UNICO AMERICAN CORP - Quarter Report: 2008 March (Form 10-Q)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark
One)
x
Quarterly Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
For the quarterly period ended March
31, 2008 or
o Transition
report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
Commission File No. 0-3978
UNICO AMERICAN
CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as
Specified in Its Charter)
Nevada
|
95-2583928
|
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of
|
(I.R.S.
Employee
|
Incorporation or
Organization)
|
Identification
No.)
|
|
|
23251 Mulholland
Drive, Woodland Hills, California 91364
|
|
(Address of Principal Executive
Offices) (Zip
Code)
|
(818) 591-9800
(Registrant's Telephone Number,
Including Area Code)
No Change
(Former Name, Former Address and
Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
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 x No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of
“accelerator filer and large accelerator in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act. (Check one):
Large
accelerated filer o Accelerated
filer o
Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting
company x
(Do not
check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No
x
5,625,308
Number of shares of common stock
outstanding as of May 14, 2008
1 of 19
PART
1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
UNICO
AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
March
31
|
December
31
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Investments
|
||||||||
Available
for sale:
|
||||||||
Fixed
maturities, at market value (amortized cost: March 31, 2008
$134,111,143; December 31, 2007 $139,992,208)
|
$ | 139,608,891 | $ | 142,895,472 | ||||
Short-term
investments, at cost
|
14,985,626 | 7,356,159 | ||||||
Total
Investments
|
154,594,517 | 150,251,631 | ||||||
Cash
|
46,436 | 108,864 | ||||||
Accrued
investment income
|
1,227,361 | 1,554,741 | ||||||
Premiums
and notes receivable, net
|
4,817,192 | 5,066,646 | ||||||
Reinsurance
recoverable:
|
||||||||
Paid
losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
989,571 | 318,186 | ||||||
Unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
24,488,933 | 28,425,424 | ||||||
Deferred
policy acquisition costs
|
5,523,620 | 5,722,847 | ||||||
Property
and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation)
|
516,469 | 557,234 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
- | 686,910 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
761,149 | 1,083,378 | ||||||
Total Assets
|
$ | 192,965,248 | $ | 193,775,861 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
||||||||
LIABILITIES
|
||||||||
Unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
$ | 89,085,761 | $ | 94,730,711 | ||||
Unearned
premiums
|
21,546,879 | 22,742,612 | ||||||
Advance
premium and premium deposits
|
2,540,331 | 2,159,290 | ||||||
Income
taxes payable
|
94,331 | - | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
186,944 | - | ||||||
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
7,735,549 | 5,040,145 | ||||||
Total
Liabilities
|
$ | 121,189,795 | $ | 124,672,758 | ||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
Common
stock, no par – authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and
outstanding shares 5,625,308 at March 31, 2008, and 5,625,308 at
December 31, 2007
|
$ | 3,594,207 | $ | 3,594,207 | ||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive gain
|
3,628,514 | 1,916,154 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
|
64,552,732 | 63,592,742 | ||||||
Total Stockholders’
Equity
|
$ | 71,775,453 | $ | 69,103,103 | ||||
Total Liabilities and
Stockholders' Equity
|
$ | 192,965,248 | $ | 193,775,861 |
See notes
to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
2 of 19
UNICO
AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||
March 31
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
REVENUES
|
||||||||
Insurance
Company Revenues
|
||||||||
Premium
earned
|
$ | 11,146,946 | $ | 12,740,333 | ||||
Premium
ceded
|
2,222,180 | 3,031,135 | ||||||
Net
premium earned
|
8,924,766 | 9,709,198 | ||||||
Net
investment income
|
1,597,066 | 1,622,290 | ||||||
Net
realized investment gains
|
6,306 | - | ||||||
Other
income
|
114,638 | 9,641 | ||||||
Total
Insurance Company Revenues
|
10,642,776 | 11,341,129 | ||||||
Other
Revenues from Insurance Operations
|
||||||||
Gross
commissions and fees
|
1,471,364 | 1,366,077 | ||||||
Investment
income
|
25,448 | 38,025 | ||||||
Finance
charges and fees earned
|
124,521 | 148,540 | ||||||
Other
income
|
4,011 | 3,281 | ||||||
Total
Revenues
|
12,268,120 | 12,897,052 | ||||||
EXPENSES
|
||||||||
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
6,195,706 | 5,933,970 | ||||||
Policy
acquisition costs
|
2,080,971 | 1,995,580 | ||||||
Salaries
and employee benefits
|
1,437,039 | 1,421,507 | ||||||
Commissions
to agents/brokers
|
321,491 | 204,305 | ||||||
Other
operating expenses
|
786,612 | 765,252 | ||||||
Total
Expenses
|
10,821,819 | 10,320,614 | ||||||
Income
Before Taxes
|
1,446,301 | 2,576,438 | ||||||
Income
Tax Provision
|
486,311 | 854,139 | ||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 959,990 | $ | 1,722,299 | ||||
PER SHARE DATA
|
||||||||
Basic
Shares Outstanding
|
5,625,308 | 5,595,526 | ||||||
Basic
Earnings Per Share
|
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.31 | ||||
Diluted
Shares Outstanding
|
5,669,634 | 5,679,250 | ||||||
Diluted
Earnings Per Share
|
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.30 |
See notes
to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
3 of 19
UNICO
AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENT
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||
March 31
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 959,990 | $ | 1,722,299 | ||||
Other
changes in comprehensive income, net of tax:
|
||||||||
Unrealized
gains on securities classified as available-for-sale arising during
the period
|
1,712,360 | 205,067 | ||||||
Comprehensive
Income
|
$ | 2,672,351 | $ | 1,927,366 |
See notes
to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
4 of 19
UNICO
AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended March 31
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Cash
Flows from Operating Activities:
|
||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 959,990 | $ | 1,722,299 | ||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash from operations
|
||||||||
Depreciation
|
52,985 | 58,208 | ||||||
Bond
amortization, net
|
56,744 | (24,685 | ) | |||||
Net
realized investment gains
|
(6,306 | ) | - | |||||
Changes
in assets and liabilities
|
||||||||
Premium,
notes and investment income receivable
|
576,834 | 473,642 | ||||||
Reinsurance
recoverable
|
3,265,106 | (584,232 | ) | |||||
Deferred
policy acquisitions costs
|
199,227 | 174,544 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
(80,580 | ) | (10,392 | ) | ||||
Reserve
for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
(5,644,950 | ) | (743,559 | ) | ||||
Unearned
premium reserve
|
(1,195,733 | ) | (2,439,701 | ) | ||||
Funds
held as security and advanced premiums
|
381,041 | 506,510 | ||||||
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
2,695,403 | 1,310,921 | ||||||
Income
taxes current/deferred
|
488,869 | (795,860 | ) | |||||
Net Cash Provided by (Used in)
Operations
|
1,748,632 | (352,305 | ) | |||||
Investing
Activities
|
||||||||
Purchase of fixed maturity
investments
|
(11,185,123 | ) | (3,196,120 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from maturity of fixed
maturity investments
|
16,510,000 | 6,000,000 | ||||||
Proceeds
from sale of fixed maturity investments
|
505,750 | - | ||||||
Net (increase) in short-term
investments
|
(7,629,467 | ) | (2,398,286 | ) | ||||
Additions to property and
equipment
|
(12,220 | ) | (29,855 | ) | ||||
Net Cash Provided by (Used in)
Investing Activities
|
(1,811,060 | ) | 375,739 | |||||
Financing
Activities
|
||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of
common stock
|
- | 46,250 | ||||||
Net Cash Provided by Financing
Activities
|
- | 46,250 | ||||||
Net
increase (decrease) in cash
|
(62,428 | ) | 69,684 | |||||
Cash at beginning of
period
|
108,864 | 34,535 | ||||||
Cash at End of
Period
|
$ | 46,436 | $ | 104,219 | ||||
Supplemental
Cash Flow Information
|
||||||||
Cash paid during the period
for:
|
||||||||
Interest
|
- | - | ||||||
Income taxes
|
- | $ | 1,650,000 |
See notes
to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
5 of 19
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of
Business
Unico
American Corporation is an insurance holding company that underwrites property
and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides
property, casualty, and health insurance through its agency subsidiaries; and
provides insurance premium financing and membership association services through
its other subsidiaries. Unico American Corporation is referred to
herein as the "Company" or "Unico" and such references include both the
corporation and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned, unless
otherwise indicated. Unico was incorporated under the laws of Nevada
in 1969.
Principles of
Consolidation
The
accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Unico American Corporation and its subsidiaries. All significant
inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Basis of
Presentation
The
accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim
financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
(consisting of normal recurring adjustments)
considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31,
2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
year ending December 31, 2008. Quarterly financial statements should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related
notes in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Use of Estimates in the
Preparation of the Financial Statements
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company
to make estimates and assumptions that affect its reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and its disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of its financial statements, as well as its reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. While every effort is made
to ensure the integrity of such estimates, actual results may
differ.
NOTE 2 – IMMATERIAL
CORRECTION TO PREVIOUSLY REPORTED AMOUNTS
The
Company identified an error associated with the Company’s policy fee
income. The error arose from the recognition of non-refundable policy
fee income at policy inception rather than over the policy term in accordance
with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, Revenue Recognition, and EITF
00-21, Revenue Arrangements
with Multiple Deliverables.
The
Company made an assessment of the materiality of this item on the Company’s
historical financial statements in accordance with SAB No. 99, Materiality,
and concluded that the error was immaterial to all periods. The
Company also concluded that had the error been adjusted when it was identified
within the first quarter of 2008, the impact of such an adjustment would have
been material to its first quarter 2008 financial statements and was expected to
be material to its full year 2008 financial statements.
Accordingly,
in accordance with SAB No. 108, Financial Statements,
the December 31, 2007 balance sheet, and the consolidated
statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three
months ended March 31, 2007, herein have been revised to correct the immaterial
error and to reflect the corrected balances as of that date.
6 of 19
The line
items in the financial statements that are impacted by this error are detailed
in the table below.
Consolidated
Balance Sheet
For the year ended December 31,
2007
|
||||||||||||
As
previously reported
|
Correction
|
As corrected
|
||||||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
$ | 295,026 | $ | 391,884 | $ | 686,910 | ||||||
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
$ | 3,887,546 | $ | 1,152,599 | $ | 5,040,145 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
|
$ | 64,353,457 | $ | (760,715 | ) | $ | 63,592,742 |
Consolidated
Statement of Operation
For the three months ended March 31,
2007
|
||||||||||||
As
previously reported
|
Correction
|
As corrected
|
||||||||||
Gross
commission and fees
|
$ | 1,315,000 | $ | 51,077 | $ | 1,366,077 | ||||||
Income
tax provision
|
$ | 836,773 | $ | 17,366 | $ | 854,139 |
Statement
of Comprehensive Income
For the three months ended March 31,
2007
|
||||||||||||
As
previously reported
|
Correction
|
As corrected
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 1,688,588 | $ | 33,711 | $ | 1,722,299 |
Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flow
For the three months ended March 31,
2007
|
||||||||||||
As
previously reported
|
Correction
|
As corrected
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 1,688,588 | $ | 33,711 | $ | 1,722,299 | ||||||
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
$ | 1,361,998 | $ | (51,077 | ) | $ | 1,310,921 | |||||
Income
taxes current/deferred
|
$ | (813,226 | ) | $ | 17,366 | $ | (795,860 | ) |
NOTE 3 – STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION
Effective
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS
No. 123R), using the modified prospective transition
method. Under this transition method, share-based compensation
expense for 2006 includes compensation expense for all share-based compensation
awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on
the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions
of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation.” Share-based compensation expense for all share-based
payment awards granted or modified on or after January 1, 2006, is based on
the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS
No. 123R.
There
were no options granted on or after January 1, 2006, and there were no unvested
options as of January 1, 2006, on adoption of SFAS 123R. As a result,
there are no share-based compensation expenses recorded for the three months
ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
NOTE 4 – REPURCHASE OF
COMMON STOCK - EFFECTS ON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The
Company has previously announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the
repurchase in the open market from time to time of up to an aggregate of 945,000
shares of the common stock of the Company. During the three months
ended March 31, 2008, the Company did not repurchase any shares of the Company’s
common stock. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had purchased and
retired under the Board of Directors’ authorization an aggregate of 878,441
shares of its common stock at a cost of $5,632,727.
7 of 19
NOTE 5 - EARNINGS PER
SHARE
The
following table represents the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators
of the Company's basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share
computations reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007:
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||
March 31
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Basic Earnings Per Share
|
||||||||
Net
income numerator
|
$ | 959,990 | $ | 1,722,299 | ||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding denominator
|
5,625,308 | 5,595,526 | ||||||
Basic
Earnings Per Share
|
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.31 |
Diluted Earnings Per Share
|
||||||||
Net
income numerator
|
$ | 959,990 | $ | 1,722,299 | ||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
5,625,308 | 5,595,526 | ||||||
Effect
of diluted securities
|
44,326 | 83,724 | ||||||
Diluted
shares outstanding denominator
|
5,669,634 | 5,679,250 | ||||||
Diluted
Earnings Per Share
|
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.30 |
NOTE 6 - RECENTLY ISSUED
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation
No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes” (FIN 48). This
interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes
recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB
Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a
recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement
recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a
tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on
derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim
periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation became
effective January 1, 2007. The Company’s adoption of FIN 48 did not
have an effect on its results of operations or financial position.
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain
Hybrid Financial Instruments, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140”
(“SFAS No. 155”). The provisions of SFAS No. 155 are effective for
all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of the first
fiscal year after September 15, 2006. SFAS No. 155 amends the
accounting for hybrid financial instruments and eliminates the exclusion of
beneficial interests in securitized financial assets from the guidance under
SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities.” It also eliminates the prohibition on the type of
derivative instruments that qualified special purpose entities may hold under
SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishment of Liabilities.” Furthermore, SFAS No. 155 clarifies
that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded
derivatives. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 155 did not have a
material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measures” (SFAS
157). SFAS 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure
assets and liabilities and applies whenever other standards require (or permit)
assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not expand the use
of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS 157 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those
fiscal years. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a
material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In
October 2005, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
issued Statement of Position 05-1, “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for
Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of
Insurance Contracts” (SOP 05-1). SOP 05-1 provides accounting
guidance for deferred policy acquisition costs associated with internal
replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those already
described in SFAS No. 97, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance
Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and
Losses from the Sale of Investments.” SOP 05-1 defines an internal replacement
as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverages that
occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment,
endorsement or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage
within a contract. The provisions of SOP 05-1 became effective for
internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2006. The Company’s adoption of SOP 05-1 did not
have an effect on its results of operations or financial position.
8 of 19
In
February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS
No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure
certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. The
main objective of SFAS No. 159 is to improve financial reporting by
allowing entities to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by the
measurement of related assets and liabilities using different attributes,
without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. Entities
that elect the fair value option will report unrealized gains and losses in
earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS No. 159
establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to help financial statement
users understand the effect of the entity’s election on its earnings, but does
not eliminate disclosure requirements of other accounting
standards. SFAS No. 159 is expected to expand the use of fair
value measurement, which is consistent with the FASB’s long-term measurement
objectives for accounting for financial instruments. SFAS
No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that
begins after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted SFAS No. 159
as of the beginning of 2008 by not electing the fair value option for any of its
financial assets or liabilities.
In
December 2007, FASB Statements No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business
Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”), and No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements” (“SFAS 160”), were issued. SFAS
141R replaces FASB Statement No. 141, “Business
Combinations.” SFAS 141R requires the acquiring entity in a business
combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the
measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and
requires the acquirer to disclose additional information regarding the nature
and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS 160 requires
all entities to report non-controlling (minority) interests in subsidiaries
in the same way - as equity in the consolidated financial
statements. SFAS 160 also requires disclosure, on the face of the
consolidated statement of income, of the amounts of consolidated net income
attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest. The
Company will adopt SFAS 141R and SFAS 160 for any business combinations
initiated after December 31, 2008.
There
were no other accounting standards issued during 2008 that are expected to have
a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.
NOTE 7 – ACCOUNTING FOR
UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES
The
Company and its subsidiaries file federal and state income tax
returns. Management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of any
future examinations of open tax years will have a material impact on the
Company’s results of operations. Tax years that remain subject to
examination by major taxing jurisdictions are 2004 through 2007 for federal
income taxes and 2003 through 2007 for California state income
taxes. On April 30, 2008, the Company was notified by the Internal
Revenue Service that its consolidated federal income tax return on Form 1120 for
the tax year ended December 31, 2006, was selected for
examination. As of the date of this report, a date for such
examination has not been scheduled.
In June
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation
No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes” (FIN 48). This
interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes
recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB
Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a
recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement
recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a
tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on
derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim
periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation became
effective January 1, 2007. The Company had no unrecognized tax
benefits and recognized no additional liability or reduction in deferred tax
asset as a result of the adoption of FIN 48 effective January 1,
2007. In addition, the Company had not accrued for interest and
penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. However, if interest and
penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such
amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax
expense. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had no unrecognized tax
benefits and no additional liabilities or reduction in deferred tax asset as a
result of the adoption of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007.
NOTE 8 - SEGMENT
REPORTING
Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 (SFAS No. 131), “Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” became effective for fiscal
years effective after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 131 establishes
standards for the way information about operating segments is reported in
financial statements. The Company has adopted SFAS No. 131 and has
identified its insurance company operation, Crusader Insurance Company
(Crusader), as its primary reporting segment. Revenues from this
segment comprised 87% of consolidated revenues for the three months ended
March 31, 2008, and 88% of revenues for the three months ended March 31,
2007. The Company’s remaining operations constitute a variety of
specialty insurance services, each with unique characteristics and individually
insignificant to consolidated revenues.
9 of 19
Revenues,
income before income taxes, and assets by segment are as follows:
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||
March 31
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Revenues
|
||||||||
Insurance
company operation
|
$ | 10,642,776 | $ | 11,341,129 | ||||
Other
insurance operations
|
4,516,229 | 4,592,300 | ||||||
Intersegment
elimination (1)
|
(2,890,885 | ) | (3,036,377 | ) | ||||
Total
other insurance operations
|
1,625,344 | 1,555,923 | ||||||
Total
Revenues
|
$ | 12,268,120 | $ | 12,897,052 | ||||
Income Before Income Taxes
|
||||||||
Insurance
company operation
|
$ | 2,005,177 | $ | 2,927,051 | ||||
Other
insurance operations
|
(558,876 | ) | (350,613 | ) | ||||
Total
Income Before Income Taxes
|
$ | 1,446,301 | $ | 2,576,438 | ||||
As of March 31
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Assets
|
||||||||
Insurance
company operation
|
$ | 175,559,187 | $ | 165,715,530 | ||||
Intersegment
eliminations (2)
|
(1,656,492 | ) | (2,018,365 | ) | ||||
Total
insurance company operation
|
173,902,695 | 163,697,165 | ||||||
Other
insurance operations
|
19,062,553 | 23,953,517 | ||||||
Total
Assets
|
$ | 192,965,248 | $ | 187,650,682 |
(1)
|
Intersegment
revenue eliminations reflect commission paid by Crusader to Unifax
Insurance Systems, Inc., (Unifax) a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company.
|
(2)
|
Intersegment
asset eliminations reflect the elimination of Crusader receivables and
Unifax payables.
|
NOTE 9 - FAIR VALUE ON FIXED
MATURITY INVESTMENTS
SFAS No.
157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation
techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value of a financial
instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at
the measurement date (the exit price). The hierarchy gives the
highest priority to level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to level 3
inputs. In general, fair values determined by level 1 inputs utilize
quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
that the Company has the ability to access. Fair values determined by
level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that
are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such
as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted
intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or
liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity
for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to
measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value
hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy
within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been
determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value
measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the
significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety
requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or
liability.
The Company’s fixed maturities
investments are all classified within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy
because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations,
or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price
transparency. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for
transaction costs. The Company’s fixed maturities investments are at
fair value and reflected in the consolidated balance sheets on a trade-date
basis. If an unrealized loss is determined to be other than
temporary, it is written off as a realized loss through the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
10 of 19
ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Overview
General
Unico
American Corporation is an insurance holding company that underwrites property
and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides
property, casualty, health and life insurance through its agency subsidiaries;
and through its other subsidiaries provides insurance premium financing and
membership association services.
The
Company had a net income of $959,990 for the three months ending March 31, 2008,
compared to net income of $1,722,299 for the three months ended March 31, 2007,
a decrease in net income of $762,309 (44%). This overview
discusses some of the relevant factors that management considers in evaluating
the Company's performance, prospects, and risks. It is not
all-inclusive and is meant to be read in conjunction with the entirety of the
management discussion and analysis, the Company's financial statements and notes
thereto, and all other items contained within the report on this Form
10-Q.
Revenue and Income
Generation
The
Company receives its revenue primarily from earned premium derived from the
insurance company operations, commission and fee income generated from the
insurance agency operations, finance charges and fee income from the premium
finance operations, and investment income from cash generated primarily from the
insurance operation. The insurance company operation generated
approximately 87% of consolidated
revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008, and 88% of consolidated
revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The Company’s
remaining operations constitute a variety of specialty insurance services, each
with unique characteristics and individually not material to consolidated
revenues.
Insurance Company
Operation
The
property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive and includes many
insurers, ranging from large companies offering a wide variety of products
worldwide to smaller, specialized companies in a single state or region offering
only a single product. Many of the Company's existing or potential
competitors have considerably greater financial and other resources, have a
higher rating assigned by independent rating organizations such as A.M. Best
Company, have greater experience in the insurance industry, and offer a broader
line of insurance products than the Company. Crusader is only writing
business in the state of California which consists primarily of Commercial
Multiple Peril business. Crusader’s A.M. Best Company rating is B++
(Good). On January 15, 2008, A.M. Best Company upgraded
Crusader’s rating outlook from stable to positive.
The
property and casualty insurance industry is characterized by periods of soft
market conditions, in which premium rates are stable or falling and insurance is
readily available, and by periods of hard market conditions, in which premium
rates rise, coverage may be more difficult to find, and insurers’ profits
increase. The Company believes that the California property and
casualty insurance market has transitioned to a “soft market” in the last few
years. The Company cannot determine how long the existing market
conditions will continue nor in which direction they might change.
Premium
written before reinsurance decreased $349,419 (3%) to $9,951,213 for the three
months ended March 31, 2008, compared to $10,300,632 for the three months ended
March 31, 2007. A primary challenge of the property and casualty
insurance company operation is contending with the fact that the Company sells
its products before the ultimate costs are actually known. That is,
when pricing its products, the Company must forecast the ultimate claim and loss
adjustment costs. In addition, factors such as changes in regulations
and legal environment, among other things, can all impact the accuracy of such
cost. The decrease in written premium before reinsurance which began
in 2005 and has continued through the three months ended March 31, 2008, is
primarily due to the fact that the insurance marketplace has been and continues
to be intensely competitive. There are more insurers competing for
the same customers. Many of those competitors price their insurance
at rates that Crusader believes are inadequate to support any
profit. The Company believes that rate adequacy is more important
than premium growth and that underwriting profit (net earned premium less losses
and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs) is its primary
goal. Nonetheless, Crusader believes that it can grow its sales and
profitability by continuing to focus upon three key areas of its operations: (1)
product development, (2) improved service to retail brokers, and (3) appointment
of captive and independent retail agents.
11 of 19
Crusader’s
underwriting profit (before income taxes) is as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
||||||||||
Net
premium earned
|
$ | 8,924,766 | $ | 9,709,198 | $ | (784,432 | ) | |||||
Less:
|
||||||||||||
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
6,195,706 | 5,933,970 | 261,736 | |||||||||
Policy
acquisition costs
|
2,080,971 | 1,995,580 | 85,391 | |||||||||
Total
|
8,276,677 | 7,929,550 | 347,127 | |||||||||
Underwriting
Profit (Before Income Taxes)
|
$ | 648,089 | $ | 1,779,648 | $ | (1,131,559 | ) |
The
$1,131,559 (64%) decrease in underwriting profit (before income tax) for the
three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the prior year period is
primarily the result of a $784,432 (8%) decrease in net premium earned and
$261,736 (4%) increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses. Losses
and loss adjustment expenses were 69% of net premium earned for the three months
ended March 31, 2008, compared to 61% of net premium earned for the three months
ended March 31, 2007. The increase in losses and loss adjustment
expenses as compared to the prior year period is primarily due to an increase in
current accident year losses incurred and a decrease in favorable development of
prior accident years’ losses and loss adjustment expenses. In the
three months ended March 31, 2008, current accident year losses incurred were
approximately 73% of net premium earned and the Company incurred favorable
development of prior years’ losses of $358,773. In the three months
ended March 31, 2007, current accident year losses incurred were approximately
70% of net premium earned and the Company incurred favorable development of
prior years’ losses of $840,539.
Other
Operations
The
Company’s other revenues from insurance operations consist of commissions, fees,
finance charges, and investment and other income. Excluding
investment and other income, these operations accounted for approximately 13% of
total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2008, and approximately 11%
of total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Investments and
Liquidity
The
Company generates revenue from its investment portfolio, which consisted of
approximately $149.1 million (at amortized cost) at March 31, 2008, compared to
$147.3 million (at amortized cost) at December 31, 2007. Investment
income decreased $37,801 (2%) to $1,622,514 for the three months ended March 31,
2008, compared to $1,660,315 for the three months ended March 31,
2007. The slight decrease in investment income is primarily a result
of decrease in the Company’s annualized weighted average investment yield on its
fixed maturity obligations from 4.5% in the three months ended March 31, 2007,
to 4.4% in the current period. Due to the current interest rate
environment, management believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity
investments with maturities of five years or less and with minimal credit
risk.
Liquidity and Capital
Resources
Due to
the nature of the Company's business (insurance and insurance services) and
whereas Company growth does not normally require material reinvestments of
profits into property or equipment, the cash flow generated from operations
usually results in improved liquidity for the Company.
Crusader
generates a significant amount of cash as a result of its holdings of unearned
premium reserves, reserves for loss payments, and its capital and
surplus. Crusader's loss and loss adjustment expense payments are the
most significant cash flow requirement of the Company. These payments
are continually monitored and projected to ensure that the Company has the
liquidity to cover these payments without the need to liquidate its
investments. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had cash and
investments of $149,143,205 (at amortized cost) of which $144,345,947 (97%) were
investments of Crusader.
As of
March 31, 2008, the Company had invested $134,111,143 (at
amortized cost) or 90% of its invested assets in fixed maturity
obligations. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities,” the Company is required to classify its investments in debt and
equity securities into one of three categories: held-to-maturity,
available-for-sale, or trading securities. Although all of the
Company's investments are classified as available-for-sale, the Company's
investment guidelines place primary emphasis on buying and holding high-quality
investments.
12 of 19
The Company's investments in
fixed maturity obligations of $134,111,143 (at amortized cost) include $15,023
(0.0%) of pre-refunded state and municipal tax-exempt bonds, $125,254,018
(93.4%) of U.S. treasury securities, $8,442,102 (6.3%) of industrial and
miscellaneous securities, and $400,000 (0.3%) of long-term certificates of
deposit.
The
balance of the Company's investments is in short-term investments that include
U.S. treasury bills, bank money market accounts, certificates of deposit,
commercial paper, and a short-term treasury money market fund.
The
Company’s investment guidelines on equity securities limit investments in equity
securities to an aggregate maximum of $2,000,000. The Company’s
investment guidelines on fixed maturities limit those investments to high-grade
obligations with a maximum term of eight years. The maximum
investment authorized in any one issuer is $2,000,000 and the maximum in any one
U.S. government agency or U.S. government sponsored enterprise is
$3,000,000. This dollar limitation excludes bond premiums paid in
excess of par value and U.S. government or U.S. government guaranteed
issues. Investments in municipal securities are primarily
pre-refunded and secured by U.S. treasury securities. The short-term
investments are either U.S. government obligations, FDIC insured, or are in an
institution with a Moody's rating of P2 and/or a Standard & Poor's rating of
A1. All of the Company's fixed maturity investment securities are
rated and readily marketable and could be liquidated without any materially
adverse financial impact.
The
Company has previously announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the
repurchase in the open market from time to time of up to an aggregate of 945,000
shares of the common stock of the Company (see Note 4). No shares
were repurchased in the three months ended March 31, 2008.
Although
material capital expenditures may also be funded through borrowings, the Company
believes that its cash and short-term investments as of the date of this report,
net of trust restriction of $1,434,082, statutory deposits of $700,000, and the
dividend restriction between Crusader and Unico plus the cash to be generated
from operations, should be sufficient to meet its operating requirements during
the next twelve months without the necessity of borrowing funds.
Results of
Operations
All
comparisons made in this discussion are comparing the three months ended March
31, 2008, to the three months ended March 31, 2007, unless otherwise
indicated.
The
Company had net income of $959,990 for the three months ending March 31, 2008,
compared to net income of $1,722,299 for the three months ended March 31, 2007,
a decrease in net income of $762,309 (44%). Total revenue for the
three months ended March 31, 2008, decreased $628,932 (5%) to $12,268,120,
compared to total revenue of $12,897,052 for the three months ended March 31,
2007.
Premium written (before
reinsurance) is a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined, under statutory
accounting, as the contractually determined amount charged by the Company to
the policyholder
for the effective period of the contract based on the expectation of
risk, policy benefits, and expenses associated with the coverage provided by the
terms of the policies. Premium
earned, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, represents the portion of
premiums written that is recognized as income in the financial statements for
the period presented and earned on a pro-rata basis over the term of the
policies. Direct written premium reported on the Company’s statutory
statement decreased $349,419 (3%) to $9,951,213 for the three months ended March
31, 2008, compared to $10,300,632 for the three months ended March 31,
2007.
The
$349,419 decrease in written premium in the three months ended March 31, 2008,
as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007, was primarily the result
of the intense competition in the property and casualty market. The
insurance marketplace has become more competitive as more insurers are competing
for the same customers. Many of those competitors price their
insurance at rates that Crusader believes are inadequate to support any
profit. Nonetheless, Crusader believes that it can grow its sales and
profitability by continuing to focus upon three key areas of its operations: (1)
product development, (2) improved service to retail brokers, and (3) appointment
of captive and independent retail agents. During 2008, Crusader plans
to introduce many product changes such as changes in its rates, eligibility
guidelines, rules and coverage forms. Improved service to retail
brokers is primarily focused upon transacting business through the internet, as
well as providing more options to make the brokers’ time more efficiently spent
with us (i.e., as opposed to spending time with our competitors). In
an effort to increase sales during 2007, Crusader employed two full-time
marketing representatives. Those individuals are charged with the
responsibility of identifying product development opportunities, promoting the
company and its products to the brokerage community, and are charged with the
duty to appoint retail agents, so as to introduce the Crusader brand at the
consumer’s level of distribution (i.e., retail). Crusader plans to
have approximately twelve retail agents appointed by the end of year 2008, and
approximately twenty-four by the end of year 2009. Presently it is
expected that each such retail agent should be able to reach an annual sales
volume of approximately one to two million dollars of Crusader’s products within
three to five years of their appointment by the Company.
13 of 19
Premium earned before
reinsurance decreased $1,593,387 (13%) to $11,146,946 for the three months ended
March 31, 2008, compared to $12,740,333 for the three months ended March 31,
2007. The Company writes annual policies and, therefore, earns
written premium over the one-year policy term. The decrease in earned
premium is a direct result of the related decrease in written premium as
previously discussed.
Premium
ceded decreased $808,955 (27%) to $2,222,180 for the three months ended March
31, 2008, compared to ceded premium of $3,031,135 in the three months ended
March 31, 2007. The $808,955 decrease in premium ceded is primarily a
result of a decrease in direct premium earned, and a decrease in the rate
charged by Crusader’s reinsurers. The earned premium ceded consists
of both premium ceded under the Company’s current reinsurance contracts and
premium ceded to the Company’s provisionally rated reinsurance
contracts. Prior to January 1, 1998, the Company’s reinsurer charged
a provisional rate on exposures up to $500,000 that was subject to adjustment
and was based on the amount of losses ceded, limited by a maximum percentage
that could be charged. That provisionally rated treaty was cancelled
on a runoff basis in 1997. Direct earned premium, earned ceded
premium, and ceding commission are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
||||||||||
Direct
earned premium
|
$ | 11,146,946 | $ | 12,740,333 | $ | (1,593,387 | ) | |||||
Earned
ceded premium
|
||||||||||||
Excluding
provisionally rated ceded premium
|
2,295,931 | 3,025,989 | (730,058 | ) | ||||||||
Provisionally
rated ceded premium
|
(73,751 | ) | 5,146 | (78,897 | ) | |||||||
Total
earned ceded premium
|
2,222,180 | 3,031,135 | (808,955 | ) | ||||||||
Ceding
commission
|
689,403 | 928,573 | (239,170 | ) | ||||||||
Earned
ceded premium, net of ceding commission
|
$ | 1,532,777 | $ | 2,102,562 | $ | (569,785 | ) |
Total
earned ceded premium was 20% of direct earned premium in the three months ended
March 31, 2008, and 24% of direct earned premium in the three months ended March
31, 2007. There was no significant change in the ceding commission
rate.
In 2008
Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of
20% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer
($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 0% in its property and casualty clash
treaty. In 2007 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of
loss reinsurance treaties of 15% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of
$300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 15% in
its property clash treaty.
The 2008
and 2007 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent
commission. Crusader’s 2006 1st layer
primary excess of loss treaty provides for a contingent commission equal to 20%
of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer. The first
accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January
1, 2006, through December 31, 2006. The 2005 excess of loss treaties
do not provide for a contingent commission. Crusader’s 2004 and 2003 1st layer
primary excess of loss treaties provide for a contingent commission to the
Company equal to 45% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the
reinsurer. The first accounting period for the contingent commission
covers the period from January 1, 2003, through December 31,
2004. For each accounting period as described above, the Company will
calculate and report to the reinsurers its net profit (excluding incurred but
not reported losses), if any, within 90 days after 36 months following the end
of the first accounting period, and within 90 days after the end of each 12
month period thereafter until all losses subject to the agreement have been
finally settled. Any contingent commission payment received is
subject to return based on future development of ceded losses and loss
adjustment expenses. In March 2007, the Company received an advance
of $1 million from its reinsurer, and in February 2008, the Company received an
additional $2,419,940 to be applied against future contingent commission earned,
if any. Based on the Company’s ceded losses and loss adjustment
expenses (including ceded incurred but not reported losses) as of March 31,
2008, the Company recorded $3,075,802 of these payments as an advance from its
reinsurer and it is included in “Accrued Expenses And Other Liabilities” in the
consolidated balance sheets. Thus, the Company has recognized
$344,138 of contingent commission, of which $90,583 was recognized in the three
months ended March 31, 2008.
14 of 19
Investment income decreased
$37,801 (2%) to $1,622,514 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared
to investment income of $1,660,315 for the three months ended March 31,
2007. The Company sold one fixed maturity investment in the three
months ended March 31, 2008, with net realized gain in the amount of
$6,306. The Company had no realized gains or losses for the three
months ended March 31, 2007. The slight decrease in investment income
in the current period as compared to the prior year period is primarily a result
of a decrease in the Company’s annualized weighted average yield from 4.5% in
the prior year period to 4.4% in the current period. The decrease in
the annualized yield on average invested assets is a result of lower yields in
the marketplace on both new and reinvested assets.
The
average annualized yields on the Company’s average invested assets are as
follows:
Three Months Ended March 31
|
||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Average
Invested Assets*
|
$ | 148,222,568 | $ | 147,121,880 | ||||
Total
Investment Income
|
$ | 1,622,514 | $ | 1,660,315 | ||||
Annualized
Yield on Average
Invested Assets
|
4.4 | % | 4.5 | % |
|
*
The average is based on the beginning and ending balance of the amortized
cost of the invested assets.
|
The par
value, amortized cost, estimated market value and weighted average yield of
fixed maturity investments at March 31, 2008, by contractual maturity are as
follows. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities
because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or
without penalties.
Maturities
by
Calendar Year
|
Par
Value
|
Amortized Cost
|
Fair Value
|
Weighted
Average Yield
|
||||||||||||
December
31, 2008
|
$ | 50,850,000 | $ | 50,975,824 | $ | 51,482,246 | 4.3 | % | ||||||||
December
31, 2009
|
32,700,000 | 32,737,838 | 33,864,881 | 4.8 | % | |||||||||||
December
31, 2010
|
5,100,000 | 5,098,924 | 5,112,100 | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||
December
31, 2011
|
7,250,000 | 7,236,259 | 7,865,437 | 4.6 | % | |||||||||||
December
31, 2012
|
38,000,000 | 37,958,249 | 41,178,610 | 4.4 | % | |||||||||||
December
31, 2013
|
100,000 | 104,049 | 105,617 | 2.7 | % | |||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 134,000,000 | $ | 134,111,143 | $ | 139,608,891 | 4.4 | % |
The
weighted average maturity of the Company’s fixed maturity investments was 1.9
years as of March 31, 2008, compared to 1.1 years as of March 31,
2007. Due to the current interest rate environment, management
believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity investments with maturities of
5 years or less and with minimal credit risk.
At March
31, 2008, the Company held fixed maturity investments with unrealized
appreciation of $5,497,748, and did not hold any fixed maturity investment with
unrealized depreciation. The Company monitors its investments
closely. If an unrealized loss is determined to be other than
temporary, it is written off as a realized loss through the Consolidated
Statements of Operations. The Company’s methodology of assessing
other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific analysis as of
the balance sheet date and considers various factors including the length of
time to maturity, the extent to which the fair value has been less than the
cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer, and
whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and
principal payments. The Company has the ability and intent to hold
its fixed maturity investments for a period of time sufficient to allow the
Company to recover its costs.
15 of 19
Gross commission and fee
income increased $105,287 (8%) to $1,471,364 for the three months ended
March 31, 2008, compared to commission and fee income of $1,366,077 for the
three months ended March 31, 2007.
The
increases in gross commission and fee income for the three months ended March
31, 2008, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007, are as
follows:
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
March 31
|
Increase
|
|||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
(Decrease)
|
||||||||||
Policy
fee income
|
$ | 578,858 | $ | 649,639 | $ | (70,781 | ) | |||||
Health
insurance program
|
672,458 | 501,043 | 171,415 | |||||||||
Membership
and fee income
|
76,917 | 77,144 | (227 | ) | ||||||||
Other
commission and fee income
|
997 | 6,936 | (5,939 | ) | ||||||||
Daily
automobile rental insurance program:
|
||||||||||||
Commission
income (excluding contingent commission)
|
83,541 | 84,776 | (1,235 | ) | ||||||||
Contingent
commission
|
58,593 | 46,539 | 12,054 | |||||||||
Total
|
$ | 1,471,364 | $ | 1,366,077 | $ | 105,287 |
Unifax
primarily sells and services insurance policies for Crusader. The
commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax are eliminated as intercompany
transactions and are not reflected as income in the financial
statements. Unifax also receives policy fee income that is directly
related to the Crusader policies it sells. Policy fees are earned
ratably over the life of the related insurance policy. The unearned
portion of the policy fee is recorded as a liability on the balance sheet under
Accrued Expenses And Other Liabilities. Policy fee income decreased
$70,781 (11%) in the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to the three
months ended March 31, 2007. The decrease in policy fee income is
directly related to a decrease in the number of policies written in the three
months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the prior year period.
AIB
markets health insurance in California through non-affiliated insurance
companies for individuals and groups. For these services, AIB
receives commission based on the premiums that it writes. Commission
income for the three months ended March 31, 2008, increased $171,415 (34%),
compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase is
primarily due to the increase in sales of small group medical insurance offered
through CIGNA HealthCare. In May 2006, CIGNA HealthCare began
offering new small group medical insurance policies in the state of
California. Beginning April 1, 2008, these plans are being actively
marketed by AIB and other agencies throught California. All CIGNA
small group insurance policyholders in California are members of
AAQHC
The
Company's subsidiary Insurance Club, Inc., dba AAQHC An Administrator (AAQHC),
is an administrator for CIGNA HealthCare and is a membership association that
provides various consumer benefits to its members, including participation in
group health care insurance policies that AAQHC negotiates for the
association. For these services, AAQHC receives membership and fee
income from its members.
The daily
automobile rental insurance program is produced by Bedford Insurance Services,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Bedford receives a
commission from a non-affiliated insurance company based on premium
written. Commission in the daily automobile rental insurance program
(excluding contingent commission) decreased $1,235 (1%) in the three months
ended March 31, 2008, compared to the three months ended March 31,
2007.
Losses and loss adjustment
expenses were 69% of net premium earned for the three months ended March
31, 2008, compared to 61% of net premium earned for the three months ended March
31, 2007. The increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses as
compared to the prior year period is primarily due to an increase in current
accident year losses incurred and a decrease in favorable development of prior
accident years’ losses and loss adjustment expenses. In the three
months ended March 31, 2008, current accident year losses incurred were
approximately 73% of net premium earned and the Company incurred favorable
development of prior years’ losses of $358,773. In the three months
ended March 31, 2007, current accident year losses incurred were approximately
70% of net premium earned and the Company incurred favorable development of
prior years’ losses of $840,539.
16 of 19
The
Company‘s consolidated financial statements include estimated reserves for
unpaid losses and related loss adjustment expenses of the insurance company
operation. Management makes its best estimate of the liability for
unpaid claims costs as of the end of each fiscal quarter. Due to the
inherent uncertainties in estimating the Company’s unpaid claims costs, actual
loss and loss adjustment expense payments should be expected to vary, perhaps
significantly, from any estimate made prior to the settling of all
claims. Variability is inherent in establishing loss and loss
adjustment expense reserves, especially for a small insurer like the
Company. For any given line of insurance, accident year, or other
group of claims, there is a continuum of possible reserve estimates, each having
its own unique degree of propriety or reasonableness. Due to the
complexity and nature of the insurance claims process, there are potentially an
infinite number of reasonably likely scenarios. The Company does not
specifically identify reasonably likely scenarios other than utilizing
management’s best estimate. In addition to applying the various
standard methods to the data, an extensive series of diagnostic tests of the
resultant reserve estimates are applied to determine management’s best estimate
of the unpaid claims liability. Among the statistics reviewed for
each accident year are loss and loss adjustment expense development patterns,
frequencies (expected claim counts), severities (average cost per claim), loss
and loss adjustment expense ratios to premium, and loss adjustment expense
ratios to loss. When there is clear evidence that the actual claims
costs emerged are different than expected for any prior accident year, the
claims cost estimates for that year are revised accordingly. The
accurate establishment of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves is a
difficult process, as there are many factors that can ultimately affect the
final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the reserve that is
needed. Estimates are based on a variety of industry data and on the
Company’s current and historical accident year claims data, including but not
limited to reported claim counts, open claim counts, closed claim counts, closed
claim counts with payments, paid losses, paid loss adjustment expenses, case
loss reserves, case loss adjustment expense reserves, earned premiums and policy
exposures, salvage and subrogation, and unallocated loss adjustment expenses
paid. Many other factors, including changes in reinsurance, changes
in pricing, changes in policy forms and coverage, changes in underwriting and
risk selection, legislative changes, results of litigation and inflation are
also taken into account. At the end of each fiscal quarter, the
Company’s reserves are re-evaluated for each accident year (i.e., for all claims
incurred within each year) by a committee consisting of the Company’s executive
vice president, the Company’s chief financial officer, and an independent
consulting actuary. The Company uses the loss ratio method to
estimate ultimate claims costs on the current accident year. The
current accident year IBNR reserves are initially determined by multiplying
earned premiums for the year by the expected loss and loss adjustment expense
ratio, then subtracting the current accident year’s cumulative incurred (paid
plus case reserves) to date. This method is subject to adjustment
based upon actual results incurred during the reporting period. This
initial IBNR reserve is adjusted as subsequent development of that accident year
takes place. The differences between actual and expected claims costs
are typically not due to one specific factor, but a combination of many factors
such as the period of time between the initial occurrence and the final
settlement of the claim, current and perceived social and economic inflation,
and many other economic, legal, political, and social
factors. Because of these and other factors, actual loss and loss
adjustment expense payments should be expected to vary, perhaps significantly,
from any estimate made prior to the settling of all claims. Any
adjustments to reserves are reflected in the operating results of the periods in
which they are made. Management believes that the aggregate reserves
for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reasonable and adequate to cover the
cost of claims, both reported and unreported.
Policy acquisition costs
consist of commissions, premium taxes, inspection fees, and certain other
underwriting costs, which are related to the production of Crusader insurance
policies. These costs include both Crusader expenses and allocated
expenses of other Unico subsidiaries. Crusader's reinsurers pay
Crusader a ceding commission, which is primarily a reimbursement of the
acquisition cost related to the ceded premium. Policy acquisition
costs, net of ceding commission, are deferred and amortized as the related
premiums are earned. These costs were approximately 23% of net
premium earned for the three months ended March 31, 2008, and 21% of net premium
earned for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Salaries and employee benefits
increased $15,532 (1%) to $1,437,039 for the three months ended
March 31, 2008, compared to salary and employee benefits of $1,421,507
for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Commissions to agents/brokers
increased $117,186 (57%) to $321,491 for the three months ended March 31, 2008,
compared to commission expense of $204,305 for the three months ended March 31,
2007. The increase is primarily the result of the increase in written
premium in the health and life insurance program and is related to the increase
in commission income from that program.
Other operating expenses
increased $21,360 (3%) to $786,612 for the three months ended March 31,
2008, compared to $765,252 for the three months ended March 31,
2007.
Income tax provision was an
expense of $486,311 (34% of pre-tax income) for the three months ended
March 31, 2008, compared to an income tax expense of
$854,139 (33% of pre-tax income) for the three months ended March 31,
2007. The decrease in tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in
pre-tax income to $1,446,301 in the three months ended March 31, 2008, from
pre-tax income of $2,576,438 in the three months ended March 31,
2007.
The
effect of inflation on net income of the Company during the three months ended
March 31, 2008, and the three months ended March 31, 2007, was not
significant.
17 of 19
Forward Looking
StatementsCertain statements contained herein, including the section
entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations,” that are not historical facts are
forward-looking. These statements, which may be identified by
forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” ”expect,”
“intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” and “would” involve risks and uncertainties,
many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Such risks and
uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these
forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results
to differ materially include underwriting or marketing actions not being
effective, rate increases for coverages not being sufficient, premium rate
adequacy relating to competition or regulation, actual versus estimated claim
experience, regulatory changes or developments, unforeseen calamities, general
market conditions, and the Company’s ability to introduce new profitable
products.
ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND
QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The
Company’s consolidated balance sheet includes a substantial amount of invested
assets whose fair values are subject to various market risk exposures including
interest rate risk and equity price risk.
The
Company’s invested assets consist of the following:
March
31
2008
|
December
31
2007
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
||||||||||
Fixed
maturity bonds (at amortized value)
|
$ | 133,711,143 | $ | 139,592,208 | $ | (5,881,065 | ) | |||||
Short-term
cash investments (at cost)
|
14,985,626 | 7,356,159 | 7,629,467 | |||||||||
Certificates
of deposit (over 1 year, at cost)
|
400,000 | 400,000 | - | |||||||||
Total
invested assets
|
$ | 149,096,769 | $ | 147,348,367 | $ | 1,748,402 |
There
have been no material changes in the composition of the Company’s invested
assets or market risk exposures since the end of the preceding fiscal year
end.
ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND
PROCEDURES
An
evaluation was carried out by the Company's management, including our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the
design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of
March 31, 2008, (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and
operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were
effective.
During
the period covered by this report, there have been no changes in the Company's
internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the
evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that have materially affected or are reasonably
likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial
reporting.
18 of 19
PART
II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK
FACTORS
There
were no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in the
Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, in response to Item 1A
to Part I of Form 10-K.
ITEM 6 -
EXHIBITS
10.1
|
Employment
Agreement effective December 15, 2007, by and between the Registrant and
Cary L. Cheldin. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21,
2008)
|
10.2
|
Employment
Agreement effective December 15, 2007, by and between the Registrant and
Lester A. Aaron. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21,
2008)
|
31.1
|
Certificate
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a),
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
31.2
|
Certificate
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a),
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
32.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
32.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
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.
|
UNICO AMERICAN
CORPORATION
|
Date: May
14,
2008 By:
/s/ ERWIN
CHELDIN
Erwin Cheldin
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief
Executive Officer, (Principal
Executive Officer)
Date: May
14,
2008 By:
/s/ LESTER A.
AARON
Lester A. Aaron
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer,
(Principal
Accounting and Principal Financial
Officer)
19 of
19
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Description
10.1
|
Employment
Agreement effective December 15, 2007, by and between the Registrant and
Cary L. Cheldin. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21,
2008)
|
10.2
|
Employment
Agreement effective December 15, 2007, by and between the Registrant and
Lester A. Aaron. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21,
2008)
|
31.1
|
Certificate
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a),
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(filed herewith)
|
31.2
|
Certificate
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a),
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(filed herewith)
|
32.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed
herewith)
|
32.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed
herewith)
|