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KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (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 March 31, 2023

 

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

 

36-2476480

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification 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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth 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 May 15, 2023, there were 10,760,579 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

 

 

 

KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC.

INDEX

 

 

 

 

PAGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

4

 

Item 1 —

 

Financial Statements

 

4

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2022

 

4

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and 2022 (Unaudited)

 

5

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and 2022 (Unaudited)

 

6

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and 2022 (Unaudited)

 

7

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

9

 

Item 2 —

 

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

 

42

 

Item 3 —

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

69

 

Item 4 —

 

Controls and Procedures

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

71

 

Item 1 —

 

Legal Proceedings

 

71

 

Item 1A —

 

Risk Factors

 

71

 

Item 2 —

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

71

 

Item 3 —

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

71

 

Item 4 —

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

71

 

Item 5 —

 

Other Information

 

71

 

Item 6 —

 

Exhibits

 

72

 

Signatures

 

73

 

 

 
2

Table of Contents

 

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 (“Risk Factors”) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report and Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report.  

 

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.

 

 
3

Table of Contents

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

 

 

KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-maturity securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $6,825,609 at March 31, 2023 and $6,600,388 at December 31, 2022)

 

$7,765,096

 

 

$7,766,140

 

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $172,374,518 at March 31, 2023 and $174,918,427 at December 31, 2022)

 

 

154,641,319

 

 

 

154,715,163

 

Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $18,011,146 at March 31, 2023 and $18,086,700 at December 31, 2022)

 

 

14,622,549

 

 

 

13,834,390

 

Other investments

 

 

3,135,449

 

 

 

2,771,652

 

Total investments

 

 

180,164,413

 

 

 

179,087,345

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

10,500,753

 

 

 

11,958,228

 

Premiums receivable, net

 

 

13,339,037

 

 

 

13,880,504

 

Reinsurance receivables, net

 

 

78,018,606

 

 

 

66,465,061

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

 

22,692,044

 

 

 

23,819,453

 

Intangible assets

 

 

500,000

 

 

 

500,000

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

10,199,878

 

 

 

10,541,935

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 

11,061,418

 

 

 

10,331,158

 

Other assets

 

 

3,921,334

 

 

 

3,748,847

 

Total assets

 

$330,397,483

 

 

$320,332,531

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

 

$124,121,818

 

 

$118,339,513

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

105,159,893

 

 

 

107,492,777

 

Advance premiums

 

 

5,660,391

 

 

 

2,839,028

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

 

20,110,212

 

 

 

13,061,966

 

Deferred ceding commission revenue

 

 

10,739,429

 

 

 

10,619,569

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

6,147,717

 

 

 

6,651,723

 

Debt, net

 

 

25,176,019

 

 

 

25,158,523

 

Total liabilities

 

 

297,115,479

 

 

 

284,163,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 2,500,000 shares

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued 12,231,965 shares at March 31, 2023 and 12,171,512 shares at December 31, 2022; outstanding 10,760,559 shares at March 31, 2023 and 10,700,106 shares at December 31, 2022

 

 

122,320

 

 

 

121,715

 

Capital in excess of par

 

 

74,734,915

 

 

 

74,519,590

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(14,007,076)

 

 

(15,958,428)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(22,000,674)

 

 

(16,945,964)

 

 

 

38,849,485

 

 

 

41,736,913

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,471,406 shares at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

 

(5,567,481)

 

 

(5,567,481)

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

33,282,004

 

 

 

36,169,432

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$330,397,483

 

 

$320,332,531

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
4

Table of Contents

 

KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$28,254,953

 

 

$26,673,380

 

Ceding commission revenue

 

 

5,445,407

 

 

 

4,681,396

 

Net investment income

 

 

1,541,492

 

 

 

1,359,100

 

Net gains (losses) on investments

 

 

1,224,871

 

 

 

(4,398,405)

Other income

 

 

161,040

 

 

 

235,824

 

Total revenues

 

 

36,627,763

 

 

 

28,551,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

25,039,410

 

 

 

22,941,198

 

Commission expense

 

 

8,539,762

 

 

 

8,351,086

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

 

6,871,619

 

 

 

6,815,949

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

662,634

 

 

 

881,955

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

808,130

 

 

 

770,110

 

Interest expense

 

 

1,009,891

 

 

 

456,545

 

Total expenses

 

 

42,931,446

 

 

 

40,216,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations before taxes

 

 

(6,303,683)

 

 

(11,665,548)

Income tax benefit

 

 

(1,248,973)

 

 

(2,468,016)

Net loss

 

 

(5,054,710)

 

 

(9,197,532)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale-securities

 

 

2,467,426

 

 

 

(9,865,777)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net loss

 

 

2,639

 

 

 

41,324

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses), on available-for-sale-securities

 

 

2,470,065

 

 

 

(9,824,453)

Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(518,713)

 

 

2,063,136

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

1,951,352

 

 

 

(7,761,317)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$(3,103,358)

 

$(16,958,849)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$(0.47)

 

$(0.87)

Diluted

 

$(0.47)

 

$(0.87)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

10,756,913

 

 

 

10,630,450

 

Diluted

 

 

10,756,913

 

 

 

10,630,450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared and paid per common share

 

$-

 

 

$0.04

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
5

Table of Contents

 

KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital

 

 

Other

 

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

in Excess

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

(Accumulated

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

of Par

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

 

Deficit)

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Total

 

Balance, January 1, 2022

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

11,955,660

 

 

$119,557

 

 

$72,467,483

 

 

$1,796,739

 

 

$6,855,896

 

 

 

1,471,406

 

 

$(5,567,481)

 

$75,672,194

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

530,414

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

530,414

 

Vesting of restricted stock awards

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

222,070

 

 

 

2,221

 

 

 

(2,221)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Shares deducted from restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

awards for payment of withholding taxes

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(68,423)

 

 

(685)

 

 

(357,390)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(358,075)
Dividends

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(425,490)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(425,490)

Net loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(9,197,532)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(9,197,532)

Change in unrealized losses on available-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for-sale securities, net of tax

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(7,761,317)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(7,761,317)
Balance, March 31, 2022

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

12,109,307

 

 

$121,093

 

 

$72,638,286

 

 

$(5,964,578)

 

$(2,767,126)

 

 

1,471,406

 

 

$(5,567,481)

 

$58,460,194

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

in Excess

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

of Par

 

 

Loss

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Total

 

Balance, January 1, 2023

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

12,171,512

 

 

$121,715

 

 

$74,519,590

 

 

$(15,958,428)

 

$(16,945,964)

 

 

1,471,406

 

 

$(5,567,481)

 

$36,169,432

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

216,767

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

216,767

 

Vesting of restricted stock awards

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

60,951

 

 

 

610

 

 

 

(610)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Shares deducted from restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

awards for payment of withholding taxes

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(498)

 

 

(5)

 

 

(832)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(837)

Net loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5,054,710)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5,054,710)

Change in unrealized gains on available-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for-sale securities, net of tax

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,951,352

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,951,352

 

Balance, March 31, 2023

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

12,231,965

 

 

$122,320

 

 

$74,734,915

 

 

$(14,007,076)

 

$(22,000,674)

 

 

1,471,406

 

 

$(5,567,481)

 

$33,282,004

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
6

Table of Contents

 

KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months ended March 31,

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$(5,054,710)

 

$(9,197,532)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses (gains) on investments

 

 

2,639

 

 

 

(77,761)

Net unrealized (gains) losses on equity investments

 

 

(863,713)

 

 

3,560,634

 

Net unrealized (gains) losses on other investments

 

 

(363,797)

 

 

915,532

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

808,130

 

 

 

770,110

 

Bad debt expense

 

 

19,504

 

 

 

38,817

 

Amortization of bond premium, net

 

 

(37,795)

 

 

46,777

 

Amortization of discount and issuance costs on debt

 

 

296,919

 

 

 

44,045

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

216,767

 

 

 

530,414

 

Deferred income tax benefit

 

 

(1,248,973)

 

 

(2,112,244)

Decrease (increase) in operating assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums receivable, net

 

 

521,963

 

 

 

1,250,311

 

Reinsurance receivables, net

 

 

(11,553,545)

 

 

(9,049,252)

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

 

1,127,409

 

 

 

582,406

 

Other assets

 

 

(172,487)

 

 

1,555,843

 

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

 

 

5,782,305

 

 

 

3,968,253

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

(2,332,884)

 

 

(2,392,728)

Advance premiums

 

 

2,821,363

 

 

 

2,539,061

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

 

7,048,246

 

 

 

(7,870,498)

Deferred ceding commission revenue

 

 

119,860

 

 

 

(268,996)

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

(504,006)

 

 

(2,221,270)

Net cash flows used in operating activities

 

 

(3,366,805)

 

 

(17,388,078)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase - fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale

 

 

(10,974,819)

 

 

(13,890,402)

Purchase - equity securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

(506,081)

Redemption - fixed-maturity securities held-to-maturity

 

 

-

 

 

 

500,000

 

Sale and maturity - fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale

 

 

13,554,928

 

 

 

10,181,658

 

Sale - equity securities

 

 

75,554

 

 

 

4,994,884

 

Acquisition of property and equipment

 

 

(466,073)

 

 

(1,565,128)

Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

2,189,590

 

 

 

(285,069)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal payments on equipment financing

 

 

(266,160)

 

 

-

 

Issue costs on 2022 Notes

 

 

(13,263)

 

 

-

 

Withholding taxes paid on vested retricted stock awards

 

 

(837)

 

 

(358,075)

Dividends paid

 

 

-

 

 

 

(425,490)

Net cash flows used in financing activities

 

 

(280,260)

 

 

(783,565)

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months ended March 31,

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

$(1,457,475)

 

$(18,456,712)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

11,958,228

 

 

 

24,290,598

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$10,500,753

 

 

$5,833,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$434,155

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

$1,951,352

 

 

$(7,761,317)

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
8

Table of Contents

 

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” or, on a standalone basis for the parent company only, the “Holding Company”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kingstone Insurance Company (“KICO”), underwrites property and casualty insurance exclusively through retail and wholesale 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. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, 87.0% and 80.6%, respectively, of KICO’s direct written premiums came from the New York policies. Kingstone, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Cosi Agency, Inc. (“Cosi”), a multi-state licensed general agency, receives commission revenue from KICO for the policies it places with others and pays commissions to these 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, 2022 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 31, 2023. 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 presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023.

 

Certain prior year balances were reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. The reclassification had no effect on the Company’s previously reported financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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 LAE, which 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 ongoing basis, management reevaluates its assumptions and the methods for calculating these estimates. Actual results may differ significantly from the estimates used in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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Principles of Consolidation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Kingstone and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: (1) 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, and (2) Cosi. All significant inter-company account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). This new guidance applies to reinsurance and insurance receivables and other financing receivables. For available-for-sale fixed maturity securities carried at fair value, estimated credit losses will continue to be measured at the present value of expected cash flows, however, the other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) concept has been eliminated. Under the previous guidance, estimated credit impairments resulted in a write-down of amortized cost. Under the new guidance, estimated credit losses are recognized through an allowance and reversals of the allowance are permitted if the estimate of credit losses declines. For available-for-sale fixed maturity securities where the Company has an intent to sell, impairment will continue to result in a write-down of amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2023. The Company determined as of the date of adoption that the updated guidance did not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements. Below is a summary of the significant accounting policies impacted by the adoption of ASU 2016-13.

 

The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is reported as a reduction of a financial asset’s cost basis and is measured on a pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Management estimates the allowance using relevant available information from both internal and external sources. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses and adjustments may be made to reflect current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for any additional factors that come to the Company’s attention. This could include significant shifts in counterparty financial strength ratings, aging of past due receivables, amounts sent to collection agencies, or other underlying portfolio changes. Amounts are considered past due when payments have not been received according to contractual terms. The Company also considers current and forecasted economic conditions, using a variety of economic metrics and forecast indices. The sensitivity of expected credit losses relative to changes to these forecasted economic conditions can vary by financial asset class. The Company considers a reasonable and supportable forecast period to be up to 24 months from the balance sheet date. After the forecast period, the Company reverts to historical credit experience. The Company uses collateral arrangements such as letters of credit and amounts held in beneficiary trusts to mitigate credit risk, which are considered in the estimate of net amount expected to be collected.

  

The Company has made a policy election to present accrued interest balances separately from the amortized cost basis of assets and has elected the practical expedient to exclude the accrued interest from the tabular disclosures for available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities. The Company has elected not to estimate an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable. The accrual of interest income is discontinued and the asset is placed on nonaccrual status in the quarter that payment becomes delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for assets on nonaccrual status is reversed through investment income. Interest received for assets that are on nonaccrual status is recognized as payment is received. The asset is returned to accrual status when the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are expected. Interest receivable is presented as a component of other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

See Note 3 and Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding credit losses.

 

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 gross unrealized gains and losses on investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available-for-sale for which an allowance for credit loss has not been recorded, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 (1)

 

$21,988,099

 

 

$36,038

 

 

$(674)

 

$-

 

 

$22,023,463

 

 

$35,364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

17,098,969

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5,153)

 

 

(3,338,913)

 

 

13,754,903

 

 

 

(3,344,066)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds Industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

80,264,856

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(777,717)

 

 

(6,479,111)

 

 

73,008,028

 

 

 

(7,256,828)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities (2)

 

 

53,022,594

 

 

 

67,556

 

 

 

(496,219)

 

 

(6,739,006)

 

 

45,854,925

 

 

 

(7,167,669)

Total fixed-maturity securities

 

$172,374,518

 

 

$103,594

 

 

$(1,279,763)

 

$(16,557,030)

 

$154,641,319

 

 

$(17,733,199)

 

 
11

Table of Contents

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Cost or

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Less than 12

 

 

More than 12

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

Category

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Months

 

 

Months

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-Maturity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies (1)

 

$23,874,545

 

 

$1,479

 

 

$(6,928)

 

$-

 

 

$23,869,096

 

 

$(5,449)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

17,108,154

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2,195,273)

 

 

(1,771,494)

 

 

13,141,387

 

 

 

(3,966,767)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds Industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

80,338,464

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5,796,994)

 

 

(2,458,985)

 

 

72,082,485

 

 

 

(8,255,979)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities (2)

 

 

53,597,264

 

 

 

58,398

 

 

 

(882,664)

 

 

(7,150,803)

 

 

45,622,195

 

 

 

(7,975,069)

Total fixed-maturity securities

 

$174,918,427

 

 

$59,877

 

 

$(8,881,859)

 

$(11,381,282)

 

$154,715,163

 

 

$(20,203,264)

 

 

(1)

In October 2022, KICO placed certain U.S. Treasury securities to fulfill the required collateral for a sale leaseback transaction in a designated custodian account (see Note 7 – Debt - “Equipment Financing”). As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the amount of required collateral was approximately $8,268,000 and $8,691,000, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the estimated fair value of the eligible collateral was approximately $11,475,000 and $8,691,000, respectively.

 

(2)

KICO has 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 – Debt – “Federal Home Loan Bank”). The eligible collateral would be pledged to FHLBNY if KICO draws an advance from the FHLBNY credit line. As of December 31, 2022, the estimated fair value of the eligible investments was approximately $12,199,000. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is shown below:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Estimated

 

Remaining Time to Maturity

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than one year

 

$15,731,448

 

 

$15,650,264

 

 

$16,359,100

 

 

$16,307,991

 

One to five years

 

 

55,396,930

 

 

 

53,174,343

 

 

 

18,605,987

 

 

 

14,085,113

 

Five to ten years

 

 

30,202,432

 

 

 

25,759,376

 

 

 

54,559,158

 

 

 

52,230,283

 

More than 10 years

 

 

18,021,114

 

 

 

14,202,411

 

 

 

31,796,918

 

 

 

26,469,581

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities

 

 

53,022,594

 

 

 

45,854,925

 

 

 

53,597,264

 

 

 

45,622,195

 

Total

 

$172,374,518

 

 

$154,641,319

 

 

$174,918,427

 

 

$154,715,163

 

 

The actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

 

 
12

Table of Contents

 

Equity Securities

 

The cost and estimated fair value of, and gross unrealized gains and losses on, investments in equity securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

Estimated

 

Category

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stocks

 

$13,583,942

 

 

$-

 

 

$(2,906,623)

 

$10,677,319

 

Common stocks, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds

 

 

4,427,204

 

 

 

199,258

 

 

 

(681,232)

 

 

3,945,230

 

Total

 

$18,011,146

 

 

$199,258

 

 

$(3,587,855)

 

$14,622,549

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

Estimated

 

Category

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stocks

 

$13,583,942

 

 

$-

 

 

$(3,589,313)

 

$9,994,629

 

Common stocks, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds

 

 

4,502,758

 

 

 

158,635

 

 

 

(821,632)

 

 

3,839,761

 

Total

 

$18,086,700

 

 

$158,635

 

 

$(4,410,945)

 

$13,834,390

 

 

Other Investments

 

The cost and estimated fair value of, and gross gains on, the Company’s other investments as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Estimated

 

Category

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge fund

 

$1,987,040

 

 

$1,148,409

 

 

$3,135,449

 

 

$1,987,040

 

 

$784,612

 

 

$2,771,652

 

 

 
13

Table of Contents

 

Held-to-Maturity Securities

 

The cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value of, and unrealized gross gains and losses on, investments in held-to-maturity fixed-maturity securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-Maturity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$1,228,634

 

 

$47,886

 

 

$(24,108)

 

$-

 

 

$1,252,412

 

 

$23,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

498,769

 

 

 

1,661

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

500,430

 

 

 

1,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange traded debt

 

 

304,111

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(56,461)

 

 

-

 

 

 

247,650

 

 

 

(56,461)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds Industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

5,733,582

 

 

 

40,048

 

 

 

(57,910)

 

 

(890,603)

 

 

4,825,117

 

 

 

(908,465)

Total

 

$7,765,096

 

 

$89,595

 

 

$(138,479)

 

$(890,603)

 

$6,825,609

 

 

$(939,487)

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-Maturity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$1,228,560

 

 

$28,400

 

 

$(34,077)

 

$-

 

 

$1,222,883

 

 

$(5,677)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

498,638

 

 

 

2,092

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

500,730

 

 

 

2,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange traded debt

 

 

304,111

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(29,111)

 

 

-

 

 

 

275,000

 

 

 

(29,111)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds Industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

5,734,831

 

 

 

36,968

 

 

 

(809,746)

 

 

(360,278)

 

 

4,601,775

 

 

 

(1,133,056)

Total

 

$7,766,140

 

 

$67,460

 

 

$(872,934)

 

$(360,278)

 

$6,600,388

 

 

$(1,165,752)

 

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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is shown below:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Estimated

 

Remaining Time to Maturity

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than one year

 

$708,744

 

 

$747,483

 

 

$708,535

 

 

$743,575

 

One to five years

 

 

1,120,700

 

 

 

1,098,253

 

 

 

1,120,507

 

 

 

1,088,522

 

Five to ten years

 

 

1,405,680

 

 

 

1,215,945

 

 

 

1,402,704

 

 

 

1,200,720

 

More than 10 years

 

 

4,529,972

 

 

 

3,763,928

 

 

 

4,534,394

 

 

 

3,567,571

 

Total

 

$7,765,096

 

 

$6,825,609

 

 

$7,766,140

 

 

$6,600,388

 

 

The actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

 

 
14

Table of Contents

 

Investment Income

 

Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-maturity securities

 

$1,417,709

 

 

$1,140,189

 

Equity securities

 

 

176,877

 

 

 

345,168

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

32,858

 

 

 

183

 

Total

 

 

1,627,444

 

 

 

1,485,540

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment expenses

 

 

85,952

 

 

 

126,440

 

Net investment income

 

$1,541,492

 

 

$1,359,100

 

 

Proceeds from the redemption of fixed-maturity securities held-to-maturity were $-0- and $500,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Proceeds from the sale or maturity of fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale were $13,554,928 and $10,181,658 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Proceeds from the sale of equity securities were $75,554 and $4,994,884 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

 
15

Table of Contents

 

The Company’s net gains (losses) on investments are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Realized Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross realized gains

 

$418

 

 

$85,100

 

Gross realized losses

 

 

(3,057)

 

 

(126,424)

 

 

 

(2,639)

 

 

(41,324)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross realized gains

 

 

-

 

 

 

448,306

 

Gross realized losses

 

 

-

 

 

 

(329,221)

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

119,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross realized gains

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Gross realized losses

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Net realized (losses) gains

 

 

(2,639)

 

 

77,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross gains

 

 

863,713

 

 

 

-

 

Gross losses

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3,560,634)

 

 

 

863,713

 

 

 

(3,560,634)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross gains

 

 

363,797

 

 

 

-

 

Gross losses

 

 

-

 

 

 

(915,532)

 

 

 

363,797

 

 

 

(915,532)

Net unrealized gains (losses)

 

 

1,227,510

 

 

 

(4,476,166)

Net gains (losses) on investments

 

$1,224,871

 

 

$(4,398,405)

 

Allowance for Credit Loss

 

For available-for-sale fixed maturity securities, a credit loss exists if the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit loss related to available-for-sale fixed maturity securities is the difference between present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. The Company considers all available evidence when determining whether an investment requires a credit loss write-down or allowance to be recorded. Changes in the allowance are presented as a component of net gains (losses) on investments on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

  

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 152 and 155 fixed-maturity securities, respectively, that accounted for the gross unrealized losses. The Company determined that none of the unrealized losses were deemed to be credit losses for its portfolio of investments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. Significant factors influencing the Company’s determination that unrealized losses were temporary included credit quality considerations, the magnitude of the unrealized losses in relation to each security’s cost, the nature of the investment and interest rate environment factors, and management’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery of estimated fair value to the Company’s cost basis.

 

 
16

Table of Contents

 

The Company held available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses representing declines that were considered temporary at March 31, 2023 as follows: 

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

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

 

$5,542,768

 

 

$(674)

 

 

1

 

 

$-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$5,542,768

 

 

$(674)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

549,276

 

 

 

(5,153)

 

 

2

 

 

 

13,205,628

 

 

 

(3,338,913)

 

 

12

 

 

 

13,754,904

 

 

 

(3,344,066)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

24,592,198

 

 

 

(777,717)

 

 

33

 

 

 

48,415,831

 

 

 

(6,479,111)

 

 

57

 

 

 

73,008,029

 

 

 

(7,256,828)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities

 

 

8,454,568

 

 

 

(496,219)

 

 

15

 

 

 

36,667,595

 

 

 

(6,739,006)

 

 

32

 

 

 

45,122,163

 

 

 

(7,235,225)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed-maturity securities

 

$39,138,810

 

 

$(1,279,763)

 

 

51

 

 

$98,289,054

 

 

$(16,557,030)

 

 

101

 

 

$137,427,864

 

 

$(17,836,793)

 

 
17

Table of Contents

 

The Company held available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses representing declines that were considered temporary at December 31, 2022 as follows:

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

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

 

$18,918,196

 

 

$(6,928)

 

 

3

 

 

$-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$18,918,196

 

 

$(6,928)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

7,970,633

 

 

 

(2,195,273)

 

 

9

 

 

 

5,170,753

 

 

 

(1,771,494)

 

 

5

 

 

 

13,141,386

 

 

 

(3,966,767)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

56,910,104

 

 

 

(5,796,994)

 

 

75

 

 

 

15,172,381

 

 

 

(2,458,985)

 

 

15

 

 

 

72,082,485

 

 

 

(8,255,979)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities

 

 

10,145,880

 

 

 

(882,664)

 

 

22

 

 

 

34,753,178

 

 

 

(7,150,803)

 

 

26

 

 

 

44,899,058

 

 

 

(8,033,467)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed-maturity securities

 

$93,944,813

 

 

$(8,881,859)

 

 

109

 

 

$55,096,312

 

 

$(11,381,282)

 

 

46

 

 

$149,041,125

 

 

$(20,263,141)

 

 
18

Table of Contents

 

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s investments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 indicating the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

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

 

$22,023,463

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$22,023,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

-

 

 

 

13,754,903

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

13,754,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

73,008,028

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

73,008,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

45,854,925

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

45,854,925

 

Total fixed maturities

 

 

95,031,491

 

 

 

59,609,828

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

154,641,319

 

Equity securities

 

 

14,622,549

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

14,622,549

 

Total investments

 

$109,654,040

 

 

$59,609,828

 

 

$-

 

 

$169,263,868

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

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

 

$23,869,096

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$23,869,096

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

-

 

 

 

13,141,387

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

13,141,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

71,585,115

 

 

 

497,370

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

72,082,485

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

45,622,195

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

45,622,195

 

Total fixed maturities

 

 

95,454,211

 

 

 

59,260,952

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

154,715,163

 

Equity securities

 

 

13,834,390

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

13,834,390

 

Total investments

 

$109,288,601

 

 

$59,260,952

 

 

$-

 

 

$168,549,553

 

 

 
19

Table of Contents

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s investment in a hedge fund measured at Net Asset Value (“NAV”) per share as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. 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

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge fund

 

$3,135,449

 

 

$2,771,652

 

 

The hedge fund 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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 not measured at fair value is as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes due 2024

 

$-

 

 

$16,361,057

 

 

$-

 

 

$16,361,057

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes due 2024

 

$-

 

 

$15,829,096

 

 

$-

 

 

$15,829,096

 

 

Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Real Estate

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments and real estate, including their fair value level as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-maturity securities-held-to maturity, Level 1

 

$7,765,096

 

 

$6,825,609

 

 

$7,766,140

 

 

$6,600,388

 

Cash and cash equivalents, Level 1

 

$10,500,753

 

 

$10,500,753

 

 

$11,958,228

 

 

$11,958,228

 

Premiums receivable, net, Level 1

 

$13,339,037

 

 

$13,339,037

 

 

$13,880,504

 

 

$13,880,504

 

Reinsurance receivables, net, Level 3

 

$78,018,606

 

 

$78,018,606

 

 

$66,465,061

 

 

$66,465,061

 

Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation, Level 3

 

$2,052,283

 

 

$2,800,000

 

 

$2,050,644

 

 

$2,800,000

 

Reinsurance balances payable, Level 3

 

$20,110,212

 

 

$20,110,212

 

 

$13,061,966

 

 

$13,061,966

 

 

 
20

Table of Contents

 

Note 6 – Property and Casualty Insurance Activity

 

Premiums Earned

 

Premiums written, ceded and earned are as follows:

 

 

 

Direct

 

 

Assumed

 

 

Ceded

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums written

 

$47,597,446

 

 

$-

 

 

$(23,628,699)

 

$23,968,747

 

Change in unearned premiums

 

 

2,332,884

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,953,322

 

 

 

4,286,206

 

Premiums earned

 

$49,930,330

 

 

$-

 

 

$(21,675,377)

 

$28,254,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums written

 

$42,983,897

 

 

$-

 

 

$(18,065,709)

 

$24,918,188

 

Change in unearned premiums

 

 

2,392,727

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(637,535)

 

 

1,755,192

 

Premiums earned

 

$45,376,624

 

 

$-

 

 

$(18,703,244)

 

$26,673,380

 

 

Premium receipts in advance of the policy effective date are recorded as advance premiums. The balance of advance premiums as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $5,660,391 and $2,839,028, respectively.

 

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:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$118,339,513

 

 

$94,948,745

 

Less reinsurance recoverables

 

 

(27,659,500)

 

 

(10,637,679)
Net balance, beginning of period

 

 

90,680,013

 

 

 

84,311,066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

 

25,042,531

 

 

 

22,944,869

 

Prior years

 

 

(3,121)

 

 

(3,671)

Total incurred

 

 

25,039,410

 

 

 

22,941,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

 

5,886,288

 

 

 

9,283,972

 

Prior years

 

 

16,116,681

 

 

 

14,918,035

 

Total paid

 

 

22,002,969

 

 

 

24,202,007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net balance at end of period

 

 

93,716,454

 

 

 

83,050,257

 

Add reinsurance recoverables

 

 

30,405,364

 

 

 

15,866,741

 

Balance at end of period

 

$124,121,818

 

 

$98,916,998

 

 

Incurred losses and LAE are net of reinsurance recoveries under reinsurance contracts of $12,256,426 and $10,404,866 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, 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 three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $3,121 favorable and $3,671 favorable, respectively. Management, on a quarterly basis, performs a review of open liability claims to assess carried case and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserve levels, giving consideration to both Company and industry trends.

 

 
21

Table of Contents

 

Loss and LAE reserves

 

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:

 

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.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

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.

 

Three 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, the loss development factor selections used in the loss development methods, and the loss severity assumptions used in the frequency / severity method 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 severity assumptions used in the frequency / severity method are determined by reviewing historical average claim severity for older more mature accident periods, trended forward to less mature accident periods.

 

COVID-19 has introduced additional uncertainty to recent claim trends. The Company reviews the carried reserves levels on a regular basis as additional information becomes available and makes adjustments in the periods in which such adjustments are determined to be necessary. The Company is not aware of any other 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 March 31, 2020 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. 

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

The following is information about incurred and paid claims development as of March 31, 2023, net of reinsurance, as well as the cumulative reported claims by accident year and total IBNR reserves as of March 31, 2023 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, 2014 to December 31, 2022 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

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Months

 

 

Reported

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

Claims by

 

Accident

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

Accident

 

Year

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

IBNR

Year

 

 

 

(Unaudited 2014 - 2022)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

$14,193

 

 

$14,260

 

 

$14,218

 

 

$14,564

 

 

$15,023

 

 

$16,381

 

 

$16,428

 

 

$16,434

 

 

$16,486

 

 

$16,486

 

 

$24

 

 

 

2,138

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,340

 

 

 

21,994

 

 

 

22,148

 

 

 

22,491

 

 

 

23,386

 

 

 

23,291

 

 

 

23,528

 

 

 

23,533

 

 

 

23,553

 

 

 

240

 

 

 

2,559

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,062

 

 

 

24,941

 

 

 

24,789

 

 

 

27,887

 

 

 

27,966

 

 

 

27,417

 

 

 

27,352

 

 

 

27,246

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

2,881

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,605

 

 

 

32,169

 

 

 

35,304

 

 

 

36,160

 

 

 

36,532

 

 

 

36,502

 

 

 

36,456

 

 

 

301

 

 

 

3,399

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,455

 

 

 

56,351

 

 

 

58,441

 

 

 

59,404

 

 

 

61,237

 

 

 

61,231

 

 

 

1,247

 

 

 

4,231

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75,092

 

 

 

72,368

 

 

 

71,544

 

 

 

71,964

 

 

 

72,295

 

 

 

2,180

 

 

 

4,499

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

63,083

 

 

 

62,833

 

 

 

63,217

 

 

 

63,266

 

 

 

2,074

 

 

 

5,873

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

96,425

 

 

 

96,673

 

 

 

96,305

 

 

 

6,733

 

 

 

5,794

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

79,835

 

 

 

79,966

 

 

 

11,460

 

 

 

4,606

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,738

 

 

 

8,184

 

 

 

876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$500,541

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Lines of Business

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Cumulative Paid Loss and Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance

 

Accident

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

Three

Months

Ended

March 31,

 

Year

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

 

(Unaudited 2014 - 2022)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

$5,710

 

 

$9,429

 

 

$10,738

 

 

$11,770

 

 

$13,819

 

 

$14,901

 

 

$15,491

 

 

$15,770

 

 

$16,120

 

 

$16,127

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,295

 

 

 

16,181

 

 

 

18,266

 

 

 

19,984

 

 

 

21,067

 

 

 

22,104

 

 

 

22,318

 

 

 

22,473

 

 

 

22,487

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,364

 

 

 

19,001

 

 

 

21,106

 

 

 

23,974

 

 

 

25,234

 

 

 

25,750

 

 

 

26,382

 

 

 

26,557

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,704

 

 

 

24,820

 

 

 

28,693

 

 

 

31,393

 

 

 

32,529

 

 

 

33,522

 

 

 

33,911

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,383

 

 

 

44,516

 

 

 

50,553

 

 

 

52,025

 

 

 

54,424

 

 

 

54,906

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,933

 

 

 

54,897

 

 

 

58,055

 

 

 

60,374

 

 

 

60,993

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,045

 

 

 

50,719

 

 

 

53,432

 

 

 

54,379

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

56,282

 

 

 

77,756

 

 

 

78,247

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,856

 

 

 

58,175

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$411,083

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net liability for unpaid loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses for the accident years presented

 

 

$

89,459

 

All outstanding liabilities before 2014, net of reinsurance

 

 

 

273

 

Liabilities for loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance

 

 

$

89,731

 

 

(Components may not sum to totals due to rounding)

 

 
24

Table of Contents

 

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:

 

Reconciliation of the Disclosure of Incurred and Paid Loss Development

to the Liability for Loss and LAE Reserves

 

 

 

As of

 

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2023

 

Liabilities for allocated loss and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance

 

$89,731

 

Total reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

 

30,405

 

Unallocated loss adjustment expenses

 

 

3,985

 

Total gross liability for loss and LAE reserves

 

$124,122

 

 

(Components may not sum to totals due to rounding)

 

Reinsurance

 

Effective December 31, 2021, the Company entered into a quota share reinsurance treaty for its personal lines business, which primarily consists of homeowners’ and dwelling fire policies, covering the period from December 31, 2021 through January 1, 2023 (“2021/2023 Treaty”). Upon the expiration of the 2021/2023 Treaty on January 1, 2023, the Company entered into a new quota share reinsurance treaty for its personal lines business, covering the period from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024 (“2023/2024 Treaty”).

 

 
25

Table of Contents

 

The Company’s excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance treaties expired on June 30, 2022 and the Company entered into new excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance treaties effective July 1, 2022. Effective January 1, 2022, the Company entered into an underlying excess of loss reinsurance treaty (“Underlying XOL Treaty”) covering the period from January 1, 2022 through January 1, 2023. The treaty provides 50% reinsurance coverage for losses of $400,000 in excess of $600,000. Losses from named storms are excluded from the treaty. Effective January 1, 2023, the Underlying XOL Treaty was renewed covering the period from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024. Material terms for reinsurance treaties in effect for the treaty years shown below are as follows:

 

 

 

Treaty Period

 

 

 

2023/2024 Treaty

 

 

2021/2023 Treaty

 

 

 

July 1,

 

 

January 1,

 

 

July 1,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

 

to

 

 

to

 

 

to

 

 

to

 

 

 

January 1,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

January 1,

 

 

June 30,

 

Line of Business

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Lines:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homeowners, dwelling fire and and canine legal liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quota share treaty:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent ceded (8)

 

 

30%

 

 

30%

 

 

30%

 

 

30%

Risk retained on intial $1,000,000 of losses (6) (7) (8)

 

$700,000

 

 

$700,000

 

 

$700,000

 

 

$700,000

 

Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage

 

$1,000,000

 

 

$1,000,000

 

 

$1,000,000

 

 

$1,000,000

 

Expiration date

 

January 1, 2024

 

 

January 1, 2024

 

 

January 1, 2023

 

 

January 1, 2023

 

Excess of loss coverage and facultative facility coverage (1) (6)

 

 

(7)

 

$8,400,000

 

 

$8,400,000

 

 

$8,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in excess of

 

 

in excess of

 

 

in excess of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$600,000

 

 

$600,000

 

 

$600,000

 

Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence (6) (7)

 

$500,000

 

 

$8,500,000

 

 

$8,500,000

 

 

$8,500,000

 

Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage

 

 

(7)

 

$8,000,000

 

 

$9,000,000

 

 

$9,000,000

 

Expiration date

 

 

(7)

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catastrophe Reinsurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial loss subject to personal lines quota share treaty (7)

 

$10,000,000

 

 

$10,000,000

 

 

$10,000,000

 

 

$10,000,000

 

Risk retained per catastrophe occurrence (8) (9)

 

 

(7)

 

$8,750,000

 

 

$7,400,000

 

 

$7,400,000

 

Catastrophe loss coverage in excess of quota share coverage (2)

 

 

(7)

 

$335,000,000

 

 

$335,000,000

 

 

$490,000,000

 

Catastrophe stub coverage for the period from October 18, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (5)

 

NA

 

 

NA

 

 

NA

 

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reinstatement premium protection (3) (4)

 

 

(7)

 

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 $9,000,000 in total insured value, which covers direct losses from $3,500,000 to $9,000,000 through June 30, 2023.

(2)

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.

(3)

For the period December 31, 2021 through June 30, 2022, reinstatement premium protection for $70,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $10,000,000.

(4)

For the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, reinstatement premium protection for $9,800,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $10,000,000.

 

 
26

Table of Contents

 

(5)

Excludes freeze and freeze related claims.

(6)

For the period January 1, 2022 through January 1, 2024, underlying excess of loss treaty provides 50% reinsurance coverage for losses of $400,000 in excess of $600,000. Reduces retention to $500,000 from $700,000 under the 2021/2023 Treaty and 2022/2023 Treaty. Excludes losses from named storms.

(7)

Excess of loss and facultative facility, and catastrophe treaties will expire on June 30, 2023; reinsurance coverage in effect from July 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024 is only for Personal lines quota share (homeowners, dwelling fire and canine liability) and underlying excess of loss reinsurance.

(8)

For the 2021/2023 Treaty, 4% of the 30% total of losses ceded under this treaty are excluded from a named catastrophe event. For the 2023/2024 Treaty, 17.5% of the 30% total of losses ceded under this treaty are excluded from a named catastrophe event.

(9)

Plus losses in excess of catastrophe coverage

  

 

 

Treaty Year

 

 

 

July 1, 2022

 

 

July 1, 2021

 

 

 

to

 

 

to

 

Line of Business

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Lines:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Umbrella

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quota share treaty:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent ceded - first $1,000,000 of coverage

 

 

90%

 

 

90%

Percent ceded - excess of $1,000,000 dollars of coverage

 

 

95%

 

 

95%

Risk retained

 

$300,000

 

 

$300,000

 

Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence

 

$4,700,000

 

 

$4,700,000

 

Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage

 

$5,000,000

 

 

$5,000,000

 

Expiration date

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Lines (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________

 

 

(1)

Coverage on all commercial lines policies expired in September 2020; reinsurance coverage is based on treaties in effect on the date of loss.

 

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.

 

Ceding Commission Revenue

 

The Company earned ceding commission revenue under the 2023/2024 Treaty for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and under the 2021/2023 Treaty for the three months ended March 31, 2022, based on a fixed provisional commission rate at which provisional ceding commissions are earned. The Company earned ceding commission revenue under its expired quota share reinsurance agreements based on: (i) a fixed provisional commission rate at which provisional ceding commissions were earned, and (ii) a continuing 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 increase when the estimated ultimate loss ratio decreases and, conversely, the commission rate and contingent ceding commissions earned decrease when the estimated ultimate loss ratio increases.

 

 
27

Table of Contents

 

Ceding commission revenue consists of the following:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provisional ceding commissions earned

 

$5,446,808

 

 

$4,541,533

 

Contingent ceding commissions earned

 

 

(1,401)

 

 

139,863

 

 

 

$5,445,407

 

 

$4,681,396

 

 

Provisional ceding commissions are settled monthly. Balances due from reinsurers for contingent ceding commissions on quota share treaties are settled periodically based on the Loss Ratio of each treaty year that ends on June 30, for the expired treaties that were subject to contingent commissions. 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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, net contingent ceding commissions payable to reinsurers under all treaties was approximately $ $2,669,000 and $2,881,000, respectively, which is recorded in reinsurance balances payable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Expected Credit Losses – Uncollectible Reinsurance

 

The Company reviews reinsurance receivables which relate to both amounts already billed on ceded paid losses as well as ceded reserves that will be billed when losses are paid in the future. The Company has not recorded an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance as there is no perceived credit risk. The principal credit quality indicator used in the valuation of the allowance on reinsurance receivables is the financial strength rating of the reinsurer sourced from major rating agencies. Changes in the allowance are presented as a component of other underwriting expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

 

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”).  KICO is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of FHLBNY. Based on redemption provisions of FHLBNY, the stock has no quoted market value and is carried at cost.  At its discretion, FHLBNY may declare dividends on the stock. Management reviews for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the cost basis in the stock. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, no impairment has been recognized. 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. KICO is currently able to borrow on an overnight basis. If KICO has collateral, based on KICO’s net admitted assets, the maximum allowable advance as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $13,059,000 and $13,192,000, respectively. Available collateral as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $12,199,000 and $12,228,000, respectively. Advances are limited to 85% of the amount of available collateral. There were no borrowings under this facility during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

 
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Debt

 

Debt as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consists of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022 Notes, net

 

$17,536,524

 

 

$17,252,868

 

Equipment financing

 

 

7,639,495

 

 

 

7,905,655

 

Balance at end of period

 

$25,176,019

 

 

$25,158,523

 

 

Note and Warrant Exchange

 

On December 9, 2022, the Company entered into a Note and Warrant Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with several holders (the “Exchanging Noteholders”) of the Company’s outstanding 5.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2017 Notes”). On the date of the Exchange Agreement, the Exchanging Noteholders held 2017 Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $21,545,000 of the $30,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2017 Notes then outstanding. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, on December 15, 2022, the Exchanging Noteholders exchanged their respective 2017 Notes for the following: (i) new 12.0% Senior Notes due December 30, 2024 of the Company in the aggregate approximate principal amount of $19,950,000 (the “2022 Notes”); (ii) cash in the aggregate approximate amount of $1,595,000, together with accrued interest on the 2017 Notes; and (iii) three-year warrants for the purchase of an aggregate of 969,525 shares of Common Stock of the Company, exercisable at an exercise price of $1.00 per share (the “Warrants”). The remaining $8,455,000 principal amount of the 2017 Notes, together with accrued interest thereon, was paid on the maturity date of the 2017 Notes of December 30, 2022.

 

2022 Notes

 

On December 15, 2022, the Company issued $19,950,000 of its 2022 Notes pursuant to the Exchange Agreement. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 30 of each year, which will begin on June 30, 2023 at the rate of 12.0% per annum. Warrants were issued with a fair value of $993,200 (see Note 8 – Stockholders’ Equity) and transaction costs were $1,758,112, for an effective yield of 13.92% per annum. The balance of the 2022 Notes as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is as follows:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.0% Senior Unsecured Notes

 

$19,950,000

 

 

$19,950,000

 

Warrants

 

 

(898,044)

 

 

(979,684)
Issuance costs

 

 

(1,515,432)

 

 

(1,717,448)
2022 Notes, net

 

$17,536,524

 

 

$17,252,868

 

 

The Company is required to make a mandatory redemption of the 2022 Notes on December 30, 2023, in an amount such that the aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon shall be equal to the amount by which the maximum Ordinary Dividend Paying Capacity of KICO (as defined below) measured as of December 15, 2023 exceeds the Company’s Holding Company Expenses (as defined below) for the calendar year ended December 31, 2023. “Ordinary Dividend Paying Capacity” means the sum, as measured on December 15, 2023, of (i) the maximum allowable amount of dividends that KICO is permitted to pay without seeking any regulatory approval in accordance with New York insurance regulations based on its statutory annual and quarterly financial statements filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as of and for the thirty-six (36) month period ended September 30, 2023 plus (ii) any dividends paid by KICO to the Company during the period beginning January 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2023. “Holding Company Expenses” means the sum of (i) cash interest expense paid or to be paid during the calendar year ended December 31, 2023 on the 2022 Notes, intercompany loans and any other indebtedness of the holding company on a stand-alone basis and (ii) other cash operating expenses, including taxes, paid or to be paid by the holding company during the calendar year ended December 31, 2023. The amount of other operating expenses paid in cash in the preceding clause (ii) shall not exceed $2.5 million. Holding Company Expenses will be determined based on the actual Holding Company Expenses for the nine months ending September 30, 2023, and an estimate of Holding Company Expenses for the three months ending December 30, 2023.

 

 
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The 2022 Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and are not the obligations of or guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries. The 2022 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 2022 Notes. The Notes rank equally in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness, but are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such secured indebtedness. In addition, the 2022 Notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

The 2022 Notes are redeemable, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than fifteen (15) nor more than sixty (60) days’ notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount thereof) if redeemed during the respective period set forth below, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date):

 

Period:

 

Percentage

 

 

 

 

 

December 30, 2022 to December 29, 2023

 

 

102.00%
December 30, 2023 to September 29, 2024

 

 

101.00%
September 30, 2024 to December 29, 2024

 

 

100.00%

 

As of the end of each calendar quarter, commencing with the calendar quarter ending December 31, 2022, the Company is subject to a leverage maintenance test (“Leverage Maintenance Test”), which requires that the Total Consolidated Indebtedness (as defined below) of the Company not be greater than 30% of Total Consolidated Capitalization (as defined below). As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the ratio as defined under the Leverage Maintenance Test was 29.7% and 26.7%, respectively. “Total Consolidated Indebtedness” is the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value in the case of any Indebtedness issued with more than de minimis original issue discount) of all outstanding long-term of the Company except for the sale leaseback transaction described below under “Equipment Financing”, any refinancing or any future sale leaseback transaction. “Total Consolidated Capitalization” is the amount equal to the sum of (x) Total Consolidated Indebtedness outstanding as of such date and (y) the total consolidated shareholders’ equity of the Company, excluding accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, as recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

 
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Equipment Financing

 

On October 27, 2022, KICO entered into a sale leaseback transaction, whereby KICO sold $8,096,824 of fixed assets to a bank. Under GAAP, the sale leaseback transaction is recorded as equipment financing (“Financing”). The provisions of the Financing require KICO to pay a monthly payment of principal and interest at the rate of 5.86% per annum totaling $126,877 for a term of 60 months, which commenced on October 27, 2022.  The terms of the Financing provide buyout options to KICO at the end of the 60 month term, which are as follows: 

 

 

·

At the end of the lease, KICO may purchase the fixed assets for a purchase price of $2,024,206, which is 25% of the original fixed asset cost of $8,096,824; or

 

 

 

 

·

KICO may renew the lease for 16 months at the same rental rate, which totals $2,030,036.

 

A provision of the Financing requires KICO to pledge collateral for the lease obligation. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the amount of required collateral was approximately $8,268,000 and $8,691,000, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the fair value of KICO’s pledged collateral was approximately $11,475,000 and $8,691,000, respectively, in United States Treasury securities.

 

Future contractual payment obligations under the Financing as of March 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

For the Year Ending December 31,

 

Total

 

Remainder of 2023

 

$822,212

 

2024

 

 

1,153,862

 

2025

 

 

1,223,293

 

2026

 

 

1,296,901

 

2027

 

 

1,119,021

 

 

 

 

5,615,289

 

2027 purchase price

 

 

2,024,206

 

Total

 

$7,639,495

 

 

Note 8 – Stockholders’ Equity

 

Dividends Declared and Paid

 

Dividends declared and paid on Common Stock were $-0- and $425,490 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. On November 11, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors determined to suspend regular quarterly dividends. Future dividend policy will be subject to the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

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 were initially 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). Non-statutory stock options granted under the 2014 Plan expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. The Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee determines the vesting provisions for stock awards granted under the 2014 Plan, subject to the provisions of the 2014 Plan. On August 5, 2020, the Company’s stockholders approved amendments to the 2014 Plan, including an increase in the maximum number of shares of Common Stock of the Company that are authorized to be issued pursuant to the 2014 Plan to 1,400,000. On May 10, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2014 Plan, subject to shareholder approval, to increase the maximum shares of Common Stock of the Company that are authorized to be issued pursuant to the 2014 Plan to 1,900,000.

 

 
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The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 include stock-based compensation expense for stock options totaling approximately $-0- and $6,000, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2022 is net of estimated forfeitures of approximately 18%. Such amounts have been included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) within other operating expenses.

 

No options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The fair value of stock options at the grant date are estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option - pricing 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 the Company’s stock options.

 

A summary of stock option activity under the Company’s 2014 Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2023 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, 2023

 

 

107,201

 

 

$8.31

 

 

 

1.92

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

Exercised

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

Expired/Forfeited

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2023

 

 

107,201

 

 

$8.31

 

 

 

1.66

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and Exercisable at March 31, 2023

 

 

107,201

 

 

$8.31

 

 

 

1.66

 

 

$-

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable at March 31, 2023 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 $1.34 closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on March 31, 2023. No options were exercised, forfeited or expired during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The total intrinsic value of options when forfeited are determined as of the date of forfeiture. The total intrinsic value of options when expired are determined as of the date of expiration.

 

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, 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.

 

As of March 31, 2023, there were no unvested options.

 

As of March 31, 2023, there were 204,399 shares reserved for grants under the 2014 Plan.

 

 
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Restricted Stock Awards

 

A summary of the restricted Common Stock activity under the Company’s 2014 Plan for three months ended March 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average Grant

Date Fair Value

per Share

 

 

Aggregate

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2023

 

 

366,597

 

 

$6.97

 

 

$2,555,181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

272,682

 

 

$1.37

 

 

$373,499

 

Vested

 

 

(60,951)

 

$6.51

 

 

$(396,868)

Forfeited

 

 

(600

)

 

$1.52

 

 

$(912

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2023

 

 

577,728

 

 

$3.77

 

 

$2,178,035

 

 

Fair value was calculated using the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, stock-based compensation for these grants was approximately $217,000 and $518,000, respectively, which is included in other operating expenses on the accompanying 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.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

On June 19, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Kingstone Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), subject to stockholder approval. Such approval was obtained on August 10, 2021. The purpose of the ESPP is to provide eligible employees of the Company with an opportunity to use payroll deductions to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased under the ESPP is 750,000, subject to adjustment as provided for in the ESPP. The ESPP was effective August 10, 2021 and expires on August 10, 2031. A maximum of 5,000 shares of Common Stock may be purchased by an employee during any offering period.

 

The initial offering period under the ESPP was from November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022 (“2021/2022 Offering”). There is currently no offering pursuant to the ESPP subsequent to October 31, 2022. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, stock-based compensation under the 2021/2022 Offering was approximately $6,000, which is included in other operating expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

 

At the end of the 2021/2022 Offering period, 33,222 shares of Common Stock were issued at $1.82 per share to participating employees for a total purchase of $60,464.

 

Warrants

 

In connection with the Exchange Agreement (see Note 7 – Debt – “Note and Warrant Exchange”), as additional consideration, on December 15, 2022, the Company issued warrants to the Exchanging Noteholders to purchase 969,525 shares of Common Stock. The fair value of the warrants, using the Black-Scholes valuation formula, was $993,200, which has been capitalized as a deferred financing cost of the 2022 Notes. The fair value of the warrants is being amortized over the life of the warrants, which is 36.5 months.

 

 
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The warrants are exercisable through December 30, 2025 at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. Holders of the warrants may exercise their outstanding warrants in cash, or, 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 warrants being exercised.

 

As of March 31, 2023, all warrants for the purchase of an aggregate of 969,525 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.

 

No warrants were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

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:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Deferred tax asset:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryovers (1)

 

$5,284,865

 

 

$3,828,947

 

Claims reserve discount

 

 

1,280,017

 

 

 

1,238,544

 

Unearned premium

 

 

3,513,318

 

 

 

3,574,840

 

Deferred ceding commission revenue

 

 

2,255,280

 

 

 

2,230,109

 

Net unrealized losses on securities

 

 

4,006,763

 

 

 

4,920,837

 

Other

 

 

478,495

 

 

 

503,692

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

16,818,738

 

 

 

16,296,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liability:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in KICO (2)

 

 

759,543

 

 

 

759,543

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

4,765,329

 

 

 

5,002,085

 

Intangibles

 

 

105,000

 

 

 

105,000

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

127,448

 

 

 

99,183

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

5,757,320

 

 

 

5,965,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax asset

 

$11,061,418

 

 

$10,331,158

 

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

(1) The deferred tax assets from net operating loss carryovers (“NOL”) are as follows:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

Type of NOL

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Expiration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Federal only, NOL from 2021 - 2023

 

$5,284,865

 

 

$3,828,947

 

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
State only (A)

 

 

2,375,669

 

 

 

2,276,595

 

 

December 2027 - December 2043 

 
Valuation allowance

 

 

(2,375,669)

 

 

(2,276,595)

 

 

 
State only, net of valuation allowance

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Total deferred tax asset from net operating loss carryovers

 

$5,284,865

 

 

$3,828,947

 

 

 

 

 

(A) Kingstone generates operating losses for state purposes and has prior year NOLs available. The state NOL as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $36,549,000 and $35,025,000, respectively. KICO, the Company’s insurance underwriting subsidiary, is not subject to state income taxes. KICO’s state tax obligations are paid through a gross premiums tax, which is included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) within other underwriting expenses. Kingstone has recorded a valuation allowance 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 2043.

 

(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 three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. 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, 2019 through December 31, 2021 remain subject to examination.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

Note 10 – Loss Per Common Share

 

Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Diluted loss per common share reflects, in periods in which it has a dilutive effect, the impact of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants as well as non-vested restricted stock awards.  The computation of diluted loss per common share excludes those options and warrants with an exercise price in excess of the average market price of the Company’s Common Stock during the periods presented.

 

The computation of diluted loss per common share excludes outstanding options, warrants and non-vested restricted stock awards in periods where the exercise of such options and warrants or vesting of such restricted stock awards would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, no options, warrants or restricted stock awards were included in the computation of diluted loss per common share as they would have been anti-dilutive for the relevant periods and, as a result, the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock used in the calculation of diluted loss per common share has not been adjusted for the effect of such options, warrants and non-vested restricted stock awards.

 

The reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock used in the calculation of basic and diluted loss per common share follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

 

10,756,913

 

 

 

10,630,450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities, common share equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Warrants

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Restricted stock awards

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding, used for computing diluted loss per share

 

 

10,756,913

 

 

 

10,630,450

 

 

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.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

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.

 

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. The lease had a term of seven years and two months expiring December 31, 2026. During January 2022, pursuant to a mutual agreement with the landlord at a cost of $40,000, the Cosi lease was terminated effective as of January 31, 2022.

 

Additional information regarding the Company’s office operating leases is as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Three months ended

 

Lease cost

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

Operating lease (1) (2)

 

$40,815

 

 

$46,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other information on operating leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash payments included in the measurement of lease liability reported in operating cash flows

 

$47,483

 

 

$53,003

 

Discount rate

 

 

5.50%

 

 

5.50%
Remaining lease term in years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICO

 

 

1.00

 

 

 

2.00

 

 

 

(1)

KICO rent expense is included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) within other underwriting expenses.

 

(2)

Cosi rent expense is included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) within other operating expenses.

 

The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities as of March 31, 2023:

 

For the Three Months Ending March 31,

 

Total

 

Remainder of 2023

 

$147,436

 

2024

 

 

49,145

 

Total undiscounted lease payments

 

 

196,581

 

Less: present value adjustment

 

 

15,595

 

Operating lease liability (1)

 

$180,986

 

 

 

(1)

The operating lease liability is recorded in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $40,815 and $46,938, respectively, and is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) within other underwriting expenses.

 

 
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Employment Agreements

 

Barry Goldstein, President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Board

 

Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2020

 

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 “Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement”).  The Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement became effective as of January 1, 2020 and expired on December 31, 2022. The Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement extended the expiration date of the employment agreement in effect for Mr. Goldstein from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022.

 

Pursuant to the Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein was 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 Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein was entitled to receive a long-term compensation (“LTC”) award 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 Second Amended Goldstein 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 was at least 14%).  Pursuant to the Third Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement (discussed below), Mr. Goldstein relinquished the right to receive the LTC.  Pursuant to the Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement, in the event that Mr. Goldstein’s employment was terminated by the Company without cause or he resigned for good reason (each as defined in the Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement), Mr. Goldstein would have been entitled to receive his base salary and the 6% bonus for the remainder of the term.  In addition, in the event of Mr. Goldstein’s death, his estate would have been entitled to receive his base salary and accrued bonus through the date of death. Further, in the event that Mr. Goldstein’s employment was terminated by the Company without cause or he resigned for good reason, or, in the event of the termination of Mr. Goldstein’s employment due to disability or death, Mr. Goldstein’s granted but unvested restricted stock awards would have vested.  Mr. Goldstein would have been entitled, under certain circumstances, to a payment equal to 3.82 times his then annual salary and his accrued 6% bonus in the event of the termination of his employment within eighteen months following a change of control of the Company.

 

Pursuant to the Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement, in January 2020, Mr. Goldstein received a grant of 157,431 shares of restricted stock under the terms of the Company’s 2014 Plan determined by dividing $1,250,000 by the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. This 2020 grant vested with respect to one-third of the award on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date and will vest with respect to one-sixth of the award on each of December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2024 based on the continued provision of services through such dates.  Also pursuant to the Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein received a grant, under the terms of the 2014 Plan, during January 2021, of 230,769 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.  This 2021 grant vested with respect to one-half of the award on the first anniversary of the grant date and will vest with respect to one-fourth of the award on each of December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2024 based on the continued provision of services through such dates.  Further, pursuant to the Second Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein received in 2020, 2021, and 2022 a grant, under the terms of the 2014 Plan 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. In January 2020, Mr. Goldstein was granted 17,191 shares of restricted stock pursuant to this provision. This grant vested with respect to one-third of the award on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date and will vest with respect to one-sixth of the award on each of December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2024 based on the continued provision of services through such dates.  In January 2021, Mr. Goldstein was granted 21,000 shares of restricted stock pursuant to this provision.  This grant vested with respect to one-half of the award on the first anniversary of the grant date and will vest with respect to one-fourth of the award on each of December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2024 based on the continued provision of services through such dates.  In January 2022, Mr. Goldstein was granted 27,300 shares of restricted stock pursuant to this provision.  This grant will vest with respect to one-half of the award on each of December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2024 based on the continued provision of services through such dates. Pursuant to the 2014 Plan, Mr. Goldstein’s unvested restricted stock awards will vest in the event of a change in control of the Company. In addition, in the event of the termination of Mr. Goldstein’s employment with the Company for any reason, his unvested restricted stock will vest.

 

 
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Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2023

 

On June 27, 2022, the Company and Mr. Goldstein entered into a third amended and restated employment agreement which took effect as of January 1, 2023, and expires on December 31, 2024 (the “Third Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement”).

 

Pursuant to the Third Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $500,000 and an annual bonus equal to 3% 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 1.25 times his base salary.  Pursuant to the Third Amended Goldstein Employment Agreement, Mr. Goldstein would be entitled to receive, under certain circumstances, a payment equal to 1.5 times his then annual base salary and his accrued bonus in the event of the termination of his employment within eighteen months following a change of control of the Company.

 

Meryl Golden, Chief Operating Officer

 

Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2021

 

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 as KICO’s President and Chief Operating Officer. The Golden Employment Agreement became effective as of September 25, 2019 (amended on December 24, 2020) and expired on December 31, 2022.

 

Pursuant to the Golden Employment Agreement, Ms. Golden was entitled to receive an annual salary of $500,000. The Golden Employment Agreement also provided 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 vested in four equal installments, with the first installment vesting on the grant date, and the remaining installments vesting on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date.   Pursuant to the Golden Employment Agreement, as amended, in each of January 2021 and January 2022, Ms. Golden was granted 30,000 shares of restricted Common Stock pursuant to the 2014 Plan. Each such grant will vest in three equal installments on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date.  Pursuant to the 2014 Plan, Ms. Golden’s outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards will vest in the event of a change in control of the Company.

 

 
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Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2023

 

On June 27, 2022, the Company and Ms. Golden entered into a second amended and restated employment agreement which took effect as of January 1, 2023, and expires on December 31, 2024 (the “Second Amended Golden Employment Agreement”).

 

Pursuant to the Second Amended Golden Employment Agreement, Ms. Golden is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $500,000 and an annual bonus equal to 3% 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 1.25 times her base salary. In addition, pursuant to the Second Amended Golden Employment Agreement, Ms. Golden is entitled to receive a grant, under the terms of the 2014 Plan, during each of January 2023 and January 2024, under certain circumstances, 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. In January 2023, Ms. Golden was granted 101,111 shares of restricted stock pursuant to this provision. The 2023 grant will vest with respect to one-half of the award on the first anniversary of the grant date and one-half of the award on December 31, 2024, based on the continued provision of services through such dates. The 2024 grant will vest on December 31, 2024, based on the continued provision of services through such date.  In the event that the Company is precluded from making a grant in 2024, then instead Ms. Golden shall be entitled to receive a cash bonus of $136,500 for such year. Further, pursuant to the Second Amended Golden Employment Agreement, Ms. Golden would be entitled to receive, under certain circumstances, a payment equal to 1.5 times her then annual base salary and her accrued bonus in the event of the termination of her employment within eighteen months following a change of control of the Company. 

  

Note 12 – Employee Benefit Plans

 

Employee Bonus Plan

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 the Company did not accrue for, or pay, bonuses related to an employee bonus plan. 

 

401 (k) Plan

 

The Company maintains a salary reduction plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) Plan”) for its qualified employees. The Company matches 100% of each participant’s contribution up to 4% of the participant’s eligible contribution. The Company incurred approximately $85,000 and $62,000, respectively, of expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, related to the 401(k) Plan, which is recorded in other underwriting expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). 

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

On June 18, 2018, the Company adopted the Kingstone Companies, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”). Effective December 22, 2022, the Company terminated the Deferred Compensation Plan. The assets of the Deferred Compensation Plan will be liquidated by making payments to Participants in full satisfaction of their interest in the Deferred Compensation Plan (“Termination Payments”), which Termination Payments will be made no earlier than December 22, 2023 and will be completed no later than December 22, 2024.

 

 
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The deferred compensation liability as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 amounted to $855,580 and $1,155,860, respectively, and is recorded in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Note 13 – Subsequent Events

 

The Company has evaluated events that occurred subsequent to March 31, 2023 through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued for matters that required disclosure or adjustment in these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

A.M. Best

 

On May 4, 2023, KICO’s A.M. Best financial strength rating was downgraded from B (Fair) to B- (Fair) and its long-term issuer credit rating was downgraded from “bb” (Fair) to “bb-” (Fair). The outlook of the credit ratings remained at negative.

 

Equity Participation Plan

 

On May 10, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2014 Plan, subject to shareholder approval, to increase the maximum shares of Common Stock of the Company that are authorized to be issued pursuant to the 2014 Plan to 1,900,000 (see Note 8 – Stockholders’ Equity).

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

We offer property and casualty insurance products through our wholly owned subsidiary, Kingstone Insurance Company (“KICO”). KICO’s insureds are located primarily in downstate New York, consisting of New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, although we are writing business in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. We are licensed in the States of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maine, and New Hampshire. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, 87.0% of KICO’s direct written premiums came from the New York policies.

 

In addition, our subsidiary, Cosi Agency, Inc. (“Cosi”), a multi-state licensed general agency, 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 (“Net Cosi Revenue”). Commission expense is reduced by Net Cosi Revenue and Cosi-related operating expenses are included in other operating expenses. Cosi-related operating expenses are not included in our stand-alone insurance underwriting business and, accordingly, Cosi’s 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.

 

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 are primarily, occupancy and consulting costs.

 

 
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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 liability: 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 as of July 31, 2019 for these lines were non-renewed at the end of their annual terms.  As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no commercial liability policies in-force. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, these expired policies represent approximately 16.3% and 17.9%, respectively, 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.

 

Key Measures

 

We utilize the following key measures in analyzing the results of our insurance underwriting business:

 

Net loss ratio: The net loss ratio is a measure of the underwriting profitability of an insurance company’s business.  Expressed as a percentage, this is the ratio of net losses and 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.

 

 
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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.

 

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, and the current economic environment, and other factors, in forming its estimates and judgments of 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 comparability of our results of operations to those of similar companies. See the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section within Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for further information.

 

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 been reported prior to the reporting date, amounts recoverable from third party reinsurers, deferred income taxes, allowance for credit losses of investment securities, and the valuation of warrants. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and Note 2 of the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report for accounting policies regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023.

     

Kingstone 2.0 (completed) and Kingstone 3.0 (underway)

 

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2019, a series of strategic initiatives, coined “Kingstone 2.0” were commenced to modernize our Company.  The pillars of the new strategy were as follows:

 

 

1.

Strengthen the management team by adding highly qualified professionals with deep domain experience and diverse backgrounds;

 

 

 

 

2.

Reduce expenses and increase efficiency by embracing technology including converting to a new policy management system, retiring multiple legacy systems and starting up a new claims system, among other technology initiatives;

 

 

 

 

3.

Develop and implement a new, more highly segmented product suite (Kingstone Select) which better matches rate to risk using advanced analytics and an abundance of data; and

 

 

 

 

4.

Better manage the Company’s catastrophe exposure in order to reduce loss cost and the growth rate of our Probable Maximum Loss (“PML”) in order to mitigate the impact of the emerging “hard market” in catastrophe reinsurance.

 

 
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We announced the substantive completion of Kingstone 2.0 in late 2022 and embarked on a new strategy to optimize our in-force business, which we coined as “Kingstone 3.0”.  The four pillars of this new strategy entail:

 

 

1.

Aggressively reducing the book of business in non-New York states, which has had a disproportionately negative impact on underwriting results, by slowing new business, re-underwriting the book, culling the agent base, reducing commissions, or other means, subject to regulatory constraints;

 

 

 

 

2.

Adjusting pricing to stay ahead of loss trends, including inflation, by filing the maximum annual rate change that can be supported in each state and product and ensuring all policyholders are insured to value;

 

 

 

 

3.

Tightly managing reinsurance requirements and costs, using risk selection and other underwriting capabilities to manage the growth rate of our PML; and

 

 

 

 

4.

Continuing expense reduction focus with a goal of reducing the net expense ratio to 33% by year-end 2024.

 

We believe that the actions taken will have the intended effect and will result in a return to profitability for the Company beginning in 2023.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

 

                The following table summarizes the changes in the results of our operations (in thousands) for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Change

 

 

Percent

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct written premiums

 

$47,597

 

 

$42,984

 

 

$4,613

 

 

 

10.7%

Assumed written premiums

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

na

%

 

 

 

47,597

 

 

 

42,984

 

 

 

4,613

 

 

 

10.7%

Ceded written premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceded to quota share treaties (1)

 

 

15,588

 

 

 

10,146

 

 

 

5,442

 

 

 

53.6%

Ceded to excess of loss treaties

 

 

1,073

 

 

 

857

 

 

 

216

 

 

 

25.2%

Ceded to catastrophe treaties

 

 

6,967

 

 

 

7,063

 

 

 

(96)

 

 

(1.4)%

Total ceded written premiums

 

 

23,628

 

 

 

18,066

 

 

 

5,562

 

 

 

30.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

 

23,969

 

 

 

24,918

 

 

 

(949)

 

 

(3.8)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in unearned premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct and assumed

 

 

2,333

 

 

 

2,393

 

 

 

(60)

 

 

(2.5)%

Ceded to quota share treaties (1)

 

 

1,953

 

 

 

(638)

 

 

2,591

 

 

na

%

Change in net unearned premiums

 

 

4,286

 

 

 

1,755

 

 

 

2,531

 

 

 

144.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct and assumed

 

 

49,930

 

 

 

45,376

 

 

 

4,554

 

 

 

10.0%

Ceded to reinsurance treaties

 

 

(21,675)

 

 

(18,703)

 

 

(2,972)

 

 

(15.9)%

Net premiums earned

 

 

28,255

 

 

 

26,673

 

 

 

1,582

 

 

 

5.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceding commission revenue (1)

 

 

5,445

 

 

 

4,681

 

 

 

764

 

 

 

16.3%

Net investment income

 

 

1,541

 

 

 

1,359

 

 

 

182

 

 

 

13.4%

Net gains (losses) on investments

 

 

1,225

 

 

 

(4,398)

 

 

5,623

 

 

na

%

Other income

 

 

161

 

 

 

236

 

 

 

(75)

 

 

(31.8)%

Total revenues

 

 

36,628

 

 

 

28,551

 

 

 

8,076

 

 

 

28.3%

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct and assumed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

 

31,910

 

 

 

26,509

 

 

 

5,401

 

 

 

20.4%

Losses from catastrophes (2)

 

 

5,386

 

 

 

6,837

 

 

 

(1,451)

 

 

(21.2)%

Total direct and assumed loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

37,296

 

 

 

33,346

 

 

 

3,950

 

 

 

11.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

 

10,614

 

 

 

6,587

 

 

 

4,027

 

 

 

61.1%

Losses from catastrophes (2)

 

 

1,643

 

 

 

3,818

 

 

 

(2,175)

 

 

(57.0)%

Total ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

12,257

 

 

 

10,405

 

 

 

1,852

 

 

 

17.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

 

21,296

 

 

 

19,922

 

 

 

1,374

 

 

 

6.9%

Losses from catastrophes (2)

 

 

3,743

 

 

 

3,019

 

 

 

724

 

 

 

24.0%

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

25,039

 

 

 

22,941

 

 

 

2,098

 

 

 

9.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission expense

 

 

8,540

 

 

 

8,351

 

 

 

189

 

 

 

2.3%

Other underwriting expenses

 

 

6,872

 

 

 

6,816

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

0.8%

Other operating expenses

 

 

663

 

 

 

882

 

 

 

(219)

 

 

(24.8)%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

808

 

 

 

770

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

4.9%

Interest expense

 

 

1,010

 

 

 

457

 

 

 

553

 

 

 

121.0%

Total expenses

 

 

42,931

 

 

 

40,217

 

 

 

2,715

 

 

 

6.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before taxes

 

 

(6,304)

 

 

(11,666)

 

 

5,362

 

 

 

46.0%

Income tax benefit

 

 

(1,249)

 

 

(2,468)

 

 

1,219

 

 

 

49.4%

Net loss

 

$(5,055)

 

$(9,198)

 

$4,142

 

 

 

45.0%

 

(Columns in the table above may not sum to totals due to rounding)

 

 

(1)

Effective December 31, 2021, we entered into a 30% personal lines quota share treaty.

 

(2)

The three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 include 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.

 

 
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Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Percentage

Point Change

 

 

Percent

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss ratio

 

 

88.6%

 

 

86.0%

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

3.0%

Net underwriting expense ratio

 

 

34.7%

 

 

38.5%

 

 

(3.8)

 

 

(9.9)%

Net combined ratio

 

 

123.3%

 

 

124.5%

 

 

(1.2)

 

 

(1.0)%

 

Direct Written Premiums

 

Direct written premiums during the three months ended March 31, 2023 (“Three Months 2023”) were $47,597,000 compared to $42,984,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2022 (“Three Months 2022”). The increase of $4,613,000, or 10.7%, was primarily due an increase in premiums from our personal lines business.

 

Direct written premiums from our personal lines business for Three Months 2023 were $44,171,000, an increase of $4,008,000, or 10.0%, from $40,163,000 in Three Months 2022. The 10.0% increase in premiums from our personal lines business was primarily due to rate increases offset by the decrease in premiums associated with a 2.1% decrease in policies in force as of March 31, 2023 compared to March 31, 2022. The rate increases achieved along with a decrease in policies in force is in accordance with both our Kingstone 2.0 and Kingstone 3.0 strategic plans. 

 

Direct written premiums from our livery physical damage business for Three Months 2023 were $3,406,000, an increase of $633,000, or 22.8%, from $2,773,000 in Three Months 2022. The increase in livery physical damage direct written premiums was due to an increasing number of policies and an increase in the values of the autos insured.

 

                Beginning in 2017, we started writing personal lines policies in New Jersey. Through 2019 we expanded to Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. 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 Core business were $41,424,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $34,684,000 in Three Months 2022.   Direct written premiums from our Expansion business were $6,173,000 in Three Months 2023 down from $8,336,000 in Three Months 2022 consistent with a key pillar of our Kingstone 3.0 strategy to reduce our Expansion business due to profitability concerns.

 

Net Written Premiums and Net Premiums Earned

 

Effective December 31, 2021, we entered into a quota share reinsurance treaty for our personal lines business covering the period from December 31, 2021 through January 1, 2023 (“2021/2023 Treaty”). Upon the expiration of the 2021/2023 Treaty on January 1, 2023, we entered into a new quota share reinsurance treaty for our personal lines business, covering the period from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024 (“2023/2024 Treaty”).  Net written premiums decreased $949,000, or 3.8%, to $23,969,000 in Three Months 2023 from $24,918,000 in Three Months 2022. Net written premiums include direct premiums, less the amount of written premiums ceded under our reinsurance treaties (quota share, excess of loss, and catastrophe). In Three Months 2023, our premiums ceded under quota share treaties increased by $5,442,000 in comparison to ceded premiums in Three Months 2022 (see table above). The increase in Three Months 2023 was attributable to the runoff of an 8.5% portion of the 30% 2021/2023 Treaty.  The remainder of the 2021/2023 Treaty was on a cutoff basis and the new 2023/2024 Treaty was placed for 30% on January 1, 2023. Our personal lines business was subject to the 2023/2024 Treaty in Three Months 2023, and the 2021-2023 Treaty in Three Months 2022.

 

 
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Excess of loss reinsurance treaties

 

An increase in written premiums will increase the premiums ceded under our excess of loss treaties. In Three Months 2023, our ceded excess of loss reinsurance premiums increased by $216,000 over the comparable ceded premiums for Three Months 2022. The increase was due to an increase in subject premiums and the heightened cost of coverage obtained. Effective January 1, 2022, we entered into an underlying excess of loss reinsurance treaty covering the period from January 1, 2022 through January 1, 2023. The treaty provides 50% reinsurance coverage for losses of $400,000 in excess of $600,000. Losses from named storms are excluded from the treaty. Effective January 1, 2023, the Underlying XOL Treaty was renewed covering the period from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024.

 

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. An increase in our personal lines business results in an increase in premiums ceded under our catastrophe treaties if reinsurance rates are stable or are increasing. In accordance with our Kingstone 2.0 and Kingstone 3.0 goals, we have reduced our PML, and in the Three Months 2023, our premiums ceded under catastrophe treaties decreased by $96,000 as compared to the comparable ceded premiums in Three Months 2022, in spite of a large catastrophe reinsurance rate increase on our book effective July 1, 2022.

 

Net premiums earned

 

Net premiums earned increased $1,582,000, or 5.9%, to $28,255,000 in Three Months 2023 from $26,673,000 in Three Months 2022. The increase was due in part to the 10.7% increase in direct written premiums during Three Months 2023, but also from the increased premiums written in prior periods due to rate increases and increased replacement costs. The run-off of a portion of the 2021-2023 Treaty increased the premiums ceded and reduced the growth of net premiums earned. 

 

Ceding Commission Revenue

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the components of ceding commission revenue (in thousands) for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Change

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provisional ceding commissions earned

 

$5,447

 

 

$4,542

 

 

$905

 

 

 

19.9%

Contingent ceding commissions earned

 

 

(1)

 

 

140

 

 

 

(141)

 

n/a

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total ceding commission revenue

 

$5,445

 

 

$4,681

 

 

$764

 

 

 

16.3%

 

(Columns in the table above may not sum to totals due to rounding)

 

 
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Ceding commission revenue was $5,445,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $4,681,000 in Three Months 2022. The increase of $764,000 was due to an increase in provisional ceding commissions earned offset by a decrease in contingent ceding commissions earned. See below for a discussion of provisional ceding commissions earned and contingent ceding commissions earned.

 

Provisional Ceding Commissions Earned

 

In Three Months 2023 we earned provisional ceding commissions of $5,447,000 from personal lines earned premiums ceded under the 2023/2024 Treaty, and in Three Months 2022 we earned provisional ceding commissions of $4,542,000 from personal lines earned premiums ceded under the 2021/2023 Treaty. The increase of $905,000 in provisional ceding commissions earned was due to the increase premiums ceded under these treaties during Three Months 2023 compared to Three Months 2022.

 

Contingent Ceding Commissions Earned

 

The structure of the 2023/2024 Treaty and the 2021/2023 Treaty calls for a fixed provisional ceding commission with no opportunity to earn additional contingent ceding commissions. Under our prior years’ quota share treaties, we received 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 received.  

 

Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income was $1,541,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $1,359,000 in Three Months 2022, an increase of $182,000, or 13.4%. The increase was due to higher interest rates earned on cash balances The average yield on non-cash invested assets was 3.35% as of March 31, 2023 compared to 3.39% as of March 31, 2022.

 

Cash and invested assets were $190,665,000 as of March 31, 2023 compared to $203,888,000 as of March 31, 2022. The $13,223,000 decrease in cash and invested assets was primarily attributable to increased disbursements of loss costs in connection with higher severity and inflation’s impact on losses along with catastrophe losses incurred in 2023 and prior periods.  An increase in unrealized losses on our investment portfolio also contributed to the reduction.

 

Net Gains (Losses) on Investments

 

Net gains on investments were $1,225,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to net (losses) of $(4,398,000) in Three Months 2022. Unrealized gains on our equity securities and other investments in Three Months 2023 were $1,228,000, compared to net unrealized (losses) of $(4,476,000) in Three Months 2022. Realized (losses) on sales of investments were $(3,000) in Three Months 2023 compared to realized gains of $78,000 in Three Months 2022.

 

Other Income

 

                Other income was $161,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $236,000 in Three Months 2022, a decrease of $75,000, or 31.8%.

 

Net Loss and LAE

 

Net loss and LAE was $25,039,000 for Three Months 2023 compared to $22,941,000 for Three Months 2022. The net loss ratio was 88.6% in Three Months 2023 compared to 86.0% in Three Months 2022, an increase of 2.6 percentage points.

 

 
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                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:

 

king_10qimg68.jpg

 

(Percent components may not sum to totals due to rounding)

 

For Three Months 2023, the net loss ratio was higher than for Three Months 2022 mainly driven by an increased number of large losses, attendant to fire and water claims.

 

There were two winter storm events classified as a catastrophe for Three Months 2023, including a major one at the beginning of February. The estimated total net catastrophe losses for the calendar quarter were $3,743,000, which contributed 13.2 points to the loss ratio. This compares to an 11.3-point impact from catastrophe events for Three Months 2022.

 

The underlying loss ratio (loss ratio excluding the impact of catastrophe and prior year development) was 75.4% for Three Months 2023, an increase of 0.7 points from the 74.7% underlying loss ratio recorded for Three Months 2022. Unlike Three Months 2022 which was heavily impacted by non-catastrophe weather losses, the Three Months 2023 underlying loss ratio was high due to an increased number of large non-weather losses, primarily water.

 

 
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Prior year development was stable for Three Months 2023 as compared to Three Months 2022. There was an overall favorable development of $3,000, which had a minimal impact on the net loss ratio.

 

See table below under “Additional Financial Information” summarizing net loss ratios by line of business.

 

Commission Expense

 

Commission expense was $8,540,000 in Three Months 2023 or 17.1% of direct earned premiums. Commission expense was $8,351,000 in Three Months 2022 or 18.4% of direct earned premiums. The increase of $189,000 was primarily due to an increase in direct earned premiums of $4,554,000 to $49,930,000 but offset in part by a reduction of commission rates on our on our legacy policies in accordance with Kingsone 3.0 as well as the lower commission rate paid on Select products as compared to legacy.

 

Other Underwriting Expenses

 

Other underwriting expenses were $6,872,000, or 13.8% of direct earned premiums, in Three Months 2023 compared to $6,816,000, or 15.0% of direct earned premiums, in Three Months 2022. The increase of $56,000, or 0.8%, was primarily due to increases in expenses related to our growth in direct earned premiums and salaries, partially offset by decreases in professional fees and policy management system fees as result of the completion of our policy management system conversion, allowing us to eliminate multiple legacy systems.

 

Our largest single component of other underwriting expenses is salaries and employment costs, with costs of $2,933,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $2,549,000 in Three Months 2022. The increase of $384,000, or 15.1%, is greater than the 10.7% increase in direct written premiums. In the periods following Three Months 2022, we continued to strengthen our professional team by investing in the hiring of higher-level and higher compensated managers and staff needed to manage the business consistent with our Kingstone 2.0 and Kingstone 3.0 strategies.

 

 
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Our net underwriting expense ratio in Three Months 2023 was 34.7% compared to 38.5% in Three Months 2022. The following table shows the individual components of our net underwriting expense ratio for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Point Change

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employment costs

 

 

10.4%

 

 

9.6

%

 

0.8

 

Underwriting fees (inspections/surveys)

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

(0.1)

IT expenses

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

(1.0)

Professional fees

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

(0.6)

Other expenses

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

(0.4

)

Total other underwriting expenses

 

 

24.3

 

 

 

25.6

 

 

 

(1.3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission expense

 

 

30.2

 

 

 

31.3

 

 

 

(1.1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceding commission revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provisional

 

 

(19.3)

 

 

(17.0)

 

 

(2.3)

Contingent

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

0.5

Total ceding commission revenue

 

 

(19.3)

 

 

(17.5)

 

 

(1.8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

 

(0.6)

 

 

(0.9)

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net underwriting expense ratio

 

 

34.7%

 

 

38.5

%

 

(3.8

)

 

(Components may not sum to totals due to rounding)

 

 
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Other Operating Expenses

 

Other operating expenses, related to the expenses of our holding company and Cosi, were $663,000 for Three Months 2023 compared to $882,000 for Three Months 2022. The following table shows a breakdown of the significant components of other operating expenses for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

Change

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employement costs

 

$94

 

 

$6

 

 

$88

 

 

 

1,466.7%

Bonuses

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

na

 

Equity compensation

 

 

217

 

 

 

530

 

 

 

(313)

 

 

(59.1)

Professional

 

 

92

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

87.8

 

Directors fees

 

 

69

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

(13)

 

 

(15.9)

Insurance

 

 

38

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

(2)

 

 

(5.0)

Other expenses

 

 

153

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

(22)

 

 

(12.6)

Total other operating expenses

 

$663

 

 

$882

 

 

$(219)

 

 

(24.8)%

 

(Components may not sum to totals due to rounding)

 

The decrease in Three Months 2023 of $219,000, or 24.8%, as compared to Three Months 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in equity compensation, partially offset by an increase in employment costs. The increase in employment costs was due to the hiring of our new Chief Financial Officer in Three Months 2023 and fluctuations in deferred compensation liability related to changes in the underlying invested portfolio.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization was $808,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $770,000 in Three Months 2022. The increase of $38,000, or 4.9%, in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to the completion and deployment of our customized policy management software as planned for in Kingstone 2.0, now allowing us to consolidate multiple legacy systems into one efficient system and retire those older more costly and less reliable systems.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense in Three Months 2023 was $1,010,000 compared to $457,000 in Three Months 2022, an increase of $553,000 or 121.0%. In Three Months 2023, as disclosed in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, we incurred increased interest expense in connection with  the 2022 Notes, which provide for interest at the rate of 12% per annum, and the 2022  equipment financing. In Three Months 2022, we incurred interest expense in connection with the 2017 Notes, our $30.0 million issuance of long-term debt in December 2017, which provided for interest at the rate of 5.5% per annum.

 

Income Tax Benefit

 

Income tax benefit in Three Months 2023 was $1,249,000, which resulted in an effective tax benefit rate of 19.8%. Income tax benefit in Three Months 2022 was $2,468,000, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 21.2%. Loss before taxes was $6,304,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $11,666,000 in Three Months 2022. The difference in effective tax rate is due to the effect of permanent differences in Three Months 2023 compared to Three Months 2022.

 

 
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Net Loss

 

Net loss was $5,055,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $9,198,000 in Three Months 2022. The decrease in net loss of $4,142,000 was due to the circumstances described above.

 

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.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Gross premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal lines

 

$44,170,938

 

 

$40,163,149

 

Livery physical damage

 

 

3,405,668

 

 

 

2,773,280

 

Other(1)

 

 

20,840

 

 

 

47,468

 

Total gross premiums written

 

$47,597,446

 

 

$42,983,897

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal lines

 

$20,551,687

 

 

$22,110,665

 

Livery physical damage

 

 

3,405,668

 

 

 

2,773,280

 

Other(1)

 

 

11,392

 

 

 

34,243

 

Total net premiums written

 

$23,968,747

 

 

$24,918,188

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal lines

 

$25,019,085

 

 

$24,160,216

 

Livery physical damage

 

 

3,211,834

 

 

 

2,474,565

 

Other(1)

 

 

24,034

 

 

 

38,599

 

Total net premiums earned

 

$28,254,953

 

 

$26,673,380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses(3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal lines

 

$22,569,609

 

 

$21,036,154

 

Livery physical damage

 

 

1,385,141

 

 

 

830,569

 

Other(1)

 

 

151,607

 

 

 

(23,400)
Unallocated loss adjustment expenses

 

 

891,090

 

 

 

969,393

 

Total without commercial lines

 

 

24,997,447

 

 

 

22,812,716

 

Commercial lines (in run-off effective July 2019)(2)

 

 

41,963

 

 

 

128,482

 

Total net loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

$25,039,410

 

 

$22,941,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss ratio(3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal lines

 

 

90.2%

 

 

87.1%
Livery physical damage

 

 

43.1%

 

 

33.6%
Other(1)

 

 

630.8%

 

 

-60.6%

Total without commercial lines

 

 

88.5%

 

 

85.5%
Commercial lines (in run-off effective July 2019)(2)

 

na

 

 

na

 

Total

 

 

88.6%

 

 

86.0%

 

 

(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 discussion above with regard to “Net Loss and LAE”, as to catastrophe losses in the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

 
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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

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$28,254,953

 

 

$26,673,380

 

Ceding commission revenue

 

 

5,445,407

 

 

 

4,681,396

 

Net investment income

 

 

1,541,492

 

 

 

1,359,100

 

Net gains (losses) on investments

 

 

1,184,248

 

 

 

(4,351,744)

Other income

 

 

158,826

 

 

 

228,507

 

Total revenues

 

 

36,584,926

 

 

 

28,590,639

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

25,039,410

 

 

 

22,941,198

 

Commission expense

 

 

8,539,762

 

 

 

8,351,086

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

 

6,871,619

 

 

 

6,815,949

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

808,130

 

 

 

760,015

 

Interest expense

 

 

114,472

 

 

 

-

 

Total expenses

 

 

41,373,393

 

 

 

38,868,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(4,788,467)

 

 

(10,277,609)

Income tax benefit

 

 

(938,223)

 

 

(2,187,260)

Net loss

 

$(3,850,244)

 

$(8,090,349)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Measures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss ratio

 

 

88.6%

 

 

86.0%

Net underwriting expense ratio

 

 

34.7%

 

 

38.5%

Net combined ratio

 

 

123.3%

 

 

124.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net underwriting expense ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

 

$15,411,381

 

 

$15,167,035

 

Less: Ceding commission revenue

 

 

(5,445,407)

 

 

(4,681,396)

Less: Other income

 

 

(158,826)

 

 

(228,507)

Net underwriting expenses

 

$9,807,148

 

 

$10,257,132

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$28,254,953

 

 

$26,673,380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Underwriting Expense Ratio

 

 

34.7%

 

 

38.5%

 

 
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                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

 

Three months ended March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written premiums

 

$47,597,446

 

 

$-

 

 

$(23,628,699)

 

$23,968,747

 

Change in unearned premiums

 

 

2,332,884

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,953,322

 

 

 

4,286,206

 

Earned premiums

 

$49,930,330

 

 

$-

 

 

$(21,675,377)

 

$28,254,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

$31,910,005

 

 

$-

 

 

$(10,613,543)

 

$21,296,462

 

Catastrophe loss

 

 

5,385,831

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,642,883)

 

 

3,742,948

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

$37,295,836

 

 

$-

 

 

$(12,256,426)

 

$25,039,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

 

63.9%

 

 

0.0%

 

 

49.0%

 

 

75.4%

Catastrophe loss

 

 

10.8%

 

 

0.0%

 

 

7.6%

 

 

13.2%

Loss ratio

 

 

74.7%

 

 

0.0%

 

 

56.5%

 

 

88.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written premiums

 

$42,983,897

 

 

$-

 

 

$(18,065,709)

 

$24,918,188

 

Change in unearned premiums

 

 

2,392,727

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(637,535)

 

 

1,755,192

 

Earned premiums

 

$45,376,624

 

 

$-

 

 

$(18,703,244)

 

$26,673,380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

$26,508,664

 

 

$-

 

 

$(6,586,890)

 

$19,921,774

 

Catastrophe loss

 

 

6,837,400

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3,817,976)

 

 

3,019,424

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

$33,346,064

 

 

$-

 

 

$(10,404,866)

 

$22,941,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

 

58.4%

 

 

0.0%

 

 

35.2%

 

 

74.7%

Catastrophe loss

 

 

15.1%

 

 

0.0%

 

 

20.4%

 

 

11.3%

Loss ratio

 

 

73.5%

 

 

0.0%

 

 

55.6%

 

 

86.0%

 

(Percent components may not sum to totals due to rounding)

 

 
56

Table of Contents

 

The key measures for our insurance underwriting business for the periods indicated are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$28,254,953

 

 

$26,673,380

 

Ceding commission revenue

 

 

5,445,407

 

 

 

4,681,396

 

Other income

 

 

158,826

 

 

 

228,507

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses (1)

 

 

25,039,410

 

 

 

22,941,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission expense

 

 

8,539,762

 

 

 

8,351,086

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

 

6,871,619

 

 

 

6,815,949

 

Total acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

 

 

15,411,381

 

 

 

15,167,035

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting loss

 

$(6,591,605)

 

$(6,524,950)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Measures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

 

75.4%

 

 

74.7%

Effect of catastrophe loss on net loss ratio (1)

 

 

13.2%

 

 

11.3%

Net loss ratio

 

 

88.6%

 

 

86.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net underwriting expense ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

 

34.7%

 

 

38.5%

Effect of catastrophe loss on net underwriting expense ratio

 

 

0.0%

 

 

0.0%

Net underwriting expense ratio

 

 

34.7%

 

 

38.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes

 

 

110.1%

 

 

113.2%

Effect of catastrophe loss on net combined ratio (1)

 

 

13.2%

 

 

11.3%

Net combined ratio

 

 

123.3%

 

 

124.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net underwriting expense ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

 

$15,411,381

 

 

$15,167,035

 

Less: Ceding commission revenue

 

 

(5,445,407)

 

 

(4,681,396)

Less: Other income

 

 

(158,826)

 

 

(228,507)

 

 

$9,807,148

 

 

$10,257,132

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earned premium

 

$28,254,953

 

 

$26,673,380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Underwriting Expense Ratio

 

 

34.7%

 

 

38.5%

 

(1)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, includes the sum of net catastrophe losses and loss adjustment expenses of $3,742,948 and $3,019,424, respectively.

 

 
57

Table of Contents

 

Investments

 

Portfolio Summary

 

Fixed-Maturity Securities

 

The following table presents a breakdown of the amortized cost, estimated fair value, and gross unrealized gains and losses of our investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available-for-sale for which an allowance for credit loss has not been recorded, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

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 (1)

 

$21,988,099

 

 

$36,038

 

 

$(674)

 

$-

 

 

$22,023,463

 

 

 

14.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

17,098,969

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5,153)

 

 

(3,338,913)

 

 

13,754,903

 

 

 

8.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds Industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

80,264,856

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(777,717)

 

 

(6,479,111)

 

 

73,008,028

 

 

 

47.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities (2)

 

 

53,022,594

 

 

 

67,556

 

 

 

(496,219)

 

 

(6,739,006)

 

 

45,854,925

 

 

 

29.7%

Total fixed-maturity securities

 

$172,374,518

 

 

$103,594

 

 

$(1,279,763)

 

$(16,557,030)

 

$154,641,319

 

 

 

100.0%

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

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 (1)

 

$23,874,545

 

 

$1,479

 

 

$(6,928)

 

$-

 

 

$23,869,096

 

 

 

15.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

17,108,154

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2,195,273)

 

 

(1,771,494)

 

 

13,141,387

 

 

 

8.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds Industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

80,338,464

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5,796,994)

 

 

(2,458,985)

 

 

72,082,485

 

 

 

46.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities (2)

 

 

53,597,264

 

 

 

58,398

 

 

 

(882,664)

 

 

(7,150,803)

 

 

45,622,195

 

 

 

29.5%

Total fixed-maturity securities

 

$174,918,427

 

 

$59,877

 

 

$(8,881,859)

 

$(11,381,282)

 

$154,715,163

 

 

 

100.0%

 

 

(1)

In October 2022, KICO placed certain U.S. Treasury securities to fulfill the required collateral for a sale leaseback transaction in a designated custodian account (see Note 7 – Debt - “Equipment Financing”). As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the amount of required collateral was approximately $8,268,000 and $8,691,000, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the estimated fair value of the eligible collateral was approximately $11,475,000 and $8,691,000, respectively.

 

 

 

 

(2)

KICO has 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 – Debt – “Federal Home Loan Bank”). The eligible collateral would be pledged to FHLBNY if KICO draws an advance from the FHLBNY credit line. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the estimated fair value of the eligible investments was approximately $12,199,000 and $12,228,000, respectively. KICO will retain all rights regarding all securities if pledged as collateral. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 there was no outstanding balance on the FHLBNY credit line.

 

 
58

Table of Contents

 

Equity Securities

 

The following table presents a breakdown of the cost and estimated fair value of, and gross gains and losses on, investments in equity securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Estimated

 

Category

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stocks

 

$13,583,942

 

 

$-

 

 

$(2,906,623)

 

$10,677,319

 

 

 

73.0%

Common stocks and exchange traded funds

 

 

4,427,204

 

 

 

199,258

 

 

 

(681,232)

 

 

3,945,230

 

 

 

27.0%

Total

 

$18,011,146

 

 

$199,258

 

 

$(3,587,855)

 

$14,622,549

 

 

 

100.0%

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Estimated

 

Category

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stocks

 

$13,583,942

 

 

$-

 

 

$(3,589,313)

 

$9,994,629

 

 

 

72.2%

Common stocks and exchange traded funds

 

 

4,502,758

 

 

 

158,635

 

 

 

(821,632)

 

 

3,839,761

 

 

 

27.8%

Total

 

$18,086,700

 

 

$158,635

 

 

$(4,410,945)

 

$13,834,390

 

 

 

100.0%

 

Other Investments

 

The following table presents a breakdown of the cost and estimated fair value of, and gross gains on our other investments as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Estimated

 

Category

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge fund

 

$1,987,040

 

 

$1,148,409

 

 

$3,135,449

 

 

$1,987,040

 

 

$784,612

 

 

$2,771,652

 

 

 
59

Table of Contents

 

Held-to-Maturity Securities

 

The following table presents a breakdown of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of, and gross unrealized gains and losses on, investments in held-to-maturity securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-Maturity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$304,111

 

 

$-

 

 

$(56,461)

 

$-

 

 

$247,650

 

 

 

3.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

1,228,634

 

 

 

47,886

 

 

 

(24,108)

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,252,412

 

 

 

18.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange traded debt

 

 

498,769

 

 

 

1,661

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

500,430

 

 

 

7.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds Industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

5,733,582

 

 

 

40,048

 

 

 

(57,910)

 

 

(890,603)

 

 

4,825,117

 

 

 

70.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$7,765,096

 

 

$89,595

 

 

$(138,479)

 

$(890,603)

 

$6,825,609

 

 

 

100.0%

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-Maturity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$1,228,560

 

 

$28,400

 

 

$(34,077)

 

$-

 

 

$1,222,883

 

 

 

18.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States,  Territories and Possessions

 

 

498,638

 

 

 

2,092

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

500,730

 

 

 

7.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange traded debt

 

 

304,111

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(29,111)

 

 

-

 

 

 

275,000

 

 

 

4.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds Industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

5,734,831

 

 

 

36,968

 

 

 

(809,746)

 

 

(360,278)

 

 

4,601,775

 

 

 

69.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$7,766,140

 

 

$67,460

 

 

$(872,934)

 

$(360,278)

 

$6,600,388

 

 

 

100.0%

 

Held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury securities are held in trust pursuant to various states’ minimum fund requirements.

 

 
60

Table of Contents

 

A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of our investments in held-to-maturity securities by contractual maturity as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is shown below:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Estimated

 

Remaining Time to Maturity

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than one year

 

$708,744

 

 

$747,483

 

 

$708,535

 

 

$743,575

 

One to five years

 

 

1,120,700

 

 

 

1,098,253

 

 

 

1,120,507

 

 

 

1,088,522

 

Five to ten years

 

 

1,405,680

 

 

 

1,215,945

 

 

 

1,402,704

 

 

 

1,200,720

 

More than 10 years

 

 

4,529,972

 

 

 

3,763,928

 

 

 

4,534,394

 

 

 

3,567,571

 

Total

 

$7,765,096

 

 

$6,825,609

 

 

$7,766,140

 

 

$6,600,388

 

 

Credit Rating of Fixed-Maturity Securities

 

The table below summarizes the credit quality of our available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 as rated by Standard & Poor’s (or, if unavailable from Standard & Poor’s, then Moody’s, Fitch, or Kroll):

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Fair

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

$22,023,463

 

 

 

14.2%

 

$23,869,096

 

 

 

15.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and municipal bonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA

 

 

3,459,148

 

 

 

2.2%

 

 

1,824,478

 

 

 

1.2%

AA

 

 

8,645,706

 

 

 

5.6%

 

 

9,785,908

 

 

 

6.3%

A

 

 

31,859,418

 

 

 

20.7%

 

 

31,099,075

 

 

 

20.2%

BBB+

 

 

16,818,834

 

 

 

10.9%

 

 

16,682,159

 

 

 

10.8%

BBB

 

 

20,709,839

 

 

 

13.4%

 

 

19,664,051

 

 

 

12.7%

BBB-

 

 

3,612,910

 

 

 

2.3%

 

 

4,516,713

 

 

 

2.9%

Total corporate and municipal bonds

 

 

85,105,855

 

 

 

55.1%

 

 

83,572,384

 

 

 

54.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage backed, asset backed, and other collateralized obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA

 

 

36,783,170

 

 

 

23.8%

 

 

16,497,621

 

 

 

10.7%

AA

 

 

2,926,345

 

 

 

1.9%

 

 

23,062,233

 

 

 

14.9%

A

 

 

6,862,045

 

 

 

4.4%

 

 

6,722,902

 

 

 

4.3%

BBB

 

 

17,867

 

 

 

0.0%

 

 

20,067

 

 

 

0.0%

CCC

 

 

453,796

 

 

 

0.3%

 

 

457,683

 

 

 

0.3%

CC

 

 

97,266

 

 

 

0.1%

 

 

99,600

 

 

 

0.1%

D

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.0%

 

 

40,474

 

 

 

0.0%

Non rated

 

 

371,512

 

 

 

0.2%

 

 

373,103

 

 

 

0.2%

Total residential mortgage backed, asset backed, and other collateralized obligations

 

 

47,512,001

 

 

 

30.7%

 

 

47,273,683

 

 

 

30.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$154,641,319

 

 

 

100.0%

 

$154,715,163

 

 

 

100.0%

 

 
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The table below summarizes the average yield by type of fixed-maturity security as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

Category

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

 

 

2.23%

 

 

2.58%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

3.42%

 

 

3.58%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds Industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

3.62%

 

 

3.68%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage backed securities

 

 

2.75%

 

 

2.70%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

3.16%

 

 

3.20%

 

The table below lists the weighted average maturity and effective duration in years on our fixed-maturity securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Weighted average effective maturity

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average final maturity

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

13.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective duration

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

Fair Value Consideration

 

Fair value is 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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 65% of the investment portfolio recorded at fair value was priced based upon quoted market prices.

 

 
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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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

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

 

$5,542,768

 

 

$(674)

 

 

1

 

 

$-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$5,542,768

 

 

$(674)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

549,276

 

 

 

(5,153)

 

 

2

 

 

 

13,205,628

 

 

 

(3,338,913)

 

 

12

 

 

 

13,754,904

 

 

 

(3,344,066)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

24,592,198

 

 

 

(777,717)

 

 

33

 

 

 

48,415,831

 

 

 

(6,479,111)

 

 

57

 

 

 

73,008,029

 

 

 

(7,256,828)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities

 

 

8,454,568

 

 

 

(496,219)

 

 

15

 

 

 

36,667,595

 

 

 

(6,739,006)

 

 

32

 

 

 

45,122,163

 

 

 

(7,235,225)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed-maturity securities

 

$39,138,810

 

 

$(1,279,763)

 

 

51

 

 

$98,289,054

 

 

$(16,557,030)

 

 

101

 

 

$137,427,864

 

 

$(17,836,793)

 

 
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December 31, 2022

 

 

 

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

 

$18,918,196

 

 

$(6,928)

 

 

3

 

 

$-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$18,918,196

 

 

$(6,928)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political subdivisions of States, Territories and Possessions

 

 

7,970,633

 

 

 

(2,195,273)

 

 

9

 

 

 

5,170,753

 

 

 

(1,771,494)

 

 

5

 

 

 

13,141,386

 

 

 

(3,966,767)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other bonds industrial and miscellaneous

 

 

56,910,104

 

 

 

(5,796,994)

 

 

75

 

 

 

15,172,381

 

 

 

(2,458,985)

 

 

15

 

 

 

72,082,485

 

 

 

(8,255,979)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage and other asset backed securities

 

 

10,145,880

 

 

 

(882,664)

 

 

22

 

 

 

34,753,178

 

 

 

(7,150,803)

 

 

26

 

 

 

44,899,058

 

 

 

(8,033,467)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed-maturity securities

 

$93,944,813

 

 

$(8,881,859)

 

 

109

 

 

$55,096,312

 

 

$(11,381,282)

 

 

46

 

 

$149,041,125

 

 

$(20,263,141)

 

There were 152 securities at March 31, 2023 that accounted for the gross unrealized loss of our fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale, none of which were deemed to be credit losses by us. There were 155 securities at December 31, 2022 that accounted for the gross unrealized loss of our fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale, none of which were deemed to be credit losses by us. Significant factors influencing our determination that unrealized losses were temporary included credit quality considerations, the magnitude of the unrealized losses in relation to each security’s cost, the nature of the investment and interest rate environment factors, 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.

 

 
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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.

 

The primary source of cash flow for our holding company are dividends received from KICO, which are subject to statutory restrictions. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, KICO paid a dividend of $1,250,000 to us. As of March 31, 2023, KICO had a negative unassigned surplus and currently will not be able to pay any distributions to us without prior regulatory approval.   

 

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 – Investments to our condensed consolidated financial statements 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 is December 31, 2022, and are due and payable within 90 days of borrowing. The maximum allowable advance as of March 31, 2023, based on the net admitted assets as of December 31, 2022, was approximately $13,059,000. Available collateral as of March 31, 2023 was approximately $12,199,000. Advances are limited to 85% of the amount of available collateral. There were no borrowings under this facility during the three months ended March 31, 2023.  

 

On December 15, 2022, we issued $19,950,000 of our 2022 Notes pursuant to the Exchange Agreement. We are required to make a mandatory redemption payment with regard to the 2022 Notes on December 30, 2023 in an amount discussed in Note 7 – Debt of the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report. We are also required to make semi-annual interest payments in arrears on June 30 and December 30 of each year, commencing on June 30, 2023. The maturity date of the 2022 Notes is December 30, 2024.

 

 
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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:

 

Three Months ended March 31,

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows (used in) provided by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$(3,366,805)

 

$(17,388,078)

Investing activities

 

 

2,189,590

 

 

 

(285,069)

Financing activities

 

 

(280,260)

 

 

(783,565)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(1,457,475)

 

 

(18,456,712)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

11,958,228

 

 

 

24,290,598

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$10,500,753

 

 

$5,833,886

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $3,367,000 in Three Months 2023 as compared to $17,388,000 used in operating activities in Three Months 2022. The $14,021,000 decrease in cash flows used in operating activities in Three Months 2023 as compared to Three Months 2022 was primarily the result of a decrease in cash arising from net fluctuations in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by net loss (adjusted for non-cash items) of $744,000. The decrease in cash used in operating activities is also attributable to the payment of $13,245,000 to reinsurers in Three Months 2022 pursuant to the inception of our quota share reinsurance treaty, effective December 31, 2021. The net fluctuations in assets and liabilities are related to operating activities of KICO as affected by growth or declines in its operations, payments on claims and other changes, which are described above.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $2,190,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $285,000 used in investing activities in Three Months 2022 resulting in a $2,475,000 increase in net cash provided by investing activities. In Three Months 2023, we had net cash provided by our investment portfolio of $2,656,000, compared to $3,715,000 used in Three Months 2022. In addition, we decreased our acquisition of fixed assets by $1,099,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to Three Months 2022.

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $280,000 in Three Months 2023 compared to $784,000 used in Three Months 2022. The $504,000 decrease in net cash used in financing activities was attributable to no dividends being paid to shareholders in Three Months 2023 compared to $424,000 being paid in Three Months 2022 and a $357,000 decrease in withholding taxes paid on the vesting of restricted stock awards. The decreases in cash used in financing activities were partially offset by $266,000 of principal payments on the equipment financing in connection with KICO’s sale-leaseback transaction.

 

Reinsurance

 

Effective December 31, 2021, we entered into a quota share reinsurance treaty for our personal lines business, which primarily consists of homeowners’ and dwelling fire policies, covering the period from December 31, 2021 through January 1, 2023 (“2021/2023 Treaty”). Upon the expiration of the 2021/2023 Treaty on January 1, 2023, we entered into a new quota share reinsurance treaty for our personal lines business, covering the period from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024 (“2023/2024 Treaty”).

 

 
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We entered into new excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance treaties effective July 1, 2022. Effective January 1, 2022, we entered into an underlying excess of loss reinsurance treaty (“Underlying XOL Treaty”) covering the period from January 1, 2022 through January 1, 2023. The Underlying XOL Treaty provides 50% reinsurance coverage for losses of $400,000 in excess of $600,000. Losses from named storms are excluded from the Underlying XOL Treaty. Effective January 1, 2023, the Underlying XOL Treaty was renewed covering the period from January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024. Material terms for our reinsurance treaties in effect for the treaty years shown below are as follows:

 

 

 

Treaty Period

 

 

 

2023/2024 Treaty

 

 

2021/2023 Treaty

 

 

 

July 1,

 

 

January 1,

 

 

July 1,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

 

to

 

 

to

 

 

to

 

 

to

 

 

 

January 1,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

January 1,

 

 

June 30,

 

Line of Business

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Lines:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homeowners, dwelling fire and and canine legal liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quota share treaty:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent ceded (8)

 

 

30%

 

 

30%

 

 

30%

 

 

30%

Risk retained on intial $1,000,000 of losses (6) (7) (8)

 

$700,000

 

 

$700,000

 

 

$700,000

 

 

$700,000

 

Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage

 

$1,000,000

 

 

$1,000,000

 

 

$1,000,000

 

 

$1,000,000

 

Expiration date

 

January 1, 2024

 

 

January 1, 2024

 

 

January 1, 2023

 

 

January 1, 2023

 

Excess of loss coverage and facultative facility coverage (1) (6)

 

 

(7)

 

$8,400,000

 

 

$8,400,000

 

 

$8,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in excess of

 

 

in excess of

 

 

in excess of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$600,000

 

 

$600,000

 

 

$600,000

 

Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence (6) (7)

 

$500,000

 

 

$8,500,000

 

 

$8,500,000

 

 

$8,500,000

 

Losses per occurrence subject to reinsurance coverage

 

 

(7)

 

$8,000,000

 

 

$9,000,000

 

 

$9,000,000

 

Expiration date

 

 

(7)

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catastrophe Reinsurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial loss subject to personal lines quota share treaty (7)

 

$10,000,000

 

 

$10,000,000

 

 

$10,000,000

 

 

$10,000,000

 

Risk retained per catastrophe occurrence (8) (9)

 

 

(7)

 

$8,750,000

 

 

$7,400,000

 

 

$7,400,000

 

Catastrophe loss coverage in excess of quota share coverage (2)

 

 

(7)

 

$335,000,000

 

 

$335,000,000

 

 

$490,000,000

 

Catastrophe stub coverage for the period from October 18, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (5)

 

NA

 

 

NA

 

 

NA

 

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reinstatement premium protection (3) (4)

 

 

(7)

 

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 $9,000,000 in total insured value, which covers direct losses from $3,500,000 to $9,000,000 through June 30, 2023.

(2)

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.

 

 
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(3)

For the period December 31, 2021 through June 30, 2022, reinstatement premium protection for $70,000,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $10,000,000.

(4)

For the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, reinstatement premium protection for $9,800,000 of catastrophe coverage in excess of $10,000,000.

(5)

Excludes freeze and freeze related claims.

(6)

For the period January 1, 2022 through January 1, 2024, underlying excess of loss treaty provides 50% reinsurance coverage for losses of $400,000 in excess of $600,000. Reduces retention to $500,000 from $700,000 under the 2021/2023 Treaty and 2022/2023 Treaty. Excludes losses from named storms.

(7)

Excess of loss and facultative facility, and catastrophe treaties will expire on June 30, 2023; reinsurance coverage in effect from July 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024 is only for Personal lines quota share (homeowners, dwelling fire and canine liability) and underlying excess of loss reinsurance.

(8)

For the 2021/2023 Treaty, 4% of the 30% total of losses ceded under this treaty are excluded from a named catastrophe event. For the 2023/2024 Treaty, 17.5% of the 30% total of losses ceded under this treaty are excluded from a named catastrophe event.

(9)

Plus losses in excess of catastrophe coverage

 

 

 

Treaty Year

 

 

 

July 1, 2022

 

 

July 1, 2021

 

 

 

to

 

 

to

 

Line of Business

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Lines:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Umbrella

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quota share treaty:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent ceded - first $1,000,000 of coverage

 

 

90%

 

 

90%

Percent ceded - excess of $1,000,000 dollars of coverage

 

 

95%

 

 

95%

Risk retained

 

$300,000

 

 

$300,000

 

Total reinsurance coverage per occurrence

 

$4,700,000

 

 

$4,700,000

 

Losses per occurrence subject to quota share reinsurance coverage

 

$5,000,000

 

 

$5,000,000

 

Expiration date

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Lines (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Coverage on all commercial lines policies expired in September 2020; reinsurance coverage is based on treaties in effect on the date of loss.

 

Inflation

 

Premiums are established before we know the amount of losses and loss adjustment expenses or the extent to which inflation may affect such amounts. We attempt to anticipate the potential impact of inflation in establishing our reserves, especially as it relates to medical and hospital rates where historical inflation rates have exceeded the general level of inflation. Inflation in excess of the levels we have assumed could cause loss and loss adjustment expenses to be higher than we anticipated, which would require us to increase reserves and reduce earnings.

 

                Fluctuations in rates of inflation also influence interest rates, which in turn impact the market value of our investment portfolio and yields on new investments. Operating expenses, including salaries and benefits, generally are impacted by inflation.

 

Three Months 2023 included continuing economic inflation, which resulted in a sustained increase in interest rates, a widening of credit spreads, lower public equity valuations, and significant financial market volatility. The higher interest rates and widening of credit spreads previously reduced the value of our fixed income securities, saw a reversal which had previously lowered our stockholders’ equity materially in prior quarters. For Three Months 2023, the continuing economic inflation impacted our loss and loss adjustment expenses as well; should these trends continue in the near-term, it would in all likelihood negatively impact our results of operations.

 

 
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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.

 

Outlook

 

                The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial market volatility, economic uncertainty, and interruptions to normal business activities. As of the date of this report, we expect the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on claims currently under our coverages to be manageable, based on the information presently available. However, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of variant strains, continue to evolve and we cannot predict the extent to which our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital position, the value of investments we hold in our investment portfolio, the premiums we charge, the demand for our products, our ability to collect premiums or any requirement to return premiums to our policyholders will ultimately be impacted. The impact of COVID-19 on our results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 may not be indicative of its impact on our future results. For additional information on the risks posed by COVID-19, see “The impact of pandemics and other public heath issues (like COVID-19) and related risks could materially affect our results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity” included in Part I, Item 1A— “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC.

 

                Our net premiums earned may be impacted by a number of factors.  Net premiums earned are a function of net written premium volume.  Net written premiums comprise both renewal business and new business and are recognized as earned premium over the term of the underlying policies. Net written premiums from both renewal and new business are impacted by competitive market conditions as well as general economic conditions.  As a result of COVID-19, economic conditions in the United States rapidly deteriorated. The decreased levels of economic activity negatively impacted premium volumes generated by new business. We began to experience this impact in March 2020 and it became more significant in the second and third quarters of 2020. While we are now seeing a reversal of this impact, it may resume in the future, but the degree of any new impact will depend on the extent and duration of any economic contraction and could be material. We have also made underwriting changes to emphasize profitability over growth and have culled out the type of risks that do not generate an acceptable level of return.  This action has led, and may continue to lead, to a slowdown in premium growth, particularly in new business.

 

Item  3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

This item is not applicable to smaller reporting companies.

 

 
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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 March 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were: (i) effective 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) effective 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. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2023.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Inherent Limitation on Effectiveness of Controls

 

Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, and effected by the board of directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP including those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.  

 

                Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate.  

 

 
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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

None.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

For a discussion of the Company’s potential risks and uncertainties, see Part I, Item 1A— “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7— “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report filed with the SEC, and Part I, Item 2—”Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein, in each case as updated by the Company’s periodic filings with the SEC.  There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s 2022 Annual Report.

 

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

 

 

(a)

None.

 

 

 

 

(b)

Not applicable.

 

 

 

 

(c)

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

 
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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).

 

 

 

31(a)

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31(b)

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32+

 

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.

 

 
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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

KINGSTONE COMPANIES, INC.

    
Dated: May 15, 2023By:/s/ Barry B. Goldstein

 

 

Barry B. Goldstein 
  Chief Executive Officer  
    

Dated: May 15, 2023

By:

/s/ Jennifer Gravelle  

 

 

 

Jennifer Gravelle

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 
73