, dwelling fire, cooperative/condominium, renters, and personal umbrella policies.
 
 Commercial liability: We offer businessowners policies, which consist primarily of small business retail, service, and office risks without a residential exposure. We also write artisan’s liability policies for small independent contractors with smaller sized workforces.  In addition, we write special multi-peril policies for larger and more specialized businessowners risks, including those with limited residential exposures. Further, we offer commercial umbrella policies written above our supporting commercial lines policies.
 
Livery physical damage: We write for-hire vehicle physical damage only policies for livery and car service vehicles and taxicabs. These policies insure only the physical damage portion of insurance for such vehicles, with no liability coverage included.
 
 
 
39
 
 
Other: We write canine legal liability policies and also have a small participation in mandatory state joint underwriting associations.
 
Key Measures
 
We utilize the following key measures in analyzing the results of our insurance underwriting business:
 
Net loss ratio: The net loss ratio is a measure of the underwriting profitability of an insurance company’s business. Expressed as a percentage, this is the ratio of net losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) incurred to net premiums earned.
 
Net underwriting expense ratio:  The net underwriting expense ratio is a measure of an insurance company’s operational efficiency in administering its business. Expressed as a percentage, this is the ratio of the sum of acquisition costs (the most significant being commissions paid to our producers) and other underwriting expenses less ceding commission revenue less other income to net premiums earned.
 
Net combined ratio:  The net combined ratio is a measure of an insurance company’s overall underwriting profit. This is the sum of the net loss and net underwriting expense ratios. If the net combined ratio is at or above 100 percent, an insurance company cannot be profitable without investment income, and may not be profitable if investment income is insufficient.
 
Underwriting income: Underwriting income is net pre-tax income attributable to our insurance underwriting business before investment activity. Underwriting income is a measure of an insurance company’s overall operating profitability before items such as investment income, net gains from investments, depreciation and amortization, interest expense and income taxes.
  
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Kingstone Companies, Inc. and all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires our management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes. In preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements, our management has utilized information, including our past history, industry standards, the current economic environment, and other factors, in forming its estimates and judgments for certain amounts included in the condensed consolidated financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. It is possible that the ultimate outcome as anticipated by our management in formulating its estimates in these financial statements may not materialize. Application of the critical accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. In addition, other companies may utilize different estimates, which may impact the comparability of our results of operations to those of similar companies.
 
We believe that the most critical accounting policies relate to the reporting of reserves for loss and LAE, including losses that have occurred but have not yet been reported prior to the reporting date, amounts recoverable from reinsurers, deferred ceding commission revenue, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income taxes, the impairment of investment securities, intangible assets and the valuation of stock-based compensation. See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements - “Accounting Policies” for information related to updated accounting policies.
 
 
40
 
 
Consolidated Results of Operations
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the results of our operations (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
Change
 
 
 Percent
 
 Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Direct written premiums
 $68,390 
 $56,584 
 $11,806 
  20.9%
 Assumed written premiums
  1 
  6 
  (5)
  (83.3)%
 
  68,391 
  56,590 
  11,801 
  20.9%
 Ceded written premiums
    
    
    
    
 Ceded to quota share treaties
  9,610 
  14,308 
  (4,698)
  (32.8)%
 Ceded to excess of loss treaties
  596 
  636 
  (40)
  (6.3)%
 Ceded to catastrophe treaties
  6,520 
  5,184 
  1,336 
  25.8%
 Total ceded written premiums
  16,726 
  20,128 
  (3,402)
  (16.9)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net written premiums
  51,665 
  36,462 
  15,203 
  41.7%
 
    
    
    
    
 Change in unearned premiums
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed
  (5,492)
  (4,040)
  (1,452)
  35.9%
 Ceded to quota share treaties
  769 
  902 
  (133)
  (14.7)%
 Change in net unearned premiums
  (4,723)
  (3,138)
  (1,585)
  50.5%
 
    
    
    
    
 Premiums earned
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed
  62,898 
  52,549 
  10,349 
  19.7%
 Ceded to reinsurance treaties
  (15,956)
  (19,226)
  3,270 
  (17.0)%
 Net premiums earned
  46,942 
  33,323 
  13,619 
  40.9%
 Ceding commission revenue
    
    
    
    
 Excluding the effect of catastrophes
  3,845 
  6,490 
  (2,645)
  (40.8)%
 Effect of catastrophes
  (459)
  - 
  (459)
  n/a%
 Total ceding commission revenue
  3,386 
  6,490 
  (3,104)
  (47.8)%
 Net investment income
  2,941 
  1,884 
  1,057 
  56.1%
 Net (losses) gains on investments
  (630)
  76 
  (706)
  (928.9)%
 Other income
  609 
  598 
  11 
  1.8%
 Total revenues
  53,248 
  42,371 
  10,877 
  25.7%
 Expenses
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  25,898 
  23,174 
  2,724 
  11.8%
 Losses from catastrophes (1)
  10,561 
  - 
  10,561 
  n/a%
 Total direct and assumed loss and loss adjustment expenses
  36,459 
  23,174 
  13,285 
  57.3%
 
    
    
    
    
 Ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  3,186 
  7,426 
  (4,240)
  (57.1)%
 Losses from catastrophes (1)
  4,831 
  - 
  4,831 
  n/a%
 Total ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses
  8,017 
  7,426 
  591 
  8.0%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net loss and loss adjustment expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  22,712 
  15,748 
  6,964 
  44.2%
 Losses from catastrophes (1)
  5,730 
  - 
  5,730 
  n/a%
 Net loss and loss adjustment expenses
  28,442 
  15,748 
  12,694 
  80.6%
 
    
    
    
    
 Commission expense
  11,817 
  9,991 
  1,826 
  18.3%
 Other underwriting expenses
  10,107 
  8,412 
  1,695 
  20.1%
 Other operating expenses
  1,091 
  1,662 
  (571)
  (34.4)%
 Depreciation and amortization
  834 
  645 
  189 
  29.3%
 Interest expense
  909 
  - 
  909 
  n/a%
 Total expenses
  53,200 
  36,458 
  16,742 
  45.9%
 
    
    
    
    
 Income from operations before taxes
  48 
  5,913 
  (5,865)
  (99.2)%
 Income tax expense
  9 
  1,932 
  (1,923)
  (99.5)%
 Net income
 $39 
 $3,981 
 $(3,942)
  (99.0)%
 
(1)
The six months ended June 30, 2018 includes catastrophe losses defined as losses, which are from an event for which a catastrophe bulletin and related serial number has been issued by the Property Claims Services (PCS) unit of the Insurance Services Office (ISO). PCS catastrophe bulletins are issued for events that cause more than $25 million in total insured losses and affect a significant number of policyholders and insurers.
 
 
 
41
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
Percentage
Point
Change
 
 
 Percent
Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Key ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net loss ratio
  60.6%
  47.3%
  13.3 
  28.1%
 Net underwriting expense ratio
  38.2%
  34.1%
  4.1 
  12.0%
 Net combined ratio
  98.8%
  81.4%
  17.4 
  21.4%
 
Direct Written Premiums
 
Direct written premiums during the six months ended June 30, 2018 (“2018”) were $68,390,000 compared to $56,584,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2017 (“2017”). The increase of $11,806,000, or 20.9%, was primarily due to an increase in policies in-force during 2018 as compared to 2017 driven by continued growth in new business. We wrote more new policies as a result of continued demand for our products in the markets that we serve. We believe that a portion of our growth in new policies is attributable to our upgraded A.M. Best rating of A- that we received in April 2017. During 2017, we started writing homeowners policies in New Jersey and Rhode Island. In 2018, we started writing homeowners policies in Massachusetts. We refer to our New York business as our “Core” business and the business outside of New York as our “Expansion” business. Direct written premiums from our Expansion business were $3,064,000 in 2018, compared to $229,000 in 2017. Policies in-force increased by 20.3% as of June 30, 2018 compared to June 30, 2017.
 
Net Written Premiums and Net Premiums Earned
 
The following table describes the quota share reinsurance ceding rates in effect during 2018 and 2017. For purposes of the discussion herein, the change in the quota share ceding rates on July 1, 2017 will be referred to as “the Cut-off”. This table should be referred to in conjunction with the discussions for net written premiums, net premiums earned, ceding commission revenue and net loss and loss adjustment expenses that follow.
 
 
 Six months ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
("2017/2019
Treaty")
 
("2016/2017
Treaty")
 
 
 
 
 Quota share reinsurance rates
 
 
 
 Personal lines
20%
 
40%
 
See “Reinsurance” below for changes to our personal lines quota share treaty effective July 1, 2017.
 
 
42
 
 
Net written premiums increased $15,203,000, or 41.7%, to $51,665,000 in 2018 from $36,462,000 in 2017. Net written premiums include direct and assumed premiums, less the amount of written premiums ceded under our reinsurance treaties (quota share, excess of loss, and catastrophe). Our personal lines business is currently subject to a quota share treaty. A reduction to the quota share percentage or elimination of a quota share treaty will reduce our ceded written premiums, which will result in a corresponding increase to our net written premiums. The increase in net written premiums is due to growth and the reduction of our personal lines quota share reinsurance rate to 20% on July 1, 2017.
 
Excess of loss reinsurance treaties
 
An increase in written premiums will, to a lesser extent, increase the premiums ceded under our excess of loss treaties. In 2018, our ceded excess of loss reinsurance premiums decreased by $40,000 over the comparable ceded premiums for 2017. The decrease was due to more favorable reinsurance rates in 2018, partially offset by an increase in premiums subject to excess of loss reinsurance.
 
Catastrophe reinsurance treaties
 
Most of the premiums written under our personal lines are also subject to our catastrophe treaties. An increase in our personal lines business gives rise to more property exposure, which increases our exposure to catastrophe risk; therefore, our premiums ceded under catastrophe treaties will increase. This results in an increase in premiums ceded under our catastrophe treaties provided that reinsurance rates are stable or are increasing. In 2018, our premiums ceded under catastrophe treaties increased by $1,336,000 over the comparable ceded premiums for 2017. The increase was due to an increase in our catastrophe coverage and an increase in premiums subject to catastrophe reinsurance, partially offset by more favorable reinsurance rates in 2018. Our ceded catastrophe premiums are paid based on the total direct written premiums subject to the catastrophe reinsurance treaty.
 
Net premiums earned
 
Net premiums earned increased $13,619,000, or 40.9 %, to $46,942,000 in 2018 from $33,323,000 in 2017. The increase was due to the increase in written premiums discussed above and our retaining more earned premiums effective July 1, 2017, as a result of the reduction of the quota share percentage in our personal lines quota share treaty.
 
Ceding Commission Revenue
 
The following table details the quota share provisional ceding commission rates in effect during 2018 and 2017. This table should be referred to in conjunction with the discussion for ceding commission revenue that follows.
 
 
Six months ended
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
("2017/2019
Treaty")

("2016/2017
Treaty")
 
 
 
 
Provisional ceding commission rate on quota share treaty
 
 
 
  Personal lines
53%
 
52%
 
 
43
 
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the components of ceding commission revenue (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Six months ended
June 30,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
Change
 
 
 Percent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Provisional ceding commissions earned
 $4,213 
 $6,768 
 $(2,555)
  (37.8)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Contingent ceding commissions earned
    
    
    
    
Contingent ceding commissions earned excluding
    
    
    
    
the effect of catastrophes
  (368)
  (278)
  (90)
  32.4%
Effect of catastrophes on ceding commissions earned
  (459)
  - 
  (459)
  n/a 
Contingent ceding commissions earned
  (827)
  (278)
  (549)
  197.5%
 
    
    
    
    
 Total ceding commission revenue
 $3,386 
 $6,490 
 $(3,104)
  (47.8)%

Ceding commission revenue was $3,386,000 in 2018 compared to $6,490,000 in 2017. The decrease of $3,104,000, or 47.8%, was due to a decrease in provisional ceding commissions earned as well as a decrease in contingent ceding commissions earned. The reduction in provisional ceding commissions occurred due to us making the decision to retain more of our profitable business (see below for discussion of provisional ceding commissions earned and contingent ceding commissions earned).
 
 Provisional Ceding Commissions Earned
 
We receive a provisional ceding commission based on ceded written premiums. In 2018 our provisional ceding rate was 53% effective July 1, 2017 under the 2017/2019 Treaty. In 2017 our provisional ceding rate was 52% effective July 1, 2016 ender the 2016/2017 Treaty. The $2,555,000 decrease in provisional ceding commissions earned is primarily due to the decrease in the quota share ceding rate effective July 1, 2017 to 20%, from the 40% rate in effect from January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017; thus there were less ceded premiums in 2018 available to earn ceding commissions than there were in 2017. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in personal lines direct written premiums subject to the quota share and by the one percentage point increase in our provisional ceding commission rate as discussed above.
 
Contingent Ceding Commissions Earned
 
We receive a contingent ceding commission based on a sliding scale in relation to the losses incurred under our quota share treaties. The lower the ceded loss ratio, the more contingent commission we receive. The amount of contingent ceding commissions we are eligible to receive under the 2017/2019 Treaty is subject to change based on losses incurred from claims with accident dates beginning July 1, 2017. The amount of contingent ceding commissions we are eligible to receive under our prior years’ quota share treaties is subject to change based on losses incurred related to claims with accident dates before July 1, 2017.
 
The 2017/2019 Treaty and 2016/2017 Treaty structures limit the amount of contingent ceding commissions that we can receive by setting a higher provisional commission rate. As a result of the higher upfront provisional ceding commissions that we receive, there is only a limited opportunity to earn contingent ceding commissions under these treaties. Under our current “net” treaty structure, catastrophe losses in excess of the $5,000,000 retention will fall outside of the quota share treaty and such losses will not have an impact on contingent ceding commissions. In 2018, catastrophe losses of $1,433,000 were ceded under our personal lines quota share treaty. These catastrophe losses resulted in the Loss Ratios for the period July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 (attributable to the 2017/2019 Treaty) to be higher than the contractual Loss Ratio at which provisional ceding commissions were being earned. As a result, we incurred a negative adjustment or reduction to the contingent ceding commissions of $459,000 relative to what would have been earned had the catastrophe losses not occurred. See “Reinsurance” below for changes to our personal lines quota share treaty effective July 1, 2017.
 
 
44
 
 
Net Investment Income
 
Net investment income was $2,941,000 in 2018 compared to $1,884,000 in 2017. The increase of $1,057,000, or 56.1%, was due to an increase in average invested assets in 2018. The average yield on invested assets was 3.74% as of June 30, 2018 compared to 3.80% as of June 30, 2017. The pre-tax equivalent yield on invested assets was 3.41% and 4.00% as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
Cash and invested assets were $186,310,000 as of June 30, 2018, compared to $143,450,000 as of June 30, 2017. The $42,860,000 increase in cash and invested assets resulted primarily from the net proceeds of approximately $29,122,000 that we received in December 2017 from our debt offering and increased operating cash flows for the period after June 30, 2017.
 
Net Gains and Losses on Investments
 
Net losses on investments were $630,000 in 2018 compared to a net gain of $76,000 in 2017. The increased loss of $706,000, was primarily attributable to an accounting standard change (ASU 2016-01, see Note 2) with respect to the changes in fair value of equity securities and other investments. Historically, the change in unrealized gains (losses) for these investments would flow through other comprehensive income (loss). As a result of the new accounting standard, the change in unrealized gains (losses) is now recorded in the statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). Net unrealized losses on our equity securities and other investments in 2018 were $310,000. Realized losses on investments was $320,000 in 2018 compared to realized gains of $76,000 in 2017.
 
Other Income
 
Other income was $609,000 in 2018 compared to $598,000 in 2017. The increase of $11,000, or 1.8%, was primarily due to an increase in installment and other fees earned in our insurance underwriting business.
 
Net Loss and LAE
 
Net loss and LAE was $28,442,000 in 2018 compared to $15,748,000 in 2017. The net loss ratio was 60.6% in 2018 compared to 47.3% in 2017, an increase of 13.3 percentage points.
 
 
45
 
 
The following graph summarizes the changes in the components of net loss ratio for the periods indicated:
 
 
During 2018, the net loss ratio increased compared to 2017 due primarily to the impact of catastrophe losses related to severe winter weather. We define catastrophe losses as losses from an event for which a catastrophe bulletin and related serial number has been issued by the Property Claims Services (PCS) unit of the Insurance Services Office (ISO). We assign claims as catastrophe-related if the PCS industry loss estimate is $25 million or greater for the applicable state in which our policies are written.  In 2018 there have been six catastrophic events reported with most of the impact related to several major winter storms. We recorded a 12.2 point impact from catastrophes in 2018, driving most of the 13.3 point increase in the overall loss ratio from 2017, in which there was no impact from catastrophes.  In addition to the impact of catastrophes, we have recorded 0.5 points of unfavorable prior year loss development in 2018 compared to 0.6 points of favorable prior year development in 2017, or an increase of 1.1 points in the impact of prior year development year to date. Prior year loss development in 2018 was related to some unfavorable settlements on liability claims from older years and from higher than expected loss development from fire and winter claims occurring in late 2017. The underlying loss ratio excluding the impact of catastrophes and prior year development was 47.9% in 2018, unchanged from 2017.  See table below under “Additional Financial Information” summarizing net loss ratios by line of business.
 
 
46
 
 
Commission Expense
 
Commission expense was $6,017,000 in Q2-2018 or 18.6% of direct earned premiums. Commission expense was $5,101,000 in Q2-2017 or 19.1% of direct earned premiums. The increase of $916,000 is due to the increase in direct earned premiums in Q2-2018 as compared to Q2-2017, partially offset by a decrease in contingent commission expense, which was due to variances in year to date loss ratios.
 
Other Underwriting Expenses
 
Other underwriting expenses were $5,076,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $4,200,000 in Q2-2017. The increase of $876,000, or 20.9%, was primarily due to expenses related to growth in direct written premiums. We are also incurring expenses related to our Expansion Expenses. Expansion Expenses were $400,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $277,000 in Q2-2017. The increase of $123,000 includes the costs of salaries and employment costs, professional fees, IT and data services specifically attributable to the expansion into new states.
 
Core salaries and employment costs were $4,103,000 in 2018 compared to $3,505,000 in 2017. The increase of $598,000, or 17.1%, was less than the 20.9% increase in total direct written premiums, which has not yet materially affected by our Expansion business. The increase in employment costs was due to hiring of additional staff to service our current level of business and anticipated growth in volume, hiring our new Chief Operating Officer in March 2018 as well as annual increases in salaries. Growth related to our Expansion business creates a lag in net premiums earned compared to direct written premiums for that business. This lag in net premiums earned along with the reduction to quota share rates distorts net underwriting expense ratio comparisons between periods. Therefore, we believe that reviewing the ratio of Core other underwriting expenses to Core net premiums earned offers a more consistent comparison between periods and is a more accurate indicator of our overall other underwriting expense efficiency. The following table breaks out the Core and Expansion components of our underwriting expense ratio for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
 Six months ended
 
 
 $ or
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 Point
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Core
 $45,945 
 $33,317 
 $12,628 
 Expansion
  997 
  6 
  991 
 Total
 $46,942 
 $33,323 
 $13,619 
 
    
    
    
 Other underwriting expenses
    
    
    
 Core
 $9,317 
 $7,905 
 $1,412 
 Expansion
  790 
  507 
  283 
 Total
 $10,107 
 $8,412 
 $1,695 
 
    
    
    
 Other underwriting expenses as a percentage
    
    
    
 of net premiums earned
    
    
    
 Core
  20.3%
  23.7%
  -3.4%
 Expansion
  79.2%
  8450.0%
  -8370.8%
 Total
  21.4%
  25.3%
  -3.9%
 
The ratio of Core other underwriting expenses to Core net premiums earned was 20.3% in 2018 compared to 23.7% in 2017, a decrease of 3.4 percentage points.
 
 
47
 
 
Our net underwriting expense ratio in 2018 was 38.2% compared to 34.1% in 2017. The following table shows the individual components of our net underwriting expense ratio for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
 Six months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 Point Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceding commission revenue - provisional
  (9.0)%
  (20.3)%
  11.3 
Ceding commission revenue - contingent
  1.8 
  0.8 
  1.0 
Other income
  (1.2)
  (1.7)
  0.5 
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses:
 
    
    
Commission expense
  25.2 
  30.0 
  (4.8)
 
  16.8 
  8.8 
  8.0 
Other underwriting expenses
    
    
    
Core
    
    
    
Employment costs
  8.7 
  10.5 
  (1.8)
Other Core Expenses
  11.0 
  13.3 
  (2.3)
Total Core Expenses
  19.7 
  23.8 
  (4.1)
Expansion Expenses
  1.7 
  1.5 
  0.2 
Total other underwriting expenses
  21.4 
  25.3 
  (3.9)
 
    
    
    
Net underwriting expense ratio
  38.2%
  34.1%
  4.1 
 
The decrease in our other underwriting expense ratio excluding the impact of ceding commission revenue and commission expense was driven by a decline of 4.1 points from the impact of employment costs and other expenses attributable to our growing Core business, partially offset by the impact from increased costs related to Expansion business.
 
The overall increase of 4.1 percentage points in the net underwriting expense ratio was driven almost entirely by the change in our quota share ceding rates and its impact on provisional ceding commission revenue as a result of the additional retention resulting from the Cut-off to our quota share treaties on July 1, 2017. The components of our net underwriting expense ratio related to commissions and other underwriting expenses improved in nearly all categories, but this was more than offset by reductions in the reinsurance ceding commission revenue components
 
Other Operating Expenses
 
Other operating expenses, related to the expenses of our holding company, were $1,091,000 in 2018 compared to $1,662,000 in 2017. The decrease in 2018 of $571,000, or 34.4%, was primarily due to decreases in executive bonus compensation, partially offset by an increase in salary and equity compensation due to the hiring of our new Chief Operating Officer in March 2018.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization was $834,000 in 2018 compared to $645,000 in 2017. The increase of $189,000, or 29.3%, in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to depreciation of our new system platform for processing business being written in Expansion states. The increase was also impacted by newly purchased assets used to upgrade our systems infrastructure and improvements to the Kingston, New York home office building from which we operate.
 
 
48
 
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense in 2018 was $909,000 and -0- in 2017.  We incurred interest expense in connection with our $30.0 million issuance of long-term debt in December 2017. 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
Income tax expense in 2018 was $9,000, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 18.8%. Income tax expense in 2017 was $1,932,000, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 32.7%. The change in our effective tax rate includes the change in the federal tax rate from 35% to 21%. Income before taxes was $48,000 in 2018 compared to income before taxes of $5,913,000 in 2017.
 
Net Income
 
Net income was $39,000 in 2018 compared to net income of $3,981,000 in 2017. The decrease in net income of $3,942,000, or (99.0%), was due to the circumstances described above, which caused the increase in our net loss ratio, decrease in ceding commission revenue, net losses on investments, increases in other underwriting expenses, depreciation and amortization and interest expense, partially offset by the increase in our net premiums earned, net investment income and decrease in other operating expenses.
 
 
49
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the results of our operations (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
Change
 
 
 Percent
 
 Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Direct written premiums
 $36,864 
 $30,458 
 $6,406 
  21.0%
 Assumed written premiums
  - 
  2 
  (2)
  (100.0)%
 
  36,864 
  30,460 
  6,404 
  21.0%
 Ceded written premiums
    
    
    
    
 Ceded to quota share treaties
  5,204 
  7,766 
  (2,562)
  (33.0)%
 Ceded to excess of loss treaties
  307 
  325 
  (18)
  (5.5)%
 Ceded to catastrophe treaties
  3,388 
  2,642 
  746 
  28.2%
 Total ceded written premiums
  8,899 
  10,733 
  (1,834)
  (17.1)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net written premiums
  27,965 
  19,727 
  8,238 
  41.8%
 
    
    
    
    
 Change in unearned premiums
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed
  (4,485)
  (3,713)
  (772)
  20.8%
 Ceded to quota share treaties
  625 
  939 
  (314)
  (33.4)%
 Change in net unearned premiums
  (3,860)
  (2,774)
  (1,086)
  39.1%
 
    
    
    
    
 Premiums earned
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed
  32,379 
  26,748 
  5,631 
  21.1%
 Ceded to reinsurance treaties
  (8,274)
  (9,794)
  1,520 
  (15.5)%
 Net premiums earned
  24,105 
  16,954 
  7,151 
  42.2%
 Ceding commission revenue
    
    
    
    
 Excluding the effect of catastrophes
  1,816 
  3,306 
  (1,490)
  (45.1)%
 Effect of catastrophes
  (125)
  - 
  (125)
  n/a%
 Total ceding commission revenue
  1,691 
  3,306 
  (1,615)
  (48.9)%
 Net investment income
  1,557 
  1,026 
  531 
  51.8%
 Net (losses) gains on investments
  (107)
  130 
  (237)
  (182.3)%
 Other income
  300 
  308 
  (8)
  (2.6)%
 Total revenues
  27,546 
  21,724 
  5,822 
  26.8%
 Expenses
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  13,357 
  10,647 
  2,710 
  25.5%
 Losses from catastrophes (1)
  224 
  - 
  224 
  n/a%
 Total direct and assumed loss and loss adjustment expenses
  13,581 
  10,647 
  2,934 
  27.6%
 
    
    
    
    
 Ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  2,365 
  3,192 
  (827)
  (25.9)%
 Losses from catastrophes (1)
  40 
  - 
  40 
  n/a%
 Total ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses
  2,405 
  3,192 
  (787)
  (24.7)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net loss and loss adjustment expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  10,992 
  7,455 
  3,537 
  47.4%
 Losses from catastrophes (1)
  184 
  - 
  184 
  n/a%
 Net loss and loss adjustment expenses
  11,176 
  7,455 
  3,721 
  49.9%
 
    
    
    
    
 Commission expense
  6,017 
  5,102 
  915 
  17.9%
 Other underwriting expenses
  5,076 
  4,200 
  876 
  20.9%
 Other operating expenses
  843 
  906 
  (63)
  (7.0)%
 Depreciation and amortization
  424 
  326 
  98 
  30.1%
 Interest expense
  452 
  - 
  452 
  n/a%
 Total expenses
  23,989 
  17,989 
  6,000 
  33.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Income from operations before taxes
  3,557 
  3,735 
  (178)
  (4.8)%
 Income tax expense
  800 
  1,225 
  (425)
  (34.7)%
 Net income
 $2,757 
 $2,510 
 $247 
  9.8%
 
(1)
The three months ended June 30, 2018 includes catastrophe losses, which are defined as losses from an event for which a catastrophe bulletin and related serial number has been issued by the Property Claims Services (PCS) unit of the Insurance Services Office (ISO). PCS catastrophe bulletins are issued for events that cause more than $25 million in total insured losses and affect a significant number of policyholders and insurers.
 
 
50
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
Percentage Point Change
 
 
 Percent Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Key ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net loss ratio
  46.4%
  44.0%
  2.4 
  5.5%
 Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.8%
  33.6%
  4.2 
  12.5%
 Net combined ratio
  84.2%
  77.6%
  6.6 
  8.5%
 
Direct Written Premiums
 
Direct written premiums during the three months ended June 30, 2018 (“Q2-2018”) were $36,864,000 compared to $30,458,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2017 (“Q2-2017”). The increase of $6,406,000, or 21.0%, was primarily due to an increase in policies in-force during 2018 as compared to 2017 driven by continued growth in new business. We wrote more new policies as a result of continued demand for our products in the markets that we serve. We believe that a portion of our growth in new policies is attributable to our upgraded A.M. Best rating of A- that we received in April 2017. During 2017 and 2018, we started writing homeowners policies in our aforementioned Expansion markets. Direct written premiums from our Expansion business were $2,167,000 in Q2-2018, compared to $229,000 in Q2-2017. Policies in-force increased by 20.3% as of June 30, 2018 compared to June 30, 2017.
 
Net Written Premiums and Net Premiums Earned
 
The following table describes the quota share reinsurance ceding rates in effect during Q2-2018 and Q2-2017. For purposes of the discussion herein, the change in the quota share ceding rates on July 1, 2017 will be referred to as “the Cut-off”. This table should be referred to in conjunction with the discussions for net written premiums, net premiums earned, ceding commission revenue and net loss and loss adjustment expenses that follow.
 
 
Three months ended
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
("2017/2019
Treaty")
 
("2016/2017
Treaty")
 
 
 
 
 Quota share reinsurance rates
 
 
 
 Personal lines
20%
 
40%
 
See “Reinsurance” below for changes to our personal lines quota share treaty effective July 1, 2017.
 
Net written premiums increased $8,238,000, or 41.8%, to $27,965,000 in Q2-2018 from $19,727,000 in Q2-2017. Net written premiums include direct and assumed premiums, less the amount of written premiums ceded under our reinsurance treaties (quota share, excess of loss, and catastrophe). Our personal lines business is currently subject to a quota share treaty. A reduction to the quota share percentage or elimination of a quota share treaty will reduce our ceded written premiums, which will result in a corresponding increase to our net written premiums. The increase in net written premiums is due to growth and the reduction of our personal lines quota share reinsurance rate to 20% on July 1, 2017.
 
 
51
 
 
Excess of loss reinsurance treaties
 
An increase in written premiums will, to a lesser extent, increase the premiums ceded under our excess of loss treaties. In Q2-2018, our ceded excess of loss reinsurance premiums decreased by $18,000 over the comparable ceded premiums for Q2-2017. The decrease was due to more favorable reinsurance rates in Q2-2018, partially offset by an increase in premiums subject to excess of loss reinsurance.
 
Catastrophe reinsurance treaties
 
Most of the premiums written under our personal lines are also subject to our catastrophe treaty. An increase in our personal lines business gives rise to more property exposure, which increases our exposure to catastrophe risk; therefore, our premiums ceded under catastrophe treaties will increase. This results in an increase in premiums ceded under our catastrophe treaty provided that reinsurance rates are stable or are increasing. In Q2-2018, our premiums ceded under catastrophe treaties increased by $746,000 over the comparable ceded premiums for Q2-2017. The increase was due to an increase in our catastrophe coverage and an increase in premiums subject to catastrophe reinsurance, partially offset by more favorable reinsurance rates in Q2-2018. Our ceded catastrophe premiums are paid based on the total direct written premiums subject to the catastrophe reinsurance treaty.
 
Net premiums earned
 
Net premiums earned increased $7,151,000, or 42.2 %, to $24,105,000 in Q2-2018 from $16,954,000 in Q2-2017. The increase was due to the increase in written premiums discussed above and our retaining more earned premiums effective July 1, 2017, as a result of the reduction of the quota share percentage in our personal lines quota share treaty.
 
Ceding Commission Revenue
 
The following table details the quota share provisional ceding commission rates in effect during Q2-2018 and Q2-2017. This table should be referred to in conjunction with the discussion for ceding commission revenue that follows.
 
 
Three months ended
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
("2017/2019
Treaty")

("2016/2017
Treaty")
 
 
 
 
  Provisional ceding commission rate on quota share treaty
 
 
 
 Personal lines
53%
 
52%
 
52
 
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the components of ceding commission revenue (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
Change
 
 
 Percent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Provisional ceding commissions earned
 $2,146 
 $3,425 
 $(1,279)
  (37.3)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Contingent ceding commissions earned
    
    
    
    
 Contingent ceding commissions earned excluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
  (330)
  (119)
  (211)
  177.3%
 Effect of catastrophes on ceding commissions earned
  (125)
  - 
  (125)
  n/a 
 Contingent ceding commissions earned
  (455)
  (119)
  (336)
  282.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Total ceding commission revenue
 $1,691 
 $3,306 
 $(1,615)
  (48.9)%
 
Ceding commission revenue was $1,691,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $3,306,000 in Q2-2017. The decrease of $1,615,000, or 48.9%, was due to a decrease in provisional ceding commissions earned as well as a decrease in contingent ceding commissions earned. The reduction in provisional ceding commissions occurred due to us making the decision to retain more of our profitable business (see below for discussion of provisional ceding commissions earned and contingent ceding commissions earned).
 
 Provisional Ceding Commissions Earned
 
We receive a provisional ceding commission based on ceded written premiums. In Q2-2018 our provisional ceding rate was 53% effective July 1, 2017 under the 2017/2019 Treaty. In Q2-2017 our provisional ceding rate was 52% effective July 1, 2016 ender the 2016/2017 Treaty. The $1,279,000 decrease in provisional ceding commissions earned is primarily due to the decrease in the quota share ceding rate effective July 1, 2017 to 20%, from the 40% rate in effect from January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017; thus there were less ceded premiums in Q2-2018 available to earn ceding commissions than there were in Q2-2017. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in personal lines direct written premiums subject to the quota share and by the one point increase in our provisional ceding commission rate as discussed above.
 
Contingent Ceding Commissions Earned
 
We receive a contingent ceding commission based on a sliding scale in relation to the losses incurred under our quota share treaties. The lower the ceded loss ratio, the more contingent commission we receive. The amount of contingent ceding commissions we are eligible to receive under the 2017/2019 Treaty is subject to change based on losses incurred from claims with accident dates beginning July 1, 2017. The amount of contingent ceding commissions we are eligible to receive under our prior years’ quota share treaties is subject to change based on losses incurred related to claims with accident dates before July 1, 2017.
 
The 2017/2019 Treaty and 2016/2017 Treaty structures limit the amount of contingent ceding commissions that we can receive by setting a higher provisional commission rate. As a result of the higher upfront provisional ceding commissions that we receive, there is only a limited opportunity to earn contingent ceding commissions under these treaties. Under our current “net” treaty structure, catastrophe losses in excess of the $5,000,000 retention will fall outside of the quota share treaty and such losses will not have an impact on contingent ceding commissions. In 2018, catastrophe losses of $1,433,000 were ceded under our personal lines quota share treaty. The catastrophe losses resulted in the Loss Ratios for the period July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 (attributable to the 2017/2019 Treaty) to be higher than the contractual Loss Ratio at which provisional ceding commissions were being earned. As a result, in Q2-2018 we incurred a negative adjustment or reduction to contingent ceding commissions of $125,000 relative to what would have been earned had the catastrophe losses not occurred. See “Reinsurance” below for changes to our personal lines quota share treaty effective July 1, 2017.
 
 
53
 
 
Net Investment Income
 
Net investment income was $1,557,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $1,026,000 in Q2-2017. The increase of $531,000, or 51.8%, was due to an increase in average invested assets in Q2-2018. The average yield on invested assets was 3.74% as of June 30, 2018 compared to 3.80% as of June 30, 2017. The pre-tax equivalent yield on invested assets was 3.41% and 4.00% as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
Cash and invested assets were $186,310,000 as of June 30, 2018, compared to $143,450,000 as of June 30, 2017. The $42,860,000 increase in cash and invested assets resulted primarily from the net proceeds of approximately $29,122,000 that we received in December 2017 from our debt offering and increased operating cash flows for the period after June 30, 2017.
 
Net Gains and Losses on Investments
 
Net losses on investments were $107,000 in Q2-2018 compared to net gains of $130,000 in Q2-2017. The decrease of $237,000, was primarily attributable to an accounting standard change (ASU 2016-01, see Note 2) with respect to the changes in fair value of equity securities and other investments. Historically, the change in unrealized gains (losses) for equity securities and other investments would flow through other comprehensive income (loss). As a result of the new accounting standard, the change in unrealized gains (losses) for these investments is now recorded in the statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). Unrealized losses on our equity securities and other investments in Q2-2018 were $30,000. Realized losses on investments was $76,000 in Q2-2018 compared to realized gains of $130,000 in Q2-2017.
 
Other Income
 
Other income was $300,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $308,000 in Q2-2017. The decrease of $8,000, or 2.6%, was primarily due to additional write-offs offset by an increase in installment and other fees earned in our insurance underwriting business.
 
Net Loss and LAE
 
Net loss and LAE was $11,176,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $7,455,000 in Q2-2017. The net loss ratio was 46.4% in Q2-2018 compared to 44.0% in Q2-2017, an increase of 2.4 percentage points.
 
 
54
 
 
The following graph summarizes the changes in the components of net loss ratio for the periods indicated: 
 
 
 
During Q2-2018, the net loss ratio increased compared to Q2-2017 primarily due to a greater impact from prior year loss development. We recorded 1.4 points of unfavorable prior year loss development in Q2-2018 compared to 1.2 points of favorable prior year development in Q2-2017, or an increase in the impact of prior year development of 2.6 points. Prior year loss development for the quarter was related to some unfavorable settlements on liability claims from older years and from higher than expected loss development from fire and winter claims occurring in late 2017. In addition to the impact from prior year development, there was a 0.8 point impact from catastrophes recorded during the quarter. Although the severe winter catastrophe losses that were recorded in the first quarter of 2018 developed favorably, three new catastrophe events were recorded during Q2-2018 that impacted results. The underlying loss ratio excluding the impact of catastrophes and prior year development was 44.2% in Q2-2018, compared to 45.2% in Q2-2017, a decrease of 1.0 point. The underlying loss ratio decreased slightly due to a decline in claims frequency for our personal lines business. See table below under “Additional Financial Information” summarizing net loss ratios by line of business.
 
Commission Expense
 
Commission expense was $6,017,000 in Q2-2018 or 18.6% of direct earned premiums. Commission expense was $5,102,000 in Q2-2017 or 19.1% of direct earned premiums. The increase of $915,000 is due to the increase in direct earned premiums in Q2-2018 as compared to Q2-2017, partially offset by a decrease in contingent commission expense, which was due to variances in year to date loss ratios.
 
 
55
 
 
Other Underwriting Expenses
 
Other underwriting expenses were $5,076,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $4,200,000 in Q2-2017. The increase of $876,000, or 20.9%, was primarily due to expenses related to growth in direct written premiums. We are also incurring expenses related to our Expansion Expenses. Expansion Expenses were $400,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $277,000 in Q2-2017. The increase of $123,000 includes the costs of salaries and employment costs, professional fees, IT and data services specifically attributable to the expansion into new states.
 
Core salaries and employment costs were $2,122,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $1,778,000 in Q2-2017. The increase of $344,000, or 19.3%, was less than the 21.0% increase in total direct written premiums, which is not yet materially affected by our Expansion business. The increase in employment costs was due to hiring of additional staff to service our current level of business and anticipated growth in volume, hiring our chief Operating Officer in March 2018 as well as annual rate increases in salaries. Growth related to our Expansion business creates a lag in net premiums earned compared to direct written premiums for that business. This lag in net premiums earned along with the reduction to quota share rates distorts net underwriting expense ratio comparisons between periods. Therefore, we believe that reviewing the ratio of Core other underwriting expenses to Core net premiums earned offers a more consistent comparison between periods and is a more accurate indicator of our overall other underwriting expense efficiency. The following table breaks out the Core and Expansion components of our underwriting expense ratio for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
 
 Three months ended
 
 
 $ or
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 Point
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Core
 $23,490 
 $16,947 
 $6,543 
 Expansion
  615 
  6 
  609 
 Total
 $24,105 
 $16,953 
 $7,152 
 
    
    
    
 Other underwriting expenses
    
    
    
 Core
 $4,676
 $3,923 
 $753
 Expansion
  400 
  277 
  123 
 Total
 $5,076
 $4,200 
 $876
 
    
    
    
 Other underwriting expenses as a percentage
    
    
    
 of net premiums earned
    
    
    
 Core
  19.9%
  23.1%
  -3.2%
 Expansion
  65.0%
  4616.7%
  -4551.6%
 Total
  21.0%
  24.7%
  -3.7%
 
The ratio of Core other underwriting expenses to Core net premiums earned was 19.9 % in Q2-2018 compared to 23.1% in Q2-2017, a decrease of 3.2 percentage points.
 
Our net underwriting expense ratio in Q2-2018 was 37.8% compared to 33.6% in Q2-2017. The following table shows the individual components of our net underwriting expense ratio for the periods indicated:
 
 
56
 
 
 
 
Three months ended    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 June 30,  
 
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 Point Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ceding commission revenue - provisional
  (8.9)%
  (20.2)%
  11.3 
 Ceding commission revenue - contingent
  1.9 
  0.7 
  1.2 
 Other income
  (1.2)
  (1.7)
  0.5 
 
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses:
 
    
    
 Commission expense
  25.0 
  30.1 
  (5.1)
 
 16.8 
  8.9 
  7.9 
 Other underwriting expenses
    
    
    
 Core
    
    
    
 Employment costs
  8.8 
  10.5 
  (1.7)
 Other Core Expenses
  10.5 
  12.6 
  (2.1)
 Total Core Expenses
  19.3 
  23.1 
  (3.8)
 Expansion Expenses
  1.7 
  1.6 
  0.1 
 Total other underwriting expenses
  21.0 
  24.7 
  (3.7)
 
    
    
    
 Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.8%
  33.6%
  4.2 
 
The decrease in our other underwriting expense ratio excluding the impact of ceding commission revenue and commission expense was driven by a decline of 3.8 points in the impact from employment costs and other expenses attributable to our growing Core business, partially offset by the impact from increased costs related to Expansion business.
 
The overall increase of 4.2 percentage points in the net underwriting expense ratio was driven almost entirely by the change in our quota share ceding rates and its impact on provisional ceding commission revenue as a result of the additional retention resulting from the Cut-off to our quota share treaties on July 1, 2017. The net underwriting expense ratio related to commissions and other underwriting expenses improved in nearly all categories, but this was more than offset by reductions in the reinsurance ceding commission revenue components.
 
Other Operating Expenses
 
Other operating expenses, related to the expenses of our holding company, were $843,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $906,000 in Q2-2017. The decrease in Q2-2018 of $63,000, or 7.0%, was primarily due to decreases in executive bonus compensation, partially offset by an increase in salary and equity compensation due to the hiring of our new Chief Operating Officer in March 2018.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization was $424,000 in Q2-2018 compared to $326,000 in Q2-2017. The increase of $98,000, or 30.1%, in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to depreciation of our new system platform for processing business being written in Expansion states. The increase was also impacted by newly purchased assets used to upgrade our systems infrastructure and improvements to the Kingston, New York home office building from which we operate.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense in Q2-2018 was $452,000 and -0- in Q2-2017.  We incurred interest expense in connection with our $30.0 million issuance of long-term debt in December 2017. 
 
 
57
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
Income tax expense in Q2-2018 was $800,000, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 22.5%. Income tax expense in Q2-2017 was $1,225,000, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 32.8%. The change in our effective tax rate includes the change in the federal tax rate from 35% to 21%. Income before taxes was $3,557,000 in Q2-2018 compared to income before taxes of $3,735,000 in Q2-2017.
 
Net Income
 
Net income was $2,757,000 in Q2-2018 compared to net income of $2,510,000 in Q2-2017. The increase in net income of $247,000, or 9.8%, was due to the circumstances described above, which caused the increase in our net loss ratio, decrease in ceding commission revenue, net losses on investments, increases in other underwriting expenses, depreciation and amortization and interest expense, partially offset by the increase in our net premiums earned, net investment income and decrease in other operating expenses.
 
 
58
 
 
Additional Financial Information
 
We operate our business as one segment, property and casualty insurance. Within this segment, we offer a wide array of property and casualty policies to our producers. The following table summarizes gross and net written premiums, net premiums earned, and net loss and loss adjustment expenses by major product type, which were determined based primarily on similar economic characteristics and risks of loss.
 
 
 
 For the Three Months Ended
 
 
 For the Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 June 30,
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gross premiums written:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Personal lines
 $29,652,128 
 $23,139,479 
 $54,477,580 
 $42,601,451 
 Commercial lines
  4,731,445 
  4,162,821 
  9,017,836 
  7,746,875 
 Livery physical damage
  2,424,499 
  3,101,043 
  4,778,569 
  6,127,526 
 Other(1)
  56,093 
  56,922 
  116,799 
  114,308 
 Total
 $36,864,165 
 $30,460,265 
 $68,390,784 
 $56,590,160 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net premiums written:
    
    
    
    
 Personal lines
 $21,219,892 
 $12,844,104 
 $38,663,803 
 $23,310,472 
 Commercial lines
  4,274,058 
  3,743,568 
  8,126,429 
  6,946,133 
 Livery physical damage
  2,424,499 
  3,101,043 
  4,778,569 
  6,127,526 
 Other(1)
  46,228 
  38,585 
  96,260 
  77,474 
 Total
 $27,964,676 
 $19,727,300 
 $51,665,060 
 $36,461,605 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net premiums earned:
    
    
    
    
 Personal lines
 $18,231,382 
 $11,039,025 
 $35,271,638 
 $21,729,608 
 Commercial lines
  3,423,712 
  2,985,759 
  6,653,682 
  5,828,339 
 Livery physical damage
  2,401,376 
  2,884,986 
  4,922,060 
  5,677,333 
 Other(1)
  48,144 
  43,957 
  94,851 
  88,195 
 Total
 $24,104,614 
 $16,953,727 
 $46,942,231 
 $33,323,475 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net loss and loss adjustment expenses(2):
    
    
    
    
 Personal lines
 $8,482,526 
 $4,399,735 
 $21,443,732 
 $9,751,847 
 Commercial lines
  800,664 
  1,229,782 
  3,250,262 
  2,758,578 
 Livery physical damage
  1,101,715 
  1,260,153 
  2,265,796 
  2,225,675 
 Other(1)
  318,304 
  74,672 
  376,978 
  22,598 
 Unallocated loss adjustment expenses
  472,876 
  490,580 
  1,105,647 
  989,220 
 Total
 $11,176,085 
 $7,454,922 
 $28,442,415 
 $15,747,918 
 
    
    
    
    
Net loss ratio(2):
    
    
    
    
Personal lines
  46.5%
  39.9%
  60.8%
  44.9%
Commercial lines
  23.4%
  41.2%
  48.8%
  47.3%
Livery physical damage
  45.9%
  43.7%
  46.0%
  39.2%
Other(1)
  661.2%
  169.9%
  397.4%
  25.6%
Total
  46.4%
  44.0%
  60.6%
  47.3%
__________________________________
 
(1)
“Other” includes, among other things, premiums and loss and loss adjustment expenses from our participation in a mandatory state joint underwriting association and loss and loss adjustment expenses from commercial auto.
 
(2)
See discussions above with regard to “Net Loss and LAE”, as to catastrophe losses in 2018.
 
 
59
 
 
Insurance Underwriting Business on a Standalone Basis
 
Our insurance underwriting business reported on a standalone basis for the periods indicated is as follows:
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
 
Six months ended
 
 
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net premiums earned
 $24,104,614 
 $16,953,727 
 $46,942,231 
 $33,323,475 
 Ceding commission revenue
  1,691,168 
  3,305,938 
  3,386,326 
  6,490,390 
 Net investment income
  1,531,163 
  1,026,004 
  2,915,152 
  1,883,804 
 Net (losses) gains on investments
  (106,234)
  130,423 
  (629,361)
  75,917 
 Other income
  292,566 
  296,285 
  584,788 
  563,661 
 Total revenues
  27,513,277 
  21,712,377 
  53,199,136 
  42,337,247 
 
    
    
    
    
 Expenses
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
  11,176,085 
  7,454,922 
  28,442,415 
  15,747,918 
 Commission expense
  6,017,189 
  5,101,566 
  11,817,137 
  9,990,544 
 Other underwriting expenses
  5,075,986 
  4,198,875 
  10,107,489 
  8,412,033 
 Depreciation and amortization
  424,161 
  326,174 
  833,592 
  644,872 
 Total expenses
  22,693,421 
  17,081,537 
  51,200,633 
  34,795,367 
 
    
    
    
    
 Income from operations
  4,819,856 
  4,630,840 
  1,998,503 
  7,541,880 
 Income tax expense
  987,926 
  1,557,801 
  377,646 
  2,512,929 
 Net income
 $3,831,930 
 $3,073,039 
 $1,620,857 
 $5,028,951 
 
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
 Key Measures:
    
    
    
    
 Net loss ratio
  46.4%
  44.0%
  60.6%
  47.3%
 Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.8%
  33.6%
  38.2%
  34.1%
 Net combined ratio
  84.2%
  77.6%
  98.8%
  81.4%
 
    
    
    
    
     Reconciliation of net underwriting expense ratio:
 
    
    
    
 Acquisition costs and other
    
    
    
    
 underwriting expenses
 $11,093,175 
 $9,300,441 
 $21,924,626 
 $18,402,577 
 Less: Ceding commission revenue
  (1,691,168)
  (3,305,938)
  (3,386,326)
  (6,490,390)
 Less: Other income
  (292,566)
  (296,285)
  (584,788)
  (563,661)
 Net underwriting expenses
 $9,109,441 
 $5,698,218 
 $17,953,512 
 $11,348,526 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net premiums earned
 $24,104,614 
 $16,953,727 
 $46,942,231 
 $33,323,475 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net Underwriting Expense Ratio
  37.8%
  33.6%
  38.2%
  34.1%
 
An analysis of our direct, assumed and ceded earned premiums, loss and loss adjustment expenses, and loss ratios is shown below:
 
 
60
 
 
 
 
 Direct
 
 
 Assumed
 
 
 Ceded
 
 
 Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Six months ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Written premiums
 $68,389,960 
 $824 
 $(16,725,724)
 $51,665,060 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (5,495,329)
  3,064 
  769,436 
  (4,722,829)
 Earned premiums
 $62,894,631 
 $3,888 
 $(15,956,288)
 $46,942,231 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses exluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
 $25,875,115 
 $22,933 
 $(3,186,030)
 $22,712,018 
 Catastrophe loss
  10,561,389 
  - 
  (4,830,992)
  5,730,397 
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
 $36,436,504 
 $22,933 
 $(8,017,022)
 $28,442,415 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  41.1%
  589.8%
  20.0%
  48.4%
 Catastrophe loss
  16.8%
  0.0%
  30.2%
  12.2%
 Loss ratio
  57.9%
  589.8%
  50.2%
  60.6%
 
    
    
    
    
 Six months ended June 30, 2017
    
    
    
    
 Written premiums
 $56,583,867 
 $6,293 
 $(20,128,555)
 $36,461,605 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (4,048,796)
  8,327 
  902,339 
  (3,138,130)
 Earned premiums
 $52,535,071 
 $14,620 
 $(19,226,216)
 $33,323,475 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses exluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
 $23,158,126 
 $16,333 
 $(7,426,541)
 $15,747,918 
 Catastrophe loss
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
 $23,158,126 
 $16,333 
 $(7,426,541)
 $15,747,918 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  44.1%
  111.7%
  38.6%
  47.3%
 Catastrophe loss
  0.0%
  0.0%
  0.0%
  0.1%
 Loss ratio
  44.1%
  111.7%
  38.6%
  47.3%
 
    
    
    
    
 Three months ended June 30, 2018
    
    
    
    
 Written premiums
 $36,863,677 
 $488 
 $(8,899,489)
 $27,964,676 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (4,486,460)
  1,163 
  625,235 
  (3,860,062)
 Earned premiums
 $32,377,217 
 $1,651 
 $(8,274,254)
 $24,104,614 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses exluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
 $13,355,874 
 $1,518 
 $(2,364,854)
 $10,992,538 
 Catastrophe loss
  223,659 
  - 
  (40,112)
  183,547 
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
 $13,579,533 
 $1,518 
 $(2,404,966)
 $11,176,085 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  41.3%
  91.9%
  28.6%
  45.6%
 Catastrophe loss
  0.6%
  0.0%
  0.5%
  0.8%
 Loss ratio
  41.9%
  91.9%
  29.1%
  46.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Three months ended June 30, 2017
    
    
    
    
 Written premiums
 $30,458,400 
 $1,865 
 $(10,732,965)
 $19,727,300 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (3,717,893)
  5,346 
  938,974 
  (2,773,573)
 Earned premiums
 $26,740,507 
 $7,211 
 $(9,793,991)
 $16,953,727 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses exluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
 $10,639,366 
 $8,293 
 $(3,192,737)
 $7,454,922 
 Catastrophe loss
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
 $10,639,366 
 $8,293 
 $(3,192,737)
 $7,454,922 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  39.8%
  115.0%
  32.6%
  44.0%
 Catastrophe loss
  0.0%
  0.0%
  0.0%
  0.0%
 Loss ratio
  39.8%
  115.0%
  32.6%
  44.0%
 
 
61
 
 
The key measures for our insurance underwriting business for the periods indicated are as follows:
 
 
 Three months ended
June 30, 
 
 
Six months ended
June 30,
 
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net premiums earned
 $24,104,614 
 $16,953,727 
 $46,942,231 
 $33,323,475 
 Ceding commission revenue
  1,691,168 
  3,305,938 
  3,386,326 
  6,490,390 
 Other income
  292,566 
  296,285 
  584,788 
  563,661 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses (1)
  11,176,085 
  7,454,922 
  28,442,415 
  15,747,918 
 
    
    
    
    
 Acquistion costs and other underwriting expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Commission expense
  6,017,189 
  5,101,566 
  11,817,137 
  9,990,544 
 Other underwriting expenses
  5,075,986 
  4,199,616 
  10,107,489 
  8,412,033 
 Total acquistion costs and other
    
    
    
    
 underwriting expenses
  11,093,175 
  9,301,182 
  21,924,626 
  18,402,577 
 
    
    
    
    
 Underwriting income
 $3,819,088 
 $3,799,846 
 $546,304 
 $6,227,031 
 
    
    
    
    
 Key Measures:
    
    
    
    
 Net loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  45.6%
  44.0%
  48.4%
  47.3%
 Effect of catastrophe loss on net loss ratio (1)
  0.8%
  0.0%
  12.2%
  0.0%
 Net loss ratio
  46.4%
  44.0%
  60.6%
  47.3%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net underwriting expense ratio excluding the
    
    
    
    
 effect of catastrophes
  37.3%
  33.6%
  37.4%
  34.1%
 Effect of catastrophe loss on net underwriting
    
    
    
    
 expense ratio (2)
  0.5%
  0.0%
  0.8%
  0.0%
 Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.8%
  33.6%
  38.2%
  34.1%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net combined ratio excluding the effect
    
    
    
    
 of catastrophes
  82.9%
  77.6%
  85.8%
  81.4%
 Effect of catastrophe loss on net combined
    
    
    
    
 ratio (1) (2)
  1.3%
  0.0%
  13.0%
  0.0%
 Net combined ratio
  84.2%
  77.6%
  98.8%
  81.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Reconciliation of net underwriting expense ratio:
    
    
    
    
 Acquisition costs and other
    
    
    
    
 underwriting expenses
 $11,093,175 
 $9,301,182 
 $21,924,626 
 $18,402,577 
 Less: Ceding commission revenue (2)
  (1,691,168)
  (3,305,938)
  (3,386,326)
  (6,490,390)
 Less: Other income
  (292,566)
  (296,285)
  (584,788)
  (563,661)
   
 $9,109,441 
 $5,698,959 
 $17,953,512 
 $11,348,526 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net earned premium
 $24,104,614 
 $16,953,727 
 $46,942,231 
 $33,323,475 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net Underwriting Expense Ratio
  37.8%
  33.6%
  38.2%
  34.1%
 
(1) For the three months ended June 30, 2018, includes the sum of net catastrophe losses and loss adjustment expenses of $183,547. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, includes the sum of net catastrophe losses and loss adjustment expenses of $5,730,397.
 
(2) For the three months ended June 30, 2018, the effect of catastrophe loss on our net underwriting expense ratio includes the direct effect of reduced contingent ceding commission revenue by $124,929 and does not include the indirect effects of a $135,764 decrease in other underwriting expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the effect of catastrophe loss on our net underwriting expense ratio includes the direct effect of reduced contingent ceding commission revenue by $459,068 and does not include the indirect effects of a $164,931 decrease in other underwriting expenses.
 
 
62
 
 
Investments
 
Portfolio Summary
 
Fixed-Maturity Securities
 
The following table presents a breakdown of the amortized cost, fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of our investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available-for-sale as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 obligations of U.S. government
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 corporations and agencies
 $8,207,870 
 $9,970 
 $(40,264)
 $- 
 $8,177,576 
 $(30,294)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Political subdivisions of States,
 
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  6,575,843 
  39,481 
  (55,324)
  (28,074)
  6,531,926 
  (43,917)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Corporate and other bonds
 
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  107,013,925 
  111,659 
  (2,617,680)
  (377,166)
  104,130,738 
  (2,883,187)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Residential mortgage and other
 
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities (1)
  23,910,131 
  306,272 
  (159,886)
  (351,224)
  23,705,293 
  (204,838)
 Total
 $145,707,769 
 $467,382 
 $(2,873,154)
 $(756,464)
 $142,545,533 
 $(3,162,236)
 
(1)
In 2017, KICO placed certain residential mortgage backed securities as eligible collateral in a designated custodian account related to its membership to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY"). The eligible collateral would be pledged to FHLBNY if KICO draws an advance from the FHBLNY credit line. As of June 30, 2018, the fair value of the eligible investments was $6,083,000. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of June 30, 2018, there was no outstanding balance on the credit line.
 
 
63
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 obligations of U.S. government
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 corporations and agencies
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of States,
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  11,096,122 
  250,135 
  (30,814)
  - 
  11,315,443 
  219,321 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  87,562,631 
  1,189,207 
  (269,857)
  (340,516)
  88,141,465 
  578,834 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
asset backed securities (1)
  20,463,353 
  305,499 
  (48,482)
  (189,022)
  20,531,348 
  67,995 
 Total
 $119,122,106 
 $1,744,841 
 $(349,153)
 $(529,538)
 $119,988,256 
 $866,150 
 
(1)
In 2017, KICO placed certain residential mortgage backed securities as eligible collateral in a designated custodian account related to its membership to the FHLBNY. The eligible collateral would be pledged to FHLBNY if KICO draws an advance from the FHBLNY credit line. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the eligible investments was $6,703,000. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of December 31, 2017, there was no outstanding balance on the credit line.
 
Equity Securities
 
The following table presents a breakdown of the cost, fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of investments in equity securities as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred stocks
 $6,792,075 
 $25,774 
 $(43,333)
 $(114,138)
 $6,660,378 
 $(131,697)
 Common stocks and exchange
    
    
    
    
    
    
 traded mutual funds
  10,498,963 
  662,490 
  (436,847)
  - 
  10,724,606 
  225,643 
 Total
 $17,291,038 
 $688,264 
 $(480,180)
 $(114,138)
 $17,384,984 
 $93,946 
 
 
64
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Gains/
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred stocks
 $7,081,099 
 $60,867 
 $(20,313)
 $(120,712)
 $7,000,941 
 $(80,158)
 Common stocks and exchange
    
    
    
    
    
    
traded mutual funds
  6,680,742 
  841,250 
  (222,205)
  (14,530)
  7,285,257 
  604,515 
 Total
 $13,761,841 
 $902,117 
 $(242,518)
 $(135,242)
 $14,286,198 
 $524,357 
 
Other Investments
 
The following table presents a breakdown of the cost, fair value, and unrealized gains of our other investments as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Gain
 
 
 Cost
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Gain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Other Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hedge fund
 $2,000,000 
 $2,120,700 
 $120,700 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 Total
 $2,000,000 
 $2,120,700 
 $120,700 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 
Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
The following table presents a breakdown of the amortized cost, fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of investments in held-to-maturity securities as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 
 
 
 Held-to-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 $729,486 
 $147,553 
 $(5,934)
 $- 
 $871,105 
 $141,619 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of States,
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  998,898 
  32,522 
  - 
  - 
  1,031,420 
  32,522 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  3,142,359 
  33,076 
  (38,765)
  (5,650)
  3,131,020 
  (11,339)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $4,870,743 
 $213,151 
 $(44,699)
 $(5,650)
 $5,033,545 
 $162,802 
 
 
65
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 
 
 
 Held-to Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 $729,466 
 $147,573 
 $(1,729)
 $- 
 $875,310 
 $145,844 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of States,
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  998,984 
  50,366 
  - 
  - 
  1,049,350 
  50,366 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  3,141,358 
  90,358 
  - 
  (6,300)
  3,225,416 
  84,058 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $4,869,808 
 $288,297 
 $(1,729)
 $(6,300)
 $5,150,076 
 $280,268 
 
Held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury securities are held in trust pursuant to various states’ minimum fund requirements.
 
A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of our investments in held-to-maturity securities by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is shown below:
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Amortized
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized
 
 
 
 
 Remaining Time to Maturity
 
Cost
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
Cost
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Less than one year
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 One to five years
  3,398,823 
  3,398,780 
  2,546,459 
  2,601,898 
 Five to ten years
  865,434 
  880,726 
  1,716,884 
  1,794,139 
 More than 10 years
  606,486 
  754,039 
  606,466 
  754,039 
 Total
 $4,870,743 
 $5,033,545 
 $4,869,808 
 $5,150,076 
 
 
66
 
 
Credit Rating of Fixed-Maturity Securities
 
The table below summarizes the credit quality of our available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 as rated by Standard & Poor’s (or, if unavailable from Standard & Poor’s, then Moody’s or Fitch):
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Percentage of
 
 
 
 
 
 Percentage of
 
 
 
 
 
 Fair Market
 
 
 Fair Market
 
 
 Fair Market
 
 
 Fair Market
 
 
 
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
 
 $4,927,910 
  3.5%
 $- 
  0.0%
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
Corporate and municipal bonds
 
    
    
    
    
 
 AAA
 
  982,921 
  0.7%
  1,358,143 
  1.1%
 
 AA
 
  10,772,162 
  7.6%
  11,319,057 
  9.4%
  A 
  16,419,305 
  11.5%
  17,199,631 
  14.3%
 
 BBB
 
  85,737,942 
  60.1%
  68,704,768 
  57.3%
 
 BB
 
  - 
  0.0%
  875,310 
  0.7%
 
          Total corporate and municipal bonds
 
  113,912,330 
  79.9%
  99,456,909 
  82.8%
    
    
    
    
    
Residential mortgage backed securities
 
    
    
    
    
 
 AAA
 
  2,004,800 
  1.4%
  2,013,010 
  1.7%
 
 AA
 
  13,535,715 
  9.5%
  11,021,144 
  9.2%
  A 
  4,870,309 
  3.4%
  3,902,768 
  3.3%
 
 CCC
 
  2,083,369 
  1.5%
  1,420,296 
  1.2%
 
 CC
 
  - 
  0.0%
  120,742 
  0.1%
   C 
  27,709 
  0.0%
  28,963 
  0.0%
  D 
  848,040 
  0.6%
  1,659,479 
  1.4%
       
Non rated
 
  335,351 
  0.2%
  364,945 
  0.3%
           Total residential mortgage backed securities
  23,705,293 
  16.6%
  20,531,347 
  17.2%
    
    
    
    
    
 
      Total
 
 $142,545,533 
  100.0%
 $119,988,256 
  100.0%
 
The table below summarizes the average yield by type of fixed-maturity security as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 Category
 
June 30,
2018
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
 U.S. Treasury securities and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 obligations of U.S. government
 
 
 
 
 
 
 corporations and agencies
  1.88%
  3.32%
 
    
    
 Political subdivisions of States,
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  3.64%
  3.49%
 
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  4.15%
  3.98%
 
    
    
 Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities
  1.99%
  1.83%
 
    
    
 Total
  3.64%
  3.58%
 
 
67
 
 
The table below lists the weighted average maturity and effective duration in years on our fixed-maturity securities as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
June 30,
2018
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
 Weighted average effective maturity
  6.2 
  5.7 
 
    
    
 Weighted average final maturity
  7.8 
  7.8 
 
    
    
 Effective duration
  5.1 
  4.9 
 
Fair Value Consideration
 
As disclosed in Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, with respect to “Fair Value Measurements,” we define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in a transaction involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities between market participants (an “exit price”). The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between inputs based on market data from independent sources (“observable inputs”) and a reporting entity’s internal assumptions based upon the best information available when external market data is limited or unavailable (“unobservable inputs”). The fair value hierarchy prioritizes fair value measurements into three levels based on the nature of the inputs. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets have the highest priority (“Level 1”), followed by observable inputs other than quoted prices including prices for similar but not identical assets or liabilities (“Level 2”), and unobservable inputs, including the reporting entity’s estimates of the assumption that market participants would use, having the lowest priority (“Level 3”). As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 79% and 73%, respectively, of the investment portfolio recorded at fair value was priced based upon quoted market prices.
 
The table below summarizes the gross unrealized losses of our fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale and equity securities by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 
68
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
Less than 12 months
 
 
12 months or more
 
 
Total
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 Aggregate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Positions
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Positions
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 Category
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Held
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Held
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and obligations of U.S.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 government corporations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and agencies
 $4,927,910 
 $(40,264)
  3 
 $- 
 $- 
  - 
 $4,927,910 
 $(40,264)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 States, Territories and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Possessions
  3,524,361 
  (55,324)
  7 
     616,383
  (28,074)
  1 
 4,140,744
  (83,398)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  85,149,695 
  (2,617,680)
  107 
     6,491,755
  (377,166)
  13 
 91,641,540
  (2,994,846)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities
  11,139,070 
  (159,886)
  13 
 9,439,267
  (351,224)
  15 
 20,578,337
  (511,110)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total fixed-maturity
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 securities
 $104,741,036 
 $(2,873,154)
  130 
 $16,547,405
 $(756,464)
  29 
 $121,288,441
 $(3,629,618)
 
 
69
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Less than 12 months
 
 
12 months or more
 
 
Total
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 Aggregate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Positions
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Positions
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 Category
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Held
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Held
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Political subdivisions of
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 States, Territories and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Possessions
 $1,549,839 
 $(30,814)
  4 
 $- 
 $- 
  - 
 $1,549,839 
 $(30,814)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  15,036,462 
  (269,857)
  20 
  9,113,924 
  (340,516)
  17 
  24,150,386 
  (610,373)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities
  6,956,371 
  (48,482)
  6 
  7,867,572 
  (189,022)
  15 
  14,823,943 
  (237,504)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total fixed-maturity
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 securities
 $23,542,672 
 $(349,153)
  30 
 $16,981,496 
 $(529,538)
  32 
 $40,524,168 
 $(878,691)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Equity Securities:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Preferred stocks
 $1,605,217 
 $(20,313)
  5 
 $1,776,675 
 $(120,712)
  3 
 $3,381,892 
 $(141,025)
 Common stocks and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 exchange traded mutual funds
  1,446,375 
  (222,205)
  4 
  124,900 
  (14,530)
  1 
  1,571,275 
  (236,735)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total equity securities
 $3,051,592 
 $(242,518)
  9 
 $1,901,575 
 $(135,242)
  4 
 $4,953,167 
 $(377,760)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $26,594,264 
 $(591,671)
  39 
 $18,883,071 
 $(664,780)
  36 
 $45,477,335 
 $(1,256,451)
 
 
70
 
 
There were 159 securities at June 30, 2018 that accounted for the gross unrealized loss, none of which were deemed by us to be other than temporarily impaired. There were 75 securities at December 31, 2017 that accounted for the gross unrealized loss, none of which were deemed by us to be other than temporarily impaired. Significant factors influencing our determination that unrealized losses were temporary included the magnitude of the unrealized losses in relation to each security’s cost, the nature of the investment and management’s intent not to sell these securities and it being not more likely than not that we will be required to sell these investments before anticipated recovery of fair value to our cost basis.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash Flows
 
The primary sources of cash flow are from our insurance underwriting subsidiary, KICO, and include direct premiums written, ceding commissions from our quota share reinsurers, loss recovery payments from our reinsurers, investment income and proceeds from the sale or maturity of investments. Funds are used by KICO for ceded premium payments to reinsurers, which are paid on a net basis after subtracting losses paid on reinsured claims and reinsurance commissions. KICO also uses funds for loss payments and loss adjustment expenses on our net business, commissions to producers, salaries and other underwriting expenses as well as to purchase investments and fixed assets.
 
On January 31, 2017, we closed on an underwritten public offering of 2,500,000 shares of our common stock. On February 14, 2017, we closed on the underwriters’ purchase option for an additional 192,500 shares of our common stock. The public offering price for the 2,692,500 shares sold was $12.00 per share. The aggregate net proceeds to us were approximately $30,137,000. On March 1, 2017, we used $23,000,000 of the net proceeds of the offering to contribute capital to KICO, to support its ratings upgrade plan and additional growth. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
 
On December 19, 2017, we issued $30 million of our 5.50% Senior Unsecured Notes due December 30, 2022 pursuant to an underwritten public offering. The net proceeds to us were approximately $29,121,000. On December 20, 2017, we used $25,000,000 of the net proceeds from the debt offering to contribute capital to KICO, to support additional growth. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. Interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 30 of each year, which began on June 30 2018 at the rate of 5.50% per year from December 19, 2017.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the primary source of cash flow for our holding company was the dividends received from KICO, subject to statutory restrictions. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, KICO paid dividends of $1,600,000 to us.
 
KICO is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”), which provides additional access to liquidity. Members have access to a variety of flexible, low cost funding through FHLBNY’s credit products, enabling members to customize advances. Advances are to be fully collateralized; eligible collateral to pledge to FHLBNY includes residential and commercial mortgage backed securities, along with U.S. Treasury and agency securities. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, – “Investments”, for eligible collateral held in a designated custodian account available for future advances. Advances are limited to 5% of KICO’s net admitted assets as of December 31, 2017 and are due and payable within one year of borrowing. The maximum allowable advance as of June 30, 2018, based on the net admitted assets as of December 31, 2017 was approximately $9,849,000. Advances are limited to the amount of available collateral, which was approximately $6,083,000 as of June 30, 2018. There were no borrowings under this facility during the six months ended June 30, 2018.
 
 
71
 
 
As of June 30, 2018, invested assets and cash in our holding company was approximately $6,936,000. If the aforementioned sources of cash flow currently available are insufficient to cover our holding company cash requirements, we will seek to obtain additional financing.
 
Our reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operations is generally influenced by the collection of premiums in advance of paid losses, the timing of reinsurance, issuing company settlements and loss payments.
 
Cash flow and liquidity are categorized into three sources: (1) operating activities; (2) investing activities; and (3) financing activities, which are shown in the following table:
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cash flows provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Operating activities
 $5,953,098 
 $7,372,859 
 Investing activities
  (31,955,368)
  (33,665,057)
 Financing activities
  (2,991,392)
  28,605,143 
 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
  (28,993,662)
  2,312,945 
 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
  48,381,633 
  12,044,520 
 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 $19,387,971 
 $14,357,465 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $5,953,000 in 2018 as compared to $7,373,000 in 2017. The $1,420,000 decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities in 2018 was primarily a result of a decrease in net income (adjusted for non-cash items) of $2,775,000, partially offset by an increase in cash arising from net fluctuations in assets and liabilities relating to operating activities of KICO as affected by the growth in its operations which are described above.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $31,955,000 in 2018 compared to $33,665,000 in 2017. The $1,710,000 decrease in net cash used in investing activities was the result of a $13,189,000 increase in sales or maturities of invested assets, which offset the $11,433,000 increase in acquisitions of invested assets and the $46,000 increase in fixed asset acquisitions in 2018.
 
Net cash used in financing activities was $2,991,000 in 2018 compared to $28,605,000 provided in 2017. The $31,596,000 decrease in net cash provided by financing activities was the result of the $30,137,000 net proceeds we received from the public offering of our common stock in January/February 2017.
 
Reinsurance
 
Our quota share reinsurance treaties are on a July 1 through June 30 fiscal year basis; therefore, for year to date fiscal periods after June 30, two separate treaties will be included in such periods.
 
Our quota share reinsurance treaty in effect for 2018 for our personal lines business, which primarily consists of homeowners policies, was covered under the 2017/2019 Treaty. Our quota share reinsurance treaty in effect for 2017 for our personal lines business, which primarily consists of homeowners policies, was covered under the 2016/2017 Treaty.
 
In March 2017, we bound our personal lines quota share reinsurance treaty effective July 1, 2017. The treaty provides for a reduction in the quota share ceding rate to 20%, from the 40% in the 2016/2017 Treaty, and an increase in the provisional ceding commission rate to 53%, from the 52% in the 2016/2017 Treaty. The 2017/2019 Treaty covers a two year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.
 
 
72
 
 
We entered into new excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance treaties effective July 1, 2018. Material terms for our reinsurance treaties in effect for the treaty years shown below are as follows:
 
 
 
 Treaty Year
 
 
 
July 1, 2018
 
 
July 1, 2017
 
 
July 1, 2016
 
 
 
to
 
 
to
 
 
to
 
 Line of Busines
 
June 30, 2019
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
June 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homeowners, dwelling fire and canine legal liability
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quota share treaty:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent ceded
  20%
  20%
  40%
Risk retained
 $800,000 
 $800,000 
 $500,000 
Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
 $1,000,000 
 $1,000,000 
 $833,333 
Excess of loss coverage and facultative facility above quota share coverage (1)
 $9,000,000 
 $9,000,000 
 $3,666,667 
 
  in excess of 
 in excess of
 in excess of
 
 $1,000,000 
 $1,000,000 
 $833,333 
Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $9,200,000 
 $9,200,000 
 $4,000,000 
Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage
 $10,000,000 
 $10,000,000 
 $4,500,000 
Expiration date
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2017
 
    
    
    
 Personal Umbrella
    
    
    
Quota share treaty:
    
    
    
Percent ceded - first $1,000,000 of coverage
  90%
  90%
  90%
Percent ceded - excess of $1,000,000 dollars of coverage
  100%
  100%
  100%
Risk retained
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
Expiration date
June 30, 2019 
June 30, 2018
June 30, 2017
 
    
    
    
Commercial Lines:
    
    
    
 General liability commercial policies
    
    
    
Quota share treaty
None 
None
None
Risk retained
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 $500,000 
Excess of loss coverage above risk retained
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 $4,000,000 
 
 in excess of 
 in excess of
 in excess of
 
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 $500,000 
Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 $4,000,000 
Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage
 $4,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 
    
    
    
 Commercial Umbrella
    
    
    
Quota share treaty:
    
    
    
Percent ceded - first $1,000,000 of coverage
  90%
  90%
  90%
Percent ceded - excess of $1,000,000 of coverage
  100%
  100%
  100%
Risk retained
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
Expiration date
June 30, 2019 
June 30, 2018
June 30, 2017
 
    
    
    
Catastrophe Reinsurance:
    
    
    
Initial loss subject to personal lines quota share treaty
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
Risk retained per catastrophe occurrence (2)
 $4,000,000 
 $4,000,000 
 $3,000,000 
Catastrophe loss coverage in excess of quota share coverage (3) (4)
 $445,000,000 
 $315,000,000 
 $247,000,000 
Reinstatement premium protection (5)
 Yes 
 Yes
 Yes
 
(1)
For personal lines, the 2017/2019 Treaty includes the addition of an automatic facultative facility allowing KICO to obtain homeowners single risk coverage up to $10,000,000 in total insured value, which covers direct losses from $3,500,000 to $10,000,000.
(2)
Plus losses in excess of catastrophe coverage.
(3)
Catastrophe coverage is limited on an annual basis to two times the per occurrence amounts. Effective July 1, 2016, the duration of a catastrophe occurrence from windstorm, hail, tornado, hurricane and cyclone was extended to 168 consecutive hours from 120 consecutive hours.
 
 
73
 
 
(4)
Effective July 1, 2018, the top $50,000,000 layer of catastrophe reinsurance coverage has a two year term expiring on June 30, 2020.
(5)
Effective July 1, 2016, reinstatement premium protection for $20,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $5,000,000.
 
Effective July 1, 2017, reinstatement premium protection for $145,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $5,000,000.
 
Effective July 1, 2018, reinstatement premium protection for $210,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $5,000,000.
  
The single maximum risks per occurrence to which we are subject to under the treaty years shown below are as follows:
 
 
 
July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018
 
July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017
Treaty
 
 Range of Loss
 
 Risk Retained
 
 Range of Loss
 
 Risk Retained
Personal Lines (1)
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$800,000
 
 Initial $833,333
 
$500,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $10,000,000
 
 None(2)
 
 $833,333 - $4,500,000
 
 None(3)
 
 
 Over $10,000,000
 
100%
 
 Over $4,500,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Umbrella
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Lines
 
 Initial $750,000
 
$750,000
 
 Initial $500,000
 
$500,000
 
 
 $750,000 - $4,500,000
 
 None(3)
 
 $500,000 - $4,500,000
 
None(3)
 
 
 Over $4,500,000
 
100%
 
 Over $4,500,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Umbrella
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophe (4)
 
 Initial $5,000,000
 
$4,000,000
 
 Initial $5,000,000
 
$3,000,000
 
 
 $5,000,000 - $320,000,000
 None
 
 $5,000,000 - $252,000,000
 None
 
 
 Over $320,000,000
 
100%
 
 Over $252,000,000
 
100%
________________
 
(1)
Treaty for July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 is a two year treaty with expiration date of June 30, 2019.
(2)
Covered by excess of loss treaties up to $3,500,000 and by facultative facility from $3,500,000 to $10,000,000.
(3)
Covered by excess of loss treaties.
(4)
Catastrophe coverage is limited on an annual basis to two times the per occurrence amounts.
 
 
74
 
 
The single maximum risks per occurrence to which the Company is subject under the treaties effective July 1, 2018 are as follows:
 
 
 
July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019
Treaty
 
 Extent of Loss
 
 Risk Retained
Personal Lines (1)
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$800,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $10,000,000
 
 None(2)
 
 
 Over $10,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Umbrella
 
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Lines
 
 Initial $750,000
 
$750,000
 
 
 $750,000 - $4,500,000
 
 None(3)
 
 
 Over $4,500,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Umbrella
 Initial $1,000,000
 
$100,000
 
 
 $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
 
 None
 
 
 Over $5,000,000
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
Catastrophe (4)
 
 Initial $5,000,000
 
$4,000,000
 
 
 $5,000,000 - $450,000,000
 None
 
 
 Over $450,000,000
 
100%
 
 
(1)
Treaty for July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019 is a two year treaty with expiration date of June 30, 2019.
(2)
Covered by excess of loss treaties up to $3,500,000 and by facultative facility from $3,500,000 to $10,000,000.
(3)
Covered by excess of loss treaties.
(4)
Catastrophe coverage is limited on an annual basis to two times the per occurrence amounts. 
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
 
Factors That May Affect Future Results and Financial Condition
 
Based upon the factors set forth under “Factors That May Affect Future Results and Financial Condition” in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as other factors affecting our operating results and financial condition, past financial performance should not be considered to be a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.  In addition, such factors, among others, may affect the accuracy of certain forward-looking statements contained in our periodic reports, including this Quarterly Report.
 
Item  3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
Our market risk factors have not changed materially since they were described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10- Q for the period ended March 31, 2018 (filed May 9, 2018) in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Item 3 of Part I.
 
 
75
 
 
Item  4. Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) that are designed to assure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports 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 management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2018.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
76
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
 
None
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors. 
 
Our risk factors have not changed materially since they were described in our Annual Report on Form 10- K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (filed March 15, 2018) in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors That May Affect Future Results and Financial Condition” in Item 7.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
(a)  None
 
(b)  Not applicable
 
(c) The following table sets forth certain information with respect to purchases of common stock made by us or any “affiliated purchaser” during the quarter ended June 30, 2018:
 
 
Period
 
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
 
 
 

Average
 Price Paid
per Share
 
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs
 
 
Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4/1/18 – 4/30/18
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
5/1/18 – 5/31/18
  6,000 
 $17.50 
  - 
  - 
6/1/18 – 6/30/18
  5,775 
 $16.93 
  - 
  - 
Total
  11,775 
 $17.22 
  - 
  - 
 
(1)
Purchases were made by us in open market transactions.
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
 
None
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
 
Not applicable
 
Item 5. Other Information.
 
None
 
 
77
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits.
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended1
 
 
By-laws, as amended2
 
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
 
 
101.CAL
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
 
 
101.DEF
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
 
 
101.LAB
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
 
 
101.PRE
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
 
 
 
78
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
Dated: August 9, 2018
By:  
/s/ Barry B. Goldstein
 
 
 
Barry B. Goldstein
 
 
 
President
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated: August 9, 2018
By:  
/s/  Victor Brodsky
 
 
 
Victor Brodsky
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
79