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UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2014 September (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

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 001-33251

 

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

65-0231984

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1110 W. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

(Address of principal executive offices)

(954) 958-1200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such 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  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer” and “accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

¨

  

Accelerated filer

 

x

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

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  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 34,261,956 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding on October 24, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 


UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (unaudited)

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

43

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

2


Table of Contents

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2014 and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the related condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC

 

Chicago, Illinois

October 30, 2014

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

   

 

As of

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

170,352

 

 

$

117,275

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

6,597

 

 

 

2,600

 

Fixed maturities, at fair value

 

328,010

 

 

 

289,418

 

Equity securities, at fair value

 

20,387

 

 

 

65,022

 

Short-term investments, at fair value

 

37,473

 

 

 

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

195,322

 

 

 

241,214

 

Reinsurance recoverable

 

56,241

 

 

 

107,847

 

Reinsurance receivable, net

 

12,535

 

 

 

203

 

Premiums receivable, net

 

54,647

 

 

 

46,461

 

Other receivables

 

3,196

 

 

 

2,587

 

Property and equipment, net

 

9,961

 

 

 

9,289

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs, net

 

27,832

 

 

 

15,899

 

Income taxes recoverable

 

2,914

 

 

 

8,152

 

Deferred income tax asset, net

 

11,958

 

 

 

12,051

 

Other assets

 

2,840

 

 

 

2,072

 

Total assets

$

940,265

 

 

$

920,090

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

$

136,915

 

 

$

159,222

 

Unearned premiums

 

411,875

 

 

 

383,488

 

Advance premium

 

21,302

 

 

 

22,959

 

Accounts payable

 

4,457

 

 

 

3,441

 

Book overdraft

 

5,861

 

 

 

14,947

 

Reinsurance payable, net

 

102,251

 

 

 

86,232

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

 

 

2,566

 

Dividends payable to shareholders

 

3,429

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

 

34,240

 

 

 

34,386

 

Long-term debt

 

30,796

 

 

 

37,240

 

Total liabilities

 

751,126

 

 

 

744,481

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized shares - 1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued shares - 12 and 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding shares - 12 and 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum liquidation preference, $8.49 and $6.98 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value

 

449

 

 

 

436

 

Authorized shares - 55,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued shares - 44,955 and 43,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding shares - 34,289 and 35,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury shares, at cost - 10,666 and 8,275

 

(65,203

)

 

 

(35,467

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

45,096

 

 

 

42,282

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

 

(1,547

)

 

 

(376

)

Retained earnings

 

210,344

 

 

 

168,734

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

189,139

 

 

 

175,609

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

940,265

 

 

$

920,090

 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

  

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Table of Contents

 

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

PREMIUMS EARNED AND OTHER REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct premiums written

$

195,435

 

 

$

186,079

 

 

$

607,361

 

 

$

610,164

 

Ceded premiums written

 

(103,492

)

 

 

(124,961

)

 

 

(301,624

)

 

 

(400,175

)

Net premiums written

 

91,943

 

 

 

61,118

 

 

 

305,737

 

 

 

209,989

 

Change in net unearned premium

 

2,345

 

 

 

7,809

 

 

 

(74,280

)

 

 

(8,787

)

Premiums earned, net

 

94,288

 

 

 

68,927

 

 

 

231,457

 

 

 

201,202

 

Net investment income (expense)

 

644

 

 

 

382

 

 

 

1,574

 

 

 

530

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

501

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

5,353

 

 

 

(15,982

)

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,912

 

Commission revenue

 

3,123

 

 

 

4,180

 

 

 

10,882

 

 

 

14,437

 

Policy fees

 

3,416

 

 

 

3,231

 

 

 

10,827

 

 

 

10,737

 

Other revenue

 

1,528

 

 

 

1,577

 

 

 

4,701

 

 

 

4,743

 

Total premiums earned and other revenues

 

103,500

 

 

 

78,368

 

 

 

264,794

 

 

 

223,579

 

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

34,181

 

 

 

28,335

 

 

 

88,685

 

 

 

80,018

 

General and administrative expenses

 

32,167

 

 

 

24,920

 

 

 

85,431

 

 

 

68,998

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

66,348

 

 

 

53,255

 

 

 

174,116

 

 

 

149,016

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

37,152

 

 

 

25,113

 

 

 

90,678

 

 

 

74,563

 

Income taxes, current

 

15,376

 

 

 

9,142

 

 

 

37,833

 

 

 

25,440

 

Income taxes, deferred

 

435

 

 

 

1,564

 

 

 

829

 

 

 

5,728

 

Income taxes, net

 

15,811

 

 

 

10,706

 

 

 

38,662

 

 

 

31,168

 

NET INCOME

$

21,341

 

 

$

14,407

 

 

$

52,016

 

 

$

43,395

 

Basic earnings per common share

$

0.64

 

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

1.55

 

 

$

1.18

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic

 

33,432

 

 

 

33,658

 

 

 

33,607

 

 

 

36,628

 

Fully diluted earnings per common share

$

0.61

 

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

1.48

 

 

$

1.13

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted

 

34,812

 

 

 

35,611

 

 

 

35,097

 

 

 

38,352

 

Cash dividend declared per common share

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

0.26

 

 

 

  

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Net income

$

21,341

 

 

$

14,407

 

 

$

52,016

 

 

$

43,395

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

 

(924

)

 

 

2,120

 

 

 

(1,171

)

 

 

(488

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

20,417

 

 

$

16,527

 

 

$

50,845

 

 

$

42,907

 

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

 

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UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

$

52,016

 

 

$

43,395

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad debt expense

 

262

 

 

 

363

 

Depreciation

 

845

 

 

 

745

 

Amortization of share-based compensation

 

8,766

 

 

 

4,639

 

Amortization of original issue discount on debt

 

659

 

 

 

349

 

Accretion of deferred credit

 

(659

)

 

 

(349

)

Book overdraft increase (decrease)

 

(9,086

)

 

 

(3,785

)

Net realized (gains) losses on investments

 

(5,353

)

 

 

15,982

 

Net change in unrealized (gains) losses on investments

 

 

 

 

(7,912

)

Amortization of premium/accretion of discount, net

 

1,540

 

 

 

1,063

 

Deferred income taxes

 

829

 

 

 

5,728

 

Excess tax (benefits) shortfall from share-based compensation

 

(6,465

)

 

 

(52

)

Other

 

25

 

 

 

5

 

Net change in assets and liabilities relating to operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

(3,997

)

 

 

30,409

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

45,892

 

 

 

(10,585

)

Reinsurance recoverable

 

51,606

 

 

 

14,291

 

Reinsurance receivable, net

 

(12,332

)

 

 

66

 

Premiums receivable, net

 

(8,444

)

 

 

(2,634

)

Accrued investment income

 

(158

)

 

 

(898

)

Other receivables

 

(450

)

 

 

(535

)

Income taxes recoverable

 

5,238

 

 

 

(11,904

)

Deferred policy acquisition costs, net

 

(11,933

)

 

 

329

 

Purchase of trading securities

 

 

 

 

(26,009

)

Proceeds from sales of trading securities

 

 

 

 

102,661

 

Other assets

 

(768

)

 

 

(1,453

)

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(22,307

)

 

 

(35,867

)

Unearned premiums

 

28,387

 

 

 

19,372

 

Accounts payable

 

1,016

 

 

 

(505

)

Reinsurance payable, net

 

16,019

 

 

 

33,314

 

Income taxes payable

 

3,899

 

 

 

803

 

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

 

514

 

 

 

4,124

 

Advance premium

 

(1,657

)

 

 

8,670

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

133,904

 

 

 

183,820

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

30

 

 

 

5

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(1,578

)

 

 

(1,086

)

Purchases of equity securities

 

(74,407

)

 

 

(70,351

)

Purchases of fixed maturities

 

(61,760

)

 

 

(306,169

)

Purchases of short-term investments

 

(37,500

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales of equity securities

 

121,580

 

 

 

390

 

Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities

 

5,168

 

 

 

 

Maturities of fixed maturities

 

17,395

 

 

 

9,021

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(31,072

)

 

 

(368,190

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividend

 

(10

)

 

 

(15

)

Common stock dividend

 

(6,967

)

 

 

(9,576

)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(29,736

)

 

 

(32,365

)

Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation

 

(12,404

)

 

 

(2,728

)

Excess tax benefits (shortfall) from share-based compensation

 

6,465

 

 

 

51

 

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Repayment of debt

 

(7,103

)

 

 

(1,103

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(49,755

)

 

 

(25,736

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

53,077

 

 

 

(210,106

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

117,275

 

 

 

347,392

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

170,352

 

 

$

137,286

 

Supplemental cash flow and non-cash disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

$

1,158

 

 

$

742

 

Income taxes paid

$

28,684

 

 

$

36,564

 

Non-cash transfer of investments from trading to available for sale portfolio

$

 

 

$

4,004

 

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., (“UIH”) is a Delaware corporation originally incorporated as Universal Heights, Inc., in November 1990. UIH and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) are a vertically integrated insurance holding company performing all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution and claims. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“UPCIC”) and American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“APPCIC”), collectively referred to as the “Insurance Entities”, the Company is principally engaged in the property and casualty insurance business offered primarily through a network of independent agents. Risk from catastrophic losses is managed through the use of reinsurance agreements. The Company’s primary product is homeowners insurance offered in eight states as of September 30, 2014, including Florida, which comprises the vast majority of the Company’s in-force policies. See “—Note 5 (Insurance Operations)” for more information regarding the Company’s insurance operations.

The Company generates revenues primarily from the collection of premiums and invests funds in excess of those retained for claims-paying obligations and insurance operations. Other significant sources of revenue include commissions collected from reinsurers and policy fees collected from policyholders through our wholly-owned managing general agency subsidiary.

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“Financial Statements”) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. Therefore, the Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2014. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013, was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the Financial Statements. The results for interim periods do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.

To conform to current period presentation, certain amounts in the prior periods’ consolidated financial statements and notes have been reclassified. Such reclassifications were of an immaterial amount and had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity.

The Financial Statements include the accounts of UIH and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the Company’s Financial Statements and in disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

  

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2. Significant Accounting Policies

The Company reported Significant Accounting Policies in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Below are revised disclosures required to be reported on a quarterly basis.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company includes in cash equivalents all short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and have an original maturity of three months or less. These amounts are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company excludes any net negative cash balances from cash and cash equivalents that the Company has with any single institution. These amounts are reclassified to liabilities and presented as book overdraft in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Short-Term Investments. Short-term investments consist of financial instruments with original maturities within one year but more than three months. Short-term investments are recorded at fair value or cost which approximates fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses on short-term investments that are recorded at fair value are excluded from earnings and reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of related deferred taxes until reclassified to earnings upon the consummation of sales transaction with an unrelated third party or when the decline in fair value is deemed other than temporary.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance on the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. Under this guidance, an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should generally be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, but earlier adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption did not have an impact on the presentation of the Company’s financial statements and notes herein.

In June 2011, the FASB updated its guidance to the Comprehensive Income Topic 220 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and in February 2013, the FASB further amended such topic. This February 2013 guidance requires disclosure about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement of operations or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. This guidance is to be applied prospectively to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance results in additional disclosures but did not impact the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. The updated guidance provided by the FASB in June 2011 increases the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option of presenting components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The guidance requires that total comprehensive income (including both the net income components and other comprehensive income components) be reported in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income, or two separate but consecutive statements (the approach currently used in the Company’s financial statements). This guidance is to be applied retrospectively to fiscal years (and interim periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2012. The adoption did not have an impact on the presentation of the Company’s financial statements and notes herein, as the Company has presented amounts of other comprehensive income consistent with this updated guidance.

 


9


Table of Contents

 

3. Investments

The Company liquidated its trading portfolio of equity securities and transferred the fixed maturities that were outstanding at December 31, 2012 into its portfolio of securities available for sale effective March 1, 2013. The unrealized gain (loss) associated with the fixed maturities trading portfolio was recognized in earnings up to the date of transfer.

The following table presents the Company’s investment holdings by type of instrument as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Cost or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Amortized

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Value

 

Cash and cash equivalents (1)

$

170,352

 

 

$

170,352

 

 

$

170,352

 

 

$

117,275

 

 

$

117,275

 

 

$

117,275

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

6,597

 

 

 

6,597

 

 

 

6,597

 

 

 

2,600

 

 

 

2,600

 

 

 

2,600

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government obligations and agencies

 

116,903

 

 

 

116,083

 

 

 

116,083

 

 

 

105,229

 

 

 

104,215

 

 

 

104,215

 

Corporate bonds

 

109,946

 

 

 

109,837

 

 

 

109,837

 

 

 

94,708

 

 

 

94,203

 

 

 

94,203

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

95,599

 

 

 

95,238

 

 

 

95,238

 

 

 

91,502

 

 

 

91,000

 

 

 

91,000

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

6,813

 

 

 

6,852

 

 

 

6,852

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

331

 

 

 

250

 

 

 

250

 

 

 

8,500

 

 

 

9,295

 

 

 

9,295

 

Mutual funds

 

21,297

 

 

 

20,137

 

 

 

20,137

 

 

 

55,113

 

 

 

55,727

 

 

 

55,727

 

Short-term investments

 

37,500

 

 

 

37,473

 

 

 

37,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

388,389

 

 

 

385,870

 

 

 

385,870

 

 

 

355,052

 

 

 

354,440

 

 

 

354,440

 

Total

$

565,338

 

 

$

562,819

 

 

$

562,819

 

 

$

474,927

 

 

$

474,315

 

 

$

474,315

 

 

(1)

Cash and cash equivalents have original maturities of three months or less. They include certificates of deposit, short-term debt securities consisting of direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and/or money-market accounts that invest in or are collateralized by direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government guaranteed securities.

The Company has made an assessment of its invested assets for fair value measurement as further described in “— Note 13 (Fair Value Measurements)”.

The following table presents the components of net investment income, comprised primarily of interest and dividends, for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Cash and cash equivalents (1)

$

26

 

 

$

135

 

 

$

47

 

 

$

377

 

Fixed maturities

 

884

 

 

 

439

 

 

 

2,394

 

 

 

409

 

Equity securities

 

182

 

 

 

363

 

 

 

636

 

 

 

729

 

Short-term investments

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

Total investment income

 

1,103

 

 

 

937

 

 

 

3,088

 

 

 

1,515

 

Less: Investment expenses

 

(459

)

 

 

(555

)

 

 

(1,514

)

 

 

(985

)

Net investment (expense) income

$

644

 

 

$

382

 

 

$

1,574

 

 

$

530

 

 

(1)

Includes interest earned on restricted cash and cash equivalents.

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Table of Contents

 

Securities Available for Sale

The following table provides the cost or amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

 

Cost or

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

Fixed Maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     U.S. government obligations and agencies

$

116,903

 

 

$

64

 

 

$

(884

)

 

$

116,083

 

     Corporate bonds

 

109,946

 

 

 

216

 

 

 

(325

)

 

 

109,837

 

     Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

95,599

 

 

 

141

 

 

 

(502

)

 

 

95,238

 

     Redeemable preferred stock

 

6,813

 

 

 

71

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

6,852

 

Equity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Common stock

 

331

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(82

)

 

 

250

 

     Mutual funds

 

21,297

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,160

)

 

 

20,137

 

Short-term investments

 

37,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27

)

 

 

37,473

 

Total

$

388,389

 

 

$

493

 

 

$

(3,012

)

 

$

385,870

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Cost or

 

 

Gross

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

Fixed Maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government obligations and agencies

$

105,229

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

(1,033

)

 

$

104,215

 

Corporate bonds

 

94,708

 

 

 

265

 

 

 

(770

)

 

 

94,203

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

91,502

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

(577

)

 

 

91,000

 

Equity Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

8,500

 

 

 

916

 

 

 

(121

)

 

 

9,295

 

Mutual funds

 

55,113

 

 

 

2,266

 

 

 

(1,652

)

 

 

55,727

 

Total

$

355,052

 

 

$

3,541

 

 

$

(4,153

)

 

$

354,440

 

 

The following table provides the credit quality of investments with contractual maturities as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

September 30, 2014

 

Standard and Poor's

 

 

 

 

 

% of Total

 

Rating Services

 

Fair Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

AAA

 

$

28,505

 

 

 

8.1

%

AA

 

 

192,903

 

 

 

54.7

%

A

 

 

76,030

 

 

 

21.5

%

BBB

 

 

42,091

 

 

 

11.9

%

BB and Below (1)

 

 

2,714

 

 

 

0.8

%

No Rating Available (2)

 

 

10,740

 

 

 

3.0

%

Total

 

$

352,983

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

December 31, 2013

 

Standard and Poor's

 

 

 

 

 

% of Total

 

Rating Services

 

Fair Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

AAA

 

$

82,889

 

 

 

28.6

%

AA

 

 

120,976

 

 

 

41.8

%

A

 

 

46,689

 

 

 

16.1

%

BBB

 

 

38,114

 

 

 

13.2

%

No Rating Available

 

 

750

 

 

 

0.3

%

Total

 

$

289,418

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

(1)

As of September 30, 2014, $259 thousand of these investments where rated “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

(2)

As of September 30, 2014, $7.5 million of these investments where rated “Aaa” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

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Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes the cost or amortized cost and fair value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Cost or

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost or

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

Mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency

$

59,548

 

 

$

59,228

 

 

$

64,028

 

 

$

63,547

 

Non-agency

 

3,110

 

 

 

3,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto loan receivables

 

14,862

 

 

 

14,884

 

 

 

14,816

 

 

 

14,841

 

Credit card receivables

 

13,479

 

 

 

13,464

 

 

 

11,478

 

 

 

11,425

 

Other receivables

 

4,600

 

 

 

4,599

 

 

 

1,180

 

 

 

1,187

 

Total

$

95,599

 

 

$

95,238

 

 

$

91,502

 

 

$

91,000

 

 

The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses on securities available for sale, aggregated by major investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

 

Less Than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Longer

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Issues

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Issues

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Losses

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government obligations and agencies

 

2

 

 

$

17,473

 

 

$

(152

)

 

 

4

 

 

$

33,950

 

 

$

(732

)

Corporate bonds

 

42

 

 

 

35,635

 

 

 

(153

)

 

 

13

 

 

 

16,301

 

 

 

(172

)

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

14

 

 

 

35,116

 

 

 

(221

)

 

 

7

 

 

 

24,775

 

 

 

(281

)

Redeemable preferred stock

 

26

 

 

 

2,681

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

3

 

 

 

131

 

 

 

(27

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

107

 

 

 

(55

)

Mutual funds

 

2

 

 

 

10,487

 

 

 

(70

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

9,596

 

 

 

(1,090

)

Short-term investments

 

1

 

 

 

24,973

 

 

 

(27

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

90

 

 

$

126,496

 

 

$

(682

)

 

 

27

 

 

$

84,729

 

 

$

(2,330

)

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Less Than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Longer

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Issues

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Issues

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Losses

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government obligations and agencies

 

6

 

 

$

71,042

 

 

$

(1,033

)

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Corporate bonds

 

55

 

 

 

65,926

 

 

 

(770

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

16

 

 

 

67,110

 

 

 

(577

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

13

 

 

 

3,517

 

 

 

(121

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mutual funds

 

5

 

 

 

19,646

 

 

 

(1,652

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

95

 

 

$

227,241

 

 

$

(4,153

)

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

At September 30, 2014, we held fixed maturity and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position as presented in the table above. For fixed maturity securities with significant declines in value, we perform quarterly fundamental credit analysis on a security-by-security basis, which includes consideration of credit quality and credit ratings, review of relevant industry analyst reports and other available market data. For fixed maturity and equity securities, the Company considers whether it has the intent and ability to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to recover its cost basis. Where the Company lacks the intent and ability to hold to recovery, or believes the recovery period is extended, the security’s decline in fair value is considered other than temporary and is recorded in earnings. Based upon management’s intent and ability to hold the securities until recovery and its credit analysis of the individual issuers of the securities, management has no reason to believe the unrealized losses for securities available for sale at September 30, 2014 are other than temporary.

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Table of Contents

 

The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of investments with contractual maturities as of the date presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

 

Cost or

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

Due in one year or less

$

79,061

 

 

$

78,943

 

Due after one year through five years

 

171,757

 

 

 

170,939

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

138

 

 

 

128

 

Due after ten years

 

3,652

 

 

 

3,676

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

95,599

 

 

 

95,238

 

Perpetual maturity securities

 

4,054

 

 

 

4,059

 

Total

$

354,261

 

 

$

352,983

 

 

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay with or without penalty.

The following table provides certain information related to securities available for sale during the period presented (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Sales proceeds (fair value)

$

53,961

 

 

$

376

 

 

$

126,748

 

 

$

390

 

Gross realized gains

$

742

 

 

$

56

 

 

$

5,930

 

 

$

56

 

Gross realized losses

$

(241

)

 

$

 

 

$

(577

)

 

$

(1

)

Other than temporary losses

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

Trading Portfolio

The following table provides the effect of trading activities on the Company’s results of operations for the period presented by type of instrument and by line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands):

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30, 2013

 

Realized gains (losses) on investments:

 

 

 

Equity securities

$

(15,969

)

Derivatives (non-hedging instruments) (1)

 

(68

)

Total realized gains (losses) on trading portfolio

 

(16,037

)

Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments:

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

13

 

Equity securities

 

7,758

 

Derivatives (non-hedging instruments) (1)

 

89

 

Other

 

14

 

Total change in unrealized gains (losses) on trading portfolio

 

7,874

 

Net gains (losses) recognized on trading portfolio

$

(8,163

)

 

(1)

This table provides the alternative quantitative disclosures permitted for derivatives that are not used as hedging instruments and are included in the trading portfolio.

The Company liquidated its trading portfolio in March 2013; therefore, for periods subsequent to March 31, 2013 there was no effect of trading activities on the Company’s results of operations.


13


Table of Contents

 

 

4. Reinsurance

The Company seeks to reduce its risk of loss by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with other insurance enterprises or reinsurers, generally as of the beginning of the hurricane season on June 1 of each year. The Company’s reinsurance program consists of excess of loss, quota share and catastrophe reinsurance, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable agreements. The Company is responsible for insured losses related to catastrophes and other events in excess of coverage provided by its reinsurance program. The Company remains responsible for the settlement of insured losses irrespective of the failure of any of its reinsurers to make payments otherwise due to the Company.

The Company reduced the percentage of premiums ceded by UPCIC to its quota share reinsurers to 30% beginning with the reinsurance program effective June 1, 2014, from 45% under the prior year quota share contracts that were effective June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014. By ceding 15 percentage points less premium to its quota share reinsurers, the Company expects to increase its profitability by retaining more premium. The reduction in cession rate also decreases the amount of losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) that may be ceded by UPCIC and effectively increases the amount of risk retained by UPCIC and the Company. The reduction of cession rate also reduces the amount of ceding commissions earned from the Company’s quota share reinsurer during the contract term and decreases the amount of deferred ceding commission, as of September 30, 2014, that is a component of net deferred policy acquisition costs.

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance premiums, losses and LAE are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Deferred ceding commissions are netted against policy acquisition costs and amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies.

In order to reduce credit risk for amounts due from reinsurers, the Insurance Entities seek to do business with financially sound reinsurance companies and regularly evaluate the financial strength of all reinsurers used.

The following table presents ratings from rating agencies and the unsecured amounts due from the Company’s reinsurers whose aggregate balance exceeded 3% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

Ratings as of  September 30, 2014

 

Due from as of

 

 

 

 

 

Standard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Poor's

 

Moody's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AM Best

 

Rating

 

Investors

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

Reinsurer

 

Company

 

Services

 

Service, Inc.

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Everest Reinsurance Company

 

A+

 

A+

 

A1

 

$

23,332

 

 

$

87,789

 

Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

 

 

 

 

33,593

 

Odyssey Reinsurance Company

 

A

 

A-

 

A3

 

 

151,762

 

 

 

142,190

 

Total (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

175,094

 

 

$

263,572

 

 

(1)

Amounts represent prepaid reinsurance premiums, reinsurance receivables, and net recoverables for paid and unpaid losses, including incurred but not reported reserves, loss adjustment expenses, and offsetting reinsurance payables.

n/a

No rating available, because entity is not rated.


14


Table of Contents

 

The Company’s reinsurance arrangements had the following effect on certain items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and Loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and Loss

 

 

Premiums

 

 

Premiums

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Premiums

 

 

Premiums

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Written

 

 

Earned

 

 

Expenses

 

 

Written

 

 

Earned

 

 

Expenses

 

Direct

$

195,435

 

 

$

196,269

 

 

$

48,341

 

 

$

186,079

 

 

$

199,323

 

 

$

53,600

 

Ceded

 

(103,492

)

 

 

(101,981

)

 

 

(14,160

)

 

 

(124,961

)

 

 

(130,396

)

 

 

(25,265

)

Net

$

91,943

 

 

$

94,288

 

 

$

34,181

 

 

$

61,118

 

 

$

68,927

 

 

$

28,335

 

 

  

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and Loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and Loss

 

 

Premiums

 

 

Premiums

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Premiums

 

 

Premiums

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

Written

 

 

Earned

 

 

Expenses

 

 

Written

 

 

Earned

 

 

Expenses

 

Direct

$

607,361

 

 

$

578,974

 

 

$

146,033

 

 

$

610,164

 

 

$

590,792

 

 

$

154,547

 

Ceded

 

(301,624

)

 

 

(347,517

)

 

 

(57,348

)

 

 

(400,175

)

 

 

(389,590

)

 

 

(74,529

)

Net

$

305,737

 

 

$

231,457

 

 

$

88,685

 

 

$

209,989

 

 

$

201,202

 

 

$

80,018

 

 

The following prepaid reinsurance premiums and reinsurance recoverable and receivable are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

$

195,322

 

 

$

241,214

 

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE

$

49,339

 

 

$

68,584

 

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses

 

6,902

 

 

 

39,263

 

Reinsurance receivable, net

 

12,535

 

 

 

203

 

Reinsurance recoverable and receivable

$

68,776

 

 

$

108,050

 

 


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Table of Contents

 

 

5. Insurance Operations

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, net

The Company defers certain costs in connection with written policies, called Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”), net of corresponding amounts of ceded reinsurance commissions, called Deferred Reinsurance Ceding Commissions (“DRCC”). Net DPAC is amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies.

The following table presents the beginning and ending balances and the changes in DPAC, net of DRCC, for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

DPAC, beginning of period

$

58,149

 

 

$

59,033

 

 

$

54,099

 

 

$

54,431

 

Capitalized Costs

 

27,579

 

 

 

26,382

 

 

 

84,354

 

 

 

85,315

 

Amortization of DPAC

 

(27,769

)

 

 

(27,888

)

 

 

(80,494

)

 

 

(82,219

)

DPAC, end of period

$

57,959

 

 

$

57,527

 

 

$

57,959

 

 

$

57,527

 

DRCC, beginning of period

$

30,072

 

 

$

41,792

 

 

$

38,200

 

 

$

37,149

 

Ceding Commissions Written

 

17,236

 

 

 

21,319

 

 

 

49,555

 

 

 

69,853

 

Earned Ceding Commissions

 

(17,181

)

 

 

(22,537

)

 

 

(57,628

)

 

 

(66,428

)

DRCC, end of period

$

30,127

 

 

$

40,574

 

 

$

30,127

 

 

$

40,574

 

DPAC (DRCC), net, beginning of period

$

28,077

 

 

$

17,241

 

 

$

15,899

 

 

$

17,282

 

Capitalized Costs, net

 

10,343

 

 

 

5,063

 

 

 

34,799

 

 

 

15,462

 

Amortization of DPAC (DRCC), net

 

(10,588

)

 

 

(5,351

)

 

 

(22,866

)

 

 

(15,791

)

DPAC (DRCC), net, end of period

$

27,832

 

 

$

16,953

 

 

$

27,832

 

 

$

16,953

 

 

 

Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Set forth in the following table is the change in liability for unpaid losses and LAE for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Balance at beginning of period

$

144,625

 

 

$

166,260

 

 

$

159,222

 

 

$

193,241

 

Less: Reinsurance recoverable

 

(58,705

)

 

 

(67,820

)

 

 

(68,584

)

 

 

(81,415

)

Net balance at beginning of period

 

85,920

 

 

 

98,440

 

 

 

90,638

 

 

 

111,826

 

Incurred (recovered) related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

32,637

 

 

 

28,665

 

 

 

87,825

 

 

 

81,995

 

Prior years

 

1,544

 

 

 

(330

)

 

 

860

 

 

 

(1,977

)

Total incurred

 

34,181

 

 

 

28,335

 

 

 

88,685

 

 

 

80,018

 

Paid related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

24,365

 

 

 

21,813

 

 

 

44,432

 

 

 

39,288

 

Prior years

 

8,160

 

 

 

10,789

 

 

 

47,315

 

 

 

58,383

 

Total paid

 

32,525

 

 

 

32,602

 

 

 

91,747

 

 

 

97,671

 

Net balance at end of period

 

87,576

 

 

 

94,173

 

 

 

87,576

 

 

 

94,173

 

Plus: Reinsurance recoverable

 

49,339

 

 

 

63,201

 

 

 

49,339

 

 

 

63,201

 

Balance at end of period

$

136,915

 

 

$

157,374

 

 

$

136,915

 

 

$

157,374

 

 

The company has adjusted prior year reserves to reflect both positive and negative development trends.  The company continues to see an increase in claim settlement rates as a result of ongoing claims department initiatives which were introduced in 2013.  This has resulted in favorable development for the majority of claim segments, particularly for the most recent accident years, but is offset by unfavorable development in bringing closure to claims previously in a litigious environment.

 


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Table of Contents

 

Regulatory Requirements and Restrictions

The Insurance Entities are subject to regulations and standards of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. These standards require the Insurance Entities to maintain specified levels of statutory capital and restrict the timing and amount of dividends and other distributions that may be paid to the parent company. Except in the case of extraordinary dividends, these standards generally permit dividends to be paid from statutory unassigned surplus of the regulated subsidiary and are limited based on the regulated subsidiary’s level of statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus. The maximum dividend that may be paid by UPCIC and APPCIC to their immediate parent company, Universal Insurance Holding Company of Florida (“UIHCF”), without prior regulatory approval is limited to the lesser of statutory net income from operations of the preceding calendar year or 10.0% of statutory unassigned surplus as of the preceding year end. These dividends are referred to as “ordinary dividends.” However, if the dividend, together with other dividends paid within the preceding twelve months, exceeds this statutory limit or is paid from sources other than earned surplus, the entire dividend is generally considered an “extraordinary dividend” and must receive prior regulatory approval.

Based on the 2013 statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus levels, UPCIC has the capacity to pay ordinary dividends of $290 thousand during 2014. APPCIC does not have the capacity to pay ordinary dividends during 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, no dividends were paid from UPCIC or APPCIC to UIHCF. Dividends paid to the shareholders of UIH are paid from the earnings of UIH and its non-insurance subsidiaries and not from the capital and surplus of the Insurance Entities.

The Florida Insurance Code requires insurance companies to maintain capitalization equivalent to the greater of ten percent of the insurer’s total liabilities or $5.0 million. The following table presents the amount of capital and surplus calculated in accordance with statutory accounting principles, which differ from GAAP, and an amount representing ten percent of total liabilities for both UPCIC and APPCIC as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Ten percent of total liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCIC

$

47,451

 

 

$

39,179

 

APPCIC

$

678

 

 

$

625

 

Statutory capital and surplus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCIC

$

183,064

 

 

$

161,803

 

APPCIC

$

13,528

 

 

$

13,708

 

 

 

As of the dates in the table above, both UPCIC and APPCIC met the Florida capitalization requirement. UPCIC and APPCIC are also required to adhere to prescribed premium-to-capital surplus ratios and have met those requirements at such dates.

The Insurance Entities are required by various state laws and regulations to maintain certain assets in depository accounts. The following table represents assets held by insurance regulators as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

$

2,635

 

 

$

2,600

 

Investments

$

3,678

 

 

$

3,707

 

 

 


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Table of Contents

 

 

6. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of a surplus note entered into by UPCIC with carrying amounts of $17.6 million and $18.8 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; a term loan with carrying amounts of $13.1 million and $18.5 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; and any amounts drawn upon an unsecured line of credit.

On March 29, 2013, UIH entered into a revolving loan agreement and related revolving note with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (“Deutsche Bank”), amended as of May 23, 2013 (“DB Loan”). The DB Loan makes available to UIH an unsecured line of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million. The DB Loan contains financial covenants and as of September 30, 2014, UIH was in compliance with all such covenants. UIH had not drawn any amounts under the unsecured line of credit as of September 30, 2014.

On May 23, 2013, UIH entered into a $20 million unsecured term loan agreement and related term note (“Term Loan”) with RenaissanceRe Ventures Ltd. (“RenRe Ventures”). The Term Loan contains financial covenants and as of September 30, 2014, UIH was in compliance with all such covenants.

The following table provides the principal amount and unamortized original issue discount of the Term Loan as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Principal amount

$

14,000

 

 

$

20,000

 

Less: Unamortized original issue discount

 

(851

)

 

 

(1,510

)

Term Loan, net of unamortized original issue discount

$

13,149

 

 

$

18,490

 

 

Amortization of the original issue discount is included in interest expense, a component of general and administrative expenses, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and was $179 thousand and $248 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $659 thousand and $349 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Should UIH default on either the DB Loan or the Term Loan, it will be prohibited from paying dividends to its shareholders.


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Table of Contents

 

 

7. Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

The following table summarizes the activity relating to shares of the Company’s common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

 

 

Issued

 

 

Treasury

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Shares

 

 

Shares

 

 

Shares

 

Balance, as of December 31, 2013

 

43,641

 

 

 

(8,275

)

 

 

35,366

 

Conversion of preferred stock

 

65

 

 

 

 

 

 

65

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

(2,391

)

 

 

(2,391

)

Options exercised

 

1,788

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,788

 

Restricted stocks grants

 

950

 

 

 

 

 

 

950

 

Shares acquired through cashless exercise (1)

 

 

 

 

(1,489

)

 

 

(1,489

)

Shares cancelled

 

(1,489

)

 

 

1,489

 

 

 

 

Balance, as of September 30, 2014

 

44,955

 

 

 

(10,666

)

 

 

34,289

 

 

(1)

All shares acquired represent shares tendered to cover the strike price for options and tax withholdings on the intrinsic value of options exercised or restricted stock vested. These shares have been cancelled by the Company.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, UIH entered into various repurchase agreements with Bradley I. Meier, the Company’s former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, to repurchase shares of UIH’s common stock owned by Mr. Meier. UIH repurchased an aggregate of 1,225,000 shares from Mr. Meier since January 2014 at a total cost of $14.7 million. As a result of these transactions, Mr. Meier now owns less than 5 percent of UIH’s outstanding common stock. According to the terms of the right of first refusal of each of UIH and RenRe Ventures, UIH and RenRe Ventures no longer have a right of first refusal to purchase shares of UIH common stock owned by Mr. Meier.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, 8,000 and 9,975 shares of Series M and Series A Preferred Stock, respectively, were converted into an aggregate of 64,938 shares of UIH’s common stock.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, UIH repurchased an aggregate of 1,166,208 shares of its common stock in the open market in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, at a total cost of $15.0 million.

Dividends

On January 30, 2014, UIH declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share on its outstanding common stock paid on March 3, 2014, to the shareholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2014.

On April 16, 2014, UIH declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share on its outstanding common stock paid on July 3, 2014, to the shareholders of record at the close of business on June 19, 2014.

On August 26, 2014, UIH declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share on its outstanding common stock paid on October 1, 2014, to the shareholders of record at the close of business on September 23, 2014. The balance of restricted cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2014 includes $3.4 million of cash representing amounts funded to the transfer agent for the payment of dividends on October 1, 2014.


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Table of Contents

 

 

8. Related Party Transactions

Downes and Associates, a multi-line insurance adjusting corporation based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, performed certain claims adjusting work for UPCIC. Downes and Associates is owned by Dennis Downes, who is the father of Sean P. Downes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company believes that all amounts paid to Downes and Associates were no greater than amounts that would need to be paid to third parties on an arm’s-length basis for similar services. The Company’s agreement with Downes and Associates was terminated effective November 30, 2013 and on December 1, 2013 Dennis Downes became an employee of the Company.

Scott P. Callahan, a director of the Company, provides the Company with consulting services and advice with respect to the Company’s reinsurance and related matters through SPC Global RE Advisors LLC, an entity affiliated with Mr. Callahan. The Company entered into the consulting agreement with SPC Global RE Advisors LLC effective June 6, 2013.

The following table provides payments made by the Company to related parties for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Downes and Associates

$

 

 

$

131

 

 

$

 

 

$

390

 

SPC Global RE Advisors LLC

$

30

 

 

$

38

 

 

$

90

 

 

$

38

 

 

There were no amounts due to SPC Global RE Advisors LLC as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Payments due to Downes and Associates and SPC Global RE Advisors LLC were or are generally made in the month the services are provided.

 

9. Income Taxes

During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded approximately $15.8 million and $10.7 million, respectively, of income taxes, which resulted in effective tax rates of 42.6% and 42.6%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded approximately $38.7 million and $31.2 million, respectively, of income taxes, which resulted in effective tax rates of 42.6% and 41.8%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate due to state income taxes and certain nondeductible items.

Tax years that remain open for purposes of examination of the Company’s income tax liability due to taxing authorities, include the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010. However, there is currently an IRS examination underway related to the loss carryback of realized losses from securities sold during 2012 applied to the 2009 tax year.


20


Table of Contents

 

 

10. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding any dilutive common share equivalents. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution resulting from exercises of stock options, vesting of restricted stock and conversion of preferred stock.

The following table reconciles the numerator (i.e., income) and denominator (i.e., shares) of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Numerator for EPS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

21,341

 

 

$

14,407

 

 

$

52,016

 

 

$

43,395

 

Less: Preferred stock dividends

 

(3

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(24

)

Income available to common stockholders

$

21,338

 

 

$

14,393

 

 

$

52,005

 

 

$

43,371

 

Denominator for EPS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

33,432

 

 

 

33,658

 

 

 

33,607

 

 

 

36,628

 

Plus: Assumed conversion of stock-based compensation (1)

 

1,345

 

 

 

1,630

 

 

 

1,440

 

 

 

1,291

 

Plus: Assumed conversion of preferred stock

 

35

 

 

 

323

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

433

 

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

 

34,812

 

 

 

35,611

 

 

 

35,097

 

 

 

38,352

 

Basic earnings per common share

$

0.64

 

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

1.55

 

 

$

1.18

 

Diluted earnings per common share

$

0.61

 

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

1.48

 

 

$

1.13

 

(1)

Represents the dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and unexercised stock options.


21


Table of Contents

 

 

11. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table provides the components of other comprehensive income (loss) on a pre-tax and after-tax basis for the period presented (in thousands):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-tax

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-tax

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments available for sale

    arising during the period

$

(1,004

)

 

$

(388

)

 

$

(616

)

 

$

3,507

 

 

$

1,353

 

 

$

2,154

 

Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other

    comprehensive income (loss)

 

(501

)

 

 

(193

)

 

 

(308

)

 

 

(56

)

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(34

)

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

$

(1,505

)

 

$

(581

)

 

$

(924

)

 

$

3,451

 

 

$

1,331

 

 

$

2,120

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-tax

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

Tax

 

 

After-tax

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments available for sale

    arising during the period

$

3,446

 

 

$

1,329

 

 

$

2,117

 

 

$

(739

)

 

$

(285

)

 

$

(454

)

Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other

    comprehensive income (loss)

 

(5,353

)

 

 

(2,065

)

 

 

(3,288

)

 

 

(55

)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(34

)

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

$

(1,907

)

 

$

(736

)

 

$

(1,171

)

 

$

(794

)

 

$

(306

)

 

$

(488

)

 

The following table provides the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the period presented (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amounts Reclassified from

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

Details about Accumulated Other

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Affected Line Item in the Statement

Comprehensive Income Components

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

Where Net Income is Presented

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

501

 

 

$

56

 

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

 

 

(193

)

 

 

(22

)

 

Income taxes, current

 

 

$

308

 

 

$

34

 

 

Net of tax

 

 

 

 

Amounts Reclassified from

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

Details about Accumulated Other

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Affected Line Item in the Statement

Comprehensive Income Components

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

Where Net Income is Presented

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

5,353

 

 

$

55

 

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

 

 

(2,065

)

 

 

(21

)

 

Income taxes, current

 

 

$

3,288

 

 

$

34

 

 

Net of tax

 


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Table of Contents

 

 

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

Certain lawsuits have been filed against the Company. These lawsuits involve routine matters incidental to the claims aspect of the Company’s business for which estimated losses are included in Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses in the Company’s Financial Statements. In the opinion of management, these lawsuits are not material individually or in the aggregate to the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Accruals made or assessments of materiality of disclosure related to probable or possible losses do not consider any anticipated insurance proceeds.

Other

In July 2013, UPCIC entered into a lease agreement (“Lease Agreement”) for an office building adjacent to its principal office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (“Property”) and expects to use the Property for additional office and storage space. The Company took possession of the office building and began monthly rental payments in October 2013.

Also in July 2013, UPCIC entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the Property (“Purchase Agreement”). The Purchase Agreement provides that the closing for the sale of the Property will take place no later than February 5, 2015. The closing for the sale of the Property is subject to certain closing conditions. The purchase price for the Property is $5.99 million, and UPCIC will receive a credit toward the purchase price for a portion of the rent it pays under the Lease Agreement.

 

13. Fair Value Measurements

GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. GAAP describes three approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: the market approach, the income approach and the cost approach. Each approach includes multiple valuation techniques. GAAP does not prescribe which valuation technique should be used when measuring fair value, but does establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in applying the various techniques. Inputs broadly refer to the assumptions that market participants use to make pricing decisions, including assumptions about risk. Level 1 inputs are given the highest priority in the hierarchy while Level 3 inputs are given the lowest priority. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified in one of the following three categories based on the nature of the inputs to the valuation technique used:

Level 1 — Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 — Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. These inputs reflect management’s best estimate of fair value using its own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.


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Table of Contents

 

Summary of significant valuation techniques for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Level 1

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents: Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents comprise cash, restricted cash, certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less, and actively traded money market funds that have daily quoted net asset values for identical assets that the Company can access. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to its liquid nature.

Common stock: Comprise actively traded, exchange-listed U.S. and international equity securities. Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.

Mutual funds: Comprise actively traded funds. Valuation is based on daily quoted net asset values for identical assets in active markets that the Company can access.

Short-term investments: Comprise certificates of deposit with original maturities within one year but more than three months. The carrying value of short-term investments is cost which approximates fair value.

Level 2

U.S. government obligations and agencies: Comprise U.S. Treasury Bills or Notes or U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities. The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical assets in inactive markets or similar assets in active or inactive markets, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

Corporate Bonds: Comprise investment-grade fixed income securities. The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical assets in inactive markets or similar assets in active or inactive markets, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields and credit spreads.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities: Comprise securities that are collateralized by mortgage obligations and other assets. The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical assets in inactive markets or similar assets in active or inactive markets, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, collateral performance and credit spreads.

Redeemable Preferred Stock: Comprise preferred stock securities that are redeemable. The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active.

Short-term investments: Comprise investment securities with original maturities within one year but more than three months. The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active.

As required by GAAP, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the placement of the asset or liability within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 


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Table of Contents

 

The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets that were measured at fair value including those on a recurring basis as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

170,352

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

170,352

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

6,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,597

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government obligations and agencies

 

 

 

 

116,083

 

 

 

 

 

 

116,083

 

Corporate bonds

 

 

 

 

109,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

109,837

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

 

95,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

95,238

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

6,852

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,852

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250

 

Mutual funds

 

20,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,137

 

Short-term investments

 

12,500

 

 

 

24,973

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,473

 

Total investments

 

32,887

 

 

 

352,983

 

 

 

 

 

 

385,870

 

Total assets accounted for at fair value

$

209,836

 

 

$

352,983

 

 

$

 

 

$

562,819

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

117,275

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

117,275

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

2,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,600

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government obligations and agencies

 

 

 

 

104,215

 

 

 

 

 

 

104,215

 

Corporate bonds

 

 

 

 

94,203

 

 

 

 

 

 

94,203

 

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

 

91,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

91,000

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

9,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,295

 

Mutual funds

 

55,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55,727

 

Total investments

 

65,022

 

 

 

289,418

 

 

 

 

 

 

354,440

 

Total assets accounted for at fair value

$

184,897

 

 

$

289,418

 

 

$

 

 

$

474,315

 

 

The Company utilizes third-party independent pricing services that provide a price quote for each fixed maturity and equity security. Management reviews the methodology used by the pricing services. If management believes that the price used by the pricing service does not reflect an orderly transaction between participants, management will use an alternative valuation methodology. There were no adjustments made by the Company to the prices obtained from the independent pricing source for any fixed maturities or equity securities included in the tables above.


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Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes the carrying value and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments that are not carried at fair value as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Fair

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Fair

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Value

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Value

 

Liabilities (debt):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surplus note

$

17,647

 

 

$

15,188

 

 

$

18,750

 

 

$

15,900

 

Term loan

$

13,149

 

 

$

13,149

 

 

$

18,490

 

 

$

18,490

 

 

Level 3

Long-term debt: The fair value of the surplus note was determined by management from the expected cash flows discounted using the interest rate quoted by the holder. The State Board of Administration of Florida (“SBA”) is the holder of the surplus note and the quoted interest rate is below prevailing rates quoted by private lending institutions. However, as the Company’s use of funds from the surplus note is limited by the terms of the agreement, the Company has determined the interest rate quoted by the SBA to be appropriate for purposes of establishing the fair value of the note.

The fair value of the Term Loan approximates the carrying value given the original issue discount which was calculated based on the present value of future cash flows using the Company’s effective borrowing rate for similar instruments.

 

14. Subsequent Events

The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date the Financial Statements were issued and determined there were no recognized or unrecognized subsequent events that would require an adjustment or additional disclosure in the Financial Statements as of September 30, 2014.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Company” refer to Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. You should read the following discussion together with our condensed consolidated financial statements (“Financial Statements”) and the related notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 “Financial Statements.” Operating results for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other quarter or for the year.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, the following discussion may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on various factors and assumptions that include known and unknown risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Certain statements made in this report reflect management’s expectations regarding future events, and the words “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “plan” and similar expressions and variations thereof, speak only as of the date the statement was made and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements may include, but not be limited to, projections of revenues, income or loss, expenses, plans, as well as assumptions relating to the foregoing. Future results could differ materially from those in the following discussion and those described in forward-looking statements as a result of the risks set forth below which are a summary of those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Risks Relating to the Property-Casualty Business

·

As a property and casualty insurer, we may face significant losses from catastrophes and severe weather events

·

Unanticipated increases in the severity or frequency of claims may adversely affect our profitability and financial condition

·

Actual claims incurred may exceed current reserves established for claims and may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition

·

Predicting claim expense relating to environmental liabilities is inherently uncertain and may have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition

·

The failure of the risk mitigation strategies we utilize could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations

·

Reinsurance may be unavailable at current levels and prices, which may limit our ability to write new business

·

Regulation limiting rate increases and requiring us to participate in loss sharing may decrease our profitability

·

The potential benefits of implementing our profitability model may not be fully realized

·

Our financial condition and operating results and the financial condition and operating results of the Insurance Entities may be adversely affected by the cyclical nature of the property and casualty business

·

Renewed weakness in the Florida real estate market could adversely affect our loss results

·

Changing climate conditions may adversely affect our financial condition, profitability or cash flows

Risks Relating to Investments

·

We have periodically experienced, and may experience further reductions in returns or losses on our investments especially during periods of heightened volatility, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition

·

We are subject to market risk which may adversely impact investment income

·

Concentration of our investment portfolio in any particular segment of the economy may have adverse effects on our operating results and financial condition

·

Our overall financial performance is dependent in part on the returns on our investment portfolio, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations or cause such results to be volatile

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Table of Contents

 

Risks Relating to the Insurance Industry

·

Our future results are dependent in part on our ability to successfully operate in an insurance industry that is highly competitive

·

Difficult conditions in the economy generally could adversely affect our business and operating results

·

There can be no assurance that actions of the U.S. federal government, Federal Reserve and other governmental and regulatory bodies for the purpose of stabilizing the financial markets and stimulating the economy will achieve the intended effect

·

We are subject to extensive regulation and potential further restrictive regulation may increase our operating costs and limit our growth

·

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to examination by state insurance departments

·

Reinsurance subjects us to the credit risk of our reinsurers and may not be adequate to protect us against losses arising from ceded risks, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition

·

The continued threat of terrorism and ongoing military actions may adversely affect the level of claim losses we incur and the value of our investment portfolio

·

A downgrade in the Financial Stability Rating® of our insurance subsidiaries may have an adverse effect on our competitive position, the marketability of our product offerings, and our liquidity, operating results and financial condition

·

Adverse capital and credit market conditions may significantly affect our ability to meet liquidity needs or our ability to obtain credit on acceptable terms

·

Loss of key executives could affect our operations

·

Data security breaches or denial of service on our website could have an adverse impact on our business and reputation

Risks Relating to Debt Obligations

·

Our revolving line of credit and term loan have restrictive terms and our failure to comply with any of these terms could have an adverse effect on our business and prospects and on our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders

 

Overview

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“UIH”), with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a vertically integrated insurance holding company performing all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution and claims. Through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“UPCIC”) and American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“APPCIC”), collectively referred to as the “Insurance Entities”, we are principally engaged in the property and casualty insurance business offered primarily through a network of independent agents. Our primary product is homeowners insurance currently offered in eight states.

We generate revenues primarily from the collection of premiums. Other significant sources of revenue include commissions collected from reinsurers through our wholly-owned reinsurance intermediary subsidiary and policy fees collected from policyholders through our wholly-owned managing general agency subsidiary. We also generate income by investing funds that are in excess of those retained for claims-paying obligations and insurance operations. The nature of our business tends to be seasonal reflecting consumer behaviors in connection with the residential real estate market and the hurricane season which occurs during the period from June 1 through November 30 each year.  The amount of written premium tends to increase just prior to the second quarter of our fiscal year and to decrease approaching the fourth quarter.

Throughout the first three quarters of 2014, we continued to execute our goals of growing our business, investing in ourselves, increasing profitability and returning value to shareholders.  We have done this by expanding into different states, lowering the quota share cession rate, strategically managing rates, not renewing certain policies and replacing them with policies that we believe provide more adequate premium, working with our investment advisors to maximize total rate of return while maintaining liquidity and minimizing risk, continuing to purchase shares of our own stock and paying higher quarterly dividends.  These actions, coupled with operational improvements made to streamline claims and underwriting have resulted in an increase in earnings, earnings per share and an improvement in our overall financial condition.  See “Results of Operations” below for a discussion of our quarterly and year-to-date results for September 30, 2014 compared to 2013.

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Table of Contents

 

While policy count is one measure of the overall growth of our business, we believe that our strategy of balancing competitive pricing with disciplined underwriting standards and expanding the size of our business through superior products and services, will maximize our long term growth. Our focus on long term capital strength and growth leads us to be selective in the risks we are willing to accept, which may limit the number of policies written. In contrast, from time to time, some of our competitors lower their premiums to a level that is below what we believe to be adequate in order to generate and maintain capital and surplus for the protection of our Insurance Entities and our policyholders.

Our overall growth strategy includes taking prudent measures to increase our policy count and improve the quality of our business. These initiatives include reducing rates and expanding into selected markets while maintaining rate adequacy. For example, we reduced overall rates for homeowners' insurance in Florida by 2.4% effective in January 2014 for new business and March 2014 for renewals.

As a result of our growth strategy and initiatives, we have seen increases in policy count and insured value in Florida and other states since December 31, 2013. Our expansion in states outside of Florida is yielding growth in policy count of 27.6% since December 31, 2013 and 37.3% since September 30, 2013.

The following table provides policy count and total insured value for Florida and other states as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

As of  September 30, 2014

 

 

As of  December 31, 2013

 

State

Count

 

 

%

 

 

Total Insured

Value

 

 

%

 

 

Count

 

 

%

 

 

Total Insured

Value

 

 

%

 

Florida

 

501,215

 

 

 

91.6

%

 

$

113,147,624

 

 

 

88.5

%

 

 

499,949

 

 

 

93.3

%

 

$

110,785,839

 

 

 

90.7

%

Other states

 

45,972

 

 

 

8.4

%

 

 

14,640,710

 

 

 

11.5

%

 

 

36,039

 

 

 

6.7

%

 

 

11,305,295

 

 

 

9.3

%

Grand total

 

547,187

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

127,788,334

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

535,988

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

122,091,134

 

 

 

100.0

%

Our efforts to ensure rate adequacy has helped to improve underwriting results, leading to our decision to retain a greater share of our profitable business by reducing our quota share cession rate.

Third-Quarter 2014 Highlights

·

Earned premiums grew by $25.4 million to $94.3 million.

·

Total revenues increased by $25.1 million to $103.5 million.

·

Net income and diluted earnings per common share grew by $6.9 million and $0.21, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2013.

·

We completed the $10 million share repurchase program that we announced on June 17, 2014.

·

We declared dividends of $0.10 per share.

·

In August 2014, Demotech, Inc., assigned the Financial Stability Rating® of “A” for APPCIC and UPCIC. According to Demotech, Inc., the assigned rating represents a company’s continued positive surplus related to policyholders, liquidity of invested assets, an acceptable level of financial leverage, reasonable loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, and realistic pricing. The ratings of APPCIC and UPCIC are subject to at least annual review by Demotech, Inc., and may be revised upward or downward or revoked at the sole discretion of Demotech, Inc. Financial Stability Ratings® are primarily directed towards policyholders, and are not evaluations directed toward the protection of investors in the Company, including holders of the Company’s common stock, and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities.

·

In addition, the Indiana Department of Insurance issued a Certificate of Authority to UPCIC in October 2014 approving UPCIC as a licensed insurance entity in the state of Indiana.

  

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Table of Contents

 

2014 – 2015 Reinsurance Program

Effective June 1, 2014, we entered into multiple reinsurance agreements comprising our 2014-2015 reinsurance program.

See “Item 1 — Note 4 (Reinsurance).”

Reinsurance Generally

We use reinsurance to reduce our exposure to catastrophic and non-catastrophic losses through a combination of quota share, catastrophe and other forms of reinsurance. Below is a description of our 2014-2015 reinsurance program. We believe that the overall terms of the 2014-2015 reinsurance program are more favorable than the 2013-2014 reinsurance program. We realized cost reductions in part due to market conditions and our preparation and efforts to manage risk exposure. We also are retaining a greater percentage of gross written premiums with wind risk than we did under our 2013-2014 reinsurance program by reducing our quota share cession rate by 15 percentage points. We expect to increase our overall profitability by retaining more premium, however the reduction in the quota share cession rate affects several line items in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. By lowering our cession rate, we increase the amount of premium we retain as well as the related risk. This results in an increase in both earned premium and losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”).  The lower cession rate also reduces the amount of ceding commissions we receive that offset costs associated with writing premium. This reduction in ceding commission increases general and administrative expenses.

The overall reduction in reinsurance costs lowers the amount of brokerage commissions received by our wholly-owned reinsurance broker subsidiary.  Other favorable changes in the 2014-2015 reinsurance program compared to 2013-2014 include a reduction in the amount of risk retained under our catastrophe reinsurance programs.

While we believe the changes to the current reinsurance program are beneficial, there can be no assurance that our actual results of operations or financial condition will be positively affected. The Insurance Entities remain responsible for insured losses notwithstanding the failure of any reinsurer to make payments otherwise due to the Insurance Entities. A major catastrophic event, multiple catastrophes, or the insolvency of one of the larger participants in the reinsurance program could have a material adverse effect on the Insurance Entities’ solvency and our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

UPCIC Reinsurance Program

UPCIC’s reinsurance program, which generally runs from June 1 through May 31 of the following year, consists of quota share, various forms of catastrophe coverage and individual property and liability per risk/per policy coverage. With the 2014-2015 reinsurance program, UPCIC retains a pre-tax liability of $21 million for the first, second and third catastrophic events under its Florida program with coverage up to $1.8 billion. UPCIC retains a pre-tax liability of $21 million for the first and second catastrophic events under its programs in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina and South Carolina with coverage up to $125 million and a pre-tax liability of $7 million under its program in Hawaii with coverage up to $30 million.  UPCIC reduced its quota share percentage to 30% under its 2014-2015 program compared to 45% under its 2013-2014 program thus retaining more risk and premium per policy. UPCIC has mandatory catastrophe coverage through the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”) plus voluntary quota share, catastrophe and per risk coverage with private reinsurers. The estimated total net cost after the proportional quota share deductions of UPCIC’s catastrophe, FHCF and per risk related coverage, including reinstatement premium protection coverage is $173.8 million.  The largest private participants in UPCIC’s program include Odyssey Re, Everest Re, Renaissance Re, Nephila Capital, ACE Tempest Re and Lloyd’s of London syndicates.

APPCIC Reinsurance Program

APPCIC’s reinsurance program, which generally runs from June 1 through May 31 of the following year, consists of various forms of catastrophe coverage and individual property and liability per risk/per policy coverage. With the 2014-2015 reinsurance program, APPCIC retains a pre-tax liability of $2.5 million for the first and second catastrophic events with coverage up to $40.8 million.  APPCIC has mandatory catastrophe coverage through the FHCF and voluntary catastrophe and per risk coverage with private reinsurers.  The estimated total cost of APPCIC’s catastrophe, FHCF and per risk related coverage, including reinstatement premium protection is $5.0 million. The largest private participants in APPCIC’s reinsurance program include ACE Tempest Re, Hiscox, Odyssey Re, Hannover Ruck, and Lloyd’s of London syndicates.

UIH PROGRAM

Separately from the Insurance Entities’ reinsurance programs, UIH protected its own assets against diminution in value due to catastrophe events by purchasing coverage that would provide $80 million in the form of insurance proceeds plus an amount equal to the forgiveness of related debt through a catastrophe risk-linked transaction contract, effective June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2016.

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Table of Contents

 

This contract provides for recovery by UIH in the event of exhaustion of UPCIC’s catastrophe coverage. The total cost to UIH of this risk-linked transaction contract is $9.0 million per year for each of the three years.

Wind Mitigation Discounts

The insurance premiums charged by the Insurance Entities are subject to various statutory and regulatory requirements. Among these, the Insurance Entities must offer wind mitigation discounts in accordance with a program mandated by the Florida Legislature and implemented by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. The level of wind mitigation discounts mandated by the Florida Legislature which were effective June 1, 2007 for new business and August 1, 2007 for renewal business have had a significant negative effect on the Insurance Entities’ premium. The percentage reduction of in-force premium from wind mitigation credits for UPCIC policies as of September 30, 2014 was 36.0% compared to 32.9% as of September 30, 2013. The percentage reduction of in-force premium from wind mitigation credits for APPCIC policies as of September 30, 2014 was 63.4% compared to 63.2% as of September 30, 2013.


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Table of Contents

 

 

Results of Operations—Three Months Ended September 30, 2014, Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

Net income increased by $6.9 million, or 48.1%, to $21.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $14.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. Diluted earnings per common share increased by $0.21, or 52.5%, to $0.61 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $0.40 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as a result of an increase in net income and cumulative share repurchases since September 30, 2013.

The increase in net income of $6.9 million, or 48.1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 reflects an increase in net earned premiums, policy fees, and income generated from our investment portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in commission revenue and increases in operating expenses. The reduction in the cession rate of our quota share reinsurance contracts is a significant factor behind our results. A more detailed discussion of these factors follows the table below.

The following table summarizes changes in each component of our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Change

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

PREMIUMS EARNED AND OTHER REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct premiums written

$

195,435

 

 

$

186,079

 

 

$

9,356

 

 

 

5.0

%

Ceded premiums written

 

(103,492

)

 

 

(124,961

)

 

 

21,469

 

 

 

-17.2

%

Net premiums written

 

91,943

 

 

 

61,118

 

 

 

30,825

 

 

 

50.4

%

Change in net unearned premium

 

2,345

 

 

 

7,809

 

 

 

(5,464

)

 

 

-70.0

%

Premiums earned, net

 

94,288

 

 

 

68,927

 

 

 

25,361

 

 

 

36.8

%

Net investment income (expense)

 

644

 

 

 

382

 

 

 

262

 

 

 

68.6

%

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

501

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

445

 

 

 

794.6

%

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

-100.0

%

Commission revenue

 

3,123

 

 

 

4,180

 

 

 

(1,057

)

 

 

-25.3

%

Policy fees

 

3,416

 

 

 

3,231

 

 

 

185

 

 

 

5.7

%

Other revenue

 

1,528

 

 

 

1,577

 

 

 

(49

)

 

 

-3.1

%

Total premiums earned and other revenues

 

103,500

 

 

 

78,368

 

 

 

25,132

 

 

 

32.1

%

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

34,181

 

 

 

28,335

 

 

 

5,846

 

 

 

20.6

%

General and administrative expenses

 

32,167

 

 

 

24,920

 

 

 

7,247

 

 

 

29.1

%

Total operating costs and expenses

 

66,348

 

 

 

53,255

 

 

 

13,093

 

 

 

24.6

%

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

37,152

 

 

 

25,113

 

 

 

12,039

 

 

 

47.9

%

Income taxes, current

 

15,376

 

 

 

9,142

 

 

 

6,234

 

 

 

68.2

%

Income taxes, deferred

 

435

 

 

 

1,564

 

 

 

(1,129

)

 

 

-72.2

%

Income taxes, net

 

15,811

 

 

 

10,706

 

 

 

5,105

 

 

 

47.7

%

NET INCOME

$

21,341

 

 

$

14,407

 

 

$

6,934

 

 

 

48.1

%

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

 

(924

)

 

 

2,120

 

 

 

(3,044

)

 

NM

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

$

20,417

 

 

$

16,527

 

 

$

3,890

 

 

 

23.5

%

 

NM - Not meaningful.


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The following discussion provides comparative information for significant changes to the components of net income and comprehensive income in the table above.

Net earned premiums were $94.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $68.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The increase in net earned premiums of $25.4 million, or 36.8%, reflects a decrease in ceded earned premiums of $28.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in direct earned premiums of $3.0 million. Premium earned in the current period reflects premium written over the past 12 months and any changes in rates or policy count during that time. The decrease in ceded earned premiums is attributable to lower reinsurance costs with the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 reinsurance programs reflected in the results for 2014 compared to the costs of the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 reinsurance programs reflected in the results for 2013. In our 2014-2015 reinsurance program, we reduced the rate of quota share ceded premium from 45% in our 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 reinsurance programs to 30%. The decrease in direct earned premiums is due primarily to a reduction in the number of policies in force in Florida occurring through May 2014, and rate decreases for new business and renewals in Florida which went into effect in January and March 2014, respectively. As discussed above in “Overview”, we have taken what we consider to be prudent measures to increase policy count, while maintaining rate adequacy, resulting in an increase in the number of policies in force in Florida since May 2014.

Net investment income was $644 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2014 generated from the investments we held in our portfolio of securities available for sale, compared to $382 thousand for the same three months during 2013. The increase in net investment income reflects a change in the composition of the investment portfolio.

As discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 under “Item 1. Business – Investments,” during 2013, our investment committee authorized management to engage Deutsche Bank, a leading global investment adviser specializing in the insurance industry, to manage our investment portfolio. Working with the investment adviser, we transitioned the composition of our portfolio to include a greater percentage of fixed income securities and a smaller percentage of equity securities, which we expect will provide a more stable stream of investment income and reduce the effects of market volatility. Our overall investment objective is to maximize total rate of return while maintaining liquidity and minimizing risk. Our investment strategy includes maintaining investments to support unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for our insurance subsidiaries in accordance with guidelines established by insurance regulators.

We currently hold these investments in a portfolio available for sale with changes in fair value reflected in stockholders’ equity with the exception of any other than temporary impairments which would be reflected in earnings.

We sold investment securities available for sale during the three months ended September 30, 2014, resulting in a net realized gain of $501 thousand compared to a net realized loss of $56 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2013. The securities sold during the three months ended September 30, 2014 were comprised primarily of equity securities.

Commission revenue is comprised principally of brokerage commissions we earn from reinsurers. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, commission revenue was $3.1 million, compared to $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The decrease in commission revenue of $1.1 million, or 25.3%, was the result of a decrease in the cost of certain reinsurance contracts upon which brokerage commissions are earned as well as overall changes in the structure of the reinsurance programs in effect during the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013.  


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Table of Contents

 

Losses and LAE were $34.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $28.3 million during the same period in 2013. The increase in net loss and LAE of $5.8 million was driven by the decrease in the amount of loss and LAE ceded to reinsurers under our quota share reinsurance contracts effective with the 2014-2015 reinsurance program discussed above. The net loss and LAE  ratios, or net losses and LAE as a percentage of net earned premiums, were 36.3% and 41.1% during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and were comprised of the following components (in thousands):

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2014

 

 

Direct

 

 

Ceded

 

 

Net

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

$

48,341

 

 

$

14,160

 

 

$

34,181

 

Premiums earned

$

196,269

 

 

$

101,981

 

 

$

94,288

 

Loss & LAE ratios

 

24.6

%

 

 

13.9

%

 

 

36.3

%

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2013

 

 

Direct

 

 

Ceded

 

 

Net

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

$

53,600

 

 

$

25,265

 

 

$

28,335

 

Premiums earned

$

199,323

 

 

$

130,396

 

 

$

68,927

 

Loss & LAE ratios

 

26.9

%

 

 

19.4

%

 

 

41.1

%

 

See “Item 1 — Note 5 (Insurance Operations)” for change in liability for unpaid losses and LAE.

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, general and administrative expenses were $32.2 million, compared to $24.9 million for the same period in 2013. The majority of the overall increase in general and administrative expenses of $7.2 million, or 29.1%, is due to an increase of $5.2 million in the amortization of net deferred policy acquisition costs resulting mostly from changes with the 2014-2015 reinsurance program including a reduction in the rate of ceded premium from 45% to 30% in our quota share contracts. We also had an increase of $1.8 million in the amount of stock-based compensation, an increase of $0.9 million in performance bonus accruals, and an increase of $0.5 million in advertising and promotional expenses. Also, our recovery of Florida Insurance Guarantee Association (“FIGA”) assessments declined by $1.3 million as compared to the same quarter last year. FIGA assessments are initially charged to insurance companies, which then are allowed to recover the assessed amounts from their policyholders. UPCIC recovered the vast majority of its most recent FIGA assessment over a 12-month period ending in early February 2014. We therefore recovered more of the assessment in 2013 than in 2014 due to the timing of the initial assessment and the associated recovery period. These increases were partially offset by a reduction of $2.5 million related to insurance premiums paid for UIH-level coverage, most of which is related to additional protection in the form of catastrophe-linked insurance.

Income taxes increased by $5.1 million, or 47.7% primarily as a result of an increase in income before income taxes. The effective tax rate was 42.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income or loss.  The other comprehensive loss for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and the other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2013, reflect after tax changes in fair value of securities held in our portfolio of securities available for sale and reclassification out of cumulative other comprehensive income for securities sold.  See “Item 1 — Note 11 (Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))”


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Table of Contents

 

Results of Operations—Nine months Ended September 30, 2014, Compared to Nine months Ended September 30, 2013

Net income increased by $8.6 million, or 19.9%, to $52.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Diluted earnings per common share increased by $0.35, or 31.0%, to $1.48 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as a result of an increase in net income and cumulative share repurchases since September 30, 2013.

The increase in net income of $8.6 million, or 19.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 reflects an increase in net earned premiums, the absence of trading losses generated in the first quarter of 2013, and an increase in net investment income. These were partially offset by a decrease in commissions and an increase in operating expenses. The reduction in the cession rate of our quota share reinsurance contracts is a significant factor behind our results. A more detailed discussion of these factors follows the table below.

The following table summarizes changes in each component of our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

Change

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

$

 

 

%

 

PREMIUMS EARNED AND OTHER REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct premiums written

$

607,361

 

 

$

610,164

 

 

$

(2,803

)

 

 

-0.5

%

Ceded premiums written

 

(301,624

)

 

 

(400,175

)

 

 

98,551

 

 

 

-24.6

%

Net premiums written

 

305,737

 

 

 

209,989

 

 

 

95,748

 

 

 

45.6

%

Change in net unearned premium

 

(74,280

)

 

 

(8,787

)

 

 

(65,493

)

 

 

745.3

%

Premiums earned, net

 

231,457

 

 

 

201,202

 

 

 

30,255

 

 

 

15.0

%

Net investment income (expense)

 

1,574

 

 

 

530

 

 

 

1,044

 

 

 

197.0

%

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

5,353

 

 

 

(15,982

)

 

 

21,335

 

 

NM

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

 

 

 

7,912

 

 

 

(7,912

)

 

 

-100.0

%

Commission revenue

 

10,882

 

 

 

14,437

 

 

 

(3,555

)

 

 

-24.6

%

Policy fees

 

10,827

 

 

 

10,737

 

 

 

90

 

 

 

0.8

%

Other revenue

 

4,701

 

 

 

4,743

 

 

 

(42

)

 

 

-0.9

%

Total premiums earned and other revenues

 

264,794

 

 

 

223,579

 

 

 

41,215

 

 

 

18.4

%

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

88,685

 

 

 

80,018

 

 

 

8,667

 

 

 

10.8

%

General and administrative expenses

 

85,431

 

 

 

68,998

 

 

 

16,433

 

 

 

23.8

%

Total operating costs and expenses

 

174,116

 

 

 

149,016

 

 

 

25,100

 

 

 

16.8

%

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

90,678

 

 

 

74,563

 

 

 

16,115

 

 

 

21.6

%

Income taxes, current

 

37,833

 

 

 

25,440

 

 

 

12,393

 

 

 

48.7

%

Income taxes, deferred

 

829

 

 

 

5,728

 

 

 

(4,899

)

 

 

-85.5

%

Income taxes, net

 

38,662

 

 

 

31,168

 

 

 

7,494

 

 

 

24.0

%

NET INCOME

$

52,016

 

 

$

43,395

 

 

$

8,621

 

 

 

19.9

%

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

 

(1,171

)

 

 

(488

)

 

 

(683

)

 

 

140.0

%

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

$

50,845

 

 

$

42,907

 

 

$

7,938

 

 

 

18.5

%

 

NM - Not meaningful.


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Table of Contents

 

The following discussion provides comparative information for significant changes to the components of net income and comprehensive income in the table above.

Net earned premiums were $231.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $201.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The increase in net earned premiums of $30.3 million, or 15.0%, reflects a decrease in ceded earned premiums of $42.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in direct earned premiums of $11.8 million. Premium earned in the current period reflects premium written over the past 12 months and any changes in rates or policy count during that time. The decrease in ceded earned premiums is attributable to lower reinsurance costs with the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 reinsurance programs reflected in the results for 2014 compared to the costs of the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 reinsurance programs reflected in the results for 2013. In our 2014-2015 reinsurance program, we reduced the rate of quota share ceded premium from 45% in our 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 reinsurance programs to 30%. This reduction is reflected in the results beginning in the month of June 2014. The decrease in direct earned premiums is due primarily to a reduction in the number of policies in force in Florida through May 2014, and rate decreases for new business and renewals in Florida which went into effect in January and March 2014, respectively. As discussed above in “Overview”, we have taken what we believe to be prudent measures to increase policy count, while maintaining rate adequacy, resulting in an increase in the number of policies in force in Florida since May 2014.

Net investment income was $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 generated from the investments we held in our portfolio of securities available for sale, compared to $0.5 million for the same nine months during 2013. The increase in net investment income reflects a difference in the amount and composition of the investment portfolio during those time periods.

As discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 under “Item 1. Business – Investments,” during 2013, our investment committee authorized management to engage Deutsche Bank, a leading global investment adviser specializing in the insurance industry, to manage our investment portfolio. Working with the investment adviser, we transitioned the composition of our portfolio to include a greater percentage of fixed income securities and a smaller percentage of equity securities, which we expect will provide a more stable stream of investment income and reduce the effects of market volatility. Our overall investment objective is to maximize total rate of return while maintaining liquidity and minimizing risk. Our investment strategy includes maintaining investments to support unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for our insurance subsidiaries in accordance with guidelines established by insurance regulators.

We currently hold these investments in a portfolio available for sale with changes in fair value reflected in stockholders’ equity with the exception of any other than temporary impairments which would be reflected in earnings. In the first quarter of 2013, we liquidated 100% of the equity securities that were held in our trading portfolio resulting in net losses of $8.2 million. See “Item 1—Note 3 (Investments)” for the composition of our portfolio as of September 30, 2014.

We sold investment securities available for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, resulting in a net realized gain of $5.4 million. We took the opportunity in the second and third quarters of 2014 to realize gains ahead of potential volatility in the equity markets. These realized gains will be applied to capital loss carryforwards for state income taxes.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we realized net losses on investments of $16.0 million, reflecting the underlying market conditions as we liquidated one hundred percent of the equity securities held in our trading portfolio during March 2013.

The decrease of $7.9 million in the net change in unrealized gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 reflects the absence of investment securities held in a trading portfolio during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The investment securities held during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were available for sale with changes in fair value recorded in equity.  The majority of the net change in unrealized gains on investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflects the reversal of unrealized losses on investments held at December 31, 2012 and sold during the three months ended March 31, 2013 as we liquidated one hundred percent of the equity securities held in the trading portfolio through March 31, 2013.

Commission revenue is comprised principally of brokerage commissions we earn from reinsurers. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, commission revenue was $10.9 million, compared to $14.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The decrease in commission revenue of $3.6 million, or 24.6%, was the result of a decrease in the cost of certain reinsurance contracts upon which brokerage commissions are earned as well as overall changes in the structure of the reinsurance programs in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013.


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Table of Contents

 

Losses and LAE were $88.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $80.0 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in net losses and LAE of $8.7 million is driven by the decrease in the amount of loss and LAE ceded to reinsurers under our quota share reinsurance contracts effective with the 2014-2015 reinsurance program discussed above. The net loss and LAE  ratios, or net losses and LAE as a percentage of net earned premiums, were 38.3% and 39.8% during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and were comprised of the following components (in thousands):

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

 

 

Direct

 

 

Ceded

 

 

Net

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

$

146,033

 

 

$

57,348

 

 

$

88,685

 

Premiums earned

$

578,974

 

 

$

347,517

 

 

$

231,457

 

Loss & LAE ratios

 

25.2

%

 

 

16.5

%

 

 

38.3

%

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

 

Direct

 

 

Ceded

 

 

Net

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

$

154,547

 

 

$

74,529

 

 

$

80,018

 

Premiums earned

$

590,792

 

 

$

389,590

 

 

$

201,202

 

Loss & LAE ratios

 

26.2

%

 

 

19.1

%

 

 

39.8

%

 

See “Item 1 — Note 5 (Insurance Operations)” for change in liability for unpaid losses and LAE.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, general and administrative expenses were $85.4 million, compared to $69.0 million for the same period in 2013. The overall increase in general and administrative expenses of $16.4 million, or 23.8%, includes an increase of $7.1 million in the amortization of net deferred policy acquisition costs resulting mostly from changes with the 2014-2015 reinsurance program including a reduction in the rate of ceded premium from 45% to 30% in our quota share contracts. We also had an increase of $4.1 million in the amount of stock-based compensation, and an increase of $1.8 million in advertising and promotional expenses. Also, our recovery of FIGA assessments declined by $3.6 million as compared to the same quarter last year. FIGA assessments are initially charged to insurance companies, which then are allowed to recover the assessed amounts from their policyholders. UPCIC recovered the vast majority of its most recent FIGA assessment over a 12-month period ending in early February 2014. We therefore recovered more of the assessment in 2013 than in 2014 due to the timing of the initial assessment and the associated recovery period. These increases were partially offset by a reduction of $1.1 million in regulatory fees.

Income taxes increased by $7.5 million, or 24.0% primarily as a result of an increase in income before income taxes. The effective tax rate increased to 42.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 from 41.8% for the same period in the prior year primarily from an increase in the amount of non-deductible expenses including certain compensation.

Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income or loss.  The other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, reflect after tax changes in fair value of securities held in our portfolio of securities available for sale and reclassification out of cumulative other comprehensive income for securities sold.  See “Item 1 — Note 11 (Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))”.


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Table of Contents

 

Analysis of Financial Condition—As of September 30, 2014 Compared to December 31, 2013

We believe that premiums will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. Our policy is to invest amounts considered to be in excess of current working capital requirements.

The following table summarizes, by type, the carrying values of investments as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

Type of Investment

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

170,352

 

 

$

117,275

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 

6,597

 

 

 

2,600

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

328,010

 

 

 

289,418

 

Equity securities

 

 

20,387

 

 

 

65,022

 

Short-term investments

 

 

37,473

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

562,819

 

 

$

474,315

 

See Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for explanations of changes in investments.

Prepaid reinsurance premiums represent the amount of ceded unearned premiums. The decrease of $45.9 million to $195.3 million is due to the reduction in the premium we cede to quota share reinsurers.

Reinsurance recoverable represents ceded losses and LAE. The decrease of $51.6 million to $56.2 million was primarily due to the reduction in the losses and LAE we cede to quota share reinsurers and also due to the timing of settlements and amounts available for right of offset with our reinsurers.

Reinsurance receivable, net, represents inuring premiums receivable, net of ceded premiums payable with our quota share reinsurer. The increase of $12.3 million to $12.5 million as of September 30, 2014 was primarily due to the timing of settlements and amounts available for right of offset with our reinsurers.

Premiums receivable represent amounts due from policyholders. The increase of $8.2 million to $54.6 million reflects the seasonal pattern of written premium as described under “Overview”.

See “Item 1 — Note 5 (Insurance Operations)” for a roll-forward in the balance of our deferred policy acquisition costs and our unpaid losses and LAE.

Income taxes recoverable represent amounts due from taxing jurisdictions within one year and arise when tax payments exceed taxable income. Income taxes recoverable of $2.9 million as of September 30, 2014 includes $2.5 million recoverable for federal income taxes and $0.4 million recoverable for state income taxes.  Income taxes recoverable of $8.2 million as of December 31, 2013 were for federal income taxes.

Unearned premium represents the portion of direct written premium that will be earned pro rata in the future. The increase of $28.4 million to $411.9 million is due to the reduction in the premium we cede to quota share reinsurers.

Book overdrafts represent outstanding checks in excess of cash on deposit and are examined monthly to determine if legal right of offset exists for accounts with the same banking institution. The decrease of $9.1 million to $5.9 million in book overdrafts as of September 30, 2014 is attributed to an increase in cash deposits applied in the right to offset.

Reinsurance payable, net, represents our liability to reinsurers for ceded written premiums, net of ceding commissions receivable. The increase of $16.0 million to $102.3 million as of September 30, 2014 was primarily due to the timing of settlements and amounts available for right of offset with our reinsurers.

Income taxes payable represent amounts due to taxing jurisdictions within one year and arise when taxable income exceeds tax payments. There were no income taxes payable as of September 30, 2014. Income taxes payable of $2.6 million as of December 31, 2013 were for state income taxes.

See Liquidity and Capital Resources for explanations of changes in long-term debt and treasury shares.


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Table of Contents

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet its short and long-term obligations. Funds generated from operations have been sufficient to meet our liquidity requirements and we expect that in the future funds from operations will continue to meet such requirements.

The balance of cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2014 was $170.4 million compared to $117.3 million at December 31, 2013. See “Item 1 — Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows” for a reconciliation of the balance of cash and cash equivalents between September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was driven by cash flows generated from operations in excess of those used for investing and financing activities. The balance of restricted cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 includes cash equivalents on deposit with regulatory agencies in the various states in which our Insurance Entities do business. Most of the balance of cash and cash equivalents maintained is available to pay claims in the event of a catastrophic event in addition to any amounts recovered under our reinsurance agreements. The balance of restricted cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2014 also includes $3.4 million of cash earmarked for dividend payments payable on October 1, 2014.

As discussed in “Item 1 — Note 6 (Long-Term Debt)”, UIH entered into a revolving loan agreement and related revolving note (“DB Loan”) with Deutsche Bank in March 2013, amended in May 2013. The DB Loan makes available to UIH an unsecured line of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10 million. Draws under the DB Loan have a maturity date of March 27, 2015 and carry an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 5.50% or Deutsche Bank’s prime rate plus a margin of 3.50%, at the election of UIH. The DB Loan contains certain covenants and restrictions applicable while amounts are outstanding thereunder, including limitations with respect to our indebtedness, liens, distributions, mergers or dispositions of assets, organizational structure, transactions with affiliates and business activities. We had not drawn any amounts under the unsecured line of credit as of October 24, 2014.

In May 2013, UIH also entered into a $20 million unsecured term loan agreement and related term note (“Term Loan”) with RenaissanceRe Ventures Ltd. also discussed in “Item 1 — Note 6 (Long-Term Debt)”. The Term Loan bears interest at the rate of 50 basis points per annum and matures on the earlier of May 23, 2016 or the date that all principal under the Term Loan is pre-paid or deemed paid in full. The Term Loan is amortized over the three-year term and UIH may prepay the loan without penalty. The Term loan contains certain covenants and restrictions applicable while amounts are outstanding thereunder, including limitations with respect to our indebtedness, liens, distributions, mergers or dispositions of assets, organizational structure, transactions with affiliates and business activities. We used the net proceeds of the Term Loan to repurchase 4,666,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Bradley Meier in May 2013. In May 2014, we made a principal payment of $6.0 million on the Term Loan. The Term Loan had a carrying amount of $13.1 million as of September 30, 2014.

Liquidity for UIH and its non-insurance subsidiaries is required to cover the payment of general operating expenses, dividends to shareholders (if and when authorized and declared by our Board of Directors), payment for the possible repurchase of our common stock (if and when authorized by our Board of Directors), payment of income taxes, and interest and principal payments on debt obligations. The declaration and payment of future dividends by UIH to its shareholders, and any future repurchases of UIH common stock, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including our operating results, financial condition, debt covenants and any regulatory constraints. Principal sources of liquidity for UIH and its non-insurance subsidiaries include revenues generated from fees paid by the Insurance Entities to the managing general agency and for policy administration, inspections and claims adjusting services. Additional sources of liquidity include brokerage commissions earned on reinsurance contracts and any unused credit lines. UIH also maintains investments in equity securities which would generate funds upon sale.

Liquidity for the Insurance Entities is primarily required to cover payments for reinsurance premiums, claims payments including potential payments of catastrophe losses offset by recovery of any reimbursement amounts under our reinsurance agreements, fees paid to affiliates for managing general agency services, inspections and claims adjusting services, agent commissions, premium and income taxes, regulatory assessments, general operating expenses, and interest and principal payments on debt obligations. The principal source of liquidity for the Insurance Entities consists of the revenue generated from the collection of net premiums, after deductions for expenses and the collection of reinsurance recoverable.

Our insurance operations provide liquidity in that premiums are generally received months or even years before losses are paid under the policies written. The Insurance Entities maintain substantial investments in highly liquid, marketable securities which would generate funds upon sale.

The Insurance Entities are responsible for losses related to catastrophic events with incurred losses in excess of coverage provided by the Insurance Entities’ reinsurance programs and for losses that otherwise are not covered by the reinsurance programs, which could have a material adverse effect on either the Insurance Entities’ or our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

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Table of Contents

 

Capital Resources

Capital resources provide protection for policyholders, furnish the financial strength to support the business of underwriting insurance risks, and facilitate continued business growth. At September 30, 2014, we had total capital of $219.9 million, comprised of stockholders’ equity of $189.1 million and total long term debt of $30.8 million. Our debt-to-total-capital ratio and debt-to-equity ratio were 14.0% and 16.3%, respectively, at September 30, 2014. At December 31, 2013, we had total capital of $212.8 million, comprised of stockholders’ equity of $175.6 million and total long term debt of $37.2 million. Our debt-to-total-capital ratio and debt-to-equity ratio were 17.5% and 21.2%, respectively, at December 31, 2013. The increase in stockholders’ equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is attributed to net income partially offset by dividends declared and common share repurchases.

At September 30, 2014, UPCIC was in compliance with all of the covenants under its surplus note and total adjusted capital surplus was in excess of regulatory requirements for both UPCIC and APPCIC. At September 30, 2014, UIH was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Term Loan and the DB Loan.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we repurchased an aggregate of 1,225,000 shares of UIH’s common stock owned by Bradley I. Meier, the Company’s former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, as discussed under “Item 1 — Note 7 (Stockholders’ Equity)”. The repurchase cost was an aggregate of $14.7 million and was funded using cash on hand.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we also repurchased an aggregate of 1,166,208 shares of UIH’s common stock in the open market, in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as discussed under “Item 1 — Note 7 (Stockholders’ Equity)”. The repurchase cost was an aggregate of $15.0 million and was funded using cash on hand.

As discussed under “Item 1 — Note 12 (Commitments and Contingencies)”, in July 2013, UPCIC entered into a purchase agreement to acquire an office building adjacent to its principal office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida which provides that the closing for the sale of the property will take place no later than February 5, 2015. The closing is subject to certain closing conditions. The purchase price for the property is $5.99 million, and UPCIC will receive a credit toward the purchase price for a portion of the rent it pays under the lease agreement under which it currently leases the property. We currently intend to pay the purchase price using cash on hand.

Cash Dividends

On January 30, 2014, we declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share on our outstanding common stock paid on March 3, 2014, to the shareholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2014.

On April 16, 2014, we declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share on our outstanding common stock paid on July 3, 2014, to the shareholders of record at the close of business on June 19, 2014.

On August 26, 2014, we declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share on our outstanding common stock paid on October 1, 2014, to the shareholders of record at the close of business on September 23, 2014.

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Contractual Obligations

The following table represents our contractual obligations for which cash flows are fixed or determinable as of September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over

 

 

Total

 

 

1 year

 

 

1-3 years

 

 

3-5 years

 

 

5 years

 

Unpaid losses and LAE, direct (1)

$

136,915

 

 

$

69,416

 

 

$

44,087

 

 

$

15,745

 

 

$

7,667

 

Long-term debt

 

34,610

 

 

 

8,509

 

 

 

10,770

 

 

 

3,586

 

 

 

11,745

 

Operating leases

 

380

 

 

 

380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employment Agreements (2)

 

10,149

 

 

 

8,468

 

 

 

1,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations (3)

$

182,054

 

 

$

86,773

 

 

$

56,538

 

 

$

19,331

 

 

$

19,412

 

 

(1)

There are generally no notional or stated amounts related to unpaid losses and LAE. Both the amounts and timing of future loss and LAE payments are estimates and subject to the inherent variability of legal and market conditions affecting the obligations and make the timing of cash outflows uncertain. The ultimate amount and timing of unpaid losses and LAE could differ materially from the amounts in the table above. Further, the unpaid losses and LAE do not represent all of the obligations that will arise under the contracts, but rather only the estimated liability incurred through September 30, 2014.

(2)

These amounts represent minimum salaries, which may be subject to annual percentage increases, non-equity incentive compensation based on pre-tax or net income levels, and fringe benefits based on the remaining term of employment agreements we have with our executives. These amounts do not reflect equity awards of approximately 500 thousand shares of restricted common stock to be granted to executives in 2015 under their employment agreements.

(3)

Refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for discussion of our intention to purchase a building in 2015.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no material changes during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates previously disclosed in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance on management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Under this guidance, for each annual and interim reporting period, an entity’s management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Disclosures will be required if conditions give rise to substantial doubt of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter, but earlier adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a material effect on the presentation of the Company’s financial statements and notes herein.

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance which clarifies that a performance target that affects vesting and could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation costs should reflect the amount attributable to the periods for which the requisite service has been rendered. Total compensation expense recognized during and after the requisite service period, which may differ from the vesting period, should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect the number of awards that ultimately vest. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance to clarify the principles for revenue recognition. The guidance in this update affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g. insurance contracts). Although insurance contracts are not within the scope of this updated guidance, the Company’s commission revenue, policy fees, and payment plan fees may be subject to this updated guidance. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and earlier adoption is not permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the effect of adoption.

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Related Party Transactions

See “Item 1 — Note 8 (Related Party Transactions)” for information about related party transactions.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk is the potential for economic losses due to adverse changes in fair value of financial instruments. We carry all of our investments at market value in our statement of financial condition. Our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2014, is comprised of fixed maturities and equity securities exposing us to changes in interest rates and equity prices. See “Item 1 — Note 3 (Investments)” for a schedule of investment holdings as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. To a lesser extent, we also have exposure on our debt obligations which are in the form of a surplus note, and on any amounts we draw under the DB Loan. The surplus note accrues interest at an adjustable rate based on the 10-year Constant Maturity Treasury rate. Draws under the DB Loan accrue interest at a rate based on LIBOR or Deutsche Bank’s prime rate plus an applicable margin.

Our investments have been, and may in the future be, subject to significant volatility. We have taken steps which we expect will reduce the effects of market volatility by liquidating the investments held in our trading portfolio. We now maintain an investment portfolio which we expect will provide a stable stream of investment income and reduce the effects of market volatility. Our investment objectives with respect to fixed maturities are to maximize after-tax investment income without exposing the surplus of our Insurance Entities to excessive volatility. Our investment objectives with respect to equity securities are to enhance our long-term surplus levels through capital appreciation and earn a competitive rate of total return versus appropriate benchmarks. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to achieve our investment objectives.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of a fixed-rate instrument to changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the fair value of our fixed-rate investment securities decline.

The following table provides information about our fixed income investments, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table presents cash flows of principal amounts and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates for investments available for sale as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Other (1)

 

 

Total

 

 

Total

 

Fixed income investments

 

 

 

$

84,767

 

 

$

60,936

 

 

$

36,644

 

 

$

56,042

 

 

$

16,219

 

 

$

99,653

 

 

$

354,261

 

 

$

352,983

 

Weighted average interest rate

 

 

 

 

0.99

%

 

 

1.16

%

 

 

3.03

%

 

 

1.70

%

 

 

2.88

%

 

 

2.08

%

 

 

1.74

%

 

 

1.74

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Other (1)

 

 

Total

 

 

Total

 

Fixed income investments

$

3,827

 

 

$

47,366

 

 

$

62,287

 

 

$

27,668

 

 

$

54,201

 

 

$

4,588

 

 

$

91,502

 

 

$

291,439

 

 

$

289,418

 

Weighted average interest rate

 

7.43

%

 

 

1.16

%

 

 

1.29

%

 

 

3.88

%

 

 

1.79

%

 

 

1.97

%

 

 

1.73

%

 

 

1.84

%

 

 

1.83

%

 

(1)

Comprised of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities which have multiple maturity dates, and perpetual maturity securities, and are presented separately for the purposes of this table.

The tables above represent average contract rates which differ from the book yield of the fixed maturities. The fixed maturity investments in our available for sale portfolio are comprised of United States government and agency securities, corporate bonds, redeemable preferred stock and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Duration is a measure of interest rate sensitivity expressed as a number of years. The weighted average duration of the fixed maturity investments in our available for sale portfolio at September 30, 2014 was 2.1 years.

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Table of Contents

 

Equity and Commodity Price Risk

Equity and commodity price risk is the potential for loss in fair value of investments in common stock, preferred stock, and mutual funds from adverse changes in the prices of those instruments.

The following table provides information about the composition of equity securities held in the Company’s available for sale portfolio as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Percent

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Percent

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

$

250

 

 

 

1.2

%

 

$

9,295

 

 

 

14.3

%

Mutual funds

 

20,137

 

 

 

98.8

%

 

 

55,727

 

 

 

85.7

%

Total equity securities

$

20,387

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

65,022

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

A hypothetical decrease of 20% in the market prices of each of the equity securities held at September 30, 2014, would have resulted in decreases of $4.1 million, in the fair value of the equity securities investment portfolio.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2014, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are subject to litigation in the normal course of our business. As of September 30, 2014, we were not a party to any non-routine litigation that is expected by management to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In the opinion of management, there have been no material changes during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.


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Table of Contents

 

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

A summary UIH’s repurchases of common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Number of

 

 

Maximum Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Purchased

 

 

of Shares That

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Part of

 

 

May Yet be

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publicly

 

 

Purchased Under

 

 

Total Number of

 

 

Average Price

 

 

Announced

 

 

the Plans or

 

 

Shares Purchased

 

 

Paid per Share (1)

 

 

Plans or Programs

 

 

Programs

 

7/1/14 - 7/31/14

 

214,716

 

 

$

12.58

 

 

 

214,716

 

 

 

 

8/1/14 - 8/31/14

 

195,682

 

 

$

13.52

 

 

 

195,682

 

 

 

 

9/1/14 - 9/30/14

 

309,539

 

 

$

13.33

 

 

 

309,539

 

 

 

 

Total

 

719,937

 

 

$

13.16

 

 

 

719,937

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Average price paid per share does not reflect brokerage commissions paid to acquire shares in open market transactions. We repurchased these shares in the open market in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Under the DB Loan and Term Loan, so long as any amounts are outstanding thereunder, UIH will be restricted from paying dividends to its shareholders if an event of default (or an event, the giving of notice of which or with the lapse of time or both, would become an event of default) is continuing at the time of and immediately after paying such dividend. No amounts were outstanding under the DB Loan as of September 30, 2014. The Term Loan had a carrying value of $13.1 million as of September 30, 2014.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit

 

 

 

 15.1

 

Accountants’ Acknowledgment

 

 

 

 31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 *

 

 

 

 31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 *

 

 

 

 32

 

Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 **

 

 

 

101.INS-XBRL

 

Instance Document *

 

 

 

101.SCH-XBRL

 

Taxonomy Extension Schema Document *

 

 

 

101.CAL-XBRL

 

Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document *

 

 

 

101.DEF-XBRL

 

Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document *

 

 

 

101.LAB-XBRL

 

Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document *

 

 

 

101.PRE-XBRL

 

Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document *

*

Filed herewith.

**

Furnished herewith.

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

Date: October 30, 2014

 

 

 

 

/s/ Sean P. Downes

 

 

 

 

 

Sean P. Downes, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Date: October 30, 2014

 

 

 

 

/s/ Frank C. Wilcox

 

 

 

 

 

Frank C. Wilcox, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

 

46