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KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2019 September (Form 10-Q)


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark one)
 
 
 
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019
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)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
KINS
Nasdaq Capital Market
 
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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 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
 
  
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 November 12, 2019, there were 10,785,069 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
 

 
 
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC.
INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
PAGE
 
 
 
2
Financial Statements
2
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2019 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2018
2
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019 (Unaudited) and 2018 (Unaudited)
3
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019 (Unaudited) and 2018 (Unaudited)
4
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 (Unaudited) and 2018 (Unaudited)
7
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
8
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
37
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
66
Controls and Procedures
66
 
 
 
67
Legal Proceedings
67
Risk Factors
67
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
67
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
67
Mine Safety Disclosures
67
Other Information
67
Exhibits
67
Signatures
 
 
 
 
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 results or other consequences of our plans or strategies, projected or anticipated results from acquisitions to be made by us, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings, costs 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, which may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projections upon which the statements are based. Factors which may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the risks and uncertainties discussed in Part I Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
 
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 except as required by law.
 
 
 
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.                         Financial Statements.
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES         
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets         
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
   
 
(unaudited) 
 
 
 
 
 Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-maturity securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of
 
 
 
   $4,127,384 at September 30, 2019 and $4,426,416 at December 31, 2018)
 $3,825,505 
 $4,222,855 
 
  Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of
 
    
   $160,601,004 at September 30, 2019 and $155,431,261 at December 31, 2018)
  166,220,711 
  151,777,516 
 
  Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $22,070,565 at September 30, 2019 and
 
    
  $18,305,986 at December 31, 2018)
  23,499,199 
  16,572,616 
Other investments
  2,425,904 
  1,855,225 
Total investments
  195,971,319 
  174,428,212 
Cash and cash equivalents
  25,639,050 
  21,138,403 
Premiums receivable, net
  14,352,521 
  13,961,599 
Reinsurance receivables, net
  26,580,449 
  26,367,115 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
  20,491,568 
  17,907,737 
Intangible assets, net
  500,000 
  670,000 
Property and equipment, net
  7,582,210 
  6,056,929 
Deferred income taxes, net
  540,295 
  354,233 
Other assets
  6,762,909 
  5,867,850 
 Total assets
 $298,420,321 
 $266,752,078 
 
    
    
 Liabilities
    
    
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
 $77,409,423 
 $56,197,106 
Unearned premiums
  90,068,683 
  79,032,131 
Advance premiums
  3,737,491 
  2,107,629 
Reinsurance balances payable
  809,836 
  1,933,376 
Deferred ceding commission revenue
  1,828,872 
  2,686,677 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
  8,403,012 
  6,819,231 
Income taxes payable
  - 
  15,035 
Long-term debt, net
  29,427,386 
  29,295,251 
 Total liabilities
  211,684,703 
  178,086,436 
 
    
    
 Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
    
    
 
    
    
 Stockholders' Equity
    
    
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 2,500,000 shares
  - 
  - 
 Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued 11,811,011 shares
 
at September 30, 2019 and 11,775,148 at December 31, 2018; outstanding
 
    
10,783,572 shares at September 30, 2019 and 10,747,709 shares at December 31, 2018
  118,110 
  117,751 
Capital in excess of par
  68,755,776 
  67,763,940 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  4,441,716 
  (2,884,313)
Retained earnings
  16,132,568 
  26,380,816 
 
  89,448,170 
  91,378,194 
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,027,439 shares at September 30, 2019
    
    
  and at December 31, 2018
  (2,712,552)
  (2,712,552)
 Total stockholders' equity
  86,735,618 
  88,665,642 
 
    
    
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 $298,420,321 
 $266,752,078 
 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
2
 
 
  
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net premiums earned
 $34,220,010 
 $27,533,907 
 $95,017,178 
 $74,476,138 
 Ceding commission revenue
  1,029,582 
  1,044,529 
  2,982,960 
  4,430,855 
 Net investment income
  1,856,553 
  1,602,371 
  5,200,034 
  4,543,226 
 Net gains (losses) on investments
  998,162 
  352,025 
  3,712,180 
  (277,835)
 Other income
  495,696 
  353,077 
  1,191,569 
  961,581 
 Total revenues
  38,600,003 
  30,885,909 
  108,103,921 
  84,133,965 
 
    
    
    
    
 Expenses
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
  24,781,318 
  13,296,708 
  71,587,850 
  41,739,123 
 Commission expense
  7,779,344 
  6,594,323 
  21,931,933 
  18,411,460 
 Other underwriting expenses
  6,430,734 
  5,193,679 
  17,983,174 
  15,301,168 
 Other operating expenses
  705,710 
  683,309 
  2,774,350 
  1,773,983 
 Depreciation and amortization
  646,201 
  440,383 
  1,876,202 
  1,273,975 
 Interest expense
  456,545 
  456,545 
  1,369,635 
  1,365,052 
 Total expenses
  40,799,852 
  26,664,947 
  117,523,144 
  79,864,761 
 
    
    
    
    
 (Loss) income before taxes
  (2,199,849)
  4,220,962 
  (9,419,223)
  4,269,204 
 Income tax (benefit) expense
  (474,687)
  287,232 
  (1,998,251)
  296,111 
 Net (loss) income
  (1,725,162)
  3,933,730 
  (7,420,972)
  3,973,093 
 
    
    
    
    
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
    
    
   Gross change in unrealized gains (losses)
 
    
    
    
on available-for-sale-securities
  1,323,626 
  (242,453)
  9,191,817 
  (4,591,699)
 
    
    
    
    
   Reclassification adjustment for losses
 
    
    
    
included in net income
  46,841 
  131,978 
  81,636 
  451,877 
   Net change in unrealized gains (losses)
  1,370,467 
  (110,475)
  9,273,453 
  (4,139,822)
   Income tax (expense) benefit related to items
 
    
    
of other comprehensive income (loss)
  (287,798)
  12,416 
  (1,947,424)
  858,377 
 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
  1,082,669 
  (98,059)
  7,326,029 
  (3,281,445)
 
    
    
    
    
 Comprehensive (loss) income
 $(642,493)
 $3,835,671 
 $(94,943)
 $691,648 
 
    
    
    
    
 
(Loss) Earnings per common share:
 
    
    
    
Basic
 $(0.16)
 $0.37 
 $(0.69)
 $0.37 
Diluted
 $(0.16)
 $0.36 
 $(0.69)
 $0.37 
 
    
    
    
    
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
    
    
Basic
  10,779,641 
  10,681,329 
  10,769,817 
  10,672,084 
Diluted
  10,779,641 
  10,791,123 
  10,769,817 
  10,780,590 
 
    
    
    
    
  Dividends declared and paid per common share
 $0.0625 
 $0.1000 
 $0.2625 
 $0.3000 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3
 
  
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)          
 
  
Three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018              
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 Accumulated
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 Capital 
 Other 
   
   
   
   
 
 Preferred Stock 
 Common Stock 
 in Excess 
 Comprehensive 
 Retained 
 Treasury Stock 
   
 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 of Par 
 Loss 
 Earnings 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Total 
Balance, July 1, 2018
  - 
 $- 
  11,685,904 
 $116,859 
 $68,347,784 
 $(2,496,981)
 $25,471,668 
  1,024,444 
 $(2,712,522)
 $88,726,808 
Stock-based compensation
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  197,335 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  197,335 
Vesting of restricted stock awards
  - 
  - 
  4,866 
  48 
  (48)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Share deducted from restricted stock awards for payment of withholding taxes
  - 
  - 
  (1,059)
  (11)
  (18,339)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (18,350)
Exercise of stock options
  - 
  - 
  57,596 
  576 
  26,684 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  27,260 
Shares deducted from exercise of stock
  - 
  - 
  (18,141)
  (181)
  (332,702)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (332,883)
Acquisition of treasury stock
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  2,995 
  (30)
  (30)
Dividends
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (1,070,054)
  - 
  - 
  (1,070,054)
Net income
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  3,933,730 
  - 
  - 
  3,933,730 
Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (98,059)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (98,059)
Balance, September 30, 2018
  - 
 $- 
  11,729,166 
 $117,291 
 $68,220,714 
 $(2,595,040)
 $28,335,344 
  1,027,439 
 $(2,712,552)
 $91,365,757 

 
   
   
   
   
   
 Accumulated
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
 Capital 
 Other 
   
   
   
   
 
 Preferred Stock 
 Common Stock 
 in Excess 
 Comprehensive 
 Retained 
 Treasury Stock 
   
 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 of Par 
 Income 
 Earnings 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Total 
Balance, July 1, 2019
  - 
 $- 
  11,802,087 
 $118,020 
 $68,373,590 
 $3,359,047 
 $18,531,657 
  1,027,439 
 $(2,712,552)
 $87,669,762 
Stock-based compensation
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  407,714 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  407,714 
Vesting of restricted stock awards
  - 
  - 
  12,050 
  120 
  (120)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Shares deducted from restricted stock awards for payment of withholding taxes
  - 
  - 
  (3,126)
  (30)
  (25,408)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (25,438)
Dividends
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (673,927)
  - 
  - 
  (673,927)
Net loss
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (1,725,162)
  - 
  - 
  (1,725,162)
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,082,669 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,082,669 
Balance, September 30, 2019
  - 
 $- 
  11,811,011 
 $118,110 
 $68,755,776 
 $4,441,716 
 $16,132,568 
  1,027,439 
 $(2,712,552)
 $86,735,618 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4
 
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)  Nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018        
 
 
 Preferred Stock 
 Common Stock 
 Capital in Excess 
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
 Retained 
 Treasury Stock 
   
 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 of Par 
 (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
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  481,812 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  481,812 
Exercise of stock options
  - 
  - 
  130,872 
  1,311 
  72,828 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  74,139 
Shares deducted from exercise of stock options for payment of withholding taxes
  - 
  - 
  (33,891)
  (337)
  (674,314)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (674,651)
Vesting of restricted stock awards
  - 
  - 
  15,752 
  155 
  (155)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Shares deducted from restricted stock awards for payment of withholding taxes
  - 
  - 
  (2,213)
  (24)
  (39,847)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (39,871)
Acquisition of treasury stock
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  40,630 
  (540,253)
  (540,253)
Dividends
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (3,204,813)
  - 
  - 
  (3,204,813)
Net income
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  3,973,093 
  - 
  - 
  3,973,093 
Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (3,281,445)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (3,281,445)
Balance, September 30, 2018
  - 
 $- 
  11,729,166 
 $117,291 
 $68,220,714 
 $(2,595,040)
 $28,335,344 
  1,027,439 
 $(2,712,552)
 $91,365,757 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5
 
 KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
  
Nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 Continued            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred Stock 
 Common Stock 
 Capital in Excess 
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 
 Retained 
 Treasury Stock 
   
 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 of Par 
 (Loss) 
 Earnings 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Total 
Balance, January 1, 2019
  - 
 $- 
  11,775,148 
 $117,751 
 $67,763,940 
 $(2,884,313)
 $26,380,816 
  1,027,439 
 $(2,712,552)
 $88,665,642 
Stock-based compensation
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,116,921 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,116,921 
Exercise of stock options
  - 
  - 
  3,000 
  30 
  23,522 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  23,552 
Vesting of restricted stock awards
  - 
  - 
  43,596 
  434 
  (434)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Shares deducted from restricted stock awards for payment of withholding taxes
  - 
  - 
  (10,733)
  (105)
  (148,173)
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (148,278)
Dividends
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (2,827,276)
  - 
  - 
  (2,827,276)
Net loss
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (7,420,972)
  - 
  - 
  (7,420,972)
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  7,326,029 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  7,326,029 
Balance, September 30, 2019
  - 
 $- 
  11,811,011 
 $118,110 
 $68,755,776 
 $4,441,716 
 $16,132,568 
  1,027,439 
 $(2,712,552)
 $86,735,618 
  _______________________________________________________________________________
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6
 
KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES    
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)  
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net (loss) income
 $(7,420,972)
 $3,973,093 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
 Net losses on sale of investments
  54,759 
  377,303 
 Net unrealized (gains) losses of equity investments
  (3,196,260)
  141,976 
 Net unrealized gains of other investments
  (570,679)
  (241,444)
 Depreciation and amortization
  1,876,202 
  1,273,975 
 Amortization of bond premium, net
  283,620 
  284,204 
 Amortization of discount and issuance costs on long-term debt
  132,135 
  124,241 
 Stock-based compensation
  1,116,921 
  481,812 
 Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
  (2,133,486)
  136,032 
 (Increase) decrease in operating assets:
    
    
 Premiums receivable, net
  (390,922)
  (266,849)
 Reinsurance receivables, net
  (213,334)
  3,500,669 
 Deferred policy acquisition costs
  (2,583,831)
  (2,276,012)
 Other assets
  (882,320)
  (1,824,401)
 Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
  21,212,317 
  5,143,335 
 Unearned premiums
  11,036,552 
  9,926,741 
 Advance premiums
  1,629,862 
  1,411,027 
 Reinsurance balances payable
  (1,123,540)
  (840,122)
 Deferred ceding commission revenue
  (857,805)
  (1,748,944)
 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
  1,568,746 
  (1,379,309)
 Net cash flows provided by operating activities
  19,537,965 
  18,197,327 
 
    
    
 Cash flows from investing activities:
    
    
 Purchase - fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale
  (15,373,113)
  (43,957,529)
 Purchase - equity securities
  (6,657,676)
  (10,357,210)
 Sale and redemption - fixed-maturity securities held-to-maturity
  400,000 
  624,963 
 Sale or maturity - fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale
  9,835,464 
  17,740,260 
 Sale - equity securities
  2,941,492 
  5,694,121 
 Acquisition of property and equipment
  (3,231,483)
  (2,044,440)
 Net cash flows used in investing activities
  (12,085,316)
  (32,299,835)
 
    
    
 Cash flows from financing activities:
    
    
 Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  23,552 
  74,139 
 Withholding taxes paid on net exercise of stock options
  - 
  (674,651)
 Withholding taxes paid on vested retricted stock awards
  (148,278)
  (39,871)
 Purchase of treasury stock
  - 
  (540,253)
 Dividends paid
  (2,827,276)
  (3,204,813)
 Net cash flows used in financing activities
  (2,952,002)
  (4,385,449)
 
    
    
 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 $4,500,647 
 $(18,487,957)
 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
  21,138,403 
  48,381,633 
 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 $25,639,050 
 $29,893,676 
 
    
    
 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
    
    
 Cash paid for income taxes
 $388,000 
 $1,250,000 
 Cash paid for interest
 $825,000 
 $875,417 
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
7
 
 
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 agents and brokers. KICO is a licensed insurance company in the States of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire. KICO is currently offering its property and casualty insurance products in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Although New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut continue to be growing markets for the Company, 84.0% and 86.8% of KICO’s direct written premiums for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, came from the New York policies. Kingstone, through its subsidiary, Cosi Agency, Inc. (“Cosi”), a multi-state licensed general agency, accesses alternate forms of distribution outside of the independent agent and broker network, through which KICO currently distributes its various products. Kingstone (through Cosi) now has the opportunity to partner with name-brand carriers and access nationwide insurance agencies.
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The principles for condensed interim financial information do not require the inclusion of all the information and footnotes required by GAAP 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, 2018 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2019. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2019 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019.
 
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.
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements consist of Kingstone and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including 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 August 2018, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, “Disclosure Update and Simplification,” amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. This final rule was effective on November 5, 2018. The Company adopted the provisions of this Release effective January 1, 2019, and included the required presentation of changes in stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 – Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). Under this ASU, the Company recognized 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 has been measured at 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 Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019 using the cumulative effect adjustment transition method, which applies the provision of the standard at the effective date without adjusting the comparative periods presented. The adoption of the updated guidance resulted in the Company recognizing a right-of-use asset of $855,000 as part of other assets and a lease liability of $855,000 as part of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The right-of-use asset is amortized as rent expense on a straight line basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or liquidity.
 
 
8
 
 
Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2016, the 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 for the Company on January 1, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the updated guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). This update modifies the existing disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820 by changing requirements regarding Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 investments. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. Entities are permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures of ASU 2018-13 immediately and delay the adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company does not intend to early adopt the additional disclosures and are assessing the impact of retrospectively adopting the additions from this new accounting standard on the fair value disclosures herein.
 
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.
 
Note 3 - Investments 
 
Fixed-Maturity Securities
 
The amortized cost, estimated fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available-for-sale as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 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
 $8,243,486 
 $156,066 
 $-
 
 $-
 
 $8,399,552 
 $156,066 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Political subdivisions of States,
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  5,662,999 
  187,006 
  -
 
  -
 
  5,850,005 
  187,006 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  124,956,806 
  5,365,954 
  (33,073)
  (20,893)
  130,268,794 
  5,311,988 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Residential mortgage and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities (1)
  21,737,713 
  297,257 
  (19,924)
  (312,685)
  21,702,361 
  (35,352)
 Total
 $160,601,004 
 $6,006,283 
 $(52,997)
 $(333,578)
 $166,220,712 
 $5,619,708 
 
(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 FHLBNY credit line. As of September 30, 2019, the estimated fair value of the eligible investments was approximately $5,144,000. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of September 30, 2019, there was no outstanding balance on the FHLBNY credit line.
 
 
9
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 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
 $8,222,050 
 $26,331 
 $(28,000)
 $- 
 $8,220,381 
 $(1,669)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Political subdivisions of States,
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  6,339,540 
  50,903 
  (12,327)
  (36,508)
  6,341,608 
  2,068 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  119,078,698 
  123,740 
  (2,775,540)
  (676,605)
  115,750,293 
  (3,328,405)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Residential mortgage and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities (1)
  21,790,973 
  236,502 
  (231,229)
  (331,012)
  21,465,234 
  (325,739)
 Total
 $155,431,261 
 $437,476 
 $(3,047,096)
 $(1,044,125)
 $151,777,516 
 $(3,653,745)
 
(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 FHLBNY credit line. As of December 31, 2018, the estimated fair value of the eligible investments was approximately $5,116,000. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of December 31, 2018, there was no outstanding balance on the FHLBNY credit line.
 
A summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company’s investments in available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities by contractual maturity as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is shown below:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019    
 
 
December 31, 2018  
 
 
 
Amortized
 
 
Estimated
 
 
Amortized
 
 
Estimated
 
 Remaining Time to Maturity
 
Cost
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
Cost
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Less than one year
 $12,273,128 
 $12,322,490 
 $6,742,519 
 $6,738,014 
 One to five years
  50,106,836 
  51,297,620 
  47,038,838 
  46,640,012 
 Five to ten years
  74,473,145 
  78,850,661 
  76,884,505 
  74,290,076 
 More than 10 years
  2,010,182 
  2,047,580 
  2,974,426 
  2,644,180 
 Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities
  21,737,713 
  21,702,361 
  21,790,973 
  21,465,234 
 Total
 $160,601,004 
 $166,220,712 
 $155,431,261 
 $151,777,516 
 
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
 
The cost, estimated fair value, and gross gains and losses of investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019            
 
  
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred stocks
 $8,415,227 
 $394,815 
 $(16,042)
 $8,794,000 
 
 Common stocks and exchange
 
    
    
    
 traded mutual funds
  13,655,339 
  1,537,211 
  (487,351)
  14,705,199 
 Total
 $22,070,566 
 $1,932,026 
 $(503,393)
 $23,499,199 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018            
 
  
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred stocks
 $6,694,754 
 $- 
 $(541,798)
 $6,152,956 
 
 Common stocks and exchange
 
    
    
    
 traded mutual funds
  11,611,232 
  99,817 
  (1,291,389)
  10,419,660 
 Total
 $18,305,986 
 $99,817 
 $(1,833,187)
 $16,572,616 
 
Other Investments
 
The cost, estimated fair value, and gross unrealized gains and losses of the Company’s other investments as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019        
 
 
December 31, 2018        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 Estimated 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 Fair Value 
 Cost
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Other Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hedge fund
 $1,999,381 
 $426,523 
 $2,425,904 
 $1,999,381 
 $(144,156)
 $1,855,225 
 Total
 $1,999,381 
 $426,523 
 $2,425,904 
 $1,999,381 
 $(144,156)
 $1,855,225 
 
 
11
 

Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
The amortized cost, estimated fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of investments in held-to-maturity fixed-maturity securities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 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
 $729,539 
 $153,088 
 $- 
 $- 
 $882,627 
 $153,088 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Political subdivisions of States,
 
    
    
    
    
    
Territories and Possessions
  998,668 
  50,357 
  - 
  - 
  1,049,025 
  50,357 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Corporate and other bonds
 
    
    
    
    
    
Industrial and miscellaneous
  2,097,298 
  98,434 
  - 
  - 
  2,195,732 
  98,434 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $3,825,505 
 $301,879 
 $- 
 $- 
 $4,127,384 
 $301,879 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 
 
December 31, 2018                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 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
 $729,507 
 $147,532 
 $(3,964)
 $- 
 $873,075 
 $143,568 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Political subdivisions of States,
 
    
    
    
    
    
Territories and Possessions
  998,803 
  33,862 
  - 
  - 
  1,032,665 
  33,862 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Corporate and other bonds
 
    
    
    
    
    
Industrial and miscellaneous
  2,494,545 
  38,461 
  (1,425)
  (10,905)
  2,520,676 
  26,131 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Total
 $4,222,855 
 $219,855 
 $(5,389)
 $(10,905)
 $4,426,416 
 $203,561 
 
Held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury securities are held in trust pursuant to various states’ minimum funds requirements.

A summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company’s investments in held-to-maturity securities by contractual maturity as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is shown below:
 
 
 September 30, 2019 
 December 31, 2018 
 
 Amortized 
 Estimated 
 Amortized 
 Estimated 
 Remaining Time to Maturity
 Cost 
 Fair Value 
 Cost 
 Fair Value 
 
   
   
   
   
 Less than one year
 $623,000 
 $629,143 
 $- 
 $- 
 One to five years
 $2,098,950 
 $2,214,947 
  2,996,685 
  3,036,531 
 Five to ten years
 $497,016 
 $529,255 
  619,663 
  635,846 
 More than 10 years
 $606,539 
 $754,039 
  606,507 
  754,039 
 Total
 $3,825,505 
 $4,127,384 
 $4,222,855 
 $4,426,416 
 
The actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.
 
 
12
 
 
Investment Income
 
Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
 Three months ended
 
 
 Nine months ended
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-maturity securities
 $1,499,135 
 $1,386,931 
 $4,500,346 
 $3,898,730 
 Equity securities
  253,594 
  214,498 
  666,247 
  609,086 
 Cash and cash equivalents
  75,253 
  44,024 
  288,334 
  159,865 
 Total
  1,827,982 
  1,645,453 
  5,454,927 
  4,667,681 
 Expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Investment expenses
  (28,571)
  43,082 
  254,893 
  124,455 
 Net investment income
 $1,856,553 
 $1,602,371 
 $5,200,034 
 $4,543,226 
 
Proceeds from the sale and redemption of fixed-maturity securities held-to-maturity were $400,000 and $624,963 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Proceeds from the sale or maturity of fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale were $9,835,464 and $17,740,260 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Proceeds from the sale of equity securities were $2,941,492 and $5,694,121 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 
13
 
 
The Company’s net gains (losses) on investments are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
 Three months ended
 
 
 Nine months ended
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 Realized Gains (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gross realized gains
 $10 
 $4,749 
 $10,954 
 $116,961 
 Gross realized losses
  (46,851)
  (77,191)
  (92,591)
  (560,418)
 
  (46,841)
  (72,442)
  (81,637)
  (443,457)
 
    
    
    
    
 Equity securities:
    
    
    
    
 Gross realized gains
  38,477 
  121,609 
  83,737 
  436,859 
 Gross realized losses
  - 
  (106,321)
  (56,859)
  (370,705)
 
  38,477 
  15,288 
  26,878 
  66,154 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net realized losses
  (8,364)
  (57,154)
  (54,759)
  (377,303)
 
    
    
    
    
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
 
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
 Equity securities:
    
    
    
    
 Gross gains
  916,496 
  - 
  3,196,260 
  - 
 Gross losses
  - 
  288,435 
  - 
  (141,976)
 
  916,496 
  288,435 
  3,196,260 
  (141,976)
 
    
    
    
    
 Other investments:
    
    
    
    
 Gross gains
  90,030 
  120,744 
  570,679 
  241,444 
 Gross losses
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 
  90,030 
  120,744 
  570,679 
  241,444 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net unrealized gains
  1,006,526 
  409,179 
  3,766,939 
  99,468 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net gains (losses) on investments
 $998,162 
 $352,025 
 $3,712,180 
 $(277,835)
 
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 to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated 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 income (loss).  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 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.
 
OTTI losses are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were 38 and 156 fixed-maturity securities, respectively, that accounted for the gross unrealized loss. The Company determined that none of the unrealized losses were deemed to be OTTI for its portfolio of investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. 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 estimated fair value to the Company’s cost basis.
 
 
14
 
 
The Company held available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses representing declines that were considered temporary at September 30, 2019 as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019                            
 
 
 
  Less than 12 months      
 
 
  12 months or more      
 
 
  Total      
 
  
 
 Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 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
 $- 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Political subdivisions of
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
States, Territories and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Possessions
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
miscellaneous
  3,258,185 
  (33,073)
  6 
  3,170,889 
  (20,893)
  6 
  6,429,074 
  (53,966)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Residential mortgage and other
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
asset backed securities
  3,008,874 
  (19,924)
  3 
  15,596,316 
  (312,685)
  23 
  18,605,190 
  (332,609)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Total fixed-maturity
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
securities
 $6,267,059 
 $(52,997)
  9 
 $18,767,205 
 $(333,578)
  29 
 $25,034,264 
 $(386,575)
 
 
15
 
 
The Company held available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses representing declines that were considered temporary at December 31, 2018 as follows:
 
 
 
December 31, 2018                            
 
 
 
Less than 12 months  
 
 
12 months or more  
 
 
Total  
 
  
 
 Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 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
 $4,948,530 
 $(28,000)
  3 
 $- 
 $- 
  - 
 $4,948,530 
 $(28,000)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 States, Territories and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Possessions
  555,375 
  (12,327)
  1 
  1,436,242 
  (36,508)
  3 
  1,991,617 
  (48,835)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  81,004,459 
  (2,775,540)
  97 
  13,424,888 
  (676,605)
  24 
  94,429,347 
  (3,452,145)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Residential mortgage and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities
  7,002,713 
  (231,229)
  9 
  11,928,425 
  (331,012)
  19 
  18,931,138 
  (562,241)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total fixed-maturity
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 securities
 $93,511,077 
 $(3,047,096)
  110 
 $26,789,555 
 $(1,044,125)
  46 
 $120,300,632 
 $(4,091,221)

 
16
 
 
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.
 
 
17
 

The following table presents information about the Company’s investments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 indicating the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019            
 
 
 
 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
 $8,399,552 
 $- 
 $- 
 $8,399,552 
 
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of
    
    
    
    
 States, Territories and
    
    
    
    
 Possessions
  - 
  5,850,005 
  - 
  5,850,005 
 
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  127,148,873 
  3,119,921 
  - 
  130,268,794 
 
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage backed securities
  - 
  21,702,361 
  - 
  21,702,361 
 Total fixed maturities
  135,548,425 
  30,672,287 
  - 
  166,220,712 
 Equity securities
  23,499,199 
  - 
  - 
  23,499,199 
 Total investments
 $159,047,624 
 $30,672,287 
 $- 
 $189,719,911 

 
 
December 31, 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
 $8,220,381 
 $- 
 $- 
 $8,220,381 
 
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of
    
    
    
    
 States, Territories and
    
    
    
    
 Possessions
  - 
  6,341,608 
  - 
  6,341,608 
 
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  112,076,270 
  3,674,023 
  - 
  115,750,293 
 
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage backed securities
  - 
  21,465,234 
  - 
  21,465,234 
 Total fixed maturities
  120,296,651 
  31,480,865 
  - 
  151,777,516 
 Equity securities
  16,572,616 
  - 
  - 
  16,572,616 
 Total investments
 $136,869,267 
 $31,480,865 
 $- 
 $168,350,132 
 
 
18
 

Pursuant to ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement,” an entity is permitted, as a practical expedient, to estimate the fair value of an investment within the scope of ASC 820 using the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the investment. The following table sets forth the Company’s investment in a hedge fund measured at NAV per share as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The Company measures this investment at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value using NAV per share is as follows as of the dates indicated:
 
Category
 
September 30, 2019
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Other Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hedge fund
 $2,425,904 
 $1,855,225 
 Total
 $2,425,904 
 $1,855,225 
 
 
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. Income 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 operations and comprehensive income (loss) within net gains (losses) on investments.
 
The estimated fair value and the level of the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s long-term debt as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 not measured at fair value is as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019            
 
 
 
 Level 1
 
 
 Level 2
 
 
 Level 3
 
 
 Total
 
 Long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Senior Notes due 2022
 $- 
 $27,310,623 
 $- 
 $27,310,623 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018            
 
 
 
 Level 1
 
 
 Level 2
 
 
 Level 3
 
 
 Total
 
 Long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Senior Notes due 2022
 $- 
 $28,521,734 
 $- 
 $28,521,734 
 
 
19
 

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 and real estate:
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale fixed income securities, held-to-maturity 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 and reinsurance receivables:  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 estimated fair value of long-term debt is based on observable market interest rates when available. When observable market interest rates were not available, the estimated fair values of debt were based on observable market interest rates of comparable instruments adjusted for differences between the observed instruments and the instruments being valued or estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
 
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments and real estate as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019    
 
 
December 31, 2018    
 
 
 
Carrying
 
 
Estimated
 
 
Carrying
 
 
Estimated
 
 
 
Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fixed-maturity securities-held-to maturity
 $3,825,505 
 $4,127,384 
 $4,222,855 
 $4,426,416 
 Cash and cash equivalents
 $25,639,050 
 $25,639,050 
 $21,138,403 
 $21,138,403 
 Premiums receivable, net
 $14,352,521 
 $14,352,521 
 $13,961,599 
 $13,961,599 
 Reinsurance receivables, net
 $26,580,449 
 $26,580,449 
 $26,367,115 
 $26,367,115 
 Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation
 $2,288,851 
 $2,705,000 
 $2,300,827 
 $2,705,000 
 Reinsurance balances payable
 $809,836 
 $809,836 
 $1,933,376 
 $1,933,376 
 Long-term debt, net
 $29,427,386 
 $27,310,623 
 $29,295,251 
 $28,521,734 
 
 
20
 

Note 6 – Property and Casualty Insurance Activity
 
Premiums Earned
 
Premiums written, ceded and earned are as follows:
 
 
 
 Direct
 
 
 Assumed
 
 
 Ceded
 
 
 Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Premiums written
 $128,333,117 
 $938 
 $(20,914,074)
 $107,419,981 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (11,035,993)
  (559)
  (1,366,251)
  (12,402,803)
 Premiums earned
 $117,297,124 
 $379 
 $(22,280,325)
 $95,017,178 
 
    
    
    
    
Nine months ended September 30, 2018
    
    
    
    
 Premiums written
 $107,175,413 
 $842 
 $(19,409,423)
 $87,766,832 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (9,930,503)
  3,762 
  (3,363,953)
 $(13,290,694)
 Premiums earned
 $97,244,910 
 $4,604 
 $(22,773,376)
 $74,476,138 
 
    
    
    
    
Three months ended September 30, 2019
    
    
    
    
 Premiums written
 $46,023,290 
 $861 
 $(5,586,278)
 $40,437,873 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (4,579,777)
  (761)
  (1,637,325)
  (6,217,863)
 Premiums earned
 $41,443,513 
 $100 
 $(7,223,603)
 $34,220,010 
 
    
    
    
    
Three months ended September 30, 2018
    
    
    
    
 Premiums written
 $38,785,453 
 $18 
 $(2,683,699)
 $36,101,772 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (4,435,174)
  698 
  (4,133,389)
  (8,567,865)
 Premiums earned
 $34,350,279 
 $716 
 $(6,817,088)
 $27,533,907 
 
Premium receipts in advance of the policy effective date are recorded as advance premiums. The balance of advance premiums as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $3,737,491 and $2,107,629, 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:
 
 
 Nine months ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Balance at beginning of period
 $56,197,106 
 $48,799,622 
 Less reinsurance recoverables
  (15,671,247)
  (16,748,908)
 Net balance, beginning of period
  40,525,859 
  32,050,714 
 
    
    
 Incurred related to:
    
    
 Current year
  60,401,821 
  41,611,658 
 Prior years
  11,186,029 
  127,465 
 Total incurred
  71,587,850 
  41,739,123 
 
    
    
 Paid related to:
    
    
 Current year
  31,515,656 
  23,404,909 
 Prior years
  18,600,946 
  12,160,419 
 Total paid
  50,116,602 
  35,565,328 
  
    
    
 Net balance at end of period
  61,997,107 
  38,224,509 
 Add reinsurance recoverables
  15,412,316 
  15,718,448 
 Balance at end of period
 $77,409,423 
 $53,942,957 
 
 
Incurred losses and LAE are net of reinsurance recoveries under reinsurance contracts of $8,849,440 and $11,668,527 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was $11,186,029 unfavorable and $127,465 unfavorable, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company increased case reserves for a significant number of older liability claims, which primarily affected the ultimate loss projections for commercial lines business. These adjustments were in line with management’s continued process of monitoring claims activity to assess the appropriateness of carried case and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves, giving consideration to both Company and industry trends.
 
The reserving process for loss and LAE reserves provides for the Company’s best estimate at a particular point in time of the ultimate unpaid cost of all losses and LAE incurred, including settlement and administration of losses, and is based on facts and circumstances then known including losses that have occurred but that have not yet been reported. The process relies on standard actuarial reserving methodologies, judgments relative to estimates of ultimate claim severity and frequency, the length of time before losses will develop to their ultimate level (‘tail’ factors), and the likelihood of changes in the law or other external factors that are beyond the Company’s control. Several actuarial reserving methodologies are used to estimate required loss reserves. The process produces carried reserves set by management based upon the actuaries’ best estimate and is the cumulative combination of the best estimates made by line of business, accident year, and loss and LAE. The amount of loss and LAE reserves for individual reported claims (the “case reserve”) is determined by the claims department and changes over time as new information is gathered. Such information is critical to the review of appropriate IBNR reserves and includes a review of coverage applicability, comparative liability on the part of the insured, injury severity, property damage, replacement cost estimates, and any other information considered pertinent to estimating the exposure presented by the claim. The amounts of loss and LAE reserves for unreported claims and development on known claims (IBNR reserves) are determined using historical information aggregated by line of insurance as adjusted to current conditions. Since this process produces loss reserves set by management based upon the actuaries’ best estimate, there is no explicit or implicit provision for uncertainty in the carried loss reserves.
 
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 period’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 periods. Several methods are used, varying by line of business and accident year, in order to select the estimated period-end loss reserves. These methods include the following: 

 
22
 
  
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.
 
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 may 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.
 
Frequency / Severity Based Methods – historical measurements of claim frequency and average paid claim size (severity) are reviewed for more mature accident years where a majority of claims have been reported and/or closed. These historical averages are trended forward to more recent periods in order to estimate ultimate losses for newer accident years that are not yet fully developed. These methods are useful for lines of business with slow and/or volatile loss development patterns, such as liability lines where information pertaining to individual cases may not be completely known for many years. The claim frequency and severity information for older periods can then be used as reasonable measures for developing a range of estimates for more recent immature periods.
 
Management’s best estimate of required reserves is generally based on an average of the methods above, with appropriate weighting of 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 contemplated in setting current carried reserves levels.
 
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 September 30, 2016 and prior is limited, although there remains the possibility of adverse development on reported claims (“case development” IBNR). In certain rare circumstances states have retroactively revised a statute of limitations. The Company is not aware of any such effort that would have a material impact on the Company’s results.
 
The following is information about incurred and paid claims development as of September 30, 2019, net of reinsurance, as well as the cumulative reported claims by accident year and total IBNR reserves as of September 30, 2019 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, 2010 to December 31, 2018 is presented as supplementary unaudited information.
 
All Lines of Business
(in thousands, except reported claims data)
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 As of 
 
 Incurred Loss and Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance 
   
   
 September 30, 2019 
Accident
 For the Years Ended December 31, 
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   
 Cumulative Number of Reported Claims by Accident
 
 Year
 2010 
 2011 
 2012 
 2013 
 2014 
 2015 
 2016 
 2017 
 2018 
 2019 
 IBNR 
 Year 
 
 Unaudited 2010 - 2018 
(Unaudited)
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2010
 $5,598 
 $5,707 
 $6,429 
 $6,623 
 $6,912 
 $6,853 
 $6,838 
 $6,840 
 $6,787 
 $6,793 
 $- 
  1,617 
2011
    
  7,603 
  7,678 
  8,618 
  9,440 
  9,198 
  9,066 
  9,144 
  9,171 
  9,161 
  14 
  1,914 
2012
    
    
  9,539 
  9,344 
  10,278 
  10,382 
  10,582 
  10,790 
  10,791 
  11,016 
  79 
  4,704(1)
2013
    
    
    
  10,728 
  9,745 
  9,424 
  9,621 
  10,061 
  10,089 
  10,571 
  95 
  1,561 
2014
    
    
    
    
  14,193 
  14,260 
  14,218 
  14,564 
  15,023 
  16,576 
  454 
  2,134 
2015
    
    
    
    
    
  22,340 
  21,994 
  22,148 
  22,491 
  23,408 
  311 
  2,555 
2016
    
    
    
    
    
    
  26,062 
  24,941 
  24,789 
  28,209 
  883 
  2,873 
2017
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  31,605 
  32,169 
  34,848 
  879 
  3,368 
2018
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  54,455 
  56,320 
  3,091 
  4,162 
2019
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  57,364 
  16,404 
  3,118 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total 
 $254,266 
    
    
 
(1) Reported claims for accident year 2012 includes 3,406 claims from Superstorm Sandy.
 
 
23
 
 
All Lines of Business
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative Paid Loss and Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance
 
 
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 
Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
Accident Year
 
2010
 
 
2011
 
 
2012
 
 
2013
 
 
2014
 
 
2015
 
 
2016
 
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
 
2019
 
 
 
(Unaudited 2010 - 2018)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 $2,566 
 $3,947 
 $4,972 
 $5,602 
 $6,323 
 $6,576 
 $6,720 
 $6,772 
 $6,780 
 $6,780 
2011
    
  3,740 
  5,117 
  6,228 
  7,170 
  8,139 
  8,540 
  8,702 
  8,727 
  8,778 
2012
    
    
  3,950 
  5,770 
  7,127 
  8,196 
  9,187 
  10,236 
  10,323 
  10,422 
2013
    
    
    
  3,405 
  5,303 
  6,633 
  7,591 
  8,407 
  9,056 
  9,235 
2014
    
    
    
    
  5,710 
  9,429 
  10,738 
  11,770 
  13,819 
  14,692 
2015
    
    
    
    
    
  12,295 
  16,181 
  18,266 
  19,984 
  20,982 
2016
    
    
    
    
    
    
  15,364 
  19,001 
  21,106 
  22,988 
2017
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  16,704 
  24,820 
  27,470 
2018
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  32,383 
  43,383 
2019
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  30,115 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Total
 
 $194,845 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 
Net liability for unpaid loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses for the accident years presented
 
 $59,421 
 
All outstanding liabilities before 2010, net of reinsurance
 
    
  143 
 
Liabilities for loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
 
 $59,564 
 
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.
 
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:
 
 
As of
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2019
 
Liabilities for loss and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
 $59,564 
Total reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses
  15,412 
Unallocated loss adjustment expenses
  2,433 
Total gross liability for loss and LAE reserves
 $77,409 
 
Reinsurance
 
The Company’s quota share reinsurance treaties are on a July 1 through June 30 fiscal year basis. The Company’s quota share reinsurance treaties in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 for its personal lines business, which primarily consists of homeowners’ policies, were covered under a treaty covering a two-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 (“2017/2019 Treaty”). The treaty in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was covered under the July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 treaty year (“2018/2019 Treaty Year”). The treaties in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were covered under the July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 treaty year (“2017/2018 Treaty Year”) and the 2018/2019 Treaty Year that began on July 1, 2018.
 
In August 2018, the Company terminated its contract with one of the reinsurers that was a party to the 2017/2019 Treaty. This termination was retroactive to July 1, 2018 and had the effect of reducing the quota share ceding rate to 10% under the 2018/2019 Treaty Year from 20% under the 2017/2018 Treaty Year.
 
 
24
 
  
Effective July 1, 2019, the 2017/2019 Treaty and commercial umbrella treaty expired on a run-off basis; these treaties were not renewed. The Company entered into new excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance treaties effective July 1, 2019. Material terms for reinsurance treaties in effect for the treaty years shown below are as follows:
 
 
Treaty Year
 
 
July 1, 2019
 
 
July 1, 2018
 
 
July 1, 2017
 
 
 
to
 
 
to
 
 
to
 
 Line of Busines
 
June 30, 2020
 
 
June 30, 2019
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homeowners, dwelling fire and canine legal liability
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Quota share treaty:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Percent ceded
 None
  10%
  20%
 Risk retained
 $1,000,000 
 $900,000 
 $800,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
  None
 $1,000,000 
 $1,000,000 
 Excess of loss coverage and facultative facility above quota share coverage (1)
 $10,000,000 
 $9,000,000 
 $9,000,000 
 
    
  in excess of
 in excess of
 
    
 $1,000,000 
 $1,000,000 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $9,000,000 
 $9,100,000 
 $9,200,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage
 $10,000,000 
 $10,000,000 
 $10,000,000 
 Expiration date
 June 30, 2020
  June 30, 2019
  
June 30, 2019

 
    
    
    
 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, 2020
  June 30, 2019
  June 30, 2018
 
    
    
    
Commercial Lines:
    
    
    
 General liability commercial policies
    
    
    
 Quota share treaty
  None
  None
  None
 Risk retained
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 Excess of loss coverage above risk retained
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 
 in excess of
  in excess of
 in excess of
 
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage
 $4,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 
    
    
    
 Commercial Umbrella
    
    
    
 Quota share treaty:
  None
    
    
 Percent ceded - first $1,000,000 of coverage
    
  90%
  90%
 Percent ceded - excess of $1,000,000 of coverage
    
  100%
  100%
 Risk retained
    
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
    
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
    
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 Expiration date
    
 June 30, 2019
 June 30, 2018
 
    
    
    
Catastrophe Reinsurance:
    
    
    
Initial loss subject to personal lines quota share treaty
  None
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 Risk retained per catastrophe occurrence (2)
 $7,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 $4,000,000 
 Catastrophe loss coverage in excess of quota share coverage (3)
 $602,500,000 
 $445,000,000 
 $315,000,000 
 Reinstatement premium protection (4)(5)(6)
 Yes
  Yes
  Yes
 
(1)
For personal lines, 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. Duration of 168 consecutive hours for a catastrophe occurrence from windstorm, hail, tornado, hurricane and cyclone.
(4)
Effective July 1, 2017, reinstatement premium protection for $145,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $5,000,000.
(5)
Effective July 1, 2018, reinstatement premium protection for $210,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $5,000,000.
(6)
Effective July 1, 2019, reinstatement premium protection for $292,500,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $7,500,000.
 
 
25
 
 
The single maximum risks per occurrence to which the Company is subject under the treaty year shown below are as follows:
 
 
July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
Treaty
 Range of Loss
 Risk Retained
 
 
 
Personal Lines (1)
 Initial $1,000,000
$1,000,000
 
 $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%
 
 
 
Catastrophe (4)
 Initial $7,500,000
$7,500,000
 
 $7,500,000 - $610,000,000
 None
 
 Over $610,000,000
100%
 
(1)
Personal lines quota share treaty was eliminated effective July 1, 2019. The 2017/2019 Treaty expired on a run-off basis.
(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 single maximum risks per occurrence to which the Company is subject under the treaties effective July 1, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
 
 
July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019
July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018
Treaty
 Range of Loss
 Risk Retained
 Range of Loss
 Risk Retained
Personal Lines (1)
 Initial $1,000,000
$900,000
 Initial $1,000,000
$800,000
 
 $1,000,000 - $10,000,000
 None(2)
 $1,000,000 - $10,000,000
 None(2)
 
 Over $10,000,000
100%
 Over $10,000,000
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 $750,000
$750,000
 
 $750,000 - $4,500,000
 None(3)
 $750,000 - $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
$4,500,000
 Initial $5,000,000
$4,000,000
 
 $5,000,000 - $450,000,000
 None
 $5,000,000 - $320,000,000
 None
 
 Over $450,000,000
100%
 Over $320,000,000
100%
 
(1)
Treaty for July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 and 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 has been structured to enable the Company to 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.
 
 
26
 
 
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 (the “Loss Ratio(s)”) for treaties in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 are attributable to contracts under the 2017/2019 Treaty for the 2018/2019 Treaty Year, which expired on June 30, 2019 and was not renewed. The Loss Ratios for treaties in effect for the three months ended September 30, 2018 are attributable to contracts under the 2017/2019 Treaty for the 2018/2019 Treaty Year. The Loss Ratios for treaties in effect for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are attributable to contracts under the 2017/2019 Treaty for both the 2017/2018 Treaty Year and the 2018/2019 Treaty Year.
 
Treaty in effect during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019
 
There was no current quota share treaty in effect during the three months ended September 30, 2019, and therefore no current contingent commission adjustment was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2019.Under the 2017/2019 Treaty, the Company received an upfront fixed provisional rate that was only subject to a sliding scale contingent adjustment based upon Loss Ratio for the 2017/2018 Treaty Year (“Loss Period”). Under this arrangement, the Company earned provisional ceding commissions that are subject to later adjustment dependent on changes to the estimated Loss Period Loss Ratio for the 2017/2019 Treaty. The Company’s Loss Period Loss Ratios attributable to the 2017/2019 Treaty reached the maximum contractual level during the six months ended June 30, 2018, and therefore no contingent commission adjustment was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
 
Treaties in effect for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018
 
Under the 2017/2019 Treaty, the Company received an upfront fixed provisional rate that was only subject to a sliding scale contingent adjustment based upon Loss Ratio for the 2017/2018 Treaty Year (“Loss Period”). The Company’s Loss Period Loss Ratios attributable to the 2017/2019 Treaty reached the maximum contractual level during the six months ended June 30, 2018, and therefore no contingent commission adjustment was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company incurred negative contingent ceding commissions as a result of the Loss Period Loss Ratio for the 2017/2019 Treaty, which reduced contingent ceding commissions earned.
 
In addition to the treaties that were in effect during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, 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
 
 
 Nine months ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Provisional ceding commissions earned
 $1,320,069 
 $1,255,034 
 $4,001,294 
 $5,468,314 
 Contingent ceding commissions earned
  (290,487)
  (210,505)
  (1,018,334)
  (1,037,459)
 
 $1,029,582 
 $1,044,529 
 $2,982,960 
 $4,430,855 
 
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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, net contingent ceding commissions payable to reinsurers under all treaties was approximately $3,060,000 and $1,581,000, respectively, which is recorded in reinsurance balances payable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
Commercial Lines of Business
 
In July 2019, the Company made the decision that it will no longer underwrite Commercial Lines risks. These include Business Owners, Artisans (“CraftPak”), Special Multi-Peril, and Commercial Umbrella policies. The Company had 6,793 commercial lines policies in force as of September 30, 2019 and approximately $12,179,000 in earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. As of June 30, 2019 the Company had 7,770 commercial lines policies in force.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, these policies represented approximately 12% of net premiums earned. As of September 30, 2019, claims from these commercial lines represent 46% of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves net of reinsurance recoverables. In force policies for these lines will be non-renewed at the end of their current annual terms. All existing inforce Commercial Lines policies will expire by September 30, 2020.
 
 
27
 
 
Note 7 – Debt
 
Federal Home Loan Bank
 
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 $15,180 as of September 30, 2019. FHLBNY members have access to a variety of flexible, low cost funding through FHLBNY’s credit products, enabling members to customize advances, which 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 the previous quarter and are due and payable within one year of borrowing. The maximum allowable advance as of September 30, 2019 was approximately $11,502,000. Advances are limited to 90% of the amount of available collateral, which was approximately $4,630,000 as of September 30, 2019. There were no borrowings under this facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
 
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, which began on June 30, 2018 at the rate of 5.50%. 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is as follows:
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.50% Senior Unsecured Notes
 $30,000,000 
 $30,000,000 
 Discount
  (105,465)
  (129,796)
 Issuance costs
  (467,149)
  (574,953)
 Long-term debt, net
 $29,427,386 
 $29,295,251 
 
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 in order to support additional growth. The remainder of the net proceeds are being used for general corporate purposes. A registration statement relating to the debt issued in the offering was filed with the SEC, which became effective on November 28, 2017.
 
Note 8 – Stockholders’ Equity
 
Dividends Declared and Paid
 
Dividends declared and paid on common stock were $2,827,276 and $3,204,813 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend on November 11, 2019 of $0.0625 per share payable in cash on December 13, 2019 to stockholders of record as of November 29, 2019 (see Note 13).
 
 
28
 
 
Stock Options
 
Effective August 12, 2014, the Company adopted the 2014 Equity Participation Plan (the “2014 Plan”) pursuant to which 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 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 determines the expiration date with respect to non-statutory stock options and the vesting provisions for restricted stock granted under the 2014 Plan.
 
The results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 include stock-based compensation expense related to the 2014 Plan totaling approximately $19,800 and $1,000, respectively. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 include stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaling approximately $20,800 and $5,000, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options is net of estimated forfeitures of approximately 17% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Such amounts have been included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) within other operating expenses.
 
Stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 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. The weighted average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $1.91 per share. No options were granted during the nine months September 30, 2018. The fair value of stock options at the grant date was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used for grants during the following periods:
 
 
 
 Nine months ended
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend Yield
  2.87%
  na 
Volatility
  36.11%
   na
Risk-Free Interest Rate
  1.61%
   na 
Expected Life
  3.25 years 
   na 
 
 
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 the Company’s 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 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 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, 2019
  37,500 
 $8.36 
  2.24 
 $349,950 
 
    
    
    
    
Granted
  50,000 
 $8.72 
    
 $- 
Exercised
  (3,000)
 $7.85 
    
 $6,270 
Forfeited
  (2,500)
 $7.85 
  2.04 
 $13,588 
 
    
    
    
    
Outstanding at September 30, 2019
  82,000 
 $8.61 
  3.63 
 $11,390 
 
    
    
    
    
Vested and Exercisable at September 30, 2019
  50,000 
 $8.45 
  2.41 
 $15,075 
 
 
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable at September 30, 2019 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 $8.52 closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on September 30, 2019. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $6,270, determined as of the date of exercise. The total intrinsic value of options forfeited during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $13,588, determined as of the date of forfeiture.
 
Participants in the 2014 Plan 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 $23,552 from the exercise of options for the purchase of 3,000 shares of Common Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The Company received cash proceeds of $74,139 from the exercise of options for the purchase of 12,750 shares of Common Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The Company received 7,855 shares from the exercise of options under a Share Exchange for the purchase of 30,000 shares of Common Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The remaining 132,500 options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were Net Exercises, resulting in the issuance of 54,231 shares of Common Stock.
 
As of September 30, 2019, the fair value of unamortized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards was approximately $59,000. Unamortized compensation cost as of September 30, 2019 is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average vesting period of 1.99 years.
 
As of September 30, 2019, there were 390,338 shares reserved for grants under the 2014 Plan.
 
 
29
 
 
Restricted Stock Awards
 
A summary of the restricted common stock activity under the Company’s 2014 Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 is as follows:
 
Restricted Stock Awards
 
Shares
 
 
 Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
 
 
 Aggregate Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2019
  120,499 
 $17.66 
 $2,129,175 
 
    
    
    
Granted
  120,586 
 $15.51 
 $1,870,487 
Vested
  (44,410)
 $17.18 
 $(763,103)
Forfeited
  (10,459)
 $15.79 
 $(165,171)
 
    
    
    
Balance at September 30, 2019
  186,216 
 $16.47 
 $3,071,388 
 
Fair value was calculated using the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, stock-based compensation for these grants was approximately $388,000 and $196,000, respectively, which is included in other operating expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, stock-based compensation for these grants of approximately $1,096,000 and $477,000, respectively, for these grants is included in other operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations 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.
 
 
30
 
 
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 various rates depending on whether the temporary differences are subject to federal taxes, state taxes, or both.
 
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Deferred tax asset:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net operating loss carryovers (1)
 $2,418,344 
 $90,438 
 Claims reserve discount
  526,114 
  343,905 
 Unearned premium
  3,735,054 
  3,145,682 
 Deferred ceding commission revenue
  384,063 
  564,202 
 Other
  680,204 
  383,733 
 Total deferred tax assets
  7,743,779 
  4,527,960 
 
    
    
 Deferred tax liability:
    
    
 Investment in KICO (2)
  759,543 
  759,543 
 Deferred acquisition costs
  4,303,229 
  3,760,625 
 Intangibles
  105,000 
  140,700 
 Depreciation and amortization
  515,487 
  664,194 
 Net unrealized gains (losses) of securities - available for sale
  1,520,225 
  (1,151,335)
 Total deferred tax liabilities
  7,203,484 
  4,173,727 
 
    
    
 Net deferred income tax asset
 $540,295 
 $354,233 
 
 
31
 
 
(1) The deferred tax assets from net operating loss carryovers (“NOL”) are as follows:
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
 Type of NOL
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
Expiration
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Federal only, current year
 $2,347,962 
 $- 
  None
 Amount subject to Annual Limitation, federal only
  - 
  2,100 
December 31, 2019
 Total federal only
  2,347,962 
  2,100 
    
 
    
    
    
 State only (A)
  1,454,929 
  1,305,365 
December 31, 2039
 Valuation allowance
  (1,384,547)
  (1,217,027)
    
 State only, net of valuation allowance
  70,382 
  88,338 
    
 
    
    
    
 Total deferred tax asset from net operating loss carryovers
 $2,418,344 
 $90,438 
   
 
(A) Kingstone generates operating losses for state purposes and has prior year NOLs available. The state NOL as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was approximately $22,384,000 and $20,083,000, respectively. KICO 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 operations 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 2039.
 
(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 nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. 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, 2015 through December 31, 2018 remain subject to examination. The Company’s federal income tax return for the year ended December 31, 2016 has been examined by the Internal Revenue Service and was accepted as filed. 
 
 
32
 
 
Note 10 –Earnings/(Loss) Per Common Share
 
Basic net earnings/(loss) per common share is computed by dividing income/(loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings/(loss) per common share reflect, in periods in which they have a dilutive effect, the impact of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options as well as non-vested restricted stock awards. The computation of diluted earnings/(loss) 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/(loss) per common share excludes outstanding options in periods where the exercise of such options would be anti-dilutive. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019, no options were included in the computation of diluted earnings/(loss) per common share as they would have been anti-dilutive for the relevant periods and, as a result, the weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share has not been adjusted for the effect of such options.
 
The reconciliation of the weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings/(loss) per common share follows:
 
 
 
 Three months ended
 
 
 Nine months ended
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Weighted average number of shares outstanding
  10,779,641 
  10,681,329 
  10,769,817 
  10,672,084 
 
    
    
    
    
 
Effect of dilutive securities, common share equivalents
 
    
    
 Stock options
  - 
  98,749 
  - 
  100,628 
 Restricted stock awards
  - 
  11,045 
  - 
  7,878 
 
    
    
    
    
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding,
 
    
    
    
 used for computing diluted earnings per share
  10,779,641 
  10,791,123 
  10,769,817 
  10,780,590 
 
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.
 
On June 12, 2019, Phillip Woolgar filed a suit naming the Company and certain present or former officers and directors as defendants in a putative class action captioned Woolgar v. Kingstone Companies et al., 19 cv 05500 (S.D.N.Y.), asserting claims under Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act.  Plaintiff seeks to represent a class of persons or entities that purchased Kingstone securities between March 14, 2018, and April 29, 2019, and alleges violations of the federal securities law in connection with the Company’s April 29, 2019 announcement regarding losses related to winter catastrophe events.  The lawsuit alleges that the Company failed to disclose that it did not adequately follow industry best practices related to claims handling and thus did not record sufficient claim reserves, and that as a result, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations and prospects misled investors. Plaintiff seeks, among other things, an undetermined amount of money damages.  The Company believe the lawsuit to be without merit. The Company has not established an accrual for this matter as a loss is not considered to be probable and reasonably estimable. It is the opinion of management that facts known at the present time do not indicate that such litigation will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
 
 
33
 
 
Office Lease
 
The Company enters into lease agreements for real estate that is primarily used for office space in the ordinary course of business. These leases are accounted for as operating leases, whereby lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. See Note 2 - Accounting Policies for additional information regarding the accounting for leases.
 
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 expiring March 31, 2024.
 
On July 8, 2019, the Company entered into a lease agreement for an additional office facility for Cosi located in Valley Stream, New York under a non-cancelable operating lease. 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. The lease commencement date will be determined upon the completion of landlord provided construction, which the Company expects to be on or about November 15, 2019. The lease has a term of seven years and two months expiring December 31, 2026.
 
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. This lease is accounted for as an operating lease, whereby lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
 
Additional information regarding the Company’s office operating lease (exclusive of the Cosi lease facility discussed above, which has not yet commenced) is as follows:
 
 
 Three months ended 
 Nine months ended 
Lease cost
 September 30, 2019 
 September 30, 2019 
Operating lease
 $41,342 
 $124,026 
Short-term leases
  - 
  - 
 Total lease cost (1)
 $41,342 
 $124,026 
 
    
    
 Other information on operating lease 
    
Cash payments included in the measurement of lease
liability reported in operating cash flows
 $42,827 
 $127,034 
Discount rate
  5.50%
  5.50%
Remaining lease term in years
  5 years 
  5 years 
 
(1)
Included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) within other underwriting expenses.
 
 
34
 
 
The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities as of September 30, 2019:
 
For the Year
 
 
 
 Ending
 
 
 
 December 31,
 
 Total
 
Remainder of 2019
 $42,827 
2020
  255,624 
2021
  264,571 
2022
  273,831 
2023
  283,415 
 Thereafter
  333,654 
 Total undiscounted lease payments
  1,453,922 
 Less: present value adjustment
  230,834 
 Operating lease liability
 $1,223,088 
 
 
Rent expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 amounted to $41,342 for each period. Rent expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 amounted to $124,026 for each period. Rent expense is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) within other underwriting expenses.
 
Employment Agreements
 
Dale A. Thatcher
 
Effective July 19, 2019 (the “Separation Date”), Dale A. Thatcher retired and resigned his positions as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and KICO. At such time, he also resigned his positions on the Board of Directors of each of the Company and KICO.  Effective upon Mr. Thatcher’s separation from employment, the Board appointed Barry B. Goldstein, former Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, to the position of Chief Executive Officer and President of each of the Company and KICO. Mr. Goldstein previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company from March 2001 through December 31, 2018, and as Chief Executive Officer and President of KICO from January 2012 through December 31, 2018.
 
In connection with his separation from employment, each of the Company and KICO entered into an Agreement and General Release (the “Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Thatcher.  Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Company and KICO shall collectively provide the following payments and benefits to Mr. Thatcher in full satisfaction of all payments and benefits and other amounts due to him under the terms of the existing employment agreements upon his separation from employment: (i) an amount equal to $381,111 (representing the amount of base salary he would have received had he remained employed through March 31, 2020), (ii) an amount equal to $5,000 in full satisfaction for any bonus payments payable under the existing employment agreements, (iii) continuing group health coverage commencing on the Separation Date and ending on March 31, 2020, and (iv) continued vesting of all previously granted but unvested stock awards as of the Separation Date (Mr. Thatcher shall not be entitled to any further grants of stock awards after the Separation Date).  In addition, the Company and KICO agreed to provide Mr. Thatcher with a severance payment of $20,000 in consideration for a release.  As required by the employment agreements, Mr. Thatcher covenanted that, for a period of three years following the Separation Date, he shall not accept any operating executive role with another property and casualty insurance company.
 
Barry Goldstein, President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Board
 
On October 14, 2019, the Company and Barry B. Goldstein, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Board, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Amended Employment Agreement”). The Amended Employment Agreement is effective as of January 1, 2020 and expires on December 31, 2022. The Amended Employment Agreement extends the expiration date of the employment agreement in effect for Mr. Goldstein from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022.
 
 
35
 
 
Pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $500,000 and an annual bonus equal to 6% of the Company’s consolidated income from operations before taxes, exclusive of the Company’s consolidated net investment income (loss), net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities and net realized gains (losses) on investments, up to a maximum of 2.5 times his base salary. In addition, pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein is entitled to receive a long-term compensation award (“LTC”) of between $945,000 and $2,835,000 based on a specified minimum increase in the Company’s adjusted book value per share (as defined in the Amended Employment Agreement) as of December 31, 2022 as compared to December 31, 2019 (with the maximum LTC payment being due if the average per annum increase is at least 14%). Further, pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreement, in the event that Mr. Goldstein’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or he resigns for good reason (each as defined in the Amended Employment Agreement), Mr. Goldstein would be entitled to receive his base salary, the 6% bonus and the LTC payment for the remainder of the term. Mr. Goldstein would be entitled, under certain circumstances, to a payment equal to 3.82 times his then annual salary, the target LTC payment of $1,890,000 and his accrued 6% bonus in the event of the termination of his employment following a change of control of the Company.
 
Pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein will be entitled to receive a grant, under the terms of the Company’s 2014 Plan, during January 2020, of a number of shares of restricted stock determined by dividing $1,250,000 by the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The January 2020 grant will become vested with respect to one-third of the award on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date and on December 31, 2022 based on continued provision of services on each vesting date. Also pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein will be entitled to receive a grant, under the terms of the 2014 Plan, during January 2021, of a number of shares of restricted stock determined by dividing $1,500,000 by the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The January 2021 grant will become vested with respect to one-half of the award on each of the first anniversary of the grant date and on December 31, 2022 based on continued provision of services on each vesting date. Further, pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein will be entitled to receive a grant, under the terms of the 2014 Plan, during each of 2020, 2021 and 2022, of a number of shares of restricted stock determined by dividing $136,500 by the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The 2020 grant will become vested with respect to one-third of the award on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date and on December 31, 2022. The 2021 grant will become vested with respect to one-half of the award on each of the first anniversary of the grant date and on December 31, 2022. The 2022 grant will become vested on December 31, 2022.
 
Meryl Golden, Chief Operating Officer
 
On September 16, 2019, the Company and Meryl Golden entered into an employment agreement (the “Golden Employment Agreement”) pursuant to which Ms. Golden serves as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Golden also serves KICO’s Chief Operating Officer. The Golden Employment Agreement became effective as of September 25, 2019 and expires on December 31, 2021.
 
Pursuant to the Golden Employment Agreement, Ms. Golden is entitled to receive an annual salary of $500,000. The Golden Employment also provides for the grant on the effective date of a five year option for the purchase of 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the 2014 Plan. The options granted will vest in three equal installments, with the first installment vesting on the grant date, and the remaining installments vesting on the first and second anniversaries following the grant date, subject to the terms of the option grant agreement between the Company and Ms. Golden.
 
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 the 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. The deferred compensation liability as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 amounted to $530,744 and $298,638, respectively, and is recorded in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company did not make any voluntary contributions for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
 
Note 13 – Subsequent Events
 
The Company has evaluated events that occurred subsequent to September 30, 2019 through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued for matters that required disclosure or adjustment in these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Employment Agreements
 
See Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies.
 
Dividends Declared
 
On November 11, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.0625 per share payable in cash on December 13, 2019 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 29, 2019 (see Note 8).
 
Capital Contribution to KICO
 
On November 11, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $3,000,000 capital contribution to KICO, which is subject to approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services.
 
 
36
 
 
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 and Long Island, although we are actively writing business in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. We are licensed in the States of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, and New Hampshire. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, 84.0% and 86.8% of KICO’s direct written premiums came from the New York policies.
 
In addition, through our subsidiary, Cosi Agency, Inc. (“Cosi”), a multi-state licensed general agency, we access alternative distribution channels. Through Cosi, we have the opportunity to partner with name-brand carriers and access nationwide insurance agencies. See “Distribution Channels” below for a discussion of our distribution channels. Cosi receives commission revenue from KICO for the policies it places with others and pays commissions to these agencies. Cosi retains the profit between the commission revenue received and the commission expense paid. Cosi revenue is included in other income and Cosi related expenses are included in other operating expenses. Cosi operations are not included in our stand-alone insurance underwriting business and, accordingly, its revenue and expenses are not included in the calculation of our combined ratio as described below.
 
 
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 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 and operating expenses of Cosi. These corporate expenses include legal and auditing fees, executive employment costs, and other costs directly associated with being a public company. Cosi operating expenses primarily include commissions paid to brokers, employment costs, and consulting costs.
 
Product Lines
 
Our 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 lines: Through July 2019, we offered businessowners policies, which consist primarily of small business retail, service, and office risks, with limited property exposures. We also wrote artisan’s liability policies for small independent contractors with smaller sized workforces.  In addition, we wrote special multi-peril policies for larger and more specialized businessowners risks, including those with limited residential exposures. Further, we offered commercial umbrella policies written above our supporting commercial lines policies.
 
In May 2019, due to the poor performance of this line we placed a moratorium on new commercial lines and new commercial umbrella submissions while we further reviewed this business.  In July 2019, due to the continuing poor performance of these lines, we made the decision to no longer underwrite commercial lines or commercial umbrella risks. In force policies for these lines will be non-renewed at the end of their current annual terms. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, these policies represent approximately 12% of net premiums earned and 47% of loss and LAE reserves net of reinsurance recoverables. See discussion below under “Additional Financial Information”.
 
 
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.
 
Other: We write canine legal liability policies and have a small participation in mandatory state joint underwriting associations.
 
 
37
 
 
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 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. It excludes net investment income, net realized gains from investments, and depreciation and amortization (net premiums earned less expenses included in combined ratio). Underwriting income is a measure of an insurance company’s overall operating profitability before items such as investment income, depreciation and amortization, interest expense and income taxes.
 
Distribution Channels
 
During 2019, we initiated an alternative distribution program through Cosi (“Alternative Distribution”). The goal of this program is to enhance our personal lines distribution channel to include nationally recognized name-brand carriers along with nationwide call center and digital insurance agencies. While still in early stages of development, the impact of this initiative can be measured by the amount of new premiums written compared to total premiums written, which includes renewals from our independent agency network. The table below shows premiums written by distribution channel for our homeowners and dwelling fire components of personal lines.
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
 
Nine months ended
 
 ($ in thousands)
 
September 30, 2019    
 
 
September 30, 2019    
 
 Direct Written Pemiums
 
 Amount
 
 
 Percent
 
 
 Amount
 
 
 Percent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Core Independent
 $32,430 
  79.2%
 $89,712 
  82.3%
 Expansion Independent (1)
  7,188 
  17.6%
  16,681 
  15.3%
 Alternative Distribution through Cosi
  1,317 
  3.2%
  2,560 
  2.3%
 Total
 $40,935 
  100.0%
 $108,953 
  100.0%
 
(1)
Outside of New York
(Percent components may not sum to totals due to rounding)
 
For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019, Alternative Distribution made up 3.2% and 2.3%, respectively, of direct written premiums for our homeowners and dwelling fire components of personal lines.
 
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 GAAP 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.
 
 
38
 
  
Consolidated Results of Operations
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the results of our operations (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
 
 Nine months ended September 30, 
($ in thousands)
 2019 
 2018 
 Change 
 Percent 
 Revenues
   
   
   
   
 Direct written premiums
 $128,333 
 $107,175 
 $21,158 
  19.7%
 Assumed written premiums
  1 
  1 
  - 
  na%
 
  128,334 
  107,176 
  21,158 
  19.7%
 Ceded written premiums
    
    
    
    
 Ceded to quota share treaties (1)
  6,110 
  8,137 
 $(2,027)
  (24.9)%
 Ceded to excess of loss treaties
  1,219 
  988 
  231 
  23.4%
 Ceded to catastrophe treaties
  13,585 
  10,284 
  3,301 
  32.1%
 Total ceded written premiums
  20,914 
  19,409 
  1,505 
  7.8%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net written premiums
  107,420 
  87,767 
  19,653 
  22.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Change in unearned premiums
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed
  (11,037)
  (9,927)
  (1,110)
  11.2%
 Ceded to quota share treaties
  (1,366)
  (3,364)
  1,998 
  (59.4)%
 Change in net unearned premiums
  (12,403)
  (13,291)
  888 
  (6.7)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Premiums earned
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed
  117,297 
  97,249 
  20,048 
  20.6%
 Ceded to reinsurance treaties
  (22,280)
  (22,773)
  493 
  (2.2)%
 Net premiums earned
  95,017 
  74,476 
  20,541 
  27.6%
 Ceding commission revenue
    
    
    
    
 Excluding the effect of catastrophes
  2,983 
  4,890 
  (1,907)
  (39.0)%
 Effect of catastrophes
  - 
  (459)
  459 
  n/a%
 Total ceding commission revenue
  2,983 
  4,431 
  (1,448)
  (32.7)%
 Net investment income
  5,200 
  4,543 
  657 
  14.5%
 Net gains (losses) on investments
  3,712 
  (278)
  3,990 
  (1,435.3)%
 Other income
  1,192 
  962 
  230 
  23.9%
 Total revenues
  108,104 
  84,134 
  23,970 
  28.5%
 Expenses
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  72,682 
  42,603 
  30,079 
  70.6%
 Losses from catastrophes (2)
  7,755 
  10,805 
  (3,050)
  (28.2)%
 Total direct and assumed loss and loss adjustment expenses
  80,437 
  53,408 
  27,029 
  50.6%
 
    
    
    
    
 Ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  8,041 
  6,984 
  1,057 
  15.1%
 Losses from catastrophes (2)
  808 
  4,685 
  (3,877)
  (82.8)%
 Total ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses
  8,849 
  11,669 
  (2,820)
  (24.2)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net loss and loss adjustment expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  64,641 
  35,619 
  29,022 
  81.5%
 Losses from catastrophes (2)
  6,947 
  6,120 
  827 
  13.5%
 Net loss and loss adjustment expenses
  71,588 
  41,739 
  29,849 
  71.5%
 
    
    
    
    
 Commission expense
  21,932 
  18,411 
  3,521 
  19.1%
 Other underwriting expenses
  17,983 
  15,301 
  2,682 
  17.5%
 Other operating expenses
  2,774 
  1,774 
  1,000 
  56.4%
 Depreciation and amortization
  1,876 
  1,274 
  602 
  47.3%
 Interest expense
  1,370 
  1,365 
  5 
  0.4%
 Total expenses
  117,523 
  79,864 
  37,659 
  47.2%
 
    
    
    
    
 (Loss) income before taxes
  (9,419)
  4,269 
  (13,688)
  (320.6)%
 Income tax (benefit) expense
  (1,998)
  296 
  (2,294)
  (775.0)%
 Net (loss) income
 $(7,421)
 $3,973 
 $(11,394)
  (286.8)%
 
 
(1) Effective July 1, 2018, we decreased the quota share ceding rate in our personal lines quota share treaty from 20% to 10%. Effective July 1, 2019, our personal lines 10% quota share treaty expired on a run-off basis.
(2) The nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 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.
 
 
39
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
Percentage Point Change
 
 
 Percent Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Key ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net loss ratio
  75.3%
  56.0%
  19.3 
  34.5%
 Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.8%
  38.1%
  (0.3)
  (0.8)%
 Net combined ratio
  113.1%
  94.1%
  19.0 
  20.2%
 
Direct Written Premiums
 
Direct written premiums during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 (“Nine Months 2019”) were $128,333,000 compared to $107,175,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (“Nine Months 2018”). The increase of $21,158,000, or 19.7%, was primarily due to an increase in policies in-force during Nine Months 2019 as compared to Nine Months 2018. We wrote more new policies as a result of continued demand for our products in the markets that we serve. Policies in-force increased by 17.7% as of September 30, 2019 compared to September 30, 2018.
 
In 2017, we started writing homeowners’ policies in New Jersey and Rhode Island. We began writing homeowners policies in Massachusetts in 2018 and Connecticut in March of 2019. 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 $16,900,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $5,919,000 in Nine Months 2018.
 
Net Written Premiums and Net Premiums Earned
 
Our personal lines quota share reinsurance treaties in effect for Nine Months 2019 and Nine Months 2018 were covered under a treaty covering a two-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 (“2017/2019 Treaty”). The following table describes the quota share reinsurance ceding rates in effect for each treaty year during Nine Months 2019 and Nine Months 2018 under the 2017/2019 Treaty, respectively. 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.
 
 
 Nine months ended September 30, 2019
 Nine months ended September 30, 2018
 
January 1,
July 1,
January 1,
July 1,
 
 to
 to
 to
 to
 
June 30,
September 30,
June 30,
September 30,
 
("2018/2019 Treaty Year")
("2019/2020 Run-off Year")
("2017/2018 Treaty Year")
("2018/2019 Treaty Year")
 
 
 
 
 
 Quota share reinsurance rates
 
 
 
 
 Personal lines
10% (1)
0% (2)
20% (1)
10% (1)
 
(1)
The 2017/2019 Treaty was a two-year treaty; quota share reinsurance rate was reduced to 10% effective July 1, 2018 (the “2018 Cut-off”).
(2)
The 2017/2019 Treaty expired on a run-off basis effective July 1, 2019 (the “2019 Run-off”).
See “Reinsurance” below for changes to our personal lines quota share treaties effective July 1, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
 
Net written premiums increased $19,653,000, or 22.4%, to $107,420,000 in Nine Months 2019 from $87,767,000 in Nine Months 2018. 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 was subject to the 2017/2019 Treaty under the 2018/2019 Treaty Year through June 30, 2019. Following June 30, 2019, any earned premium and associated claims for policies still inforce will continue to be ceded under the 10% quota share rate until such policies expire (run-off) over the next year. The 2019 Run-off period is from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 and there is no return of unearned premiums under this arrangement. The 2018 Cut-off on July 1, 2018 resulted in a $4,553,000 return of unearned premiums from our reinsurers that were previously ceded under the expiring personal lines quota share treaty.
 
Excess of loss reinsurance treaties
 
An increase in written premiums will increase the premiums ceded under our excess of loss treaties. In Nine Months 2019, our ceded excess of loss reinsurance premiums increased by $231,000 over the comparable ceded premiums for Nine Months 2018. The increase was due to an increase in premiums subject to excess of loss reinsurance.
 
 
40
 
 
Catastrophe reinsurance treaties
 
Most of the premiums written under our personal lines policies 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 Nine Months 2019, our premiums ceded under catastrophe treaties increased by $3,301,000 over the comparable ceded premiums in Nine Months 2018. The change was due to an increase in our catastrophe limit purchased, an increase in premiums subject to catastrophe reinsurance due to continued growth, and an increase in reinsurance rates effective July 1, 2019. 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 $20,541,000, or 27.6%, to $95,017,000 in Nine Months 2019 from $74,476,000 in Nine Months 2018. The increase was due to the increase in written premiums discussed above and our retaining more earned premiums effective: (1) July 1, 2019 as a result of the expiration and non-renewal of the 2017/2019 Treaty, and (2) July 1, 2018, as a result of the reduction in the quota share reinsurance rates.
  
Ceding Commission Revenue
 
The following table details the quota share provisional ceding commission rates in effect during Nine Months 2019 and Nine Months 2018. This table should be referred to in conjunction with the discussion for ceding commission revenue that follows.
 
 
 Nine months ended September 30, 2019
 Nine months ended September 30, 2018
 
January 1,
July 1,
January 1,
July 1,
 
 to
 to
 to
 to
 
June 30,
September 30,
June 30,
September 30,
 
("2018/2019 Treaty Year")
("2019/2020 Run-off Year")
("2017/2018 Treaty Year")
("2018/2019 Treaty Year")
 
 
 
 
 
 Provisional ceding commission rate on quota share treaty
 
 
 Personal lines
53%
0% (1)
53%
53%
 
(1)
The 2017/2019 Treaty expired on a run-off basis effective July 1, 2019, allowing for provisional ceding commissions to be earned during the 2019/2020 Run-off Year.
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the components of ceding commission revenue (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
Change
 
 
 Percent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Provisional ceding commissions earned
 $4,001 
 $5,468 
 $(1,467)
  (26.8)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Contingent ceding commissions earned
    
    
    
    
 Contingent ceding commissions earned excluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
  (1,018)
  (578)
  (440)
  76.1%
 Effect of catastrophes on ceding commissions earned
  - 
  (459)
  459 
  n/a 
 Contingent ceding commissions earned
  (1,018)
  (1,037)
  19 
  (1.8)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Total ceding commission revenue
 $2,983 
 $4,431 
 $(1,448)
  (32.7)%
 
 
41
 
 
Ceding commission revenue was $2,983,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $4,431,000 in Nine Months 2018. The decrease of $1,448,000, or 32.7%, was due to a decrease in provisional ceding commissions earned, partially offset by an increase in contingent ceding commissions earned. The reduction in provisional ceding commissions occurred due to the reduction in quota share reinsurance rates (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. The $1,467,000 decrease in provisional ceding commissions earned is primarily due to: (1) the decrease in the quota share ceding rate effective July 1, 2018 to 10%, from the 20% rate in effect from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, and (2) the elimination of the 10% quota share effective July 1, 2019. There was a reduction in ceded premiums in Nine Months 2019 available from which to earn ceding commissions compared to Nine Months 2018. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in personal lines direct written premiums subject to the quota share.
 
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 structure limits the amount of contingent ceding commissions that we can receive by setting a higher provisional commission rate than the rates received in prior years. As a result of the higher upfront provisional ceding commissions that we received under the 2017/2019 Treaty, there is not an opportunity to earn additional contingent ceding commissions under this treaty. Under the 2017/2019 Treaty “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 Nine Months 2018, catastrophe losses of $1,497,000 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) being higher than the contractual Loss Ratio at which provisional ceding commissions were being earned. As a result, we incurred a reduction to the contingent ceding commissions of $459,000 relative to what would have been earned had the catastrophe losses not occurred. Effective July 1, 2018, the provisional ceding commission rate was a fixed rate with no downward adjustment required related to Loss Ratio; accordingly, in Nine Months 2019, catastrophe losses of $808,000 that were ceded under our personal lines quota share treaty did not have an effect on contingent ceding commissions. See “Reinsurance” below for information as to our personal lines quota share treaty effective July 1, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
 
Net Investment Income
 
Net investment income was $5,200,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $4,543,000 in Nine Months 2018. The increase of $657,000, or 14.5%, was due to an increase in average invested assets in Nine Months 2019. The average yield on invested assets was 3.62% as of September 30, 2019 compared to 3.37% as of September 30, 2018. The pre-tax equivalent yield on invested assets was 3.45% and 3.44% as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Cash and invested assets were $221,610,000 as of September 30, 2019 compared to $196,595,000 as of September 30, 2018. The $25,015,000 increase in cash and invested assets resulted primarily from increased operating cash flows for the period after September 30, 2018.
 
Net Gains and Losses on Investments
 
Net gains on investments were $3,712,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to a net loss of $278,000 in Nine Months 2018. Unrealized gains on our equity securities and other investments in Nine Months 2019 were $3,767,000, compared to an unrealized gain of $99,000 in Nine Months 2018. Realized losses on sales of investments were $55,000 and $377,000 in Nine Months 2019 and Nine Months 2018, respectively.
 
 
42
 
 
Other Income
 
Other income was $1,192,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $962,000 in Nine Months 2018. The increase of $230,000, or 23.9%, was primarily due to commission revenue from Cosi and an increase in installment and other fees earned in our insurance underwriting business in Nine Months 2019.
 
Net Loss and LAE
 
Net loss and LAE was $71,588,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $41,739,000 in Nine Months 2018. The net loss ratio was 75.3% in Nine Months 2019 compared to 56.0% in Nine Months 2018, an increase of 19.3 percentage points.
 
The following graph summarizes the changes in the components of net loss ratio for the periods indicated, along with the comparable components excluding commercial lines business: 
 
(Percent components may not sum to totals due to rounding)
 
During Nine Months 2019, the loss ratio was 75.3%, a 19.3 point increase compared to Nine Months 2018. The loss ratio for Nine Months 2019 is elevated primarily due to prior year loss development of $11.1 million, which has an 11.7 point effect on the loss ratio. This compares to 0.2 points of prior year loss development in Nine Months 2018, or an increase of 11.5 points from the impact of prior year loss development. Unfavorable claim resolution trends led to a complete review of open liability case reserves. The review determined that case reserve strengthening was required, of which, $8.8 million of these case reserve adjustments were from commercial lines liability claims. These case reserve adjustments demonstrated the high volatility of our commercial lines business and contributed to our decision to no longer underwrite these risks. This prior year loss development significantly increased the ultimate loss ratio projections for the commercial lines business in accident years 2014 and forward. Excluding commercial lines, prior year development for Nine Months 2019 had a 2.7 point impact on our loss ratio, compared to a 0.7 point impact of prior year loss development for Nine Months 2018.
 
 
43
 
 
The impact of catastrophes, although lower than through Nine Months 2018, is significant and above average in both nine month periods. Through Nine Months 2019, catastrophe losses have a 7.3 point impact on the loss ratio, compared to an 8.2 point impact for Nine Months 2018, or a reduction in the impact of catastrophes of 0.9 points. The average catastrophe impact for the five years ending 2018 has been 3.8 points, so both Nine Months 2018 and Nine Months 2019 have a significantly higher catastrophe impact than normal. Although there have been seven PCS catastrophe events affecting Kingstone in Nine Months 2019, 64% of net losses or 4.6 points of the impact relates to the first winter freeze event in Mid-January.
 
The underlying loss ratio excluding the impact of catastrophes and prior year loss development was 56.3% for Nine Months 2019, an increase of 8.6 points from the 47.7% underlying loss ratio recorded for Nine Months 2018.  The underlying loss ratio increased compared to Nine Months 2018 due to continued increases in average claim severity for non-weather water damage property claims as well as increased large fire claim activity. In addition, the underlying loss ratio for Nine Months 2019 is affected by increased loss ratio expectations for commercial lines as a result of increases in prior year loss ratio estimates for that business as noted above. Excluding commercial lines, the underlying loss ratio excluding the impact of catastrophes and prior year development for Nine Months 2019 was 52.5%, an increase of 6.34 points from the 46.1% underlying loss ratio recorded for Nine Months 2018. See table below under “Additional Financial Information” summarizing net loss ratios by line of business.
 
Commission Expense
 
Commission expense was $21,932,000 in Nine Months 2019 or 18.7% of direct earned premiums. Commission expense was $18,411,000 in Nine Months 2018 or 18.9% of direct earned premiums. The increase of $3,521,000 is primarily due to the increase in direct earned premiums for Nine Months 2019 as compared to Nine Months 2018.
 
Other Underwriting Expenses
 
Other underwriting expenses were $17,983,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $15,301,000 in Nine Months 2018. The increase of $2,682,000, or 17.5%, was primarily due to expenses related to growth in direct written premiums. Expenses directly related to the increase in direct written premiums primarily consist of underwriting expenses, software usage fees, and state premium taxes. Expenses indirectly related to the increase in direct written premiums primarily consist of salaries along with related other employment costs. The other underwriting expense increase of 17.5 points was less than the 19.7 point increase in total direct written premiums.
 
Our largest single component of other underwriting expenses is salaries and employment costs, with costs of $7,637,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $6,862,000 in Nine Months 2018. The increase of $775,000, or 11.3%, was less than the 19.7% increase in total direct written premiums. The increase in employment costs was due to hiring of additional staff to service our current level of business and anticipated growth in volume, as well as annual increases in salaries.
 
Our net underwriting expense ratio in Nine Months 2019 was 37.8% compared to 38.1% in Nine Months 2018. The following table shows the individual components of our net underwriting expense ratio for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
 Nine months ended
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
Percentage
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 Point Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other underwriting expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employment costs
  8.0%
  9.2%
  (1.2)
Underwriting fees (inspections/data services)
  2.4 
  2.4 
  - 
Other expenses
  8.4 
  9.0 
  (0.6)
Total other underwriting expenses
  18.8 
  20.6 
  (1.8)
 
    
    
    
Ceding commission revenue
    
    
    
Provisional
  (4.2)
  (7.3)
  3.1 
Contingent
  1.1 
  1.4 
  (0.3)
Total ceding commission revenue
  (3.1)
  (5.9)
  2.8 
 
    
    
    
Other income
  (1.0)
  (1.3)
  0.3 
Commission expense
  23.1 
  24.7 
  (1.6)
 
    
    
    
Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.8%
  38.1%
  (0.3)
 
 
44
 
 
The 1.8 percentage point decrease in our other underwriting expense ratio was driven by a decline of 1.2 percentage points from the impact of employment costs.
 
The overall 3.1 percentage point increase in provisional ceding commissions was driven entirely by the change in our quota share ceding rates and its impact on provisional ceding commission revenue due to the additional retention resulting from the cut-off to our quota share treaty on July 1, 2018 and run-off to our expired quota share treaty on July 1, 2019. The components of our net underwriting expense ratio related to other underwriting expenses, other income and commissions improved in nearly all categories, resulting in an overall 0.3 percentage point decrease in the net underwriting expense ratio.
 
Other Operating Expenses
 
Other operating expenses, related to the expenses of our holding company and Cosi, were $2,774,000 for Nine Months 2019 compared to $1,774,000 for Nine Months 2018. The increase in Nine Months 2019 of $1,000,000, or 56.4%, as compared to Nine Months 2018 was primarily due to increases in equity compensation and salaries, partially offset by a decrease in executive bonuses. The increase in salary was due to the initial hiring of staff for Cosi and the increase in equity compensation was due to 2019 annual restricted stock awards to directors and executives. Executive bonus compensation is accrued pursuant to the employment agreement effective January 1, 2017 with Barry B. Goldstein, our Executive Chairman and current Chief Executive Officer. The bonus is a one-time payment computed at the end of the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and as of September 30, 2019 the three-year computation did not meet the required terms of profitability, resulting in the reversal of $698,000 previously accrued.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization was $1,876,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $1,274,000 in Nine Months 2018. The increase of $602,000, or 47.3%, in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to depreciation of our new system platform for processing business being written in Expansion states and 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 for Nine Months 2019 was $1,370,000 compared to $1,365,000 in Nine Months 2018.  We incurred interest expense in connection with our $30.0 million issuance of long-term debt in December 2017. 
 
Income Tax Benefit/Expense
 
Income tax benefit in Nine Months 2019 was $1,998,000, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 21.2%. Income tax expense in Nine Months 2018 was $296,000, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 6.9%. Loss before taxes was $9,419,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to income before taxes of $4,269,000 in Nine Months 2018.
 
 
45
 
 
Net Loss/Income
 
Net loss was $7,421,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to net income of $3,973,000 in Nine Months 2018. The decrease in net income of $11,394,000 was due to the circumstances described above, which caused the increase in our net loss ratio, decrease in ceding commission revenue, increases in other underwriting and operating expenses, and depreciation and amortization, partially offset by the increase in our net premiums earned, net investment income, and net gains on investments.
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the results of our operations (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
Change
 
 
 Percent
 
 Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Direct written premiums
 $46,023 
 $38,785 
 $7,238 
  18.7%
 Assumed written premiums
  1 
  - 
  1 
  na
%
 
  46,024 
  38,785 
  7,239 
  18.7%
 Ceded written premiums
    
    
    
    
 Ceded to quota share treaties (1)
  147 
  (1,473)
  1,620 
  (110.0)%
 Ceded to excess of loss treaties
  386 
  392 
  (6)
  (1.5)%
 Ceded to catastrophe treaties
  5,053 
  3,764 
  1,289 
  34.2%
 Total ceded written premiums
  5,586 
  2,683 
  2,903 
  108.2%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net written premiums
  40,438 
  36,102 
  4,336 
  12.0%
 
    
    
    
    
 Change in unearned premiums
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed
  (4,581)
  (4,435)
  (146)
  3.3%
 Ceded to quota share treaties
  (1,637)
  (4,133)
  2,496 
  (60.4)%
 Change in net unearned premiums
  (6,218)
  (8,568)
  2,350 
  (27.4)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Premiums earned
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed
  41,443 
  34,351 
  7,092 
  20.6%
 Ceded to reinsurance treaties
  (7,223)
  (6,817)
  (406)
  6.0%
 Net premiums earned
  34,220 
  27,534 
  6,686 
  24.3%
 
    
    
    
    
 Ceding commission revenue
  1,030 
  1,045 
  (15)
  (1.4)%
 Net investment income
  1,856 
  1,602 
  254 
  15.9%
 Net gains on investments
  998 
  352 
  646 
  183.5%
 Other income
  496 
  353 
  143 
  40.5%
 Total revenues
  38,600 
  30,886 
  7,714 
  25.0%
 Expenses
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
    
    
    
    
 Direct and assumed:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  26,518 
  16,705 
  9,813 
  58.7%
 Losses from catastrophes (2)
  491 
  244 
  247 
  101.2%
 Total direct and assumed loss and loss adjustment expenses
  27,009 
  16,949 
  10,060 
  59.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  2,182 
  3,798 
  (1,616)
  (42.5)%
 Losses from catastrophes (2)
  45 
  (146)
  191 
  (130.8)%
 Total ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses
  2,227 
  3,652 
  (1,425)
  (39.0)%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net loss and loss adjustment expenses:
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes
  24,335 
  12,907 
  11,428 
  88.5%
 Losses from catastrophes (2)
  446 
  390 
  56 
  14.4%
 Net loss and loss adjustment expenses
  24,781 
  13,297 
  11,484 
  86.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Commission expense
  7,779 
  6,594 
  1,185 
  18.0%
 Other underwriting expenses
  6,431 
  5,194 
  1,237 
  23.8%
 Other operating expenses
  705 
  683 
  22 
  3.2%
 Depreciation and amortization
  646 
  440 
  206 
  46.8%
 Interest expense
  457 
  457 
  - 
  -%
 Total expenses
  40,799 
  26,665 
  14,135 
  53.0%
 
    
    
    
    
 (Loss) income before taxes
  (2,199)
  4,221 
  (6,420)
  (152.1)%
 Income tax (benefit) expense
  (474)
  287 
  (761)
  (265.2)%
 Net (loss) income
 $(1,725)
 $3,934 
 $(5,659)
  (143.8)%
 
(1) Effective July 1, 2018, we decreased the quota share ceding rate in our personal lines quota share treaty from 20% to 10%. Effective July 1, 2019, our personal lines 10% quota share treaty expired on a run-off basis.
 
(2) The three months ended September 30, 2019 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.
 
 
46
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
Percentage Point Change
 
 
 Percent Change
 
 Key ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net loss ratio
  72.4%
  48.3%
  24.1 
  49.9%
 Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.5%
  37.7%
  (0.2)
  (0.5)%
 Net combined ratio
  109.9%
  86.0%
  23.9 
  27.8%
 
Direct Written Premiums
 
Direct written premiums during the three months ended September 30, 2019 (“Three Months 2019”) were $46,023,000 compared to $38,785,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2018 (“Three Months 2018”). The increase of $7,238,000, or 18.7%, was primarily due to an increase in policies in-force during Three Months 2019 as compared to Three Months 2018 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. Policies in-force increased by 17.7% as of September 30, 2019 compared to September 30, 2018.
 
In 2017, we started writing homeowners’ policies in New Jersey and Rhode Island. We began writing homeowners policies in Massachusetts in 2018 and Connecticut in March of 2019. 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 $7,371,000 in Three Months 2019, compared to $2,855,000 in Three Months 2018.
 
Net Written Premiums and Net Premiums Earned
 
Our personal lines quota share reinsurance treaties in effect for Three Months 2019 and Three Months 2018 were covered under a treaty covering a two-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 (“2017/2019 Treaty”). The following table describes the quota share reinsurance ceding rates in effect for each treaty year during Three Months 2019 and Three Months 2018 under the 2017/2019 Treaty, respectively. 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 September 30,
 
2019
2018
 
("2019/2020 Run-off Year")
("2018/2019 Treaty Year")
 
 
 
 Quota share reinsurance rates
 
 
 Personal lines
0% (2)
10% (1)
 
(1)
The 2017/2019 Treaty was a two-year treaty; quota share reinsurance rate was reduced to 10% effective July 1, 2018 (the “2018 Cut-off”).
(2)
The 2017/2019 Treaty expired on a run-off basis effective July 1, 2019 (the “2019 Run-off”).
See “Reinsurance” below for changes to our personal lines quota share treaties effective July 1, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
 
 
47
 
 
Net written premiums increased $4,336,000, or 12.0%, to $40,438,000 in Three Months 2019 from $36,102,000 in Three Months 2018. 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 was subject to the 2017/2019 Treaty under the 2018/2019 Treaty Year through June 30, 2019. Following June 30, 2019, any earned premium and associated claims for policies still inforce will continue to be ceded under the 10% quota share rate until such policies expire (run-off) over the next year. The 2019 Run-off period is from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 and there is no return of unearned premiums under this arrangement. The 2018 Cut-off on July 1, 2018 resulted in a $4,553,000 return of unearned premiums from our reinsurers that were previously ceded under the expiring personal lines quota share treaty.
 
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 Three Months 2019, our ceded excess of loss reinsurance premiums increased by $122,000 over the comparable ceded premiums for Three Months 2018. The increase is due to an increase in premiums subject to excess of loss reinsurance.
 
Catastrophe reinsurance treaties
 
Most of the premiums written under our personal lines policies 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 Three Months 2019, our premiums ceded under catastrophe treaties increased by $1,289,000 over the comparable ceded premiums for Three Months 2018. The change was due to an increase in our catastrophe limit purchases, an increase in premiums subject to catastrophe reinsurance due to continued growth, and an increase in reinsurance rates. 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 $6,686,000, or 24.3 %, to $34,220,000 in Three Months 2019 from $27,534,000 in Three Months 2018. The increase was due to the increase in written premiums discussed above and our retaining more earned premiums effective: (1) July 1, 2019 as a result of the expiration and non-renewal of the 2017/2019 Treaty, and (2) July 1, 2018, as a result of the reduction in the quota share reinsurance rates.
 
Ceding Commission Revenue
 
The following table details the quota share provisional ceding commission rates in effect during Three Months 2019 and Three Months 2018. This table should be referred to in conjunction with the discussion for ceding commission revenue that follows.
 
 
Three months ended
 
September 30, 
 
2019
2018
 
("2019/2020 Run-off Year")
("2018/2019 Treaty Year ")
 
 
 
Provisional ceding commission rate on quota share treaty
 
 
 Personal lines
0% (1)
53%
 
(1)
The 2017/2019 Treaty expired on a run-off basis effective July 1, 2019, allowing for provisional ceding commissions to be earned during the 2019/2020 Run-off Year.
 
 
48
 
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the components of ceding commission revenue (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
Change
 
 
 Percent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Provisional ceding commissions earned
 $1,320 
 $1,255 
 $65 
  5.2%
 Contingent ceding commissions earned
  (290)
  (210)
  (80)
  38.1%
 
    
    
    
    
 Total ceding commission revenue
 $1,030 
 $1,045 
 $(15)
  (1.4)%
 
Ceding commission revenue was $1,030,000 in Three Months 2019 compared to $1,045,000 in Three Months 2018. The decrease of $15,000, or 1.4%, was due to an increase in provisional ceding commissions earned, partially offset by a decrease in contingent ceding commissions earned. 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. The $65,000 increase in provisional ceding commissions earned is primarily due the increase in personal lines direct written premiums subject to the quota share before the effective date of the 2019 Run-off and the continuation of ceded earned premiums in the 2019/2020 Run-off Year.
 
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 structure limits the amount of contingent ceding commissions that we can receive by setting a higher provisional commission rate than the rates received in prior years. As a result of the higher upfront provisional ceding commissions that we received under the 2017/2019 Treaty, there is not an opportunity to earn additional contingent ceding commissions under this treaty. Under the 2017/2019 Treaty “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 Three Months 2018, catastrophe losses of $1,497,000 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) being higher than the contractual Loss Ratio at which provisional ceding commissions were being earned. Effective July 1, 2018, the provisional ceding commission rate was a fixed rate with no downward adjustment required related to Loss Ratio; accordingly, in Three Months 2019, catastrophe losses of $808,000 that were ceded under our personal lines quota share treaty did not have an effect on contingent ceding commissions. See “Reinsurance” below for information as to our personal lines quota share treaty effective July 1, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
 
 
49
 
 
Net Investment Income
 
Net investment income was $1,856,000 in Three Months 2019 compared to $1,602,000 in Three Months 2018. The increase of $254,000, or 15.9%, was due to an increase in average invested assets in Three Months 2019. The average yield on invested assets was 3.62% as of September 30, 2019 compared to 3.72% as of September 30, 2018. The pre-tax equivalent yield on invested assets was 3.37% and 3.44% as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Cash and invested assets were $221,610,000 as of September 30, 2019, compared to $196,595,000 as of September 30, 2018. The $25,015,000 increase in cash and invested assets resulted primarily from increased operating cash flows for the period after September 30, 2018.
 
Net Gains and Losses on Investments
 
Net gains on investments were $998,000 and $352,000 in Three Months 2019 and Three Months 2018, respectively. Unrealized gains on our equity securities and other investments were $1,007,000 and $409,000 in Three Months 2019 and Three Months 2018, respectively. Realized losses on sales of investments were $8,000 and $57,000 in Three Months 2019 and Three Months 2018, respectively.
 
Other Income
 
Other income was $496,000 in Three Months 2019 compared to $353,000 in Three Months 2018. The increase of $143,000, or 40.5%, was primarily due to commission revenue from Cosi and an increase in installment and other fees earned in our insurance underwriting business in Three Months 2019.
 
Net Loss and LAE
 
Net loss and LAE was $24,781,000 in Three Months 2019 compared to $13,297,000 in Three Months 2018. The net loss ratio was 72.4% in Three Months 2019 compared to 48.3% in Three Months 2018, an increase of 24.1 percentage points.
 
The following graph summarizes the changes in the components of net loss ratio for the periods indicated, along with the comparable components excluding commercial lines business: 
 
 
(Percent components may not sum to totals due to rounding)
 
 
50
 
 
During Three Months 2019, the net loss ratio increased by 24.1 points compared to Three Months 2018 for several reasons. First, a continued evaluation of case reserve levels resulted in an additional $5.0 million of prior year development for the quarter, impacting the quarterly loss ratio by 14.7 points. This compares to 0.4 points of favorable prior year loss development in Three Months 2018, or an increase in the impact of prior year loss development of 15.1 points. Prior year loss development for the quarter was primarily related to older liability claims, of which, $4.4 million were related to commercial lines liability claims. During the quarter, an external actuarial review was completed that was specific to those lines affected by liability case reserve adjustments made earlier in the year. The external review analyzed the adequacy of a sampling of individual case reserves after the case reserve adjustments. Following this external review, it was determined that additional adjustments to IBNR and expected ultimate losses for prior years were needed. This resulted in the additional prior year loss development recorded during the Three Months 2019. Excluding commercial lines, the impact of prior year development in Three Months 2019 was 2.0 points, compared to 1.5 points of favorable prior year development in Three Months 2018, or an increase in the impact of prior year development of 3.5 points. The impact from catastrophe losses during the Three Months 2019 was 1.3 points, compared to a 1.4 point impact from catastrophes for the Three Months 2018, or a reduction in the impact of catastrophes of 0.1 point.
 
The underlying loss ratio excluding the impact of catastrophes and prior year development was 56.4% in Three Months 2019, compared to 47.3% in Three Months 2018, an increase of 9.1 points.  The underlying loss ratio increased for three reasons. First, continued higher claim severity was observed for personal lines related to non-weather related water claims. Second, fire claim activity was unusually high for Three Months 2019 in personal lines. Third, the external actuarial review of reserve levels resulted in a higher commercial lines loss ratio expectation for the current accident year than was recorded for Three Months 2018. Excluding commercial lines, the underlying loss ratio excluding the impact of catastrophes and prior year development was 51.4% in Three Months 2019, compared to 45.9% in Three Months 2018, or an increase of 5.5 points. See table below under “Additional Financial Information” summarizing net loss ratios by line of business.
 
Commission Expense
 
Commission expense was $7,779,000 in Three Months 2019 or 18.8% of direct earned premiums. Commission expense was $6,594,000 in Three Months 2018 or 19.2% of direct earned premiums. The increase of $1,185,000 is due to the increase in direct earned premiums in Three Months 2019 as compared to Three Months 2018. The decrease in commission rate was due to the decrease in commercial lines premiums related to our decision to stop writing theses lines beginning in July 2019. Commercial lines has a lower average commission rate than our other continuing lines of business.
 
 
51
 
 
Other Underwriting Expenses
 
Other underwriting expenses were $6,431,000 in Three Months 2019 compared to $5,194,000 in Three Months 2018. The increase of $1,237,000, or 23.8%, was primarily due to expenses related to growth in direct written premiums. Expenses directly related to the increase in direct written premiums primarily consist of underwriting expenses, software usage fees, and state premium taxes. Expenses indirectly related to the increase in direct written premiums primarily consist of salaries along with related other employment costs. The 23.8% increase in other underwriting expenses was greater than the 18.7% increase in total direct written premiums. The greater increase in other underwriting expenses compared to direct written premium growth is primarily due to the decline in commercial lines premiums written.
 
The largest single component of other underwriting expenses is salaries and employment costs, with costs of $2,737,000 in Three Months 2019 compared to $2,339,000 in Three Months 2018. The increase of $398,000, or 17.0%, was less than the 18.7% increase in total direct written premiums. The increase in employment costs was due to hiring of additional staff to service our current level of business and anticipated growth in volume, as well as annual increases in salaries.
 
Our net underwriting expense ratio in Three Months 2019 was 37.5% compared to 37.7% in Three Months 2018. The following table shows the individual components of our net underwriting expense ratio for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
 Three months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
  2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 Percentage Point Change
 
Other underwriting expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Employment costs
  8.0%
 8.5%
  (0.5)
 Underwriting fees (inspections/data services)
  2.3
  2.4 
 (0.1)
 Other expenses
  8.6
 7.9
 0.7
 Total other underwriting expenses
  18.9
 18.8
 0.1
 
    
    
    
 Ceding commission revenue
    
    
    
 Provisional
  (3.9)
  (4.6)
 0.7
 Contingent
 0.8
 0.8
 -
  Total ceding commission revene
  (3.1)
  (3.8)
 0.7
 
    
    
    
  Other income
  (1.0)
  (1.2)
  0.3 
  Commission expense
  22.7
  23.9
  (1.2)
 
    
    
    
  Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.5%
  37.7%
  (0.2)
 
 
52
 
 
The overall 0.7 percentage point increase in provisional ceding commissions was driven entirely by the change in our quota share ceding rates and its impact on provisional ceding commission revenue due to the additional retention resulting from the cut-off to our quota share treaty on July 1, 2018 and run-off to our expired quota share treaty on July 1, 2019. The components of our net underwriting expense ratio related to other underwriting expenses, other income and commissions improved in nearly all categories, resulting in an overall 0.2 percentage point decrease in the net underwriting expense ratio.
 
Other Operating Expenses
 
Other operating expenses, related to the expenses of our holding company and Cosi, were $705,000 for Three Months 2019 compared to $683,000 for Three Months 2018. The increase in Three Months 2019 of $22,000, or 3.2%, compared to Three Months 2018, was primarily due to increases in equity compensation, salaries, professional fees and Cosi commission expense, partially offset by a decrease in executive bonuses. The increase in salary was due to the initial hiring of staff for Cosi and the increase in equity compensation was due to 2019 annual restricted stock awards to directors and executives. Executive bonus compensation is accrued pursuant to the employment agreement effective January 1, 2017 with Barry B. Goldstein, our Executive Chairman and current Chief Executive Officer. The bonus is a one-time payment computed at the end of the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and as of September 30, 2019 the three-year computation did not meet the required terms of profitability, resulting in the reversal of $698,000 previously accrued.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization was $646,000 in Three Months 2019 compared to $440,000 in Three Months 2018. The increase of $206,000, or 46.8%, 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 Three Months 2019 and Three Months 2018 was $457,000. We incurred interest expense in connection with our $30.0 million issuance of long-term debt in December 2017. 
 
Income Tax Benefit/Expense
 
Income tax benefit in Three Months 2019 was $474,000, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 21.6%. Income tax expense in Three Months 2018 was $287,000, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 6.8%. Loss before taxes was $2,199,000 in Three Months 2019 compared to income before taxes of $4,221,000 in Three Months 2018.
 
Net Loss/Income
 
Net loss was $1,725,000 in Three Months 2019 compared to net income of $3,934,000 in Three Months 2018. The decrease in net income of $5,659,000, or 143.8%, was due to the circumstances described above, which caused the increase in our net loss ratio, decrease in ceding commission revenue, 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 gains on investments.
 
 
 
53
 
 
Additional Financial Information
 
We operate our business as one segment, property and casualty insurance. Within this segment, we offer an 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 Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 Gross premiums written:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Personal lines
 $40,996,459 
 $32,544,609 
 $109,143,415 
 $87,022,189 
 Livery physical damage
  2,590,434 
  2,363,844 
  8,199,269 
  7,142,413 
 Other(1)
  401,073 
  69,486 
  535,950 
  186,285 
 Total without commercial lines
  43,987,966 
  34,977,939 
  117,878,634 
  94,350,887 
 Commercial lines (in run-off effective July 2019)(2)
  2,036,185 
  3,807,533 
  10,455,421 
  12,825,369 
 Total gross premiums written
 $46,024,151 
 $38,785,472 
 $128,334,055 
 $107,176,256 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net premiums written:
    
    
    
    
 Personal lines(3)
 $35,442,970 
 $30,352,772 
 $89,287,063 
 $69,016,575 
 Livery physical damage
  2,590,434 
  2,363,844 
  8,199,269 
  7,142,413 
 Other(1)
 400,317
 73,449
 522,596
  169,709 
 Total without commercial lines
 38,433,721
 32,790,065
 98,008,928
  76,328,697 
 Commercial lines (in run-off effective July 2019)(2)
  2,004,152 
  3,311,707 
  9,411,053 
  11,438,135 
 Total net premiums written
 $40,437,873
 $36,101,772
 $107,419,981
 $87,766,832 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net premiums earned:
    
    
    
    
 Personal lines(3)
 $27,487,526 
 $21,537,581 
 $75,737,374 
 $56,809,219 
 Livery physical damage
  2,712,283 
  2,398,005 
  7,850,822 
  7,320,065 
 Other(1)
  275,324 
  56,091 
  392,745 
  150,942 
 Total without commercial lines
  30,475,133 
  23,991,677 
  83,980,941 
  64,280,226 
 Commercial lines (in run-off effective July 2019)(2)
  3,744,877 
  3,542,230 
  11,036,237 
  10,195,912 
 Total net premiums earned
 $34,220,010 
 $27,533,907 
 $95,017,178 
 $74,476,138 
 
    
    
    
    
 
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses(4):
 
    
    
    
 Personal lines
 $14,389,168 
 $9,652,796 
 $46,666,275 
 $31,096,528 
 Livery physical damage
  1,395,630 
  894,874 
  3,816,390 
  3,160,670 
 Other(1)
  246,811 
  (63,570)
  573,376 
  313,408 
 Unallocated loss adjustment expenses
  726,778 
  548,819 
  2,072,570 
  1,654,466 
 Total without commercial lines
  16,758,387 
  11,032,919 
  53,128,611 
  36,225,072 
 Commercial lines (in run-off effective July 2019)(2)
  8,022,931 
  2,263,789 
  18,459,239 
  5,514,051 
 Total net loss and loss adjustment expenses
 $24,781,318 
 $13,296,708 
 $71,587,850 
 $41,739,123 
 
    
    
    
    
Net loss ratio(4):
    
    
    
    
Personal lines
  52.3%
  44.8%
  61.6%
  54.7%
Livery physical damage
  51.5%
  37.3%
  48.6%
  43.2%
Other(1)
  89.6%
  -113.3%
  146.0%
  207.6%
Total without commercial lines
  55.0%
  46.0%
  63.3%
  56.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Commercial lines (in run-off effective July 2019)(2)
  214.2%
  63.9%
  167.3%
  54.1%
 Total
  72.4%
  48.3%
  75.3%
  56.0%
 
(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)
In July 2019, we decided that we will no longer underwrite Commercial Liability risks. See discussions above regarding the discontinuation of this line of business.
(3)
See discussions above with regard to “Net Written Premiums and Net Premiums Earned”, as to changes in quota share ceding rates, effective July 1, 2018 and 2017.
(4)
See discussions above with regard to “Net Loss and LAE”, as to catastrophe losses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.
 
 
54
 
 
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 
 Nine months ended 
 
 September 30, 
 September 30, 
 
 2019 
 2018 
 2019 
 2018 
 
   
   
   
   
 Revenues
   
   
   
   
 Net premiums earned
 $34,220,010 
 $27,533,907 
 $95,017,178 
 $74,476,138 
 Ceding commission revenue
  1,029,582 
  1,044,529 
  2,982,960 
  4,430,855 
 Net investment income
  1,832,523 
  1,544,327 
  5,129,947 
  4,459,479 
 Net gains (losses) on investments
  995,040 
  346,300 
  3,652,189 
  (283,061)
 Other income
  340,505 
  352,476 
  992,097 
  937,264 
 Total revenues
  38,417,660 
  30,821,539 
  107,774,371 
  84,020,675 
 
    
    
    
    
 Expenses
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
  24,781,318 
  13,296,708 
  71,587,850 
  41,739,123 
 Commission expense
  7,779,344 
  6,594,323 
  21,931,933 
  18,411,460 
 Other underwriting expenses
  6,430,734 
  5,193,679 
  17,983,174 
  15,301,168 
 Depreciation and amortization
  622,222 
  440,383 
  1,804,265 
  1,273,975 
 Total expenses
  39,613,618 
  25,525,093 
  113,307,222 
  76,725,726 
 
    
    
    
    
 (Loss) income from operations
  (1,195,958)
  5,296,446 
  (5,532,851)
  7,294,949 
 Income tax (benefit) expense
  (293,183)
  1,075,104 
  (1,251,113)
  1,452,750 
 Net (loss) income
 $(902,775)
 $4,221,342 
 $(4,281,738)
 $5,842,199 
 
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
 Key Measures:
    
    
    
    
 Net loss ratio
  72.4%
  48.3%
  75.3%
  56.0%
 Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.5%
  37.7%
  37.8%
  38.1%
 Net combined ratio
  109.9%
  86.0%
  113.1%
  94.1%
 
    
    
    
    
 Reconciliation of net underwriting expense ratio:
    
    
    
    
 Acquisition costs and other
    
    
    
    
 underwriting expenses
 $14,210,078 
 $11,788,002 
 $39,915,107 
 $33,712,628 
 Less: Ceding commission revenue
  (1,029,582)
  (1,044,529)
  (2,982,960)
  (4,430,855)
 Less: Other income
  (340,505)
  (352,476)
  (992,097)
  (937,264)
 Net underwriting expenses
 $12,839,991 
 $10,390,997 
 $35,940,050 
 $28,344,509 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net premiums earned
 $34,220,010 
 $27,533,907 
 $95,017,178 
 $74,476,138 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net Underwriting Expense Ratio
  37.5%
  37.7%
  37.8%
  38.1%
 
 
55
 
 
An analysis of our direct, assumed and ceded earned premiums, loss and loss adjustment expenses, and loss ratios is shown below:
 
 
 
 Direct
 
 
 Assumed
 
 
 Ceded
 
 
 Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Nine months ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Written premiums
 $128,333,117 
 $938 
 $(20,914,074)
 $107,419,981 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (11,035,993)
  (559)
  (1,366,251)
  (12,402,803)
 Earned premiums
 $117,297,124 
 $379 
 $(22,280,325)
 $95,017,178 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses exluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
 $72,683,118 
 $(917)
 $(8,041,028)
 $64,641,173 
 Catastrophe loss
  7,755,089 
  - 
  (808,412)
  6,946,677 
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
 $80,438,207 
 $(917)
 $(8,849,440)
 $71,587,850 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  62.0%
  -242.0%
  36.1%
  68.0%
 Catastrophe loss
  6.6%
  0.0%
  3.6%
  7.3%
 Loss ratio
  68.6%
  -242.0%
  39.7%
  75.3%
 
    
    
    
    
 Nine months ended September 30, 2018
    
    
    
    
 Written premiums
 $107,175,413 
 $842 
 $(19,409,423)
 $87,766,832 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (9,930,503)
  3,762 
  (3,363,953)
  (13,290,694)
 Earned premiums
 $97,244,910 
 $4,604 
 $(22,773,376)
 $74,476,138 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses exluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
 $42,575,980 
 $27,037 
 $(6,983,566)
 $35,619,451 
 Catastrophe loss
  10,804,633 
  - 
  (4,684,961)
  6,119,672 
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
 $53,380,613 
 $27,037 
 $(11,668,527)
 $41,739,123 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  43.8%
  587.3%
  30.7%
  47.8%
 Catastrophe loss
  11.1%
  0.0%
  20.5%
  8.2%
 Loss ratio
  54.9%
  587.3%
  51.2%
  56.0%
 
    
    
    
    
 Three months ended September 30, 2019
    
    
    
    
 Written premiums
 $46,023,290 
 $861 
 $(5,586,278)
 $40,437,873 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (4,579,777)
  (761)
  (1,637,325)
  (6,217,863)
 Earned premiums
 $41,443,513 
 $100 
 $(7,223,603)
 $34,220,010 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses exluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
 $26,516,544 
 $1,164 
 $(2,182,511)
 $24,335,197 
 Catastrophe loss
  491,362 
  - 
  (45,241)
  446,121 
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
 $27,007,906 
 $1,164 
 $(2,227,752)
 $24,781,318 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  64.0%
  1164.0%
  30.2%
  71.1%
 Catastrophe loss
  1.2%
  0.0%
  0.6%
  1.3%
 Loss ratio
  65.2%
  1164.0%
  30.8%
  72.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Three months ended September 30, 2018
    
    
    
    
 Written premiums
 $38,785,453 
 $18 
 $(2,683,699)
 $36,101,772 
 Change in unearned premiums
  (4,435,174)
  698 
  (4,133,389)
  (8,567,865)
 Earned premiums
 $34,350,279 
 $716 
 $(6,817,088)
 $27,533,907 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses exluding
    
    
    
    
 the effect of catastrophes
 $16,700,865 
 $4,104 
 $(3,797,536)
 $12,907,433 
 Catastrophe loss
  243,244 
  - 
  146,031 
  389,275 
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses
 $16,944,109 
 $4,104 
 $(3,651,505)
 $13,296,708 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  48.6%
  573.2%
  55.7%
  46.9%
 Catastrophe loss
  0.7%
  0.0%
  -2.1%
  1.4%
 Loss ratio
  49.3%
  573.2%
  53.6%
  48.3%
 
 
56
 
 
The key measures for our insurance underwriting business for the periods indicated are as follows:
 
 
 
 Three months ended
 
 
 Nine months ended
 
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 September 30,
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net premiums earned
 $34,220,010 
 $27,533,907 
 $95,017,178 
 $74,476,138 
 Ceding commission revenue
  1,029,582 
  1,044,529 
  2,982,960 
  4,430,855 
 Other income
  340,505 
  352,476 
  992,097 
  937,264 
 
    
    
    
    
 Loss and loss adjustment expenses (1)
  24,781,318 
  13,296,708 
  71,587,850 
  41,739,123 
 
    
    
    
    
 
Acquistion costs and other underwriting expenses:
 
    
    
    
 Commission expense
  7,779,344 
  6,594,323 
  21,931,933 
  18,411,460 
 Other underwriting expenses
  6,430,734 
  5,193,679 
  17,983,174 
  15,301,168 
 Total acquistion costs and other
    
    
    
    
 underwriting expenses
  14,210,078 
  11,788,002 
  39,915,107 
  33,712,628 
 
    
    
    
    
 Underwriting (loss) income
 $(3,401,299)
 $3,846,202 
 $(12,510,722)
 $4,392,506 
 
    
    
    
    
 Key Measures:
    
    
    
    
 Net loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes
  71.1%
  46.9%
  68.0%
  47.8%
 Effect of catastrophe loss on net loss ratio (1)
  1.3%
  1.4%
  7.3%
  8.2%
 Net loss ratio
  72.4%
  48.3%
  75.3%
  56.0%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net underwriting expense ratio excluding the
    
    
    
    
 effect of catastrophes
  37.5%
  37.7%
  37.8%
  37.5%
 
    Effect of catastrophe loss on net underwriting
 
    
    
    
 expense ratio (2)
  0.0%
  0.0%
  0.0%
  0.6%
 Net underwriting expense ratio
  37.5%
  37.7%
  37.8%
  38.1%
 
    
    
    
    
 Net combined ratio excluding the effect
    
    
    
    
 of catastrophes
  108.6%
  84.6%
  105.8%
  85.3%
 Effect of catastrophe loss on net combined
    
    
    
    
 ratio (1) (2)
  1.3%
  1.4%
  7.3%
  8.8%
 Net combined ratio
  109.9%
  86.0%
  113.1%
  94.1%
 
    
    
    
    
    Reconciliation of net underwriting expense ratio:
 
    
    
    
 Acquisition costs and other
    
    
    
    
 underwriting expenses
 $14,210,078 
 $11,788,002 
 $39,915,107 
 $33,712,628 
 Less: Ceding commission revenue (2)
  (1,029,582)
  (1,044,529)
  (2,982,960)
  (4,430,855)
 Less: Other income
  (340,505)
  (352,476)
  (992,097)
  (937,264)
   
 $12,839,991 
 $10,390,997 
 $35,940,050 
 $28,344,509 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net earned premium
 $34,220,010 
 $27,533,907 
 $95,017,178 
 $74,476,138 
 
    
    
    
    
 Net Underwriting Expense Ratio
  37.5%
  37.7%
  37.8%
  38.1%
 
(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, includes the sum of net catastrophe losses and loss adjustment expenses of $446,121and $389,276, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, includes the sum of net catastrophe losses and loss adjustment expenses of $6,946,677 and $6,119,672, respectively.
 
(2) For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the effect of catastrophe loss on our net underwriting expense ratio includes the effect of reduced contingent ceding commission revenue by $459,068 and does not include the indirect effects of a $267,508 decrease in other underwriting expenses.
 
 
57
 
 
Investments
 
Portfolio Summary
 
Fixed-Maturity Securities
 
The following table presents a breakdown of the amortized cost, estimated fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of our investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available-for-sale as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
% of
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 obligations of U.S. government
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 corporations and agencies
 $8,243,486 
 $156,066 
 $- 
 $- 
 $8,399,552 
  5.1%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of States,
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  5,662,999 
  187,006 
  - 
  - 
  5,850,005 
  3.5%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  124,956,806 
  5,365,954 
  (33,073)
  (20,893)
  130,268,794 
  78.3%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities (1)
  21,737,713 
  297,257 
  (19,924)
  (312,685)
  21,702,361 
  13.1%
 Total fixed-maturity securities
 $160,601,004 
 $6,006,283 
 $(52,997)
 $(333,578)
 $166,220,712 
  100.0%
 
 
(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"). The eligible collateral would be pledged to FHLBNY if KICO draws an advance from the FHLBNY credit line. As of September 30, 2019, the estimated fair value of the eligible investments was approximately $5,144,000. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of September 30, 2019, there was no outstanding balance on the FHLBNY credit line.
 
 
 
December 31, 2018                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
% of
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 obligations of U.S. government
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 corporations and agencies
 $8,222,050 
 $26,331 
 $(28,000)
 $- 
 $8,220,381 
  5.4%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Political subdivisions of States,
 
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  6,339,540 
  50,903 
  (12,327)
  (36,508)
  6,341,608 
  4.2%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  119,078,698 
  123,740 
  (2,775,540)
  (676,605)
  115,750,293 
  76.3%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Residential mortgage and other
 
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities (1)
  21,790,973 
  236,502 
  (231,229)
  (331,012)
  21,465,234 
  14.1%
 Total fixed-maturity securities
 $155,431,261 
 $437,476 
 $(3,047,096)
 $(1,044,125)
 $151,777,516 
  100.0%
 
 
(1)
 In 2017, KICO placed certain residential mortgage backed securities as eligible collateral in a designated custodian account related to its relationship with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY"). The eligible collateral would be pledged to FHLBNY if KICO draws an advance from FHLBNY. As of December 31, 2018, the estimated fair value of the eligible investments was $5,116,000. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of December 31, 2018, there was no outstanding balance on the FHLBNY credit line.
 
 
58
 
 
Equity Securities
 
The following table presents a breakdown of the cost, estimated fair value, and gross gains and losses of investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019                
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated
 
 
 % of
 
  
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred stocks
 $8,415,227 
 $394,815 
 $(16,042)
 $8,794,000 
  37.4%
 
 Common stocks and exchange
 
    
    
    
    
 traded mutual funds
  13,655,339 
  1,537,211 
  (487,351)
  14,705,199 
  62.6%
 Total
 $22,070,566 
 $1,932,026 
 $(503,393)
 $23,499,199 
  100.0%
 
 
 
December 31, 2018                
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated
 
 
 % of
 
  
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Fair
 
 
 Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred stocks
 $6,694,754 
 $- 
 $(541,798)
 $6,152,956 
  37.1%
 
 Common stocks and exchange
 
    
    
    
    
 traded mutual funds
  11,611,232 
  99,817 
  (1,291,389)
  10,419,660 
  62.9%
 Total
 $18,305,986 
 $99,817 
 $(1,833,187)
 $16,572,616 
  100.0%
 
Other Investments
 
Pursuant to ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement,” an entity is permitted, as a practical expedient, to estimate the fair value of an investment within the scope of ASC 820 using the net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) of the investment. The following table presents a breakdown of the cost, estimated fair value, and gross unrealized gains and losses of our other investments as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019        
 
 
December 31, 2018        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 Fair Value 
 
  Cost
 
 
 Losses
 
 
 Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hedge fund
 $1,999,381 
 $426,523 
 $2,425,904 
 $1,999,381 
 $(144,156)
 $1,855,225 
 Total
 $1,999,381 
 $426,523 
 $2,425,904 
 $1,999,381 
 $(144,156)
 $1,855,225 
 
Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
The following table presents a breakdown of the amortized cost, estimated fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of investments in held-to-maturity securities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
% of
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 $729,539 
 $153,088 
 $- 
 $- 
 $882,627 
  21.4%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 Political subdivisions of States,
 
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  998,668 
  50,357 
  - 
  - 
  1,049,025 
  25.4%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  2,097,298 
  98,434 
  - 
  - 
  2,195,732 
  53.2%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $3,825,505 
 $301,879 
 $- 
 $- 
 $4,127,384 
  100.0%
 
 
59
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 Cost or
 
 
 Gross
 
 
 Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
% of
 
 
 
 Amortized
 
 
 Unrealized
 
 
 Less than 12
 
 
 More than 12
 
 
 Fair
 
 
Estimated
 
 Category
 
 Cost
 
 
 Gains
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Months
 
 
 Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 $729,507 
 $147,532 
 $(3,964)
 $- 
 $873,075 
  19.7%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 Political subdivisions of States,
 
    
    
    
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  998,803 
  33,862 
  - 
  - 
  1,032,665 
  23.3%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  2,494,545 
  38,461 
  (1,425)
  (10,905)
  2,520,676 
  57.0%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $4,222,855 
 $219,855 
 $(5,389)
 $(10,905)
 $4,426,416 
  100.0%
 
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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is shown below:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019    
 
 
December 31, 2018  
 
 
 
Amortized
 
 
Estimated
 
 
Amortized
 
 
Estimated
 
 Remaining Time to Maturity
 
Cost 
 
 
Fair Value 
 
 
Cost 
 
 
Fair Value 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Less than one year
 $623,000 
 $629,143 
 $- 
 $- 
 One to five years
  2,098,950 
  2,214,947 
  2,996,685 
  3,036,531 
 Five to ten years
  497,016 
  529,255 
  619,663 
  635,846 
 More than 10 years
  606,539 
  754,039 
  606,507 
  754,039 
 Total
 $3,825,505 
 $4,127,384 
 $4,222,855 
 $4,426,416 
 
Credit Rating of Fixed-Maturity Securities
 
The table below summarizes the credit quality of our available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 as rated by Standard & Poor’s (or, if unavailable from Standard & Poor’s, then Moody’s or Fitch):
 
 
 
September 30, 2019  
 
 
December 31, 2018  
 
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 Percentage of
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 Percentage of
 
 
 
 Fair Market
 
 
 Fair Market
 
 
 Fair Market
 
 
 Fair Market
 
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Value
 
 
 Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury securities
 $8,399,552 
  5.1%
 $8,220,381 
  5.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and municipal bonds
    
    
    
    
 AAA
  979,300 
  0.6%
  979,123 
  0.6%
 AA
  7,414,656 
  4.5%
  8,350,910 
  5.5%
 A
  35,473,122 
  21.3%
  27,665,961 
  18.2%
 BBB
  92,251,719 
  55.5%
  85,095,907 
  56.1%
 Total corporate and municipal bonds
  136,118,797 
  81.9%
  122,091,901 
  80.4%
 
    
    
    
    
 Residential mortgage backed securities
    
    
    
    
 AAA
  1,000,077 
  0.6%
  999,640 
  0.7%
 AA
  16,706,728 
  10.1%
  12,743,906 
  8.5%
 A
  1,530,921 
  0.9%
  4,777,356 
  3.1%
 CCC
  1,224,118 
  0.7%
  1,440,825 
  0.9%
 CC
  89,808 
  0.1%
  109,648 
  0.1%
 C
  20,029 
  0.0%
  24,050 
  0.0%
 D
  221,766 
  0.1%
  390,542 
  0.3%
 Non rated
  908,915 
  0.5%
  979,267 
  0.6%
 Total residential mortgage backed securities
  21,702,362 
  13.0%
  21,465,234 
  14.2%
 
    
    
    
    
 Total
 $166,220,711 
  100.0%
 $151,777,516 
  100.0%
 
 
60
 
 
The table below summarizes the average yield by type of fixed-maturity security as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
Category
 
September 30, 2019
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 U.S. Treasury securities and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 obligations of U.S. government
 
 
 
 
 
 
 corporations and agencies
  2.13%
  2.20%
 
    
    
 Political subdivisions of States,
    
    
 Territories and Possessions
  3.48%
  3.62%
 
    
    
 Corporate and other bonds
    
    
 Industrial and miscellaneous
  3.73%
  4.11%
 
    
    
 Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities
  2.44%
  1.94%
 
    
    
 Total
  3.47%
  3.68%
 
The table below lists the weighted average maturity and effective duration in years on our fixed-maturity securities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 Weighted average effective maturity
  4.8 
  5.6 
 
    
    
 Weighted average final maturity
  6.3 
  6.9 
 
    
    
 Effective duration
  4.3 
  4.6 
 
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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 84% and 81%, 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
 
61
 
 
 
 
 September 30, 2019 
 
 Less than 12 months 
 12 months or more 
 Total 
  
 Estimated 
   
 No. of 
 Estimated 
   
 No. of 
 Estimated 
   
 
 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
 $- 
 $- 
  - 
 $0 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Political subdivisions of
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
States, Territories and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Possessions
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
miscellaneous
  3,258,185 
  (33,073)
  6 
  3,170,889 
  (20,893)
  6 
  6,429,074 
  (53,966)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Residential mortgage and other 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
asset backed securities
  3,008,874 
  (19,924)
  3 
  15,596,316 
  (312,685)
  23 
  18,605,190 
  (332,609)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Total fixed-maturity
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
securities
 $6,267,059 
 $(52,997)
  9 
 $18,767,205 
 $(333,578)
  29 
 $25,034,264 
 $(386,575)
 
 
 
December 31, 2018                            
 
 
 
Less than 12 months    
 
 
12 months or more    
 
 
Total    
 
  
 
 Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 No. of
 
 
 Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 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
 $4,948,530 
 $(28,000)
  3 
 $- 
 $- 
  - 
 $4,948,530 
 $(28,000)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Political subdivisions of
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 States, Territories and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Possessions
  555,375 
  (12,327)
  1 
  1,436,242 
  (36,508)
  3 
  1,991,617 
  (48,835)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Corporate and other
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 bonds industrial and
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 miscellaneous
  81,004,459 
  (2,775,540)
  97 
  13,424,888 
  (676,605)
  24 
  94,429,347 
  (3,452,145)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 Residential mortgage and other
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 asset backed securities
  7,002,713 
  (231,229)
  9 
  11,928,425 
  (331,012)
  19 
  18,931,138 
  (562,241)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Total fixed-maturity
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 securities
 $93,511,077 
 $(3,047,096)
  110 
 $26,789,555 
 $(1,044,125)
  46 
 $120,300,632 
 $(4,091,221)
 
 
62
 
 
 There were 38 securities at September 30, 2019 that accounted for the gross unrealized loss of our fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale, none of which were deemed by us to be other than temporarily impaired. There were 156 securities at December 31, 2018 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.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the primary source of cash flow for our holding company was the dividends received from KICO, subject to statutory restrictions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, KICO paid dividends of $5,500,000 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 the end of the previous quarter, which isJune 30, 2019, and are due and payable within one year of borrowing. The maximum allowable advance as of September 30, 2019, based on the net admitted assets as of June 30, 2019, was approximately $11,502,000. Advances are limited to 90% of the amount of available collateral, which was approximately $4,630,000 as of September 30, 2019. There were no borrowings under this facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
 
 
As of September 30, 2019, invested assets and cash in our holding company totaled approximately $5,616,000. 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:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cash flows provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Operating activities
 $19,537,965 
 $18,197,327 
 Investing activities
  (12,085,316)
  (32,299,835)
 Financing activities
  (2,952,002)
  (4,385,449)
 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  4,500,647 
  (18,487,957)
 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
  21,138,403 
  48,381,633 
 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 $25,639,050 
 $29,893,676 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $19,538,000 in Nine Months 2019 as compared to $18,197,000 provided in Nine Months 2018. The $1,341,000 increase in cash flows provided by operating activities in Nine Months 2019 was primarily a result of an increase in cash arising from net fluctuations in assets and liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in net income (adjusted for non-cash items) of $16,409,000. The net fluctuations in assets and liabilities are related to operating activities of KICO as affected by the growth in its operations which are described above.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $12,085,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $32,300,000 used in Nine Months 2018. The $20,215,000 decrease in net cash used in investing activities was the result of a $32,284,000 decrease in acquisitions of invested assets, partially offset by a $10,882,000 decrease in sales or maturities of invested assets and a $1,187,000 increase in fixed asset acquisitions in Nine Months 2019.
 
Net cash used in financing activities was $2,952,000 in Nine Months 2019 compared to $4,385,000 used in Nine Months 2018. The $1,433,000 decrease in net cash used in financing activities was attributable to higher dividends and withholding taxes paid on net exercises of stock options paid in the prior year and a purchase of $540,000 in treasury stock in Nine Months 2018 as compared to none in Nine Months 2019.
 
 
63
 
 
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 treaties in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 for our personal lines business, which primarily consists of homeowners’ policies, were covered under a treaty covering a two-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 (“2017/2019 Treaty”). The treaty in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was covered under the July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 treaty year (“2018/2019 Treaty Year”). The treaty in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was covered under the July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 treaty year (“2017/2018 Treaty Year”) and the 2018/2019 Treaty Year that began on July 1, 2018.
 
In August 2018, we terminated our contract with one of the reinsurers that was a party to the 2017/2019 Treaty. This termination was retroactive to July 1, 2018 and had the effect of reducing the quota share ceding rate to 10% under the 2018/2019 Treaty Year from 20% under the 2017/2018 Treaty Year.
 
Effective July 1, 2019, our 2017/2019 Treaty and commercial umbrella treaty expired on a run-off basis; these treaties were not renewed. We entered into new excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance treaties effective July 1, 2019. Material terms for our reinsurance treaties in effect for the treaty years shown below are as follows:
 
 
 
 Treaty Year      
 
 
 
July 1, 2019
 
 
July 1, 2018
 
 
July 1, 2017
 
 
 
to
 
 
to
 
 
to
 
 Line of Busines
 
June 30, 2020
 
 
June 30, 2019
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Lines:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homeowners, dwelling fire and canine legal liability
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Quota share treaty:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Percent ceded
 None
  10%
  20%
 Risk retained
 $1,000,000 
 $900,000 
 $800,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
  None
 $1,000,000 
 $1,000,000 
 Excess of loss coverage and facultative facility above quota share coverage (1)
 $10,000,000 
 $9,000,000 
 $9,000,000 
 
     
  in excess of
  in excess of

    
 $1,000,000 
 $1,000,000 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $9,000,000 
 $9,100,000 
 $9,200,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage
 $10,000,000 
 $10,000,000 
 $10,000,000 
 Expiration date
  June 30, 2020
  June 30, 2019
  June 30, 2018
 
    
    
    
 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, 2020
  June 30, 2019
  June 30, 2018
 
    
    
    
Commercial Lines:
    
    
    
 General liability commercial policies
    
    
    
 Quota share treaty
  None
  None
  None
 Risk retained
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 Excess of loss coverage above risk retained
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 
  in excess of
  in excess of
  in excess of
 
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 $750,000 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 $3,750,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage
 $4,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 
    
    
    
 Commercial Umbrella
    
    
    
 Quota share treaty:
  None
    
    
 Percent ceded - first $1,000,000 of coverage
    
  90%
  90%
 Percent ceded - excess of $1,000,000 of coverage
    
  100%
  100%
 Risk retained
    
 $100,000 
 $100,000 
 Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence
    
 $4,900,000 
 $4,900,000 
 Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage
    
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 Expiration date
    
  June 30, 2019
  June 30, 2018
 
    
    
    
Catastrophe Reinsurance:
    
    
    
Initial loss subject to personal lines quota share treaty
  None
 $5,000,000 
 $5,000,000 
 Risk retained per catastrophe occurrence (2)
 $7,500,000 
 $4,500,000 
 $4,000,000 
 Catastrophe loss coverage in excess of quota share coverage (3)
 $602,500,000 
 $445,000,000 
 $315,000,000 
 Reinstatement premium protection (4)(5)(6)
 Yes
  Yes 
  Yes 
 
(1)
For personal lines, 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. Duration of 168 consecutive hours for a catastrophe occurrence from windstorm, hail, tornado, hurricane, and cyclone.
(4)
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.
 
 
64
 
 
Effective July 1, 2019, reinstatement premium protection for $292,500,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $7,500,000.
 
The single maximum risks per occurrence to which the Company is subject under the treaty year shown below is as follows:
 
 
July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
Treaty
 Range of Loss
 Risk Retained
Personal Lines (1)
 Initial $1,000,000
$1,000,000
 
 $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%
 
 
 
Catastrophe (4)
 Initial $7,500,000
$7,500,000
 
 $7,500,000 - $610,000,000
 None
 
 Over $610,000,000
100%
 
(1)
Personal lines quota share treaty was eliminated effective July 1, 2019. The 2017/2019 Treaty expired on a run-off basis.
(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 single maximum risks per occurrence to which the Company is subject under the treaty years shown below are as follows:
 
 
July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019
 
July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018
Treaty
 Range of Loss
 Risk Retained
 Range of Loss
 Risk Retained
Personal Lines (1)
 Initial $1,000,000
$900,000
 
 Initial $1,000,000
$800,000
 
 $1,000,000 - $10,000,000
 None(2)
 
 $1,000,000 - $10,000,000
 None(2)
 
 Over $10,000,000
100%
 
 Over $10,000,000
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 $750,000
$750,000
 
 $750,000 - $4,500,000
 None(3)
 
 $750,000 - $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
$4,500,000
 
 Initial $5,000,000
$4,000,000
 
 $5,000,000 - $450,000,000
 None
 
 $5,000,000 - $320,000,000
 None
 
 Over $450,000,000
100%
 
 Over $320,000,000
100%
 
(1)
Treaty for July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 and 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.
 
 
65
 
 
Item  3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
This item is not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
 
Item  4. Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act that are designed to assure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act 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. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures were: (i) not effective as of September 30, 2019 as a result of the material weakness identified in the quarter in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting information on a timely basis that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, and (ii) not effective as of September 30, 2019 in ensuring that information that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
As 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. Our management concluded that, as of September 30, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective. Management determined there was ineffective oversight over the process of setting appropriate liability case reserves, which has been assessed as a material weakness. Case reserve estimates are subject to individual judgment, and provide the primary information used as the basis for setting overall reserve levels including a provision for IBNR reserves. Notwithstanding the material weakness, management has concluded that the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of an entity's financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis.
 
Identification of the Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
During our assessment we determined that the following material weaknesses existed as of September, 30, 2019 in the principles associated with both the control and monitoring activity components of the COSO framework:
 
The material weakness relates to the ineffective oversight over the establishment of case reserve levels, as discussed above. As of the date of this report, there have been no misstatements identified. Insurance loss reserving is an inherently judgmental process. It is dependent on individual opinions regarding specific information available at a given point in time. Recent reviews of our claims reserving process by multiple parties have led to the additional increase in reserves taken this quarter.
 
Remediation Plans
 
Our management, with oversight from our Audit Committee, will initiate a plan to remediate the material weakness above. Management will work to ensure that all designed control activities are executed appropriately for the remainder of 2019. Management believes that such activities will allow the Company to select, develop, and perform ongoing and/or separate evaluations to ascertain whether our components of internal control are present and functioning. Because the reliability of the internal control process requires repeatable execution, the material weakness cannot be considered fully remediated until all remedial processes and procedures have been implemented, each applicable control has operated for a sufficient period of time, and management has concluded, through testing, that the controls are operating effectively. Until the material weakness is remediated, we will not be able to assert that our internal controls are effective.
 
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.
 
 
66
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
 
On June 12, 2019, Phillip Woolgar filed a suit naming the Company and certain present or former officers and directors as defendants in a putative class action captioned Woolgar v. Kingstone Companies et al., 19 cv 05500 (S.D.N.Y.), asserting claims under Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act.  Plaintiff seeks to represent a class of persons or entities that purchased Kingstone securities between March 14, 2018, and April 29, 2019, and alleges violations of the federal securities law in connection with the Company’s April 29, 2019 announcement regarding losses related to winter catastrophe events.  The lawsuit alleges that the Company failed to disclose that it did not adequately follow industry best practices related to claims handling and thus did not record sufficient claim reserves, and that as a result, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations and prospects misled investors.  Plaintiff seeks, among other things, an undetermined amount of money damages. We believe the lawsuit to be without merit.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors. 
 
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 except for the following:
 
Our failure to implement and maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting in our business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and stock price.
 
"Internal controls over financial reporting" refer to those procedures within a company that are designed to reasonably ensure the accuracy of the company's financial statements. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires our management to annually assess the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.
 
As discussed in Part I, Item 4 of this Form 10-Q, we have determined that, as of September 30, 2019, a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting existed with regard to the process surrounding the establishment of case reserve levels. We will initiate a plan to remedy the material weakness in order that all design control activities are executed appropriately for the remainder of 2019.
 
If we fail to achieve and maintain adequate internal controls, or if we have material weaknesses in our internal controls, in each case in accordance with applicable standards, we may be unable to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. Because effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, and the market price for our stock could decline if our internal controls are ineffective or if material weaknesses in our internal controls are identified.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
(a)  None.
 
(b)  Not applicable.
 
(c) There were no purchases of common stock made by us or any “affiliated purchaser” during the quarter ended September 30, 2019.
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
 
None.
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 5. Other Information.
 
None.
 
 
67
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits.
 
3(a)
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2014 filed on May 15, 2014).
 
 
3(b)
By-laws, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2009).
 
 
10(a)
Agreement and General Release, dated as of July 19, 2019, by and among Kingstone Companies, Inc., Kingstone Insurance Company and Dale A. Thatcher (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2019).
 
 
10(b)
Employment Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2019, by and between Kingstone Companies, Inc., and Meryl S. Golden (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2019).
 
 
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.
 
+
This exhibit will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such exhibit shall not be deemed incorporated into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1934, as amended.
 
 
68
 
 
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.
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 12, 2019
By:  
/s/ Barry B. Goldstein
 
 
 
Barry B. Goldstein
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 12, 2019
By:  
/s/ Victor Brodsky
 
 
 
Victor Brodsky  
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer  
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
69