UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
________________________________________________________
FORM 10-K
________________________________________________________
(Mark One)
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
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
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| 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) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (954) 958-1200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
| Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value | UVE | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None. | ||||||||
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ | ||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | ||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No
Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of June 30, 2020, the last trading day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $505,691,628
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of Common Stock of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. as of February 22, 2021: 31,205,653.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The information required by Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated herein by reference to the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2021, which definitive proxy statement shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Annual Report on Form 10-K relates.
UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this report may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The forward-looking statements anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These forward-looking statements may be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “seeks,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “likely,” “targets” and other words with similar meanings. These statements may address, among other things, our strategy for growth, catastrophe exposure and other risk management, product development, investment results, regulatory approvals, market position, expenses, financial results, litigation and reserves. We believe that these statements are based on reasonable estimates, assumptions and plans. However, if the estimates, assumptions or plans underlying the forward-looking statements prove inaccurate or if other risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could differ materially from those communicated in these forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section titled “Risk Factors” (Part I, Item 1A of this report). We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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PART I
| ITEM 1. | BUSINESS | ||||
Overview
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“UVE,” and together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”) is a holding company offering property and casualty insurance and value-added insurance services. We develop, market and underwrite insurance products for consumers predominantly in the personal residential homeowners lines of business and perform substantially all other insurance-related services for our primary insurance entities, including risk management, claims management, and distribution. Our primary insurance entities, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“UPCIC”) and American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“APPCIC” and together with UPCIC, the “Insurance Entities”), offer insurance products through both our appointed independent agent network and our online distribution channels across 19 states (primarily in Florida), with licenses to write insurance in two additional states. The Insurance Entities seek to produce an underwriting profit (defined as earned premium minus losses, loss adjustment expense (“LAE”), policy acquisition costs and other operating costs) over the long term; maintain a conservative balance sheet to prepare for years in which the Insurance Entities are not able to achieve an underwriting profit; and generate investment income on assets.
Trends - Impact of COVID-19
The global COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound worldwide effect on social interactions and on the global, national and local economies. We took early measures in March 2020, in advance of governmental mandates, to help reduce the internal spread of COVID-19 by directing substantially all employees to work from home. In addition to this measure to secure the health and wellness of our employees, we worked to facilitate our personnel being able to continue safely providing services to the Company’s policyholders and independent agents, fulfilling our financial and reporting obligations, including responding to regulatory requirements and guidelines, and generally maintaining business continuity. As a provider of residential homeowners’ insurance offered in hurricane-prone areas and being headquartered in Florida, we had previously developed contingency plans to address catastrophic events and were prepared to maintain operations as COVID-19 unfolded. As a result of our disaster preparedness, most employees were immediately prepared to work from home while the Company addressed emerging workflow issues to enable employees to remain effective in fulfilling their roles. Since the first week of engaging our work from home strategy, nearly all aspects of our business have been, and continue to be, conducted remotely while striving to maintain the quality of our service standards.
Subsequent to March 2020, we have not seen a material impact from COVID-19 on our business, our financial position, our liquidity, or our ability to service our policyholders and maintain critical operations. As a provider of services that have been deemed essential under most directives and guidelines, we are confident in our ability to maintain consistent operations and believe we can continue to manage with our remote workforce as a result of our disaster preparedness planning, with little impact on our business and service levels and our standards of care for both underwriting and claims. We continue to monitor local, state and federal guidance and will adjust workforce activities as appropriate. Although we have not experienced a material impact from COVID-19, the ultimate impact of the pandemic on our business and on the economy in general cannot be predicted.
Our level of direct premiums written during the year ended December 31, 2020 was strong and outperformed the same period in the prior year. We are cautiously optimistic in our belief that our customers and agent force will continue to renew and place business with us, especially our customers in hurricane-exposed states. In the event there is a slow-down in the production and/or collection of premiums, we intend to take measures to maintain liquidity while continuing to protect our capital and policyholders. See “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Business Strategy
UVE’s strategic focus is on creating a best-in-class experience for our customers. We have more than 20 years of experience providing protection solutions. In 2020 we continued our focus on disciplined underwriting, maintained a resilient balance sheet backed by our reinsurance programs, enhanced our reserves, expanded our geographic footprint, and implemented our catastrophe rapid response teams during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated our use of digital technology for adjusting claims. We have made substantial efforts in recent years to improve and enhance our claims operation, including reductions in our claim resolution times, utilization of digital applications where applicable to adjust claims, and an intensified effort to collect subrogation for the benefit of the Insurance Entities and their policyholders. Our differentiated capabilities support the Insurance Entities across all aspects of the insurance value chain to provide our customers with a streamlined experience, and we continue to evaluate ways in which we can improve the customer experience.
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Products and Services
Insurance Products
UPCIC (which accounts for the majority of our Insurance Entities’ business) currently offers the following types of personal residential insurance: homeowners, renters/tenants, condo unit owners, and dwelling/fire. UPCIC also offers allied lines, coverage for other structures, and personal property, liability and personal articles coverages. APPCIC currently writes similar lines of insurance as UPCIC, but for properties valued in excess of $1 million. In addition, APPCIC writes commercial residential multi-peril insurance.
Our Insurance Entities, UPCIC and APPCIC, are both currently rated “A” (“Exceptional”) by Demotech, Inc. (“Demotech”), which is a rating agency specializing in evaluating the financial stability of insurers. In addition, our combined statutory capital surplus was approximately $373.6 million at December 31, 2020.
Risk Management
Our subsidiary, Evolution Risk Advisors, Inc. (“ERA”, formerly Universal Risk Advisors, Inc.), is the managing general agent for the Insurance Entities. In this capacity, ERA advises on actuarial issues, oversees distribution, administers claims payments, performs policy administration and underwriting, and assists with reinsurance negotiations. ERA’s underwriting service evaluates insurance risk and exposures on an individual and portfolio basis and assists the Insurance Entities with pricing risks. All underwriting is performed utilizing our state-approved rate and rule manuals as the basis of our rate-making and risk assessment. ERA collects fees from the Insurance Entities for the services it provides, as well as certain policy fees from insureds. Our subsidiary, Universal Inspection Corporation d/b/a Wicklow Inspection Corporation, complements ERA and our Insurance Entities by conducting inspections as part of our underwriting process.
The Insurance Entities rely heavily on reinsurance to limit potential exposure to catastrophic events. In most years, our single largest cost is the expense for our reinsurance coverage. In conjunction with ERA, our fully-licensed reinsurance intermediary, Blue Atlantic Reinsurance Corporation (“BARC”), partners with a third-party reinsurance broker to place and manage our reinsurance programs for the Insurance Entities. BARC receives commission revenue, net of third-party co-broker fees, from reinsurers in connection with these services.
Claims Management
Our subsidiary, Universal Adjusting Corporation d/b/a Alder Adjusting (“Alder”), manages our claims processing and adjustment functions from claim inception to conclusion, which we believe allows us to increase efficiency and provide a high level of customer service. Alder’s Fast Track initiative (“Fast Track”) has expedited the claims settlement process to close certain types of claims in as little as 24 hours through analysis and on-site field adjusting. The company has increased its use of technology to inspect properties and adjust claims and has adopted certain new precautionary protocols for those inspections still performed in the field. In addition to our in-house claims operation, we assign a certain percentage of field inspections to third-party adjusters. Our relationships with these adjusters enable us to continue to provide high quality and timely service following a catastrophe, such as a hurricane in coastal states, and during any other period of unusually high claim volume. Through our continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives, we continue to evaluate ways in which we can improve the customer’s claims experience on a rolling basis. Alder’s data intelligence allows the Insurance Entities, ERA and our reinsurance partners to identify trends and refine the underwriting process and guidelines to adequately price risk and identify needed adjustments. Our claims management operations provide cost-effective solutions in servicing claims for the Insurance Entities and generates additional fee income from adjusting claims ceded to reinsurers.
We have substantially grown our in-house claims litigation team to more effectively and efficiently protect our rights in litigation, including through subrogation. Reflecting our substantial efforts in recent years to improve and enhance our claims operations and to address emerging claim trends, approximately 57% of our employees work in our claims management operations, an increase of 19% since February 5, 2020. Of these employees, 38% comprise our in-house claims litigation team. Subrogation is the act of seeking reimbursement from a third party that caused an insurance loss to the insured for the amount we paid on the insured’s behalf.
Distribution
We market and sell our products primarily through our network of over 10,200 licensed independent agents (4,400 in Florida). In addition to our independent agent force, we offer policies through our direct-to-consumer online distribution platforms. Our strong relationships with our independent agents and their relationships with their customers are critical to our ability to identify, attract and retain profitable business. We actively participate in the recruitment and training of our independent agents and provide each agency with training sessions on topics such as underwriting guidelines and submitting claims. We also engage a third-party market representative to assist in ongoing training and recruitment initiatives in all of the states in which we write business.
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We utilize an attractive commission-based compensation plan as an incentive for independent agents to place business with us. We also strive to provide excellent service to our independent agents and brokers, which has yielded long-standing partnerships with our independent agents (a number of which have relationships that span more than a decade) that benefit the Company in our target markets through hard and soft market cycles. Our internal staff and specialists support our independent agents by providing access to our in-house technology systems to assist with the delivery of service to our policyholders. This arrangement creates a collaborative environment between the Company and our independent agents on continuous improvement initiatives and allows our independent agents to provide quotes within minutes. Our technology systems have evolved into a highly valued tool that enables agents to quickly understand the status of a policy and assist their clients with policy-related questions.
In addition to distributing our products through our independent agent network, we also utilize our differentiated direct-to-consumer online distribution platforms. Universal DirectSM was launched in 2016 to enable homeowners to directly purchase, pay for and bind homeowners policies online without the need to directly interface with any intermediaries. Universal DirectSM was offered in all 19 states in which we do business as of December 31, 2020.
In 2019, we introduced a multi-rater quote-to-bind platform, CloveredSM, where consumers can receive side-by-side quotes from multiple carriers across multiple states, in addition to educational materials about homeowners insurance policies.
Real Estate
The Grand Palm Development Group (“Grand Palm”) is UVE’s real estate development entity, which we have created to help diversify UVE’s investment portfolio. Grand Palm develops and either operates or sells residential properties. Grand Palm also evaluates undeveloped parcels of land for investment opportunities on an ongoing basis.
Investments
Funds in excess of operating needs from the Insurance Entities and UVE are invested through third-party investment advisers. The Investment Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) oversees these advisers and reports overall investment results to our Board, at least on a quarterly basis. The investment activities of the Insurance Entities are subject to regulation and supervision by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“FLOIR”). See below under “—Government Regulation.” The Insurance Entities may only make investments that are consistent with regulatory guidelines, and our investment policies for the Insurance Entities accordingly limit the amount of investments in, among other things, non-investment grade fixed maturity securities (including high-yield bonds), preferred stock and common stock, and prohibit purchasing securities on margin. The primary objectives of our investment portfolio are the preservation of capital and providing adequate liquidity for claims payments and other cash needs. The portfolio’s secondary investment objective is to generate a stable risk-commensurate return with an emphasis on investment income while at the same time maintaining the high-quality standards of the portfolio. Our investment guidelines for fixed-income investments require an average duration of 5 years or less and a portfolio average credit rating of A-. In addition, our investment guidelines, including single-issue and aggregate limitations, promote diversification to limit exposure to single-sector risks. While the Insurance Entities seek to promote diversification of investments in their portfolio, UVE is not similarly restricted by statutory investment guidelines governing insurance companies. Therefore, the investments made by UVE may differ from those made by the Insurance Entities.
See “Part II—Item 8—Note 3 (Investments)” and “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Investments” for more information about our investments.
Markets and Competition
Markets
We sell insurance products in the following 19 states: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. We have additional licenses to write in Tennessee and Wisconsin. During 2020, our total direct premiums written was 82.4% in Florida and 17.6% in other states. The Florida market as a whole tends to consistently be a top-three personal residential homeowners insurance market in the United States based on direct premium written, due in large part to higher average pricing levels that seek to address the hurricane risk exposure in the state (from June 1 through November 30) and other market conditions.
Hurricanes or other catastrophic events can significantly impact earnings for insurance carriers in Florida and other coastal states, depending on the strength of their reinsurance programs and partners and the level of net retention to which the carriers subscribe. For example, volatility and market dislocation were evident in Florida following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons (during which eight hurricanes made landfall in coastal states), as well as following the 2017, 2018 and 2019 hurricane seasons. Given the potential for significant personal property damage, the availability of homeowners insurance and claims servicing are vitally important to coastal states’ residents. The benefits of UVE’s reinsurance strategy in 2020 and the specific programs are further discussed below and in “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
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Competition
The market for homeowners insurance is highly competitive. In many of the states in which we write business, we compete with small or regional insurers that might have greater familiarity with the local markets than we do. We also compete with large national insurers, many of which have substantial brand awareness, experience and capital resources. See “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations—Our future results are dependent in part on our ability to successfully operate in a highly competitive insurance industry.” Within the Florida marketplace, due to the dislocating weather events of the past couple years and other market conditions, such as a proliferation of first-party litigation, competition has waned as a result of some insurers’ reduced desire, or in some cases lack of capital, to continue writing business in accordance with state regulations and rating agency requirements. We expect the lull in competition to be advantageous to companies with sufficient capital, and expect long term competition to normalize as either new capital explores opportunities that might arise or Florida laws, premiums and products adjust to the current market dynamics.
The personal residential homeowners insurance industry is strictly regulated. As a result, it is difficult for insurance companies to differentiate their products, which creates low barriers to entry (other than regulatory capital and other requirements) and results in a highly competitive market based largely on price and the customer experience. The nature, size and experience of our primary competitors varies across the states in which we do business.
Several states, including Florida, have insurance mechanisms that provide insurance to consumers who are not otherwise able to obtain coverage in the private insurance market. The largest such insurance mechanism is Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. The degree to which these state-authorized insurance mechanisms compete with private insurers such as the Insurance Entities varies over time depending on market and public policy considerations beyond our control. Currently, UPCIC and other authorized insurers have filed and received approval of rate increases in Florida that in many instances exceed the amount by which Citizens Property Insurance Corporation may increase its rates in any single year. Accordingly, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation has become, and might increasingly be, price-competitive with UPCIC.
Price
Pricing has generally been defined by “hard” and “soft” cyclical markets. Hard markets are those in which policy premiums are increasing (as a result of periods of capital shortages resulting in a lack of insurance availability, relatively low levels of price competition, and more selective underwriting of risks). Soft markets are those in which pricing has stabilized or is decreasing (as a result of periods of greater capital availability, relatively high levels of price competition and less restrictive underwriting standards). Many factors influence the pricing environment, including, but not limited to, catastrophic events, loss experience, GDP growth/contraction, inflation, interest rates, legislation, primary insurance and reinsurance capacity and availability, share-of-wallet competition, the prevalence of litigation (including abuses with assignments of benefits, solicited claims and other first-party litigation), technological advancements in distribution, underwriting, claims management and overall operational efficiencies, and the risk appetite of competitors.
Our successful track record in writing homeowners insurance in catastrophe-exposed areas has enabled us to develop sophisticated risk selection and pricing techniques that strive to identify desirable risks and accurately price the risk of loss while allowing us to be competitive in our target markets. This risk selection and pricing approach allows us to offer competitive products in areas that have a high demand for property insurance.
The premiums we charge are based on rates specific to individual risks and locations and are generally subject to regulatory review and approval before they are implemented. We periodically submit our rate revisions to regulators as required by law or as we deem necessary or appropriate for our business. The premiums we charge to policyholders are affected by legislative enactments and administrative rules, including state-mandated programs in Florida requiring residential property insurance companies like us to provide premium discounts when policyholders verify that insured properties have certain construction features, such as windstorm loss reduction techniques or devices.
Customer Experience
Drivers of the customer experience include reliability and value, financial strength and ease-of-use. We strive to provide excellent reliability and value through the strength of our distribution networks, high-quality service to our policyholders and independent agents, our claims handling ability and product features tailored to our markets.
The current trends in the industry in regard to ease-of-use suggest an increased focus on utilizing technology in the distribution channel, enabling technology and machine learning in the underwriting domain, as well as utilizing actionable intelligence in claims management services. We believe there is significant opportunity to improve the customer experience across all consumer touch points. We are committed to delivering solutions to enable the consumer to prepare, protect and recover from losses as well as to learn about insurance. We believe effective integration and knowledge transfer to the consumer will result in improved customer satisfaction and encourage consumer retention. In addition, UVE’s strong operating teams and streamlined in-house value-added services strive to provide value to consumers through operating efficiencies across the business. Our monthly weighted average renewal retention rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 88.8%.
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Reinsurance
Reinsurance enables UVE’s Insurance Entities to limit potential exposures to catastrophic events. Reinsurance contracts are typically classified as treaty or facultative contracts. Treaty reinsurance provides coverage for all or a portion of a specified group or class of risks ceded by the primary insurer, while facultative reinsurance provides coverage for specific individual risks. Within each classification, reinsurance can be further classified as quota share or excess of loss. Quota-share reinsurance is where the primary insurer and the reinsurer share proportionally or pro-rata in the direct premiums and losses of the insurer. Excess-of-loss reinsurance indemnifies the direct insurer or reinsurer for all or a portion of the loss in excess of an agreed upon amount or retention.
Developing and implementing our reinsurance strategy to adequately protect our balance sheet and Insurance Entities in the event of one or more catastrophes while maintaining efficient reinsurance costs has been a key strategic priority for UVE. For 2020, UVE utilized excess of loss reinsurance. The benefits of the reinsurance strategy in 2020 and the specific programs are further discussed in “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
In order to limit our potential exposure to catastrophic events, we purchase significant reinsurance from third-party reinsurers and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (the “FHCF”). The FLOIR requires us, like all residential property insurance companies doing business in Florida, to have a certain amount of capital and reinsurance coverage in order to cover losses upon the occurrence of a single catastrophic event and a series of catastrophic events occurring in the same hurricane season. Our 2020-2021 reinsurance program meets and provides reinsurance in excess of the FLOIR’s requirements, which are based on, among other things, the probable maximum loss that we would incur from an individual catastrophic event estimated to occur once in every 100 years, based on our portfolio of insured risks and a series of stress test catastrophe loss scenarios based on past historical events. In respect to the single catastrophic event, the nature, severity and location of the event giving rise to such a probable maximum loss differs for each insurer depending on the insurer’s portfolio of insured risks, including, among other things, the geographic concentration of insured value within the insurer’s portfolio. Accordingly, a particular catastrophic event could be a one-in-100 year loss event for one insurance company while having a greater or lesser probability of occurrence for another insurance company.
FHCF is a state-sponsored entity in Florida that provides a layer of reinsurance protection at a price that is typically lower than what would otherwise be available in the third-party reinsurance market. The purpose of the FHCF is to protect and advance the state’s interest in maintaining insurance capacity in Florida by providing reimbursements to insurers for a portion of their Florida hurricane losses. Most property and casualty insurers operating in Florida, including the Insurance Entities, are subject to assessment if the FHCF lacks sufficient claims-paying resources to meet its reimbursement obligations to insurers. FHCF assessments are added to policyholders’ premiums and are collected and remitted by the Insurance Entities. All homeowner insurance companies that write business in Florida, including the Insurance Entities, are required to obtain a form of reinsurance through the FHCF. Currently, the FHCF provides $17 billion of aggregate capacity annually to its participating insurers, which may be adjusted by statute from time to time and which is allocated among participating insurers according to factors such as the participating insurers’ relative hurricane exposures and their respective coverage elections.
We believe our retention under the reinsurance program is appropriate and structured to protect our customers. We test the sufficiency of our reinsurance program by subjecting our personal residential exposures to statistical testing using a third-party hurricane model, RMS RiskLink v18.1 (Build 1945). This model combines simulations of the natural occurrence patterns and characteristics of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other catastrophes with information on property values, construction types and occupancy classes. The model outputs provide information concerning the potential for large losses before they occur, so companies can prepare for their financial impact. Furthermore, as part of our operational excellence initiatives, we continually look to enable new technology to refine our data intelligence on catastrophe risk modeling.
Seasonality
The nature of our business tends to be seasonal during the year, reflecting consumer behaviors in connection with the Florida residential real estate market and the hurricane season. We have historically experienced higher direct premiums written just prior to the second quarter of our fiscal year and lower direct premiums written approaching the fourth quarter, as a result of consumer behaviors in the Florida residential real estate market and the hurricane season affecting coastal states. See “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations—Our financial condition and operating results are subject to the cyclical nature of the property and casualty insurance business.”
Government Regulation
We are subject to extensive regulation in the markets we serve, primarily at the state level, and will become subject to the regulations of additional states in which we seek to conduct business in the future. These regulations cover all aspects of our business and are generally designed to protect the interests of policyholders, as opposed to the interests of shareholders. Such regulations relate to authorized lines of business, capital and surplus requirements, allowable rates and forms, investment parameters, underwriting limitations, transactions with affiliates, dividend limitations, changes in control, market conduct, maximum amount allowable for premium financing service charges and a variety of other financial and non-financial components of our business. From time to time, states also enact legislation designed to increase consumer protections and curtail fraud or abuses in the insurance market. In 2019, the Florida legislature adopted laws increasing Florida policyholders’ rights when they assign rights of recovery under their policies to third party vendors. These laws also aim to reduce lawsuits initiated against the policyholders’ insurers by vendors holding these assignments. Among other things, the new laws require
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vendors to notify insurers of amounts in dispute, allow insurers to make pre-suit settlement offers or seek resolution through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and in certain situations preclude the vendors from recovering attorneys’ fees or require the vendors to pay the insurers’ attorneys’ fees. On the other hand, policymakers’ decisions to not change existing laws has allowed, and might continue to allow, certain adverse interpretations of law and resulting litigation to continue or worsen. See “Part I—Item 1A-Risk Factors-Risks Relating to the Insurance Industry-We are subject to extensive regulation and potential further restrictive regulation may increase our operating costs and limit our growth and profitability.”
Examinations
As part of their regulatory oversight process, state insurance departments conduct periodic financial examinations of the books, records, accounts and operations of insurance companies that are authorized to transact business in their states. In general, insurance regulatory authorities defer to the insurance regulatory authority in the state in which an insurer is domiciled; however, insurance regulatory authorities in any state in which we operate may conduct examinations at their discretion. Under Florida law, the periodic financial examinations generally occur every five years, although the FLOIR or other states may conduct limited or full scope reviews more frequently. In addition, state insurance regulatory authorities may make inquiries, conduct investigations and administer market conduct examinations with respect to insurers’ compliance with applicable insurance laws and regulations. These inquiries or examinations may address, among other things, the form and content of disclosures to consumers, advertising, sales practices, underwriting and claims practices, cancellation and nonrenewal procedures and complaint handling. The reports arising from insurance authorities’ examination processes typically are available to the public at the conclusion of the examinations.
Insurance Holding Company Laws
UVE, as the ultimate parent company of the Insurance Entities, is subject to certain laws of the State of Florida governing insurance holding company systems. These laws, among other things, (i) require us to file periodic information with the FLOIR, including information concerning our capital structure, ownership, financial condition and general business operations, (ii) regulate certain transactions between us and our affiliates, including the amount of dividends and other distributions, the terms of surplus notes and amounts that our affiliates can charge the Insurance Entities for services such as policy administration and claims administration, and (iii) restrict the ability of any one person to acquire certain levels of our voting securities without prior regulatory approval.
The Florida Insurance Code prohibits any person from acquiring control of the Insurance Entities or their holding companies unless that person has filed a notification with specified information with the FLOIR and has obtained the FLOIR’s prior approval. Under the Florida Insurance Code, acquiring 10% or more of the voting securities of an insurance company or its parent company is presumptively considered an acquisition of control of the insurance company, although such presumption may be rebutted. Some state insurance laws require prior notification to state insurance regulators of an acquisition of control of a non-domiciliary insurance company doing business in that state.
Insurance holding company regulations also govern the amount any affiliate of the holding company may charge the Insurance Entities for services (e.g., claims adjustment, administration, management fees and commissions). Further, insurance holding company regulations may also require prior approval of insurance regulators for amendments to or terminations of certain affiliate agreements.
Florida holding company laws also require certain insurers to submit an Own Risk and Solvency Assessment, or ORSA, summary report to the FLOIR each year, summarizing the insurer’s evaluation of the adequacy of its risk management framework. The Company filed its most recent ORSA summary report in December 2020.
Capital Requirements
State insurance authorities monitor insurance companies’ solvency and capital requirements using various statutory requirements and industry ratios. Initially, states require minimum capital levels based on the lines of business written by a company and set requirements regarding the ongoing amount and composition of capital. Certain state regulators also require state deposits in their respective states. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 5 (Insurance Operations)” for more information about state deposits. As a company grows, additional capital measures and standards may be implemented by a regulator. Regulatory authorities use a risk-based capital (“RBC”) model published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) to monitor and regulate the capital adequacy and solvency of licensed property and casualty insurance companies. These guidelines measure three major areas of risk facing property and casualty insurers: (i) underwriting risks, which encompass the risk of adverse loss developments and inadequate pricing, (ii) declines in asset values arising from credit risk and (iii) other business risks. Most states, including Florida, have enacted the NAIC guidelines as statutory requirements, and insurers having less surplus than required by applicable statutes and ratios are subject to varying degrees of regulatory action depending on the level of capital inadequacy. As of December 31, 2020, the Insurance Entities’ RBC ratios exceed applicable statutory requirements. See “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Insurance Industry—The amount of statutory capital and surplus that each of the Insurance Entities has and the amount of statutory capital and surplus it must hold can vary and are sensitive to a number of factors outside of our control, including market conditions and the regulatory environment and rules.”
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Restrictions on Dividends and Distributions
As a holding company with no significant business operations of its own, we rely on dividend payments from our subsidiaries as our principal source of cash to pay dividends, purchase our common shares, support subsidiary operations and development, and meet our short- and long-term obligations. Dividends paid by our subsidiaries other than the Insurance Entities are not subject to the statutory restrictions set forth in the Florida Insurance Code. Dividends paid by UVE to our shareholders in 2020 were paid from the earnings of UVE and our subsidiaries other than the Insurance Entities.
State insurance laws govern the payment of dividends by insurance companies. The maximum amount of dividends that can be paid by Florida insurance companies such as the Insurance Entities without prior approval of the Commissioner of the FLOIR is subject to restrictions relating to statutory surplus. The maximum dividend that may be paid by the Insurance Entities to their immediate parent company without prior approval is limited to the lesser of statutory net income from operations of the preceding calendar year or statutory unassigned surplus as of the preceding year end.
Underwriting and Marketing Restrictions
During the past several years, various regulatory and legislative bodies in Florida and in other states have adopted or proposed new laws or regulations to address the cyclical nature of the insurance industry, catastrophic events and insurance capacity and pricing. These regulations (i) restrict certain policy non-renewals or cancellations and require advance notice on certain policy non-renewals and (ii) from a practical standpoint, limit or delay rate changes for a specified period during or after a catastrophe event. Most states, including Florida, also have insurance laws requiring that rate schedules and other information be filed and approved by the insurance regulatory authority in advance of being implemented. The insurance regulatory authority may disapprove a rate filing if it finds that the proposed rates would be inadequate, excessive or unfairly discriminatory. Rates, which are not necessarily uniform for all insurers, vary by many factors including class of business, hazard covered, risk location and size of risk.
Most states, including Florida, require licensure or insurance regulatory authority approval prior to the marketing of new insurance products. Typically, licensure review is comprehensive and includes a review of a company’s business plan, solvency, reinsurance, character and experience of its officers and directors, rates, forms and other financial and non-financial aspects of the company. The insurance regulatory authorities may prohibit entry into a new market by not granting a license or by withholding approval for an insurer to write new lines of business. The Company is subject to comprehensive regulatory oversight and regulations, which include periodic reporting to regulators and regulatory examinations to assure the Company maintains compliance with statutory requirements, and the payment of fees, premium taxes and assessments in order to maintain its licenses.
Privacy and Information Security Regulation
Federal and state laws and regulations require financial institutions to protect the security and confidentiality of non-public personal information and to notify customers and other individuals about their policies and practices relating to their collection and disclosure of customer information and their practices relating to protecting the security and confidentiality of that information. The NAIC issued a model law on cybersecurity, which is leading to adoption of the same or similar provisions in the states where we do business. In addition, some states have adopted, and others might adopt, cybersecurity regulations that differ from proposed model acts or from the laws enacted in other states. Federal and state lawmakers and regulatory bodies may be expected to consider additional or more detailed regulation regarding these subjects and the privacy and security of non-public personal information. See “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations—Breaches of our information systems or denial of service on our website could have an adverse impact on our business and reputation.”
Statutory Insurance Organizations
Many states in which the Insurance Entities operate have statutorily-mandated insurance organizations or other insurance mechanisms in which the Insurance Entities are required to participate or to potentially pay assessments. Each state has insurance guaranty association laws providing for the payment of policyholders’ claims when insurance companies doing business in that state become insolvent. These guaranty associations typically are funded by assessments on insurance companies transacting business in the respective states. When the Insurance Entities are subject to assessments, they generally must remit the assessed amounts to the guaranty associations. The Insurance Entities subsequently seek to recover the assessed amounts through recoupments from policyholders. In the event the Insurance Entities are not able to fully recoup the amounts of those assessments, such unrecovered amounts can be credited against future assessments, or the remaining receivable may be written off. While we cannot predict the amount or timing of future guaranty association assessments, we believe that any such assessments will not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations. See “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Insurance Industry—Regulations limiting rate changes and requiring us to participate in loss sharing or assessments may decrease our profitability.”
Human Capital Resources
The Company is a vertically integrated insurance holding company with its employees performing substantially all insurance and support related services for our Insurance Entities, including policy underwriting, marketing, online distribution, risk management and claims management. As of February 2, 2021, we had 909 full-time employees, of whom 92% are based in Florida. Reflecting our substantial efforts in recent years to improve and enhance our claims operations and to address emerging
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claim trends, approximately 57% of our employees work in our claims management operations, an increase of 19% since February 5, 2020. Of these employees, 38% comprise our in-house claims litigation team. In the event we experience an unusually high volume of claims due to a hurricane or severe weather event, in addition to cross-trained staff, the Company utilizes outsourced third-party adjusters and outsourced call center support to maintain regulatory and internal service standards.
Our other policy functions, underwriting & risk management and marketing & online distribution employ approximately 8% and 19% of our employees, respectively. We sell our insurance products primarily through our network of licensed independent agents or through a relatively small team of licensed agents comprising our in-house distribution sales force, mostly limited to online sales. More than 57% of our employees have received insurance licenses from the state of Florida, and we reimburse employees for costs associated with acquiring and maintaining insurance licensing.
Our business is dependent on adequate levels of staff to service our new business and policies in force, adjudicate reported claims and provide support services to the Company. Support services consist of technology, human resources, finance, corporate and internal audit teams. We anticipate staffing needs and make changes to our staff to assure our regulatory requirements are met and our service standards to customers are achieved.
Given our focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement, our objective is to create a collaborative work environment with many opportunities for advancement in order to attract energetic and entrepreneurial talent. To that end, we provide extensive training and development sessions, strong benefits, and competitive pay to employees at all levels in the organization, including equity awards to key contributors.
We continue our support of diversity to create an inclusive culture and deliver a sustainable talent model to enhance performance and broaden perspectives.
We did not furlough or terminate any employees due to COVID-19. None of our employees are represented by a labor union.
Available Information
Our corporate headquarters are located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Our investor website is UniversalInsuranceHoldings.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments thereto, are available, free of charge, through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These filings are also available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.
| ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS | ||||
We are subject to a variety of material risks, which are described below. Our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition could be adversely affected by any of these risks or additional risks.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
The COVID-19 pandemic could have material and long-term adverse consequences on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity and capital resources.
The public health crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting and continuing impact on the global, national and local economies, as well as on the American workforce, could significantly disrupt and materially impact our business, including:
•our ability to successfully maintain operations and meet the costs associated with those operations while maintaining the safety and wellness of our employees, independent agents, policyholders and vendors;
•the impact on demand for our products by agents and policyholders during the current protracted economic downturn;
•the ability or willingness of policyholders to pay premiums;
•the prompt payment of receivables by reinsurers and policyholders;
•a decline in the value of our investment securities, which make up a significant portion of our financial resources;
•a decline in the credit ratings of our debt securities;
•our ability to meet regulatory requirements;
•our ability to attract and retain, and to effectively train and supervise, employees;
•our ability to anticipate, understand and respond to potential changes in consumer or employee behaviors and preferences arising from past and future directives and guidance related to social distancing, teleworking and similar considerations; and
•our ability to maintain relationships with key vendors, and those vendors’ willingness or ability to perform services for us as expected.
As a provider of services typically categorized as essential, we are required to maintain operations and continue to pay claims to policyholders. Uncertainty around claims patterns including impediments to adjusting claims in the field could negatively impact our ability to timely and properly pay claims and establish reserves. Access to capital, if needed, could be hampered, and the cost of external capital could be elevated.
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In addition, COVID-19 has reduced our ability to bring litigated matters to an efficient conclusion. Some courts have been unable to respond effectively to social distancing measures due to lack of technology or infrastructure and to the fragmented nature of local court systems. In many states, all civil trials were suspended or the number of civil trials taking place has been greatly limited. This has caused litigation related to first-party claims we are defending and subrogation actions we are pursuing to be held in suspense and delayed. In turn, this has caused an increase in our number of claims in litigation.
Broader adverse economic consequences and losses incurred by reinsurers as a result of COVID-19 could erode capital and contribute to an increase in the cost of reinsurance as well as an increase in counterparty credit risk. Legislative, regulatory or judicial actions that encourage or mandate premium payment grace periods, prevent cancellations for non-payment of premium, require us to cover losses when our policies did not provide coverage or excluded coverage, or order us to provide premium refunds or make other accommodations, could reduce our liquidity and increase both our losses and operating costs. Forced liquidation of stressed investment securities could result in realized losses during periods of dysfunction and volatility in capital markets. An increase in the demand and frequency of reporting by regulators could place stress on our ability to accurately and timely meet those and existing demands, and a delay or denial in regulatory rate approvals could contribute to financial stress. While most of our workforce is continuing to work remotely, we are more vulnerable to cyber threats.
The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our business will depend on future developments – including any resurgence or variants of COVID-19, the availability of effective treatments and the distribution of vaccines – and while we are not able to estimate the impact that COVID-19 will have on our future financial results and financial condition, it could be material. To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our future business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described below.
As a property and casualty insurer, we face significant losses when catastrophes and severe weather events occur.
Because of the exposure of our property and casualty business to catastrophic events, our operating results and financial condition have varied significantly from one period to the next, and our historical results of operations may not be indicative of future results of operations. Property damage resulting from catastrophes is the greatest risk of loss we face in the ordinary course of our business. Catastrophes can be caused by various natural and man-made disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, tropical storms, sinkholes, windstorms, hailstorms, explosions, earthquakes and acts of terrorism. Because of our concentration in Florida, and in particular in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, we are exposed to hurricanes and windstorms, and other catastrophes affecting Florida. We have incurred and may in the future incur catastrophe losses in Florida or elsewhere in excess of those experienced in prior years; those estimated by catastrophe models we use; the average expected level used in pricing; and our current reinsurance coverage limits. We are also subject to claims arising from weather events such as rain, hail and high winds. The nature and level of future catastrophes and the incidence and severity of weather conditions in any future period cannot be predicted and could materially and adversely impact our operations.
The loss estimates developed by the models we use are dependent upon assumptions or scenarios incorporated by a third-party developer and by us. When these assumptions or scenarios do not reflect the characteristics of catastrophic events that affect areas covered by our policies or the resulting economic conditions, then we become exposed to losses not covered by our reinsurance program, which could adversely affect our financial condition, profitability and results of operations. Further, although we use widely recognized and commercially available models to estimate hurricane loss exposure, other models exist that might produce higher or lower loss estimates. See “—We rely on models as a tool to evaluate risk, and those models are inherently uncertain and may not accurately predict existing or future losses.” Despite our catastrophe management programs, we retain material exposure to catastrophic events. Our liquidity could also be constrained by a catastrophe, or multiple catastrophes, which could have a negative impact on our business. Catastrophes have eroded and in the future may erode our statutory surplus or ability to obtain adequate reinsurance which could negatively affect our ability to write new or renewal business. Catastrophic claim severity is impacted by the effects of inflation and increases in insured value and factors such as the overall claims, legal and litigation environments in affected areas, in addition to the geographic concentration of insured property.
Actual claims incurred have exceeded, and in the future may exceed, reserves established for claims, adversely affecting our operating results and financial condition.
We maintain loss reserves to cover our estimated ultimate liability for unpaid losses and LAE for reported and unreported claims as of the end of each accounting period. The reserve for losses and LAE is reported net of receivables for subrogation. Recorded claim reserves in the property and casualty business are based on our best estimates of what the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost, both reported and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). These estimates, which generally involve actuarial projections, are based on management’s assessment of known facts and circumstances, including our experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, historical trends involving claim payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid claims and contractual terms. External factors are also considered, which include but are not limited to changes in the law, court decisions, changes to regulatory requirements, economic conditions and consumer behavior. Many of these factors are not quantifiable and are subject to change over time. The current Florida homeowners’ insurance market is adversely impacted by changes in claimant behaviors resulting in losses and LAE exceeding historical trends, amounts experienced in other states, and amounts we previously estimated. The increases in losses and LAE are attributable to the active solicitation of claims activity by policyholder representatives, high levels of represented claims compared to historical patterns or patterns seen in other states, and a proliferation of inflated claims filed by policyholder representatives and vendors. These trends are facilitated by Florida’s legal climate, including the one-way threat of attorneys’ fees against insurers and the relatively high cost of defending against inflated claims in relation to amounts in dispute.
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Additionally, there sometimes is a significant reporting lag between the occurrence of an event and the time it is reported to us. The inherent uncertainties of estimating reserves are greater for certain types of liabilities, particularly those in which the various considerations affecting the type of claim are subject to change and in which long periods of time elapse before a definitive determination of liability is made. The deterioration in the current Florida market also has produced an increased number of claims that are filed or re-opened well after the alleged dates of loss. We continually refine reserve estimates as experience develops and as subsequent claims are reported and settled. Adjustments to reserves are reflected in the financial statement results of the periods in which such estimates are changed. The adverse conditions in Florida have resulted in our paid losses exceeding prior reserve estimates and in increases in our current estimates of unpaid losses and LAE. Because setting reserves is inherently uncertain and claims conditions change over time, the ultimate cost of losses has varied and, in the future, may vary materially from recorded reserves, and such variance may continue to adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. The full extent of the ongoing disruptions and claims behaviors in the Florida market is unknown and still unfolding.
Subrogation is a significant component of our total net reserves for losses and LAE. Starting in 2016, there has been a significant increase in our efforts to pursue subrogation against third parties responsible for property damage losses to our insureds. More recently, changes in Florida’s claims environment and legal climate have reduced the effectiveness of our efforts to properly apportion losses through subrogation. Responsible parties are increasingly using delays and defensive tactics to avoid subrogation and increase its costs, which in turn decreases its effectiveness. In some instances, our ability to recover subrogation judgments against responsible parties also is being delayed or impeded by limitations on jury trials and similar changes to judicial processes due to COVID-19. Our ability to recover recorded amounts remains subject to significant uncertainty, including risks inherent in litigation, collectability of the recorded amounts and potential law changes or judicial decisions that can hinder or reduce the effectiveness of subrogation.
When we fail to accurately and adequately price the risks we underwrite, we may not be able to generate sufficient premiums to pay losses and expenses and we may experience other negative impacts on our profitability and financial condition, including harm to our competitive position.
Our results of operations and financial condition depend on our ability to underwrite and set premium rates accurately for a variety of risks. Rate adequacy is necessary to generate sufficient premiums to pay losses, LAE, reinsurance costs and underwriting expenses and to earn a profit. In order to price our products accurately and adequately, we must collect and properly analyze a substantial amount of data; develop, test and apply appropriate rating formulas; closely monitor and timely recognize changes in trends; and project both severity and frequency of losses with reasonable accuracy. We have partnered with an industry leading homeowners insurance data aggregator and have over 22 years of claims experience to leverage during the rate making process, most of which is in the State of Florida. During the Underwriting and rating process we also collect and leverage data points related to age, location, and construction characteristics that have rating implications, and establish Insurance to Value estimates for proper rating. Our ability to price our products accurately and adequately is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are outside our control, including:
•the availability of sufficient and reliable data;
•regulatory review periods or delays in approving filed rate changes or our failure to gain regulatory approval;
•the uncertainties that inherently underlie estimates and assumptions;
•the ability to anticipate unforeseen adverse market trends or other emerging costs in the rate making process;
•changes in legal standards, claim resolution practices and restoration costs; and
•legislatively imposed consumer initiatives.
As a result, we could underprice risks, which would negatively affect our profit margins and result in significant underwriting losses. We could also overprice risks, which could reduce the number of policies we write and our competitiveness. In either event, our profitability could be materially and adversely affected. If our policies are overpriced or underpriced by geographic area, policy type or other characteristics, we may not be able to achieve desirable diversification in our risks.
Unanticipated increases in the severity or frequency of claims adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.
Changes in the severity or frequency of claims affect our profitability. Changes in homeowners’ claim severity can be and have been driven by inflation in the construction industry, in building materials and in home furnishings and by other economic and environmental factors, including increased demand for services and supplies in areas affected by catastrophes, market conditions and prevailing attitudes towards insurers and the claims process, including increases in the number of litigated claims or claims involving representation. However, changes in the level of the severity of claims are not limited to the effects of inflation and demand surge in these various sectors of the economy. Increases in claim severity can also arise from unexpected events that are inherently difficult to predict. Significant long-term increases in claim frequency have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. Further, the level of claim frequency we experience varies from period to period, or from region to region. Although we pursue various loss management initiatives in order to mitigate future increases in claim severity, there can be no assurances that these initiatives will successfully identify or reduce the effect of future increases in claim severity.
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The failure of the risk mitigation strategies we utilize could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
We utilize a number of strategies to mitigate our risk exposure, such as:
•engaging in rigorous underwriting;
•carefully evaluating terms and conditions of our policies and binding guidelines; and
•ceding risk to reinsurers.
However, there are inherent limitations in all of these strategies, and no assurance can be given that an event or series of events will not result in loss levels in excess of our probable maximum loss models, or that our non-catastrophe forecasts or modeling is accurate, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. It is also possible that losses could manifest themselves in ways that we do not anticipate and that our risk mitigation strategies are not designed to address. Such a manifestation of losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Because we rely on independent insurance agents, the loss of these independent agent relationships and the business they control or our ability to attract new independent agents could have an adverse impact on our business.
We currently market our policies to a broad range of prospective policyholders through approximately 4,400 independent insurance agents in Florida as well as approximately 5,800 independent insurance agents outside of Florida. As a result, our business depends on the marketing efforts of these independent agents and on our ability to offer products and services that meet their and their customers’ requirements. These independent insurance agents maintain the primary customer relationship. Independent agents typically represent other insurance companies in addition to representing us, and such agents are not obligated to sell or promote our products. Other insurance companies may pay higher commissions than we do, provide services to the agents that we do not provide, or may be more attractive to the agents than we are. We cannot provide assurance that we will retain our current relationships, or be able to establish new relationships, with independent agents. The loss of these marketing relationships could adversely affect our ability to attract new agents, retain our agency network, or write new or renewal insurance policies, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on models as a tool to evaluate risk, and those models are inherently uncertain and may not accurately predict existing or future losses.
Along with other insurers in the industry, we use models developed by third-party vendors in assessing our exposure to catastrophe losses, and these models assume various conditions and probability scenarios, most of which are not known to us or are not within our control. These models may not accurately predict future losses or accurately measure losses incurred. Catastrophe models, which have been evolving since the early 1990s, use historical information about various catastrophes, detailed information about our in-force business and certain assumptions or judgments that are proprietary to the modeling firms. While we use this information in connection with our pricing and risk management activities, there are limitations with respect to their usefulness in predicting losses in any reporting period. Examples of these limitations are significant variations in estimates between models and modelers and material increases and decreases in model results due to changes and refinements of the underlying data elements and assumptions. Such limitations lead to questionable predictive capability and post-event measurements that have not been well understood or proven to be sufficiently reliable. In addition, the models are not necessarily reflective of company or state-specific policy language, demand surge for labor and materials, consumer behavior, prevailing or changing claims, legal and litigation environments, or loss settlement expenses, all of which are subject to wide variation by catastrophe.
Reinsurance may be unavailable in the future at reasonable levels and prices or on reasonable terms, which may limit our ability to write new business or to adequately mitigate our exposure to loss.
Our reinsurance program is designed to mitigate our exposure to catastrophes. Market conditions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance we purchase and the ability of the FHCF to reimburse insurers at levels contemplated by their reimbursement contracts. No assurances can be made that reinsurance will remain continuously available to us to the same extent and on the same or similar terms and rates as are currently available. In addition, our ability to afford reinsurance to reduce our catastrophe risk may be dependent upon our ability to adjust premium rates for our costs, and there are no assurances that the terms and rates for our current reinsurance program will continue to be available next year or that we will be able to adjust our premiums. The Insurance Entities are responsible for losses related to catastrophic events with incurred losses in excess of coverage provided by our reinsurance program and the FHCF, and for losses that otherwise are not covered by the reinsurance program. If we are unable to maintain our current level of reinsurance or purchase new reinsurance protection in amounts that we consider sufficient and at prices that we consider acceptable, we would have to either accept an increase in our exposure risk, reduce our insurance writings, seek rate adjustments at levels that might not be approved or might adversely affect policy retention, or develop or seek other alternatives, which could have an adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.
Reinsurance subjects us to the credit risk of our reinsurers, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Reinsurance does not legally discharge us from our primary liability for the full amount of the risk we insure, although it does make the reinsurer liable to us in the event of a claim. As such, we are subject to credit risk with respect to our reinsurers. The collectability of reinsurance recoverables is subject to uncertainty arising from a number of factors, including (i) our reinsurers’
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financial capacity and willingness to make payments under the terms of a reinsurance treaty or contract or (ii) whether insured losses meet the qualifying conditions and are recoverable under our reinsurance contracts for covered events or are excluded. Further, if a reinsurer fails to pay an amount due to us within 90 days of such amount coming due, we are required by certain statutory accounting rules to account for a portion of this unpaid amount as a non-admitted asset, which would negatively impact our statutory surplus. Our inability to collect a material recovery from a reinsurer, or to collect such recovery in a timely fashion, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition, liquidity and surplus.
Our financial condition and operating results are subject to the cyclical nature of the property and casualty insurance business.
The property and casualty insurance market is cyclical and has experienced periods characterized by relatively high levels of price competition, less restrictive underwriting standards and relatively low premium rates, followed by periods of relatively lower levels of competition, more selective underwriting standards and relatively high premium rates. As premium levels increase, and competitors perceive an increased opportunity for profitability, new entrants to the market or expansion by existing participants lead to increased competition, a reduction in premium rates, less favorable policy terms and fewer opportunities to underwrite insurance risks. These conditions can have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. In addition to these considerations, changes in the frequency and severity of losses suffered by insureds and insurers, including changes resulting from multiple and/or catastrophic hurricanes, affect the cycles of the property and casualty insurance business significantly. Negative market conditions can impair our ability to write insurance at rates that we consider adequate and appropriate relative to the risk written. To the extent that we cannot write insurance at appropriate rates, our business would be materially and adversely affected. We cannot predict whether market conditions will improve, remain constant or deteriorate. An extended period of negative market conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Because we conduct the majority of our business in Florida, our financial results depend on the regulatory, economic and weather conditions in Florida.
Though we are licensed to transact insurance business in other states, we write a majority of our premium in Florida. Therefore, prevailing regulatory, consumer behavior, legal, economic, political, demographic, competitive, weather and other conditions in Florida disproportionately affect our revenues and profitability. Adverse changes in these conditions make doing business in Florida as opposed to other states less attractive for us and have a more pronounced effect on us than it would on other insurance companies that are more geographically diversified throughout the United States. Further, a single catastrophic event, or a series of such events, specifically affecting Florida, particularly in the more densely populated areas of the state, have had and could in the future have a disproportionately adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. This is particularly true in certain Florida counties where we write a high concentration of policies such that a catastrophic event, or series of catastrophic events, in these counties have had and could in the future have a significant impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The fact that our business is concentrated in Florida subjects us to increased exposure to certain catastrophic events and destructive weather patterns such as hurricanes, tropical storms and tornadoes.
Changing climate conditions may adversely affect our financial condition, profitability or cash flows.
Although the incidence and severity of weather conditions are largely unpredictable, the frequency and severity of property claims generally increase when severe weather conditions occur. Longer-term weather trends may be changing, and new types of catastrophe losses may be developing due to climate change, a phenomenon that has been associated with extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures, including effects on global weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperature, sea levels, rain and snow. To the extent the frequency or severity of weather events is exacerbated due to climate change, we may experience increases in catastrophe losses in both coastal and non-coastal areas. This may cause an increase in claims-related and/or reinsurance costs or may negatively affect our ability to provide homeowners insurance to our policyholders in the future. Governmental entities may also respond to climate change by enacting laws and regulations that may adversely affect our cost of providing homeowners insurance in the future. In addition to the inherent uncertainties associated with studying, understanding and modeling changing climate conditions, available analyses and models in this area typically relate to potential meteorological or sea level impacts and generally are not intended to analyze or predict impacts on insured losses.
We have entered new markets and expect that we will continue to do so, but there can be no assurance that our diversification and growth strategy will be effective.
We seek to take advantage of prudent opportunities to expand our core business into other states where we believe the independent agent distribution channel is strong. As a result of a number of factors, including the difficulties of finding appropriate expansion opportunities and the challenges of operating in unfamiliar markets, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in this diversification even after investing significant time and resources to develop and market products and services in additional states. Initial timetables for expansion may not be achieved, and price and profitability targets may not be feasible. Because our business and experience are based substantially on the Florida insurance market, we may not understand all of the risks associated with entering into an unfamiliar market. For example, the occurrence of significant winter storms in certain states we have expanded into has in some circumstances limited the effectiveness of our revenue and risk diversification strategy by decreasing revenue we expected to receive outside of the Florida hurricane season or increased our overall risk in ways we had not anticipated when entering those markets. This inexperience in certain new markets could affect our ability to price risks adequately and develop effective underwriting standards. External factors, such as compliance with state regulations,
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obtaining new licenses, competitive alternatives and shifting customer preferences, may also affect the successful implementation of our geographic growth strategy. Such external factors and requirements may increase our costs and potentially affect the speed with which we will be able to pursue new market opportunities. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in expanding into any one state or combination of states. Failure to manage these risks successfully could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain talented employees, and the loss of any one of our key personnel could adversely impact our operations.
The success of our business depends, in part, on the leadership and performance of our executive management team and key employees and on our ability to attract, retain and motivate talented employees. An absence of the leadership and performance of the executive management team or our inability to retain talented employees could significantly impact our future performance. Competition for these individuals is intense and our ability to operate successfully may be impaired if we are not effective in filling critical leadership positions, in developing the talent and skills of our human resources, in assimilating new executive talent into our organization, or in deploying human resource talent consistent with our business goals.
We could be adversely affected if our controls designed to ensure compliance with guidelines, policies and legal and regulatory standards are not effective.
Our business is highly dependent on the ability to engage on a daily basis in a large number of insurance underwriting, claims processing and investment activities, many of which are highly complex, must be performed expeditiously and involve opportunities for human judgment and errors. These activities often are subject to internal guidelines and policies, as well as legal and regulatory standards. In addition, these legal and regulatory standards can be subject to varying interpretations. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Our failure to comply with these guidelines, policies or standards could lead to financial loss, unanticipated risk exposure, regulatory sanctions or penalties, civil or administrative litigation, or damage to our reputation.
The failure of our claims professionals to effectively manage claims could adversely affect our insurance business and financial results.
We rely primarily on our claims professionals to facilitate and oversee the claims adjustment process for our policyholders. Many factors affect the ability of our claims professionals to effectively manage claims by our policyholders, including:
•the accuracy of our adjusters as they make their assessments and submit their estimates of damages;
•the training, background and experience of our claims representatives;
•the ability of our claims professionals to ensure consistent claims handling;
•the ability of our claims professionals to translate the information provided by adjusters into acceptable claims resolutions; and
•the ability of our claims professionals to maintain and update our claims handling procedures and systems as they evolve over time based on claims and geographical trends in claims reporting as well as consumer behaviors affecting claims handling.
Any failure to effectively manage the claims adjustment process, including failure to pay claims accurately and failure to oversee third-party claims adjusters, could lead to material litigation, regulatory penalties or sanctions, undermine our reputation in the marketplace and with our network of independent agents, impair our corporate image and negatively affect our financial results.
Litigation or regulatory actions could result in material settlements, judgments, fines or penalties and consequently have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and reputation.
From time to time, we are subject to civil or administrative actions and litigation. This is especially the case in Florida, where insurance companies, including the Insurance Entities, have experienced increases in first-party litigation due largely to the state’s one-way attorneys’ fee statute and resulting litigation climate. Although we strive to pay meritorious claims in a fair and prompt manner, civil litigation can result when we do not pay insurance claims in the amounts or at the times demanded by policyholders or their representatives. We also may be subject to litigation or administrative actions arising from the conduct of our business and the regulatory authority of state insurance departments. Further, we are subject to other types of litigation inherent in operating our businesses, employing personnel, contracting with vendors and otherwise carrying out our affairs. As industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims and coverage have arisen and may in the future arise, including judicial expansion of policy coverage and the impact of new theories of liability, plaintiffs targeting property and casualty insurers in purported class-action litigation relating to claims-handling and other practices, and adverse changes in loss cost trends, including inflationary pressures in home repair costs or other legal or regulatory conditions incentivizing increases in disputed or litigated claims. Multiparty or class action claims present additional exposure to substantial economic, non-economic or punitive damage awards. Litigation or regulatory matters have negatively affected and may in the future negatively affect us by resulting in the payment of substantial awards or settlements, increasing legal and compliance costs, requiring us to change certain aspects of our business operations, diverting management attention from other business issues, harming our reputation with agents and customers or making it more difficult to retain current customers and to recruit and retain employees or agents.
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Our future results are dependent in part on our ability to successfully operate in a highly competitive insurance industry.
The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive. We compete against large national carriers that have greater capital resources and longer operating histories, regional carriers and managing general agencies, as well as newly formed and less-capitalized companies that might have more aggressive underwriting or pricing strategies. Many of these entities may also be affiliated with other entities that have greater financial and other resources than we have. When competitors attempt to increase market share by lowering rates, we can experience reductions in our underwriting margins, or a decline in sales of our insurance policies as customers purchase lower-priced products from our competitors. Competitors also might adopt more prompt or more effective solutions to adverse market conditions than we are able to implement, providing those competitors with a competitive advantage through lower losses and loss adjustment expenses, more competitive premium levels, or the ability to expand their businesses. Because of the competitive nature of the insurance industry, including competition for producers such as independent agents, there can be no assurance that we will continue to develop and maintain productive relationships with independent agents, effectively compete with our industry rivals, or that competitive pressures will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.
A downgrade in our Financial Stability Rating® may have an adverse effect on our competitive position, the marketability of our product offerings, and our liquidity, operating results and financial condition.
Financial Stability Ratings® and similar ratings are important factors in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies and generally have an effect on an insurance company’s business. On an ongoing basis, rating agencies review the financial performance and condition of insurers and could downgrade or change the outlook on an insurer’s ratings due to, for example, a change in an insurer’s statutory capital; a change in a rating agency’s determination of the amount of risk-adjusted capital required to maintain a particular rating; a change in the perceived adequacy of an insurer’s reinsurance program; an increase in the perceived risk of an insurer’s investment portfolio; a reduced confidence in management or a host of other considerations that may or may not be within an insurer’s knowledge or control. Demotech has assigned a Financial Stability Rating® of A for each Insurance Entity. Because these ratings are subject to continuous review, the retention of these ratings cannot be assured. A downgrade in or withdrawal of these ratings, or a decision by Demotech to require us to make a capital infusion into the Insurance Entities to maintain their ratings, may adversely affect our liquidity, operating results and financial condition. In addition, our failure to maintain a financial strength rating acceptable in the secondary mortgage market would adversely affect our ability to write new and renewal business. Financial Stability Ratings® are primarily directed towards policyholders of the Insurance Entities, and are not evaluations directed toward the protection of our shareholders, and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities.
Breaches of our information systems or denial of service on our website could have an adverse impact on our business and reputation.
Our ability to effectively operate our business depends on our ability, and the ability of certain third-party vendors and business partners, to access our computer systems to perform necessary business functions, such as providing quotes and product pricing, billing and processing premiums, administering claims and reporting our financial results. Our business and operations rely on the secure and efficient processing, storage and transmission of customer and company data, including policyholders’ nonpublic personal information, including financial information, and proprietary business information, on our computer systems and networks. Unauthorized access to personally identifiable information, even if not financial information, could be damaging to all affected parties. Breaches can involve attacks intended to obtain unauthorized access to nonpublic personal information, destroy data, disrupt or degrade service, sabotage systems or cause other damage, including through the introduction of computer viruses or malware, cyberattacks and other means; breaches can also involve human error, such as employees falling victim to phishing schemes or computer coding errors that may inadvertently leave data exposed.
Our computer systems are vulnerable to unauthorized access and hackers, computer viruses and other scenarios in which our data may be exposed or compromised. Cyberattacks can originate from a variety of sources, including third parties who are affiliated with foreign governments or employees acting negligently or in a manner adverse to our interests. Third parties may seek to gain access to our systems either directly or using equipment or security passwords belonging to employees, customers, third-party service providers or other users of our systems. Our systems also may inadvertently expose, through a computer programming error or otherwise, confidential information as well as that of our customers and third parties with whom we interact.
Our computer systems have been, and likely will continue to be, subject to cyber hacking activities, computer viruses, other malicious codes or other computer-related penetrations. To date, we are not aware of a material breach of cybersecurity. We commit significant resources to administrative and technical controls to prevent cyber incidents and protect our information technology, but our preventative actions to reduce the risk of cyber threats may be insufficient to prevent physical and electronic break-ins and other cyberattacks or security breaches, including those due to human vulnerabilities. Any such event could damage our computers or systems; compromise our confidential information as well as that of our customers and third parties with whom we interact; significantly impede or interrupt business operations, including denial of service on our website; and could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, financial loss to us or to our policyholders, loss of confidence in our security measures, customer dissatisfaction, significant litigation exposure and reputational harm, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us. We expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities, exposures, or information security events. Due to the complexity and interconnectedness of our systems, the process of enhancing our protective measures can itself create a risk of systems disruptions and security issues.
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The increase in the use of cloud technologies and in consumer preference for online transactions can heighten these and other operational risks. Certain aspects of the security of such technologies are unpredictable or beyond our control, and this lack of transparency may inhibit our ability to discover a failure by cloud service providers to adequately safeguard their systems and prevent cyberattacks that could disrupt our operations and result in misappropriation, corruption or loss of confidential and other information. In addition, there is a risk that encryption and other protective measures, despite their sophistication, may be defeated, particularly to the extent that new computing technologies vastly increase the speed and computing power available.
In addition, any significant data security breach of our independent agents or third-party vendors could harm our business and reputation.
We may not be able to effectively implement or adapt to changes in technology, which may result in interruptions to our business or a competitive disadvantage.
Developments in technology are affecting the insurance business. We believe that the development and implementation of new technologies will require additional investment of our capital resources in the future, and it is possible that we may not be able to effectively implement or adapt to new technologies. We have not determined the amount of resources and the time that this development and implementation may require, which may result in short-term, unexpected interruptions to our business, or may result in a competitive disadvantage in price and/or efficiency, as we endeavor to develop or implement new technologies.
Lack of effectiveness of exclusions and other loss limitation methods in the insurance policies we write or changes in laws and/or potential regulatory approaches relating to them could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or our results of operations.
All of the policies we issue include exclusions or other conditions that define and limit coverage. These exclusions and conditions are designed to manage our exposure to certain risk types or risk characteristics and expanding theories of legal liability. In addition, applicable law limits the time period during which a policyholder may bring a claim under the policy. It is possible that a regulatory authority would refuse to approve or a court could nullify or void an exclusion or limitation or interpret existing coverages more broadly than we anticipate, or that legislation could be enacted modifying or barring the use of these exclusions or limitations. This could result in higher than anticipated losses and LAE by extending coverage beyond our underwriting intent or increasing the number or size of claims, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. In some instances, the intended effects of approved policy language and court interpretation of the same may not become apparent until sometime after we have issued the insurance policies and case law sets a precedent for legal interpretation of them. As a result, the full extent of liability under our insurance contracts may not be known for many years after a policy is issued.
RISKS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS
We are subject to market risk, which may adversely affect investment income.
Our primary market risk exposures are changes in equity prices and interest rates, which impact our investment income and returns. Declines in market interest rates have an adverse effect on our investment income to the extent that we invest cash in new interest-bearing investments that yield less than our portfolio’s average rate of return or purchase longer-term or riskier assets in order to obtain adequate investment yields resulting in a duration gap when compared to the duration of liabilities. Increases in market interest rates also have an adverse effect on the value of our investment portfolio by decreasing the fair values of the available-for-sale debt securities that comprise a large portion of our investment portfolio. Similarly, declines in the equities markets adversely affect our existing portfolio. Increases in the equities markets might increase returns on our existing portfolio but reduce the attractiveness of future investments.
Our overall financial performance depends in part on the returns on our investment portfolio.
The performance of our investment portfolio is independent of the revenue and income generated from our insurance operations, and there is typically no direct correlation between the financial results of these two activities. Thus, to the extent that our investment portfolio does not perform well due to the factors discussed above or otherwise, our results of operations may be materially adversely affected even if our insurance operations perform favorably. Further, because the returns on our investment portfolio are subject to market volatility, our overall results of operations could likewise be volatile from period to period even if we do not experience significant financial variances in our insurance operations.
RISKS RELATING TO THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY
We are subject to extensive regulation and potential further restrictive regulation may increase our operating costs and limit our growth and profitability.
The laws and regulations affecting the insurance industry are complex and subject to change. Compliance with these laws and regulations may increase the costs of running our business and may even slow our ability to respond effectively and quickly to operational opportunities. Moreover, these laws and regulations are administered and enforced by a number of different governmental authorities, including state insurance regulators, the U.S. Department of Justice, and state attorneys general, each of which exercises a degree of interpretive latitude. Consequently, we are also subject to the risk that compliance with any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may not result in compliance with another’s
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interpretation of the same issue, particularly when compliance is judged in hindsight. In addition, there is risk that any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may change over time to our detriment, or that changes in the overall legal environment may cause us to change our views regarding the actions we need to take from a legal risk management perspective, thus necessitating changes to our practices that may, in some cases, limit our ability to grow and achieve or improve the profitability of our business. We also have been affected by, and in the future may continue to be affected by, decisions or inaction by state legislatures that result in the continuation or worsening of adverse market conditions. Furthermore, in some cases, laws and regulations are designed to protect or benefit the interests of a specific constituency rather than a range of constituencies. For example, state insurance laws and regulations are generally intended to protect or benefit purchasers or users of insurance products, and not shareholders. In many respects, these laws and regulations limit our ability to grow and improve the profitability of our business or effectively respond to changing market conditions, and may place constraints on our ability to meet our revenue and net profit goals.
The Insurance Entities are highly regulated by state insurance authorities in Florida, the state in which each is domiciled, and UPCIC and APPCIC are also regulated by state insurance authorities in the other states in which they conduct business. Such regulations, among other things, require that certain transactions between the Insurance Entities and their affiliates must be fair and reasonable and require prior notice and non-disapproval of such transactions by the applicable state insurance authority. State regulations also limit the amount of dividends and other payments that can be made by the Insurance Entities without prior regulatory approval and impose restrictions on the amount and type of investments the Insurance Entities may make. Other state regulations require insurance companies to file insurance premium rate schedules and policy forms for review and approval, restrict our ability to cancel or non-renew policies and determine the accounting standards we use in preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These regulations also affect many other aspects of the Insurance Entities’ businesses. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is time consuming and personnel-intensive, and changes in these laws and regulations may materially increase our direct and indirect compliance efforts and other expenses of doing business. If the Insurance Entities fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the regulatory agencies can revoke or suspend the Insurance Entities’ licenses, withhold required approvals, require corrective action, impose operating limitations, impose penalties and fines or pursue other remedies available under applicable laws and regulations.
State insurance regulatory agencies conduct periodic examinations of the Insurance Entities on a wide variety of matters, including policy forms, premium rates, licensing, trade and claims practices, investment standards and practices, statutory capital and surplus requirements, reserve and loss ratio requirements and transactions among affiliates. Further, the Insurance Entities are required to file quarterly, annual and other reports with state insurance regulatory agencies relating to financial condition, holding company issues and other matters.
Regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to deny or revoke licenses for various reasons, including the violation of regulations. If we do not have the requisite licenses and approvals or do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, insurance regulatory authorities could preclude or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities or otherwise penalize us. This could adversely affect our ability to operate our business both directly and potentially indirectly through reputational damage.
State legislatures and insurance regulators regularly re-examine existing laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, can be made for the benefit of the consumer, or for other reasons, at the direct or indirect expense of insurers, and thus could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In other instances, decisions by policymakers to not address adverse market conditions through effective changes to underlying statutes has caused, and in the future might continue to cause, an adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations.
Over the course of many years, the state insurance regulatory framework has come under public scrutiny and members of Congress have discussed proposals to provide for federal chartering of insurance companies. We can make no assurances regarding the potential impact of state or federal measures that may change the nature or scope of insurance regulation.
UVE is a holding company and, consequently, its cash flow is dependent on dividends and other permissible payments from its subsidiaries.
UVE is a holding company that conducts no insurance operations of its own. All operations are conducted by the Insurance Entities and by other operating subsidiaries, most of which support the business of the Insurance Entities. As a holding company, UVE’s sources of cash flow consist primarily of dividends and other permissible payments from its subsidiaries. The ability of our non-insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends may be adversely affected by reductions in the premiums or number of policies written by the Insurance Entities, by changes in the terms of the parties’ contracts, or by changes in the regulation of insurance holding company systems. UVE depends on such payments for general corporate purposes, for its capital management activities and for payment of any dividends to its common shareholders. The ability of the Insurance Entities to make such payments is limited by applicable law, as set forth in “Item 1—Business—Government Regulation—Restrictions on Dividends and Distributions.” For more details on our cash flows, see “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
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Regulations limiting rate changes and requiring us to participate in loss sharing or assessments may decrease our profitability.
From time to time, public policy preferences and perceptions affect the insurance market, including insurers’ efforts to effectively maintain rates that allow us to reach targeted levels of rate adequacy and profitability. Despite efforts to address rate needs and other operational issues analytically, facts and history demonstrate that public policymakers, when faced with untoward events and adverse public sentiment, have acted and may in the future act in ways that impede our ability to maintain a satisfactory correlation between rates and risk. This has included, and in the future may include, policymakers’ failures to take steps to address the causes of adverse market conditions. Such acts or failures to act may affect our ability to obtain approval for rate changes that we believe are necessary to attain rate adequacy along with targeted levels of profitability and returns on equity. Our ability to afford reinsurance required to reduce our catastrophe risk also depends in part on our ability to adjust rates for our costs.
Additionally, we are required to participate in guaranty funds for insolvent insurance companies and other statutory insurance entities. The guaranty funds and other statutory entities periodically levy assessments against all applicable insurance companies doing business in the state and the amounts and timing of those assessments are unpredictable. Although we seek to recoup these assessments from our policyholders, we might not be able to fully do so and at any point in time or for any period, our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected by any of these factors.
The amount of statutory capital and surplus that each of the Insurance Entities has and the amount of statutory capital and surplus it must hold vary and are sensitive to a number of factors outside of our control, including market conditions and the regulatory environment and rules.
The Insurance Entities are subject to RBC standards and other minimum capital and surplus requirements imposed under applicable state laws. The RBC standards, based upon the Risk-Based Capital Model Act adopted by the NAIC, require us to report our results of RBC calculations to the FLOIR and the NAIC. These RBC standards provide for different levels of regulatory attention depending upon the ratio of an insurance company’s total adjusted capital, as calculated in accordance with NAIC guidelines, to its authorized control level RBC. Authorized control level RBC is determined using the NAIC’s RBC formula, which measures the minimum amount of capital that an insurance company needs to support its overall business operations.
An insurance company with total adjusted capital that (i) is at less than 200% of its authorized control level RBC, or (ii) falls below 300% of its RBC requirement and also fails a trend test, is deemed to be at a “company action level,” which would require the insurance company to file a plan that, among other things, contains proposals of corrective actions the company intends to take that are reasonably expected to result in the elimination of the company action level event. Additional action level events occur when the insurer’s total adjusted capital falls below 150%, 100%, and 70% of its authorized control level RBC. The lower the percentage, the more severe the regulatory response, including, in the event of a mandatory control level event (total adjusted capital falls below 70% of the insurer’s authorized control level RBC), placing the insurance company into receivership.
In addition, the Insurance Entities are required to maintain certain minimum capital and surplus and to limit premiums written to specified multiples of capital and surplus. Our Insurance Entities could exceed these ratios if their volume increases faster than anticipated or if their surplus declines due to catastrophe or non-catastrophe losses or excessive underwriting and operational expenses.
Any failure by the Insurance Entities to meet the applicable RBC or minimum statutory capital requirements imposed by the laws of Florida (or other states where we currently or may eventually conduct business) could subject them to further examination or corrective action imposed by state regulators, including limitations on our writing of additional business, state supervision or liquidation, which could have a material adverse impact on our reputation and financial condition. Any such failure also could adversely affect our Financial Stability Ratings®.
Any changes in existing RBC requirements, minimum statutory capital requirements, or applicable writings ratios may require us to increase our statutory capital levels, which we may be unable to do, or require us to reduce the amount of premiums we write, which could adversely affect our business and our operating results.
| ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS | ||||
None.
| ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES | ||||
Real Estate Owned and Used in Operations
We conduct our insurance operations primarily from our general corporate offices located at 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309. Substantially all of this space is fully utilized for its intended purpose. We believe that our
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facilities and equipment are generally well maintained, in good operating conditions and suitable and adequate for our present operations.
Real Estate Owned and Under Development
In 2019, we purchased an office building located at 5341 Northwest 33rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309, which will be used to meet our staffing needs to accommodate our foreseeable future insurance operations. Construction began in 2019, and we anticipate completion of the building in early 2021.
There are no mortgage or lease arrangements for our real estate owned property.
| ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | ||||
Lawsuits are filed against the Company from time to time. Many of these lawsuits involve claims under policies that we underwrite and reserve for as an insurer. We are also involved in various other legal proceedings and litigation unrelated to claims under our policies that arise in the ordinary course of business operations. Management believes that any liabilities that may arise as a result of these legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. The Company contests liability and/or the amount of damages as appropriate in each pending matter.
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for legal matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable.
Legal proceedings are subject to many uncertain factors that generally cannot be predicted with certainty, and the Company may be exposed to losses in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company currently estimates that the reasonably possible losses for legal proceedings, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, and for which the Company is able to estimate a possible loss, are immaterial. This represents management’s estimate of possible loss with respect to these matters and is based on currently available information. These estimates of possible loss do not represent our maximum loss exposure, and actual results may vary significantly from current estimates.
| ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES | ||||
Not applicable.
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PART II
| ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES | ||||
Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “UVE.” As of February 22, 2021, there were 32 registered shareholders of record of our common stock. A substantially greater number of holders of our common stock are “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers, and other financial institutions.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was one shareholder of our Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”). We declared and paid aggregate dividends to this holder of record of the company’s Series A Preferred Stock of $10,000 for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph and table compare the cumulative total stockholder return of our common stock from December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2020 with the performance of: (i) Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index, (ii) Russell 2000 Index and (iii) S&P Insurance Select Industry Index. We are a constituent of the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P Insurance Select Industry Index. S&P Insurance Select Industry Index consists of all publicly traded insurance underwriters in the property and casualty sector in the United States.
| Period Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Index | 12/31/2016 | 12/31/2017 | 12/31/2018 | 12/31/2019 | 12/31/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. | $ | 126.52 | $ | 125.41 | $ | 177.37 | $ | 134.38 | $ | 75.93 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| S&P 500 Index | 111.96 | 136.40 | 130.42 | 171.49 | 203.04 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Russell 2000 Index | 121.31 | 139.08 | 123.76 | 155.35 | 186.36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S&P Insurance Select Industry Index | 121.82 | 138.00 | 130.32 | 166.35 | 161.70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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We have generated these comparisons using data supplied by S&P Global Market Intelligence (Centennial, Colorado). The graph and table assume an investment of $100 in our common stock and in each of the three indices on December 31, 2015 with all dividends being reinvested on the ex-dividend date. The closing price of our common stock as of December 31, 2020 (the last trading day of the year) was $15.11 per share. The stock price performance in the graph and table are not intended to forecast the future performance of our stock and may not be indicative of future price performance.
Dividend Policy
Future cash dividend payments are subject to business conditions, our financial position and requirements for working capital and other corporate purposes, as well as to compliance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Subject to these qualifications, we expect to continue our regular practice of paying a comparable quarterly dividend to our stockholders. See “Part I—Restrictions on Dividends and Distributions,” “Item 1A—Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Insurance Industry” and “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Registrant Purchases of Equity Securities
The table below presents our common stock repurchased by UVE during the three months ended December 31, 2020.
| Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share (1) | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10/1/2020 - 10/31/2020 | 84,888 | $ | 12.21 | 84,888 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/1/2020 - 11/30/2020 | 104,817 | $ | 12.74 | 104,817 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/1/2020 - 12/31/2020 | 2,991 | $ | 14.05 | 2,991 | 1,284,443 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total for the three months ended December 31, 2020 | 192,696 | $ | 12.53 | 192,696 | 1,284,443 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Average price paid per share does not reflect brokerage commissions paid to acquire shares in open market transactions.
(2)Number of shares was calculated using a closing price at December 31, 2020 of $15.11 per share.
We may repurchase shares from time to time at our discretion, based on ongoing assessments of our capital needs, the market price of our common stock and general market conditions. We will fund the share repurchase program with cash from operations. During 2020, there were two authorized repurchase plans in effect:
•On November 6, 2019, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $40 million of outstanding shares of our common stock through December 31, 2021 (the “December 2021 Share Repurchase Program”), pursuant to which we repurchased 1,968,220 shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $40.0 million. We completed the December 2021 Share Repurchase Program in November 2020.
•On November 3, 2020, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $20 million of outstanding shares of our common stock through November 3, 2022 (the “November 2022 Share Repurchase Program”). Under the November 2022 Share Repurchase Program, we repurchased 45,705 shares of our common stock from November 2020 through December 2020 at an aggregate cost of approximately $0.6 million.
In total, during the year ended December 31, 2020, we repurchased an aggregate of 1,610,783 shares of our common stock pursuant to the December 2021 Share Repurchase Program and the November 2022 Share Repurchase Program at an aggregate price of approximately $28.9 million.
| ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA | ||||
The following selected historical consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” set forth elsewhere in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period.
The following tables present historical selected consolidated financial data of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries for the five years ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share data):
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| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statement of Income Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premiums written | $ | 1,517,479 | $ | 1,292,721 | $ | 1,190,875 | $ | 1,055,886 | $ | 954,617 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premium | (121,856) | (59,600) | (69,235) | (56,688) | (33,390) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premium earned | 1,395,623 | 1,233,121 | 1,121,640 | 999,198 | 921,227 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded premium earned | (472,060) | (390,619) | (353,258) | (310,405) | (288,811) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned, net | 923,563 | 842,502 | 768,382 | 688,793 | 632,416 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (1) | 20,393 | 30,743 | 24,816 | 13,460 | 9,540 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues (2) | 65,437 | 55,633 | 49,876 | 47,093 | 41,039 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | 1,072,770 | 939,351 | 823,816 | 751,916 | 685,289 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 758,810 | 603,406 | 414,455 | 350,428 | 301,229 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy acquisition costs | 199,102 | 177,530 | 157,327 | 138,846 | 125,979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating costs | 90,627 | 94,898 | 99,161 | 92,158 | 95,198 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 1,048,539 | 875,834 | 670,943 | 581,432 | 522,406 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 24,231 | 63,517 | 152,873 | 170,484 | 162,883 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 5,126 | 17,003 | 35,822 | 63,549 | 63,473 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 19,105 | $ | 46,514 | $ | 117,051 | $ | 106,935 | $ | 99,410 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Per Share Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.37 | $ | 3.36 | $ | 3.07 | $ | 2.85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 3.27 | $ | 2.99 | $ | 2.79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.73 | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.69 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total invested assets | $ | 919,924 | $ | 914,586 | $ | 908,154 | $ | 730,023 | $ | 651,601 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 167,156 | 182,109 | 166,428 | 213,486 | 105,730 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 1,758,741 | 1,719,852 | 1,858,390 | 1,454,999 | 1,060,007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 322,465 | 267,760 | 472,829 | 248,425 | 58,494 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | 783,135 | 661,279 | 601,679 | 532,444 | 475,756 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 8,456 | 9,926 | 11,397 | 12,868 | 15,028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,309,479 | 1,225,951 | 1,356,757 | 1,015,011 | 688,817 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 449,262 | $ | 493,901 | $ | 501,633 | $ | 439,988 | $ | 371,190 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares outstanding end of period | 31,137 | 32,638 | 34,783 | 34,735 | 35,052 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Book value per share | $ | 14.43 | $ | 15.13 | $ | 14.42 | $ | 12.67 | $ | 10.59 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Return on average equity (ROE) | 4.1 | % | 9.2 | % | 24.1 | % | 25.7 | % | 29.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio (3) | 82.2 | % | 71.6 | % | 53.9 | % | 50.9 | % | 47.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expense ratio (4) | 31.4 | % | 32.3 | % | 33.4 | % | 33.5 | % | 34.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined Ratio (5) | 113.6 | % | 103.9 | % | 87.3 | % | 84.4 | % | 82.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Net investment income excludes net realized gains (losses) on sale of investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities.
(2)Other revenue consists of commission revenue, policy fees, and other revenue.
(3)The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio is calculated by dividing losses and loss adjustment expenses by premiums earned, net.
(4)The general and administrative expense ratio is calculated by dividing general and administrative expense, excluding interest expense, by premiums earned, net. Interest expense was $102 thousand, $248 thousand, $346 thousand, $348 thousand and $421 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(5)The combined ratio is the sum of the losses and loss adjustment expense ratio and the general and administrative expense ratio.
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| ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to assist in an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in “Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” below. Except for the historical information contained herein, the discussions in this MD&A contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our future results could differ materially from those discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed above under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors.”
Overview
We develop, market, and underwrite insurance products for consumers predominantly in the personal residential homeowners lines of business and perform substantially all other insurance-related services for our primary insurance entities, including risk management, claims management and distribution. Our primary insurance entities, UPCIC and APPCIC, offer insurance products through both our appointed independent agent network and our online distribution channels across 19 states (primarily in Florida), with licenses to write insurance in an additional two states. The Insurance Entities seek to produce an underwriting profit (defined as earned premium minus losses, LAE, policy acquisition costs and other operating costs) over the long term; maintain a conservative balance sheet to prepare for years in which the Insurance Entities are not able to achieve an underwriting profit; and generate investment income from invested assets.
Revenues
We generate revenue primarily from the collection of insurance premiums. Other sources of revenue include: commissions paid by our reinsurers to our reinsurance intermediary subsidiary BARC on reinsurance it places for the Insurance Entities; policy fees collected from policyholders by our managing general agent subsidiary, ERA (formerly Universal Risk Advisors, Inc.); and financing fees charged to policyholders who choose to defer premium payments. In addition, our subsidiary Alder receives fees from the Insurance Entities for claims-handling services. The Insurance Entities are reimbursed for these fees on claims that are subject to recovery under the Insurance Entities’ respective reinsurance programs. These fees, after expenses, are recorded in the consolidated financial statements as an adjustment to LAE. We also generate income by investing our assets.
The nature of our business tends to be seasonal during the year, reflecting consumer behaviors in connection with the Florida residential real estate market and the hurricane season. The amount of direct premiums written tends to increase just prior to the second quarter and tends to decrease approaching the fourth quarter.
Trends and Geographical Distribution
In recent years, the Florida personal residential insurance market has been characterized by increased losses and LAE due to abuses and inflated claims. These conditions have continued to worsen and have reached levels well beyond historical norms and levels experienced in other jurisdictions. The adverse conditions in the Florida personal residential insurance market can be attributed largely to the proliferation of represented claims, involving both public adjusters and attorneys, as well as by aggressive estimates and demands put forth by remediation and repair companies. In many cases, policyholders have representation even before the claims are filed or before the Company is able to provide an initial assessment of damages. In other instances, policyholder representatives are taking opportunities occasioned by hurricanes or other events to solicit customers to file other claims or to re-open prior claims, sometimes years after the purported dates of loss. These conditions are fostered in large part by the one-way right to attorneys’ fees against insurers provided under the Florida Insurance Code. These actions adversely affect both the frequency and severity of losses as otherwise understood based on historical patterns and patterns experienced in other states. See “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations—Actual claims incurred have exceeded, and in the future may exceed, reserves established for claims, adversely affecting our operating results and financial condition.”
The Company has taken a series of steps over time to mitigate the financial impact of these negative trends in the Florida market. We also have closely monitored rate levels, especially in the Florida market, and have submitted rate filings based upon evolving data. In addition, the Company has implemented several initiatives in its claims department in response to the adverse market trends. We utilize our process called Fast Track, which is an initiative to handle straightforward, meritorious claims as promptly as possible to mitigate the adverse impacts that can be seen with claims that remain open for longer periods. In addition, we increased our emphasis on subrogation to reduce our net losses while also recovering policyholders’ deductibles when losses are attributable to the actions of others. We have an internal staff of trained water remediation experts to address the extraordinary number of purported water damage claims filed by policyholders and vendors. We developed a specialized in-house unit for responding to the unique aspects of represented claims, and we have substantially increased our in-house legal staff in an effort to address the increase in litigated or represented claims as cost-effectively as possible.
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Additionally, we have taken steps to implement claim settlement rules associated with the Florida legislation passed in 2019 designed to reduce the negative effects of claims involving assignments of benefits (“AOB”). See “Part I— Item 1—Business—Government Regulation.” An AOB is a document signed by a policyholder that allows a third party to be paid for services performed for an insured homeowner who would normally be reimbursed by the insurance company directly after making a claim. Prior to the AOB reform legislation, the Company experienced an increase in the use of AOBs involving litigation by Florida policyholders. Claims paid under an AOB often involve unnecessary litigation, with the Company required to pay both its own defense costs and those of the plaintiff, and, as a result, cost the Company significantly more than claims settled when an AOB is not involved. In 2019, the Florida legislature passed legislation designed to increase consumer protections against AOB abuses and reduce AOB-related litigation. While the Florida legislation addressing abuses associated with AOBs may be beneficial in reducing one aspect of the concerns affecting the Florida market, the overall impact of the deterioration in claims-related tactics and behaviors, including other first-party litigation, thus far has continued to outpace benefits arising from the 2019 AOB reform legislation.
Despite our initiatives, such as those mentioned above, our costs to settle claims in Florida have increased for the reasons mentioned above. For example, the Company has previously increased its current year loss estimates and increased estimates associated with prior years’ claims. Over the past three years, even as we have increased our estimates of prospective losses each year, we have recorded adverse claim development on prior years’ loss reserves and further strengthened current year losses during the year to address the increasing impact Florida’s market disruptions have had on the claims process and the establishment of reserves for losses and LAE. The full extent and duration of these market disruptions is unknown and still unfolding, and we will monitor the impact of such disruptions on the recording and reporting of claim costs.
Direct premiums written continue to increase across the states we conduct business. As a result of our business strategy, rate changes and marketing and underwriting initiatives, we have seen increases in policy count, in-force premium and total insured value in almost all states for the past three years. Direct premiums written for states outside of Florida increased 17.7%, representing a $40.1 million increase during 2020. Direct premium for Florida increased 17.3%, representing a $184.6 million increase during 2020. The following table provides direct premiums written for Florida and other states for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in thousands):
| For the Years Ended | Growth Year Over Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State | Direct Premiums Written | % | Direct Premiums Written | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | $ | 1,250,748 | 82.4 | % | $ | 1,066,112 | 82.5 | % | $ | 184,636 | 17.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other states | 266,731 | 17.6 | % | 226,609 | 17.5 | % | 40,122 | 17.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand total | $ | 1,517,479 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,292,721 | 100.0 | % | $ | 224,758 | 17.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We seek to grow and generate long-term rate adequate premium in each state where we offer policies, including Florida. Diversified sources of business are an important objective and premium growth outside Florida is a measure monitored by management toward meeting that objective.
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The geographical distribution of our policies in force, premium in force and total insured value across all states were as follows, as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in thousands, rounded to the nearest thousand):
| As of December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premium | Total Insured | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State | Policy Count | % | In Force | % | Value | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 728,211 | 73.9 | % | $ | 1,252,916 | 82.4 | % | $ | 192,504,430 | 63.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 46,678 | 4.7 | % | 57,251 | 3.8 | % | 20,141,751 | 6.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 62,849 | 6.4 | % | 55,307 | 3.6 | % | 21,500,109 | 7.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 23,546 | 2.4 | % | 20,226 | 1.3 | % | 12,959,884 | 4.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Massachusetts | 15,090 | 1.5 | % | 20,161 | 1.3 | % | 9,507,917 | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | 19,839 | 2.0 | % | 18,328 | 1.2 | % | 7,171,623 | 2.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 12,730 | 1.3 | % | 17,863 | 1.2 | % | 6,252,822 | 2.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 13,632 | 1.4 | % | 17,409 | 1.2 | % | 4,953,449 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 17,877 | 1.8 | % | 16,886 | 1.1 | % | 6,297,270 | 2.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | 17,183 | 1.7 | % | 14,540 | 1.0 | % | 7,394,773 | 2.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Jersey | 11,576 | 1.2 | % | 12,915 | 0.9 | % | 6,684,386 | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | 5,664 | 0.6 | % | 4,816 | 0.3 | % | 2,226,324 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | 3,494 | 0.4 | % | 4,290 | 0.3 | % | 1,478,595 | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York | 1,936 | 0.2 | % | 2,251 | 0.2 | % | 1,159,105 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | 2,031 | 0.2 | % | 1,983 | 0.1 | % | 901,401 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Delaware | 1,581 | 0.2 | % | 1,908 | 0.1 | % | 870,728 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 497 | 0.1 | % | 580 | — | % | 235,593 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Hampshire | 409 | — | % | 312 | — | % | 238,121 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | 7 | — | % | 7 | — | % | 2,774 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 984,830 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,519,949 | 100.0 | % | $ | 302,481,055 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premium | Total Insured | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State | Policy Count | % | In Force | % | Value | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 662,343 | 74.6 | % | $ | 1,070,034 | 82.5 | % | $ | 164,654,848 | 64.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 42,637 | 4.8 | % | 49,615 | 3.8 | % | 17,536,031 | 6.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 58,283 | 6.6 | % | 49,420 | 3.8 | % | 19,150,001 | 7.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Massachusetts | 13,596 | 1.5 | % | 17,991 | 1.4 | % | 8,312,929 | 3.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | 18,291 | 2.1 | % | 16,643 | 1.3 | % | 6,458,310 | 2.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 12,466 | 1.4 | % | 16,035 | 1.2 | % | 5,881,338 | 2.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 16,682 | 1.9 | % | 15,705 | 1.2 | % | 5,575,934 | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 16,313 | 1.8 | % | 14,111 | 1.1 | % | 8,415,470 | 3.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | 16,874 | 1.9 | % | 13,726 | 1.1 | % | 6,922,815 | 2.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 11,186 | 1.3 | % | 12,998 | 1.0 | % | 3,923,446 | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Jersey | 7,145 | 0.8 | % | 7,554 | 0.6 | % | 3,824,506 | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | 3,417 | 0.4 | % | 4,089 | 0.3 | % | 1,399,470 | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | 4,181 | 0.5 | % | 3,474 | 0.3 | % | 1,600,113 | 0.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | 2,090 | 0.2 | % | 1,930 | 0.2 | % | 881,476 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Delaware | 1,273 | 0.1 | % | 1,500 | 0.1 | % | 673,331 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York | 1,183 | 0.1 | % | 1,244 | 0.1 | % | 646,130 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Hampshire | 249 | — | % | 181 | — | % | 135,254 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 152 | — | % | 166 | — | % | 65,006 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 888,361 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,296,416 | 100.0 | % | $ | 256,056,408 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| As of December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premium | Total Insured | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State | Policy Count | % | In Force | % | Value | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 637,926 | 77.0 | % | $ | 1,015,666 | 85.1 | % | $ | 156,118,955 | 68.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 55,047 | 6.6 | % | 43,770 | 3.7 | % | 17,124,104 | 7.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 37,652 | 4.6 | % | 40,395 | 3.4 | % | 14,584,974 | 6.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Massachusetts | 11,796 | 1.4 | % | 15,522 | 1.3 | % | 7,020,121 | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 15,117 | 1.8 | % | 14,477 | 1.2 | % | 4,818,760 | 2.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | 16,059 | 1.9 | % | 13,305 | 1.1 | % | 5,464,439 | 2.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | 15,454 | 1.9 | % | 10,762 | 0.9 | % | 6,158,602 | 2.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 9,466 | 1.1 | % | 10,632 | 0.9 | % | 4,352,908 | 1.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 10,354 | 1.3 | % | 8,437 | 0.7 | % | 5,053,973 | 2.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 6,817 | 0.8 | % | 7,187 | 0.6 | % | 2,304,683 | 1.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Jersey | 3,683 | 0.4 | % | 3,763 | 0.3 | % | 1,870,394 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | 2,388 | 0.3 | % | 2,879 | 0.2 | % | 940,051 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | 3,070 | 0.4 | % | 2,539 | 0.2 | % | 1,161,678 | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | 2,176 | 0.3 | % | 1,937 | 0.2 | % | 887,555 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Delaware | 1,073 | 0.1 | % | 1,230 | 0.1 | % | 555,055 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York | 461 | 0.1 | % | 432 | 0.1 | % | 228,334 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Hampshire | 114 | — | % | 86 | — | % | 62,436 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 828,653 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,193,019 | 100.0 | % | $ | 228,707,022 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also see “Results of Operations” below and “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations—Because we conduct the majority of our business in Florida, our financial results depend on the regulatory, economic and weather conditions in Florida” for discussion on geographical diversification.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The Company considers the measures and ratios in the following discussion to be key performance indicators for its businesses. Management believes that these indicators are helpful in understanding the underlying trends in the Company’s businesses. Some of these indicators are reported on a quarterly basis and others on an annual basis. Please also refer to “Item 8—Note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies)” for definitions of certain other terms we use when describing our financial results.
These indicators may not be comparable to other performance measures used by the Company’s competitors and should only be evaluated together with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
Definitions of Key Performance Indicators
Book Value Per Common Share ― the ratio of total stockholders’ equity, adjusted for preferred stock liquidation, divided by the number of common shares outstanding as of a reporting period. Book value per common share is the excess of assets over liabilities at a reporting period attributed to each share of stock. Changes in book value per common share informs shareholders of retained equity in the Company on a per share basis which may assist in understanding market value trends for the Company’s stock.
Combined Ratio ― the combined ratio is a measure of underwriting profitability for a reporting period and is calculated by dividing total operating costs and expenses (which is made up of losses and LAE and general and administrative expenses) by premiums earned, net, which is net of ceded premiums earned. The combined ratio and changes to the ratio over time provide management with an understanding of costs to operate its business in relation to net premiums it is earning and the impact of rate, underwriting and other business management actions on underwriting profitability. A combined ratio below 100 indicates underwriting profit; a combined ratio above 100 indicates underwriting losses.
Core Loss Ratio ― a common operational metric used in the insurance industry to describe the ratio of current accident year expected losses and LAE to premiums earned. Core loss ratio is an important measure identifying profitability trends of premiums in force. Core losses consists of all other losses and LAE, excluding weather events beyond those expected and prior years’ reserve development. The financial benefit from the management of claims, including claim fees ceded to reinsurers, is recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements as a reduction to core losses.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio ― long-term debt divided by stockholders’ equity. This ratio helps management measure the amount of financing leverage in place in relation to equity and future leverage capacity.
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Debt-to-Total Capital Ratio ― long-term debt divided by the sum of total stockholders’ equity and long-term debt (often referred to as total capital resources). This ratio helps management measure the amount of financing leverage in place (long-term debt) in relation to total capital resources and future leverage capacity.
Direct Premiums Written (“DPW”) ― reflects the total value of policies issued during a period before considering premiums ceded to reinsurers. Direct premiums written, comprised of renewal premiums, endorsements and new business, is initially recorded as unearned premium in the balance sheet which is then earned pro-rata over the next year or remaining policy term. Direct premiums written reflects current trends in the Company’s sale of property and casualty insurance products and amounts that will be recognized as earned premiums in the future.
DPW (Florida) ― includes only DPW in the state of Florida. This measure allows management to analyze growth in our primary market and is also a measure of business concentration risk.
Expense Ratio (Including Policy Acquisition Cost Ratio and Other Operating Cost Ratio) ― calculated as general and administrative expenses as a percentage of premiums earned, net. General and administrative expenses is comprised of policy acquisition costs and other operating costs, which includes such items as underwriting costs, facilities and corporate overhead. The expense ratio, including the sub-expense ratios of policy acquisition cost ratio and other operating cost ratio, are indicators to management of the Company’s cost efficiency in acquiring and servicing its business and the impact of expense items to overall profitability.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Ratio or Loss and LAE Ratio ― a measure of the cost of claims and claim settlement expenses incurred in a reporting period as a percentage of premiums earned in that same reporting period. Losses and LAE incurred in a reporting period includes both amounts related to the current accident year and prior accident years, if any, referred to as development. Ultimate losses and LAE are based on actuarial estimates with changes in those estimates recognized in the period the estimates are revised. Losses and LAE consist of claim costs arising from claims occurring and settling in the current period, an estimate of claim costs for reported but unpaid claims, an estimate of unpaid claim costs for incurred-but-not-reported claims and an estimate of claim settlement expenses associated with reported and unreported claims which occurred during the reporting period. The loss and LAE ratio can be measured on a direct basis, which includes losses and LAE divided by direct earned premiums, or on a net basis, which includes losses and LAE after amounts have been ceded to reinsurers divided by net earned premiums (i.e., direct premium earned less ceded premium earned). The net loss and LAE ratio is a measure of underwriting profitability after giving consideration to the effect of reinsurance. Trends in the net loss and LAE ratio are an indication to management of current and future profitability.
Monthly Weighted Average Renewal Retention Rate ― measures the monthly average of policyholders that renew their policies over the period of a calendar year. This measure allows management to assess customer retention.
Premiums Earned, Net ― the pro-rata portion of current and previously written premiums that the Company recognizes as earned premium during the reporting period, net of ceded premium earned. Ceded premiums are premiums paid or payable by the Company for reinsurance protection. Written premiums are considered earned and are recognized pro-rata over the policy coverage period. Premiums earned, net is a measure that allows management to identify revenue trends.
Policies in Force ― represents the number of active policies with coverage in effect as of the end of the reporting period. The change in the number of policies in force is a growth measure and provides management with an indication of progress toward achieving strategic objectives. Inherent seasonality in our business makes this measure more useful when comparing each quarter’s balance to the same quarter in prior years.
Premium in Force ― is the amount of the annual direct written premiums previously recorded by the Company for policies which are still active as of the reporting date. This measure assists management in measuring the level of insured exposure and progress toward meeting revenue goals for the current year, and provides an indication of business available for renewal in the next twelve months. Inherent seasonality in our business makes this measure more useful when comparing each quarter’s balance to the same quarter in prior years.
Return on Average Equity (“ROAE”) ― calculated by dividing earnings (loss) per common share by average book value per common share. Average book value per common share is computed as the sum of book value per common share at the beginning and the end of a period, divided by two. ROAE is a capital profitability measure of how effectively management creates profits per common share.
Total Insured Value ― represents the amount of insurance limits available on a policy for a single loss based on all policies active as of the reporting date. This measure assists management in measuring the level of insured exposure.
Unearned Premiums ― represents the portion of direct premiums corresponding to the time period remaining on an insurance policy and available for future earning by the Company. Trends in unearned premiums generally indicate expansion, if growing, or contraction, if reducing, which are important indicators to management. Inherent seasonality in our business makes this measure more useful when comparing each quarter’s balance to the same quarter in prior years.
Weather events ― an estimate of losses and LAE from weather events occurring during the current accident year that exceed initial estimates of expected weather events when establishing the core loss ratio for each accident year. This metric informs management of factors impacting overall current year profitability.
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REINSURANCE
Reinsurance enables our Insurance Entities to limit potential exposures to catastrophic events. Reinsurance contracts are typically classified as treaty or facultative contracts. Treaty reinsurance provides coverage for all or a portion of a specified group or class of risks ceded by the primary insurer, while facultative reinsurance provides coverage for specific individual risks. Within each classification, reinsurance can be further classified as quota share or excess of loss. Quota-share reinsurance is where the primary insurer and the reinsurer share proportionally or pro-rata in the direct premiums and losses of the insurer. Excess-of-loss reinsurance indemnifies the direct insurer or reinsurer for all or a portion of the loss in excess of an agreed upon amount or retention.
Developing and implementing our reinsurance strategy to adequately protect our balance sheet and Insurance Entities in the event of one or more catastrophes while maintaining efficient reinsurance costs has been a key strategic priority for us. In order to limit the Insurance Entities’ potential exposure to catastrophic events, we purchase significant reinsurance from third-party reinsurers and the FHCF. The FLOIR requires the Insurance Entities, like all residential property insurance companies doing business in Florida, to have a certain amount of capital and reinsurance coverage in order to cover losses upon the occurrence of a single catastrophic event and a series of catastrophic events occurring in the same hurricane season. The Insurance Entities’ respective 2020-2021 reinsurance programs meet the FLOIR’s requirements, which are based on, among other things, successfully demonstrating cohesive and comprehensive reinsurance programs that protect the policyholders of our Insurance Entities as well as satisfying a series of stress test catastrophe loss scenarios based on past historical events.
We believe the Insurance Entities’ retentions under their respective reinsurance programs are appropriate and structured to protect policyholders. We test the sufficiency of the reinsurance programs by subjecting the Insurance Entities’ personal residential exposures to statistical testing using a third-party hurricane model, RMS RiskLink v18.1 (Build 1945). This model combines simulations of the natural occurrence patterns and characteristics of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other catastrophes with information on property values, construction types and occupancy classes. The model outputs provide information concerning the potential for large losses before they occur, so companies can prepare for their financial impact. Furthermore, as part of our operational excellence initiatives, we continually look to enable new technology to refine our data intelligence on catastrophe risk modeling.
Effective June 1, 2020, the Insurance Entities entered into multiple reinsurance agreements comprising our 2020-2021 reinsurance program. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 4 (Reinsurance).”
UPCIC’s 2020-2021 Reinsurance Program
•First event All States retention of $43 million; first event Non-Florida retention of $15 million.
•All States first event tower extends to $3.36 billion with no co-participation in any of the layers, no limitations on loss adjustment expenses and no accelerated deposit premiums.
•Assuming a first event completely exhausts the $3.36 billion tower, the second event exhaustion point would be $1.343 billion.
•Full reinstatement available for all private market first event catastrophe layers for guaranteed second event coverage. For all layers purchased between $90 million and the projected FHCF retention, to the extent that all of our coverage or a portion thereof is exhausted in a catastrophic event and reinstatement premium is due, UPCIC has purchased enough reinstatement premium protection (“RPP”) limit to pay the premium necessary for the reinstatement of these coverages.
•Effective September 1, 2020, UPCIC purchased RPP limit for the layer attaching at $45 million. Combined with the RPP limit purchased at June 1, 2020, UPCIC has purchased enough RPP limit to pay for the premium necessary for the reinstatement of all catastrophe layers between $45 million and the projected FHCF retention.
•Specific 3rd and 4th event private market catastrophe excess of loss coverage of $76 million in excess of $35 million provides frequency protection for a multiple event storm season.
•For the FHCF Reimbursement Contracts effective June 1, 2020, UPCIC has continued the election of the 90% coverage level. We estimate the total mandatory FHCF layer will provide approximately $2.008 billion of coverage for UPCIC, which inures to the benefit of the open market coverage secured from private reinsurers.
•Secured $197 million of new catastrophe capacity with contractually agreed limits that extend coverage to include the 2021 and 2022 wind seasons. In total, UPCIC has $420 million of multi-year capacity with coverage extending to include the 2021 wind season or beyond.
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Reinsurers
The table below provides the A.M. Best and S&P financial strength ratings for each of the largest third-party reinsurers in UPCIC’s 2020-2021 reinsurance program:
| Reinsurer | A.M. Best | S&P | ||||||||||||
| Allianz Risk Transfer | A+ | AA- | ||||||||||||
| Arch Reinsurance Limited | A+ | A+ | ||||||||||||
| Chubb Tempest Reinsurance Ltd. | A++ | AA | ||||||||||||
| Munich Re | A+ | AA- | ||||||||||||
| Renaissance Re | A+ | A+ | ||||||||||||
| Various Lloyd’s of London Syndicates | A | A+ | ||||||||||||
| Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (1) | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
(1)No rating is available, because the fund is not rated.
APPCIC’s 2020-2021 Reinsurance Program
•First event All States retention of $3 million.
•All States first event tower of $43.6 million with no co-participation in any of the layers, no limitation on loss adjustment expenses and no accelerated deposit premiums.
•Full reinstatement available for all private market first event catastrophe layers for guaranteed second event coverage. For the layer purchased between $3 million and the projected FHCF retention, to the extent that all coverage or a portion thereof is exhausted in a catastrophic event and reinstatement premium is due, APPCIC purchased enough RPP limit to pay the premium necessary for the reinstatement of this coverage.
•APPCIC also purchases extensive multiple line excess per risk reinsurance with various reinsurers due to the high-value risks it insures in both the personal residential and commercial multiple peril lines of business. Under this multiple line excess per risk contract, APPCIC has coverage of $8.5 million in excess of $0.5 million ultimate net loss for each risk and each property loss, and $1 million in excess of $0.3 million for each casualty loss. A $19.5 million aggregate limit applies to the term of the contract for property-related losses and a $2 million aggregate limit applies to the term of the contract for casualty-related losses. This contract also contains a profit-sharing feature if specific performance measures are met.
•For the FHCF Reimbursement Contracts effective June 1, 2020, APPCIC has continued the election of the 90% coverage level. The total mandatory FHCF layer is estimated to provide approximately $22.5 million of coverage for APPCIC, which inures to the benefit of the open market coverage secured from private reinsurers.
Reinsurers
The table below provides the A.M. Best and S&P financial strength ratings for each of the largest third-party reinsurers in APPCIC’s 2020-2021 reinsurance program:
| Reinsurer | A.M. Best | S&P | ||||||||||||
| Chubb Tempest Reinsurance Ltd. | A++ | AA | ||||||||||||
| Lancashire Insurance Company Limited | A | A- | ||||||||||||
| Various Lloyd’s of London Syndicates | A | A+ | ||||||||||||
| Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (1) | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
(1)No rating is available, because the fund is not rated.
The total cost of the 2020-2021 reinsurance programs for UPCIC and APPCIC is projected to be $499.8 million, representing approximately 34.0% of estimated direct premium earned for the 12-month treaty period.
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Results of Operations
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019
2020 Financial and Business Highlights (comparisons are to 2019 unless otherwise specified)
•Direct premiums written overall grew by $224.8 million, or 17.4%, to $1,517.5 million.
•In Florida, direct premiums written grew by $184.6 million, or 17.3%, and in our other states, direct premiums written grew by $40.1 million, or 17.7%.
•Premiums earned, net grew by $81.1 million, or 9.6%, to $923.6 million.
•Net realized gains were $56.9 million from sales of available-for-sale securities and net realized gains were $6.5 million from the sales of equity securities.
•In May 2020, the FLOIR approved an overall 12.4% rate increase for UPCIC on Florida personal residential homeowners line of business, effective May 2020 for new business and July 2020 for renewals.
•In December 2020, the FLOIR approved an overall 7.0% rate increase for UPCIC on Florida personal residential homeowners line of business, effective December 2020 for new business and March 2021 for renewals.
•Total revenues increased by $133.4 million, or 14.2%, to $1,072.8 million.
•Weather events in excess of plan for named hurricanes and other severe weather events occurred during the year ended December 31, 2020, resulting in a $162.0 million impact after reinsurance.
•Net loss and LAE ratio was 82.2% as compared to 71.6%, driven by severe weather and prior years’ reserve development.
•Diluted earnings per common share (“EPS”) was $0.60 compared to $1.36.
•Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding were lower by 6.6% to 32.0 million shares as of December 31, 2020 from 34.2 million shares as of December 31, 2019.
•Book value per share decreased by $0.70, or 4.6%, to $14.43 at December 31, 2020 from $15.13 at December 31, 2019.
•Declared and paid dividends per common share of $0.77, including a $0.13 special dividend in December 2020.
•Repurchased 1,610,783 shares in 2020 at an aggregate cost of $28.9 million.
•Offered Universal DirectSM in all 19 states in which the Company writes policies as of December 31, 2020.
•Contributed $114 million of capital to UPCIC during 2020 to support insurance operations.
•UPCIC commenced writing homeowners policies in Iowa.
•Received Certificate of Authority from Tennessee.
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A detailed discussion of our results of operations follows the table below (in thousands, except per share data).
| Years Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PREMIUMS EARNED AND OTHER REVENUES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premiums written | $ | 1,517,479 | $ | 1,292,721 | $ | 224,758 | 17.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premium | (121,856) | (59,600) | (62,256) | 104.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premium earned | 1,395,623 | 1,233,121 | 162,502 | 13.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded premium earned | (472,060) | (390,619) | (81,441) | 20.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned, net | 923,563 | 842,502 | 81,061 | 9.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 20,393 | 30,743 | (10,350) | (33.7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) on investments | 63,352 | (12,715) | 76,067 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities | 25 | 23,188 | (23,163) | (99.9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission revenue | 33,163 | 26,101 | 7,062 | 27.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy fees | 23,773 | 21,560 | 2,213 | 10.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | 8,501 | 7,972 | 529 | 6.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total premiums earned and other revenues | 1,072,770 | 939,351 | 133,419 | 14.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 758,810 | 603,406 | 155,404 | 25.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 289,729 | 272,428 | 17,301 | 6.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 1,048,539 | 875,834 | 172,705 | 19.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 24,231 | 63,517 | (39,286) | (61.9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 5,126 | 17,003 | (11,877) | (69.9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INCOME | $ | 19,105 | $ | 46,514 | $ | (27,409) | (58.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes | (17,618) | 28,374 | (45,992) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | $ | 1,487 | $ | 74,888 | $ | (73,401) | (98.0) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.36 | $ | (0.76) | (55.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding | 31,972 | 34,233 | (2,261) | (6.6) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income was $19.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to net income of $46.5 million for the same period in 2019.
Diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $0.60 compared to $1.36 in 2019, a decrease of $0.76, or 55.9%. Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2020 were lower by 6.6% to 32.0 million shares from 34.2 million shares for the same period of the prior year. Benefiting the year ended December 31, 2020 were increases in premiums earned, net, realized gains on investments, commission revenue, policy fees and other revenue, offset by a decrease in net investment income, a lower level of unrealized gains in the fair value of our equity securities in 2020 and increased total operating costs and expenses. Direct premium earned and premiums earned, net were up 13.2% and 9.6%, respectively, due to growth of policies in almost all states in which we are licensed and writing during the past 12 months and rate increases implemented during 2020, offset by higher costs for reinsurance flowing through to premiums earned, net. Increases in losses and LAE were the result of several factors including (1) increased estimated core losses and LAE for the current year compared to prior year, (2) premium growth and change in mix between Florida and other states and (3) increased adverse weather events. The increase was partially offset by a reduced level of prior years’ reserve development in 2020.
Direct premiums written increased by $224.8 million, or 17.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2020, driven by growth within our Florida business of $184.6 million, or 17.3%, and growth in our other states business of $40.1 million, or 17.7%, as compared to the same period of the prior year. Rate increases in Florida and in certain other states along with slightly improved retention also contributed to the premium growth. Premium in force increased in every state in which we are writing at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. We implemented new guidelines during the year ended December 31, 2020 on new business to address emerging loss trends that have since slowed the rate of growth in Florida in certain territories during December 31, 2020. We actively wrote policies in 19 states during 2020 compared to 18 in 2019. In addition, we are authorized to do business in Tennessee and Wisconsin and are proceeding with product filings in those states. During the second quarter of 2020 the Company withdrew its application to write business in Connecticut. Policies in force, premium in force and total insured value all increased as of December 31, 2020 when compared to December 31, 2019.
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Direct premium earned increased by $162.5 million, or 13.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2020, reflecting the earning of premiums written over the past 12 months and changes in rates and policies in force during that time.
Reinsurance enables our Insurance Entities to limit potential exposures to catastrophic events and other covered events. Ceded premium represents amounts paid to reinsurers for this protection. Ceded premium earned increased $81.4 million, or 20.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the same period of the prior year. The increase in reinsurance costs reflects both an increase in costs associated with the increase in exposures we insure, reinstatement premiums emerging during the year and increased pricing when compared to the expired reinsurance program. Reinsurance costs, as a percentage of direct premium earned, increased from 31.7% in 2019 to 33.8% in 2020. During the fourth quarter of 2020 the Company recorded additional ceded written premiums of $18.5 million representing reinstatement premiums on Hurricane Sally losses of which $7.7 million was unearned at December 31, 2020. Reinsurance costs associated with each year’s reinsurance program are earned over the June 1st to May 31st twelve-month coverage period. See the discussion above for the Insurance Entities’ 2020-2021 reinsurance program and “Part II—Item 8— Note 4 (Reinsurance).”
Premiums earned, net of ceded premium earned, grew by 9.6%, or $81.1 million, to $923.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, reflecting an increase in direct premium earned offset by increased costs for reinsurance.
Net investment income was $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $30.7 million for the same period in 2019, a decrease of $10.4 million, or 33.7%. The decrease is driven by lower trends in market yields. During 2020, the Company sold most securities in an unrealized gain position to recognize market value appreciation. The total amount of securities sold was $1.1 billion. As a result, the Company reinvested its portfolio into similar securities yielding current market rates, which in many cases is a reduction from the book yields of the portfolio prior to the sale and reinvestment. The book yield of the available-for-sale debt securities was 3.08% at December 31, 2019 compared to 1.16% at December 31, 2020, a reduction of 62.3%. Total invested assets were $919.9 million as of December 31, 2020 compared to $914.6 million as of December 31, 2019. Cash and cash equivalents were $167.2 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $182.1 million at December 31, 2019, a decrease of 8.2%. Cash and cash equivalents are invested short term until needed to settle loss and LAE payments, reinsurance premium payments and operating cash needs or until they are deployed by our investment advisors.
Yields from cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and the available-for-sale debt portfolio are dependent on future market forces, monetary policy and interest rate policy from the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve has broadly been lowering and maintaining lower interest rates, which has impacted the effective yields on new available-for-sale portfolio and overnight cash purchases and short-term investments. The overall trend has been lower interest rates on new purchases of securities over the past year and lower returns on cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. As discussed below, due to the significant sale of securities during the third quarter of 2020, it is expected that future portfolio returns will reflect lower book yields based on current market conditions.
We sell investments from our investment portfolio from time to time to meet our investment objectives or take advantage of market opportunities. During the year ended December 31, 2020, sales of available-for-sale debt securities resulted in net realized gain of $56.9 million and sales of equity securities resulted in net realized gain of $6.5 million, in total generating net realized gain of $63.4 million. We took the opportunity to monetize an increase in fair value of these securities to enhance surplus for UPCIC. The proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale debt securities are in the process of reinvestment. During the year ended December 31, 2019, sales of equity securities resulted in net realized losses of $14.4 million, sales of available-for-sale debt securities resulted in net realized gains of $0.5 million and the sale of an investment real estate property resulted in a realized gain of $1.2 million, in total generating net realized loss of $12.7 million. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 3 (Investments).”
There was a nominal favorable net unrealized gain in equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to a $23.2 million favorable net unrealized gain during the year ended December 31, 2019. Unrealized gains or losses reflected on the income statement are the result of changes in the fair market value of our equity securities during the period for securities still held and the reversal of unrealized gains or losses for securities sold during the period. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 3 (Investments).”
During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the financial markets. In the first quarter of 2020, our investment portfolio was negatively impacted, but has since substantially recovered. We took advantage of the recovery with the realization of gains on our available-for-sale debt securities discussed above. We believe the adverse impact to our investment portfolio was minimized during this COVID-19-induced market dislocation as a result of our conservative investment strategy’s focus on capital preservation and adequate liquidity to pay claims. We believe the high credit rating and shorter duration foundation of our portfolio and portfolio diversification will help us weather these difficult market conditions, thereby limiting the impact of future economic financial market downturns on the portfolio. Recent market yields have been lower when compared to prior years and we expect that trend to continue, negatively impacting future investment returns on our portfolio. We will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on our portfolio. Significant uncertainties and emerging risks still exist regarding the potential long-term impact of COVID-19 on the credit markets and our investment portfolio.
Commission revenue is comprised principally of brokerage commissions we earn from third-party reinsurers (excluding the FHCF) on reinsurance placed for the Insurance Entities. Commission revenue is earned pro-rata over the reinsurance policy period which runs from June 1st to May 31st of the following year. For the year ended December 31, 2020, commission revenue was $33.2 million, compared to $26.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in commission revenue of $7.1 million, or 27.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to increased commissions from third-party
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reinsurers earned on increased reinsurance premiums due to growth in our exposures, as well as the difference in pricing and structure associated with our reinsurance program when compared to the prior year.
Policy fees for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $23.8 million compared to $21.6 million for the same period in 2019. The increase of $2.2 million, or 10.3%, was the result of an increase in the total number of new and renewal policies written during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Other revenue, representing revenue from policy installment fees, premium financing and other miscellaneous income, was $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $8.0 million for the same period in 2019.
The following table presents losses and LAE incurred on a direct, ceded and net basis expressed in dollars and as a percent of the respective amounts of earned premium. These amounts are further categorized as 1) core losses, 2) weather events for the current accident year and 3) prior years’ reserve development (dollars in thousands):
| For The Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct | Loss Ratio | Ceded | Loss Ratio | Net | Loss Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned | $ | 1,395,623 | $ | 472,060 | $ | 923,563 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core losses | $ | 538,826 | 38.6 | % | $ | 316 | 0.1 | % | $ | 538,510 | 58.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather events* | 256,917 | 18.4 | % | 94,954 | 20.1 | % | 161,963 | 17.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior years’ reserve development | 284,315 | 20.4 | % | 225,978 | 47.9 | % | 58,337 | 6.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 1,080,058 | 77.4 | % | $ | 321,248 | 68.1 | % | $ | 758,810 | 82.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct | Loss Ratio | Ceded | Loss Ratio | Net | Loss Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned | $ | 1,233,121 | $ | 390,619 | $ | 842,502 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core losses | $ | 476,739 | 38.7 | % | $ | 51 | — | % | $ | 476,688 | 56.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather events* | 45,562 | 3.7 | % | 6,912 | 1.8 | % | 38,650 | 4.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior years’ reserve development | 562,303 | 45.6 | % | 474,235 | 121.4 | % | 88,068 | 10.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 1,084,604 | 88.0 | % | $ | 481,198 | 123.2 | % | $ | 603,406 | 71.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Includes only current weather events beyond those expected.
See “Part II—Item 8—Note 17 (Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses)” for change in liability for unpaid losses and LAE.
Management evaluates losses and LAE in three areas, as described below and represented in the tables above, each of which have different drivers which impact reported results. As a result, these components of losses and LAE are described separately. Overall losses and LAE, net of reinsurance recoveries, were $758.8 million resulting in a 82.2% net loss and LAE ratio for the year ended December 31, 2020. This compares to $603.4 million resulting in a 71.6% net loss and LAE ratio for the year ended December 31, 2019.
The factors impacting losses and LAE are as follows:
Core losses
Our core losses consist of all losses and LAE, except weather events beyond those expected and prior years’ reserve development. We establish core loss reserves by applying a direct loss percentage (loss pick) to direct premium earned. The loss pick is set by management each year with input coming out of the annual study performed by our independent third-party
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actuary. Our loss pick before the claims management benefits described below, which we increased in 2019 as a result of higher loss trends in Florida, was increased slightly (0.9 loss ratio points) in 2020.
The core losses and loss ratios in the above table benefit from favorable claim management adjustment benefits derived from certain ceded claim fees or other benefits, which are described below, reducing core losses. Core losses for the year, after favorable claim management adjusting benefits for the year ended 2020 were 38.6% of direct premium earned compared to 38.7% for the same period in 2019. Although the core loss ratio only slightly changed year over year, core loss and LAE has increased and reserves increased resulting from higher premium volume and the impact of primary rate increases approved in 2020.
Weather events beyond those expected
During the year ended December 31, 2020, there were a significant number of storms including Hurricane Sally compared to prior years which in the aggregate exceeded core loss ratio expectations. The number of adverse weather events and resulting claims during the fourth quarter exceeded weather event claims reported during the first three quarters. Reported losses from Hurricane Sally significantly benefited from our catastrophe reinsurance protection. Our reinsurance program reduced our direct estimate of Hurricane Sally ultimate losses of $133.4 million to $43.0 million on a net basis after estimated reinsurance recoveries. Other weather events resulting in losses with only limited benefit from our catastrophe reinsurance protection included Hurricanes Isaias, Eta, Delta and Zeta and other unnamed storms tracked by an industry numerically assigned identifier. These weather events totaled direct losses of $123.5 million and $119.0 million net after reinsurance. In 2020 the Company experienced the highest level of unnamed weather events when compared to the previous three years.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, weather events totaled $45.6 million direct and $38.7 million net, principally for Hurricane Dorian and other weather events beyond those expected.
Prior years’ reserve development
Management identifies two drivers which influence amounts recorded as prior years’ reserve development, namely: (i) changes to prior estimates of direct and net ultimate losses on prior accident years excluding major hurricanes and (ii) changes in prior estimates of direct and net ultimate losses on hurricanes. During the year ended December 31, 2020, prior years’ reserve development totaled $284.3 million of direct losses and $58.3 million of net losses after the benefit of reinsurance.
Prior years’ reserve development, excluding hurricanes described above, was $42.1 million direct and $40.2 million net of reinsurance for the year ended December 31, 2020. This development largely resulted from increased prior-year non-hurricane companion claims in the run up to the expiration of limitations period for Hurricane Irma claims, the emergence of claims associated with AOB litigated claims, and an increase in reopened claims. In 2019, the Florida legislature enacted legislation intended to reduce abuses with claims involving AOB. Prior the effective date of the new law, the Company experienced an increase in claims reported by vendors seeking to pursue their claims under the prior law. In many instances, these claims have since further developed into litigated claims during 2020. Also, Hurricane Irma made landfall in 2017. In accordance with Florida law, the deadline for filing Hurricane Irma claims expired three years later in September 2020. As a result, in 2020 the Company experienced adverse development due to non-hurricane companion claims reported with new Hurricane Irma claims reported as the deadline approached. In 2020, claims associated with these issues continued to adversely develop, Florida’s one-way attorneys’ fee statute and overall negative legal environment have led to increased litigation and higher losses and LAE.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, development of direct and net losses on previously reported hurricanes was $242.2 million direct and $18.1 million net after the benefit of reinsurance. This was principally driven by continued adverse development of previous estimated losses and LAE on Hurricanes Irma, Michael, Florence and Matthew. Net development for the year ended December 31, 2020 principally resulted from an increase in our previously estimated losses and LAE on Hurricane Irma for claims which are not eligible for recovery from the FHCF.
As noted above, Florida law bars new, supplemental or reopened claim for loss caused by the peril of windstorm or hurricane unless notice is provided within three years of the event. In September 2020, the three-year period following Hurricane Irma expired. The Company continues to adjust and settle Hurricane Irma claims that were reported prior to the expiration of the three-year period.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, direct prior years’ reserve development of $562.3 million was principally due to increased ultimate direct losses and LAE for Hurricane Irma, which were fully ceded, while net prior years’ reserve development of $88.1 million was principally due to a change in the allocation of estimated reinsurance recoveries on Hurricane Michael losses from our Non-Florida reinsurance coverage to the All States reinsurance coverage. The Non-Florida reinsurance coverage has a lower retention and the change in the allocation of reinsurance recoveries to the All States reinsurance coverage resulted in higher retained losses.
The net loss and LAE ratio for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 82.2% compared to 71.6% for the prior year. The increase of 10.6% loss ratio points was a result of: (1) increase in weather (13.0% loss ratio points); and (2) an increase in estimated core losses and LAE ratio for the current year (1.7% loss ratio points) principally the result of higher reinsurance costs. The increase was partially offset by a lower level of prior years’ reserve development on prior years’ losses and LAE reserves (4.1% loss ratio points).
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The Company continues to experience increased costs for losses and LAE in the Florida market where an industry has developed around the solicitation, filing and litigation of personal residential claims, resulting in a pattern of continued increased year over year levels of represented claims, inflation of purported claim amounts, and increased demands for attorneys’ fee. Active solicitation of personal residential claims in Florida by policyholder representatives, remediation companies and repair companies has led to an increase in the frequency and severity of personal residential claims in Florida exceeding historical levels and levels seen in other jurisdictions. A Florida statute providing a one-way right of attorneys’ fees against insurers, coupled with other adverse statutes and judicial rulings, have further produced a legal environment in Florida that encourages litigation, in many cases without regard to the underlying circumstances of the claims.
The market trends in losses and LAE led us to file in February 2020 for an overall 12.4% rate increase in Florida, which was approved effective May 18, 2020 for new business and July 7, 2020 for renewals. In addition we filed and received approval on December 31, 2020 to further increase our rates in Florida by an additional 7.0% in response to higher reinsurance costs associated with the reinsurance program we put into effect June 1, 2020. This rate change was effective December 31, 2020 for new business and March 1, 2021 for renewal business. In addition, we implemented changes to certain new business underwriting guidelines, reduced new business writings in certain Florida counties and developed and implemented specialized claims and litigation management efforts to address market trends which we believe are driving up claim costs. Nonetheless, the deterioration of the Florida residential insurance market, fostered by the proliferation of represented and litigated claims, thus far has outpaced the benefits of these initiatives.
The financial benefit from the management of claims ceded, including claim fees ceded to reinsurers, was $17.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $3.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, driven primarily by the recoveries from reinsurers in excess of costs and the financial impact of internal claim services on the expected core loss ratio. The benefit was recorded in the consolidated financial statements as a reduction to losses and LAE.
General and administrative expenses were $289.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $272.4 million during the same period in 2019 as detailed below (dollars in thousands):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | Ratio | $ | Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned, net | $ | 923,563 | $ | 842,502 | $ | 81,061 | 9.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy acquisition costs | 199,102 | 21.6 | % | 177,530 | 21.1 | % | 21,572 | 12.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating costs (1) | 90,627 | 9.8 | % | 94,898 | 11.2 | % | (4,271) | (4.5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total general and administrative expenses | $ | 289,729 | 31.4 | % | $ | 272,428 | 32.3 | % | $ | 17,301 | 6.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Other operating costs includes $102 and $248 of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses increased by $17.3 million, which was the result of increases in policy acquisition costs of $21.6 million due to commissions associated with increased premium volume offset by a decrease in other operating costs of $4.3 million. The expense ratio as a percentage of premiums earned, net decreased from 32.3% for the year ended December 31, 2019 to 31.4% for the same period in 2020. Our increase in policy acquisition costs continued to be driven by increased premium volume and continued geographic expansion into states that typically have higher commission rates as compared to Florida. Other operating costs ratio for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 9.8% compared to 11.2% for the year ended December 31, 2019, reflecting lower share-based compensation and performance bonuses in 2020 and economies of scale as other operating costs did not increase at the same rate as premiums earned, net. In addition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and auto expenses along with meal and entertainment were lower in 2020 when compared to the prior year.
Income tax expense decreased by $11.9 million, or 69.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of a 61.9% reduction in income before income taxes, when compared with the year ended December 31, 2019. Our estimated tax rate (“ETR”) decreased to 21.2% for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to 26.8% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The ETR decreased as a result of a higher ratio of permanent items relative to the amount of income before taxes, principally non-deductible compensation, and a higher level of discrete tax benefits.
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $17.6 million, compared to other comprehensive income of $28.4 million for the same period in 2019, reflecting reclassifications out of cumulative other comprehensive income for available-for-sale debt securities sold and after-tax changes in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities held in our investment portfolio. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 11 (Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))” for additional information about the amounts comprising other comprehensive income for these periods.
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YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018
A detailed discussion of our results of operations follows the table below (in thousands, except per share data).
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| PREMIUMS EARNED AND OTHER REVENUES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premiums written | $ | 1,292,721 | $ | 1,190,875 | $ | 101,846 | 8.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premium | (59,600) | (69,235) | 9,635 | (13.9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premium earned | 1,233,121 | 1,121,640 | 111,481 | 9.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded premium earned | (390,619) | (353,258) | (37,361) | 10.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned, net | 842,502 | 768,382 | 74,120 | 9.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 30,743 | 24,816 | 5,927 | 23.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) on investments | (12,715) | (2,089) | (10,626) | 508.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities | 23,188 | (17,169) | 40,357 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission revenue | 26,101 | 22,438 | 3,663 | 16.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy fees | 21,560 | 20,275 | 1,285 | 6.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | 7,972 | 7,163 | 809 | 11.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total premiums earned and other revenues | 939,351 | 823,816 | 115,535 | 14.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 603,406 | 414,455 | 188,951 | 45.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 272,428 | 256,488 | 15,940 | 6.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 875,834 | 670,943 | 204,891 | 30.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 63,517 | 152,873 | (89,356) | (58.5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 17,003 | 35,822 | (18,819) | (52.5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INCOME | 46,514 | $ | 117,051 | $ | (70,537) | (60.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes | 28,374 | (4,748) | 33,122 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | $ | 74,888 | $ | 112,303 | $ | (37,415) | (33.3) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 1.36 | $ | 3.27 | $ | (1.91) | (58.4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding | 34,233 | 35,786 | (1,553) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Benefiting the year ended December 31, 2019 were increases in net earned premium, net investment income, commission revenue and increases in the net change in unrealized gains of equity securities, offset by realized losses on investments and increased operating costs for losses and LAE and general and administrative costs. Direct and net earned premium were up 8.6% and 9.9%, respectively, due to growth in all states in which we are licensed and writing during the past 12 months. Increases in losses and LAE were the result of several factors including (1) premium growth and change in mix between Florida and other states, (2) reduced financial benefit from the management of claims including claim fees ceded to reinsurers, (3) increased estimated core losses and LAE for the current year compared to prior year, (4) adverse development on prior years’ loss and LAE reserves and (5) weather events in excess of plan this year.
Policy count, premium in force and total insured value increased at December 31, 2019 when compared to December 31, 2018. Direct premiums written increased by $101.8 million, or 8.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2019, driven by growth within our Florida business of $52.8 million, or 5.2%, and growth in our other states business of $49.0 million, or 27.6%, as compared to the same period of the prior year. Rate increases in Florida and in certain other states along with slightly improved retention were also a source of premium growth. We implemented new guidelines during the year ended December 31, 2019 on new business to address emerging loss trends that have impacted the rate of growth in Florida. Direct premiums earned increased in every state in which we are writing compared to December 31, 2018. In early March 2019, we commenced writing in Illinois, and as of December 31, 2019 we were actively writing policies in 17 states in addition to our home state of Florida.
Direct premium earned increased by $111.5 million, or 9.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2019, reflecting the earning of premiums written over the past 12 months and changes in rates and policy count during that time.
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Reinsurance enables our Insurance Entities to limit potential exposures to catastrophic events or other covered events. Ceded premium represents amounts paid to reinsurers for this protection. Ceded premium earned increased $37.4 million, or 10.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2019. Reinsurance costs, as a percentage of direct premium earned, increased from 31.5% in 2018 to 31.7% in 2019. This year ceded earned premiums had a lower level of additional costs from ceded earned reinstatement premiums, $2.6 million in 2019, compared to $20.7 million in 2018. These costs relate to additional reinsurance costs from Hurricane Irma. Excluding reinstatement premiums, ceded premiums earned were 31.5% of direct premiums earned in 2019 compared to 29.7% in 2018. The increase in the ratio is a result of higher costs for the Company’s 2019-2020 reinsurance program, compared to the expired program. Costs associated with each year’s reinsurance program are earned over the June 1 to May 31 coverage period. See the discussion above for the new 2019-2020 reinsurance program and “Part II—Item 8—Note 4 (Reinsurance).”
Premiums earned, net of ceded premium earned, grew by 9.6%, or $74.1 million, to $842.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, reflecting the increase in direct premiums earned partially offset by increased costs of reinsurance.
Net investment income was $30.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $24.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $5.9 million, or 23.9%. The increase is driven by the combination of the growth in cash and invested assets compared to the prior year and benefits from higher yielding assets offset by a lower trend in yields on cash and short term investments during 2019. Total invested assets were $914.6 million with an average fixed income credit rating of A+ during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $908.2 million with an average fixed credit rating of A+ for the same period in 2018. The duration of fixed income securities was 3.8 years at December 31, 2019 compared to 3.6 years at December 31, 2018. Cash and cash equivalents were $182.1 million at December 31, 2019 compared to $166.4 million at December 31, 2018, an increase of 9.4%. Cash and cash equivalents are invested short term until needed to settle payments to reinsurers, loss and LAE payments and operating cash needs.
Yields from the fixed income portfolio are dependent on future market forces, monetary policy and interest rate policy from the Federal Reserve. In 2019, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates, which impacted effective yields on new fixed income and overnight cash purchases. The impact from this trend in 2019 has been somewhat limited as investments mature over many future years based on the effective maturity of the portfolio, subjecting only the current year redemptions to the lower interest rate environment. The Company’s investment strategy is to invest in assets with multi-year effective maturities, locking in book yields for future years, which dampers the impact that market fluctuations have on current investment income.
We sell securities from our investment portfolio and real estate investments from time to time to meet our investment objectives. As further described in “Item 1—Note 3 (Investments)”, we realize both gains and losses on the sale of securities and real estate. We sold securities and investment real estate during the year ended December 31, 2019. Net of realized gains, sales resulted in a net realized loss of $12.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to net realized loss of $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The realized losses during the year ended December 31, 2019 resulted primarily from the sale of equity securities, whereas the realized loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 resulted primarily from the sale of municipal securities, which were liquidated in light of their diminished after-tax returns following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”). See “Part II—Item 8—Note 3 (Investments).”
There was a $23.2 million favorable net unrealized gain in equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to a $17.2 million unfavorable net unrealized loss during the year ended December 31, 2018 Unrealized gains or losses are the result of changes in the fair market value of our equity securities during the period for securities still held and the reversal of unrealized gains or losses for securities sold during the period. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 3 (Investments).”
Commission revenue is comprised principally of brokerage commissions we earn from reinsurers on reinsurance placed for the Insurance Entities. Commission revenue is earned pro-rata over the reinsurance policy period which runs from June 1 to May 31 of the following year. For the year ended December 31, 2019, commission revenue was $26.1 million, an increase of $3.7 million, or 16.3%, compared to $22.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Policy fees for the year ended December 31, 2019, were $21.6 million compared to $20.3 million for the same period in 2018. The increase of $1.3 million, or 6.3%, was the result of an increase in the number of new and renewal policies written during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
Other revenue, representing revenue from policy installment fees, premium financing and other miscellaneous income, was $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $7.2 million for the same period in 2018.
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Losses and LAE, net of ceded losses for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $603.4 million compared to $414.5 million in the same period in 2018, an increase of $189.0 million, or 45.6%.
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss | Loss | Loss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct | Ratio | Ceded | Ratio | Net | Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned | $ | 1,233,121 | $ | 390,619 | $ | 842,502 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather events* | $ | 45,562 | 3.7 | % | $ | 6,912 | 1.8 | % | $ | 38,650 | 4.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior year adverse/(favorable) reserve development | 562,303 | 45.6 | % | 474,235 | 121.4 | % | 88,068 | 10.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All other losses and loss adjustment expenses | 476,739 | 38.7 | % | 51 | — | % | 476,688 | 56.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 1,084,604 | 88.0 | % | $ | 481,198 | 123.2 | % | $ | 603,406 | 71.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss | Loss | Loss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct | Ratio | Ceded | Ratio | Net | Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned | $ | 1,121,640 | $ | 353,258 | $ | 768,382 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather events* | $ | 395,000 | 35.2 | % | $ | 380,250 | 107.6 | % | $ | 14,750 | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior year adverse/(favorable) reserve development | 622,028 | 55.5 | % | 522,506 | 147.9 | % | 99,522 | 13.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All other losses and loss adjustment expenses | 308,295 | 27.5 | % | 8,112 | 2.3 | % | 300,183 | 39.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 1,325,323 | 118.2 | % | $ | 910,868 | 257.8 | % | $ | 414,455 | 53.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * | Includes only weather events beyond expected. Items included in weather events for the year may differ from items included in quarterly reporting. | ||||
See “Part II—Item 8—Note 17 (Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses)” for change in liability for unpaid losses and LAE.
Losses and LAE, net of ceded losses, increased during the year ended December 31, 2019 principally due to five key factors: (1) increased losses in connection with the growth in our underlying business; (2) reduced benefits from claim settlement fees ceded to reinsurers as hurricanes claims conclude; (3) an increase in our direct core loss ratio (as defined below) from 33.9% in 2018 to 38.9% in 2019; (4) an increase in weather events when compared to the prior year, and; (5) prior year adverse development.
The net calendar year loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 71.6% compared to 53.9% in the prior year. The increase of 17.7 loss ratio points was a result of: (1) reduced financial benefit from the management of claims, including claims fees ceded to reinsurers (9.0 loss ratio points); (2) increased estimated core losses and LAE ratio for the current year (8.5 loss ratio points); and (3) increased weather in excess of plan (2.7 loss ratio points). The increase was partially offset by a lower level of prior year adverse development on prior years’ loss and LAE reserves (2.5 loss ratio points).
During the fourth quarter, the Company recorded adverse development on prior years’ loss estimates as claims from prior years continue to be resolved at higher-than-anticipated values notwithstanding prior efforts to review and re-estimate those amounts. The Company continues to experience increased costs for losses and LAE in the Florida market where an industry has developed around the personal residential claims process, resulting in historically high levels of represented claims and inflated claims. Active solicitation of personal residential claims in Florida by policyholder representatives, remediation companies and repair companies has led to a frequency and severity of personal residential claims in the state exceeding historical levels in Florida and levels seen in other jurisdictions.
Prior year adverse development was the result of the following factors:
•In the Florida market, claims understood to have been satisfactorily resolved and closed are being re-opened, sometimes years later, typically with representation from policyholder representatives or vendors who actively solicit policyholders for the purpose of filing claims.
•Both the frequency (number of claims) and severity (cost of a claim) of claims in Florida have risen beyond anticipated levels, largely driven by consumer behavior responding to the industry that has arisen around profiting from such
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claims. This in turn is facilitated by Florida’s legal climate, including the one-way threat of attorneys’ fees against insurers and the relatively high cost of defending against inflated claims demands in relation to amounts in dispute.
•We have reduced our estimate for subrogation recoveries due to changes in the Florida claims and legal environment. Subrogation reduces an insurer’s net losses and results in recoveries of policyholders’ deductibles. Historically, the subrogation process often has resulted in a straightforward apportionment of losses based upon parties’ respective responsibilities. However, adverse conditions and claims-related behaviors in Florida have led to a proliferation of represented claims, claims that are inflated or of questionable merit, and claims that are reported or re-opened well after the purported dates of loss. Losses and LAE patterns associated with these claims differ from historical patterns from industry norms found in other states. Accordingly, we have reduced our estimate of subrogation recoveries to recognize that conditions in Florida likewise could impact the effectiveness of our subrogation efforts by reducing amounts otherwise owed to us and our policyholders and by increasing our subrogation costs. Losses are recorded, net of estimated subrogation recoveries in the financial statements. Estimated subrogation recoveries totaled $73.0 million at December 31, 2019 compared to $99.0 million at December 31, 2018. During 2019, we reduced our estimate of subrogation recoveries by $40.7 million.
•Direct and ceded losses include prior year reserve development on major hurricanes where the settlement of claims and the re-estimation of expected costs for losses and LAE remaining to be settled exceed previously carried reserves. In 2019, for Hurricanes Irma, Florence, Michael and Matthew, we recorded adverse development of $469.9 million of gross losses and $465.4 million of ceded losses resulting in $4.5 million net impact. This compares to only one hurricane having adverse development in 2018 of $513 million of gross losses and $513 million of ceded losses, resulting in zero net losses in 2018 from Hurricane Irma. In addition, we recorded $2.6 million in 2019, compared to$20.7 million in 2018, of contractually based costs for reinstatement premiums as a result of adverse development of ceded losses for Hurricane Irma recorded during 2019 and 2018.
In addition, loss trends for the current year indicate expected losses that are higher than previously anticipated, resulting in an increase to our estimate for current year losses recorded during the fourth quarter. “Core loss ratio” is a common operational metric used in the insurance industry to describe the ratio of current accident year expected losses to premiums earned. Our core loss ratio for direct losses occurring in the current year increased to 38.9% for the year to date period ended December 31, 2019. This compares to 33.9% for the year ended December 31, 2018. During 2019, we saw increases in severity and frequency of claims, especially those claims represented by third party vendors, and increased litigation. Overall, adverse market conditions in Florida as described above are increasing the cost to resolve claims, which then is reflected in our core loss ratio. In addition, as summarized above, we have reduced our estimated benefit of subrogation recoveries based on current actuarial projections. The increase in the underlying core loss and LAE ratio also reflects continued geographic expansion into states outside of Florida where non-catastrophe loss ratios are generally higher than in Florida.
These market trends in losses and LAE in Florida have led us to file, on February 7, 2020, for an overall 12.4% rate increase in Florida. This rate filing, if approved, would be effective as of May 25, 2020. We also continue to make changes to certain new business guidelines and to develop specialized claims and litigation management efforts to address market trends driving up claim costs.
The financial benefit from the management of claims ceded, including claim fees ceded to reinsurers, was $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $72.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. The reduction in the benefit was in line with the runoff of claims from hurricanes which occurred in 2017 and 2018. The financial benefit from the management of claims fees ceded to reinsurers was recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements as a reduction to losses and LAE and included as a reduction to All other losses and loss adjustment expenses in the chart above.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, general and administrative expenses were $272.4 million, compared to $256.5 million during the same period in 2018, as detailed below (dollars in thousands):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | Ratio | $ | Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned, net | $ | 842,502 | $ | 768,382 | $ | 74,120 | 9.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy acquisition costs | 177,530 | 21.1 | % | 157,327 | 20.5 | % | 20,203 | 12.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating costs | 94,898 | 11.2 | % | 99,161 | 12.9 | % | (4,263) | (4.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total general and administrative expenses | $ | 272,428 | 32.3 | % | $ | 256,488 | 33.4 | % | $ | 15,940 | 6.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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General and administrative costs increased by $15.9 million, which was primarily the result of increases in policy acquisition costs of $20.2 million due to commissions associated with increased premium volume, and a $6.5 million non-recurring audit settlement benefit in 2018 related to premium taxes, offset by a decrease in other operating costs of $4.3 million. As a percentage of earned premiums, general and administrative costs decreased from 33.4% of earned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2018 to 32.3% of earned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in policy acquisition costs and ratio for the year ended December 31, 2019 was due to a non-recurring benefit of $6.5 million recorded in 2018 related to a refund of prior year premium taxes as a result of an audit settlement with the Florida Department of Revenue, which reduced the policy acquisition costs ratio by 0.8 percentage points in 2018. Excluding this benefit in the prior year, the overall total general and administrative expense ratio in 2019 would have improved 1.90 percentage points compared to the same period in 2018 before the impact of the premium tax refund. Other operating costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased $4.3 million, reflecting lower amounts recorded for executive compensation and temporary employee expenses, offset by added costs to support the growth in business. Other operating costs as a percentage of earned premium decreased from 12.9% of net earned premium for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to 11.2% of net earned premium for the same period in 2019.
Overall, the expense ratio for 2019 (general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net premiums earned) benefited from reduced executive compensation, a lower level of costs from reinstatement premiums impacting premiums earned and economies of scale as general and administrative expenses did not increase at the same rate as revenues when compared to the same period of 2018 excluding the non-recurring premium tax benefit.
Income tax expense decreased by $18.8 million, or 52.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2019, as a result of a 58.5% reduction in income before income taxes, when compared with the year ended December 31, 2018. Our effective tax rate increased to 26.8% for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 23.4% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The effective tax rate increased slightly as a result of permanent items relative to income before taxes, principally non-deductible compensation, offset by a lower level of excess tax benefit. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 12 (Income Taxes)” for an explanation of the change in our effective tax rates.
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $28.4 million of net unrealized gains related to debt securities available-for-sale compared to other comprehensive loss of $4.7 million related to net unrealized losses on debt securities available-for-sale for the same period in 2018. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 14 (Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))” for additional information about the amounts comprising other comprehensive income and loss for these periods.
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ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020 COMPARED TO DECEMBER 31, 2019
We believe that cash flows generated from operations will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. We 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):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| Type of Investment | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities | $ | 819,861 | $ | 855,284 | ||||||||||
| Equity securities | 84,887 | 43,717 | ||||||||||||
| Investment real estate, net | 15,176 | 15,585 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 919,924 | $ | 914,586 | ||||||||||
See “Part II—Item 8—Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows” for explanations of changes in investments and “Item 8—Note 3 (Investments).”
Restricted cash and cash equivalents increased $10.1 million to $12.7 million as of December 31, 2020 as a result of collateral held by a reinsurance captive arrangement with one of the Insurance Entities reported as a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) in the consolidated financial statements. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 18 (Variable Interest Entities)” for more information.
Prepaid reinsurance premiums represent the portion of unearned ceded written premium that will be earned pro-rata over the coverage period of our reinsurance program, which runs from June 1st to May 31st of the following year. The increase of $40.5 million to $215.7 million as of December 31, 2020 was due to additional ceded written premium for the reinsurance costs relating to our 2020-2021 catastrophe reinsurance program beginning June 1, 2020, less amortization of prepaid reinsurance premiums recorded during 2020.
Reinsurance recoverable represents the estimated amount of paid and unpaid losses, LAE and other expenses that are expected to be recovered from reinsurers. The decrease of $32.8 million to $160.4 million as of December 31, 2020 was primarily due to the collection of amounts due from reinsurers relating to settled claims from hurricanes and other events covered by our reinsurance contracts.
Premiums receivable, net represents amounts receivable from policyholders. The increase in premiums receivable, net of $3.0 million to $66.9 million as of December 31, 2020 relates to growth and consumer payment behavior of our business. The amount of direct premiums written during a calendar year tends to increase just prior to the second quarter and tends to decrease approaching the fourth quarter.
Property and equipment, net increased by $12.2 million to $53.6 million as of December 31, 2020, primarily as the result of new spend on capitalized software expenditures and, to a lesser extent, the remaining capitalized costs to outfit a new office building in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which will be used to meet the staffing needs of the Company as the business continues to expand, and new IT equipment to address work-from-home IT equipment needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”) increased by $18.7 million to $110.6 million as of December 31, 2020, which is consistent with the underlying premium growth. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 5 (Insurance Operations)” for a roll-forward in the balance of our DPAC.
Income taxes recoverable represents the difference between estimated tax obligations and tax payments made to taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2020, the balance recoverable was $30.6 million, representing amounts due from taxing authorities at that date, compared to a balance recoverable of $34.3 million as of December 31, 2019. Income taxes recoverable as of December 31, 2020 will be applied to future periods to offset future federal and state income tax obligations.
Deferred income taxes represent the estimated tax asset or tax liability caused by temporary differences between the tax return basis of certain assets and liabilities and amounts recorded in the financial statements. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the deferred income tax asset, net increased by $2.9 million to $6.3 million. Deferred income taxes reverse in future years as the temporary differences between book and tax reverse.
See “Part II—Item 8—Note 17 (Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses)” for a roll-forward in the balance of our unpaid losses and LAE. Unpaid losses and LAE increased by $54.7 million to $322.5 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase in unpaid losses and LAE was principally due to increased 2020 weather in excess of plan reduced by the settlement of claims from previous hurricane and storm events, as more newly reported and expected claims from 2020 exceeded prior year claim settlements. Overall unpaid losses and LAE increased, as new emerging claims exceeded claim settlements. Unpaid losses and LAE are net of estimated subrogation recoveries of $71 million as of December 31, 2020 compared to $73 million as of December 31, 2019.
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Unearned premiums represent the portion of direct premiums written that will be earned pro-rata in the future. The increase of $121.9 million to $783.1 million as of December 31, 2020 reflects both organic growth and the seasonality of our business, which varies from month to month.
Advance premium represents premium payments made by policyholders ahead of the effective date of the policies. The increase of $18.6 million from December 31, 2019 to $49.6 million as of December 31, 2020 reflects customer payment behavior and organic growth.
We exclude net negative cash balances, if any, from cash and cash equivalents that we have with any single financial institution based on aggregating the book balance of all accounts at the institution which have the right of offset. If the aggregation results in a net negative book balance, that balance is reclassified from cash and cash equivalents in our Consolidated Balance Sheet to book overdraft. These amounts represent outstanding checks or drafts not yet presented to the financial institution in excess of amounts on deposit at the financial institutions. We maintain a short-term cash investment strategy sweep to maximize investment returns on cash balances. Book overdraft totaled $59.4 million as of December 31, 2020, compared to $90.4 million as of December 31, 2019. The decrease of $31.0 million is the result of lower cash balances available for offset as of December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019.
Reinsurance payable, net, represents the unpaid reinsurance premium installments owed to reinsurers, unpaid reinstatement premiums due to reinsurers and cash advances received from reinsurers, if any. On June 1st of each year, we renew our catastrophe reinsurance program and record the estimated annual cost of our reinsurance program. The annual cost initially increases reinsurance payable, which is then reduced as installment payments are made over the policy period of the reinsurance, which runs from June 1st to May 31st. The balance decreased by $112.3 million to $10.3 million as of December 31, 2020 as a result of an acceleration of payments in December 2020 for amounts typically paid in January and April of the following year relating to the 2020-2021 reinsurance program.
Other liabilities and accrued expenses increased by $30.7 million to $52.3 million as of December 31, 2020, primarily driven by an increase in the collection of advanced reinsurance commission of $15.4 million received by BARC, payable for unsettled security purchases of $8.8 million and an increase of $8.9 million due to timing of accrued obligations. Advance reinsurance commission represents the early collection of reinsurance commissions by BARC as a result of the Company settling its reinsurance obligations before the contractual due date. Payable for securities purchased represents payables relating to available-for-sale debt securities purchases which settled after December 31, 2020. There were payable for securities purchased totaling $8.8 million as of December 31, 2020. There were no payable for securities purchased as of December 31, 2019.
Capital resources, net decreased by $46.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, reflecting decreases in stockholders’ equity and long-term debt. The reduction in stockholders’ equity was principally the result of our treasury stock repurchases and dividends to shareholders offset by our 2020 net income and share-based compensation. In addition, accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes decreased by $17.0 million as a result of realized gains on the sale of available-for-sale debt securities during the period. See “Part II—Item 8—Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity” and “Item 8—Note 8 (Stockholders’ Equity)” for an explanation of changes in treasury stock. The reduction in long-term debt of $1.5 million was the result of principal payments on debt during 2020. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” for more information.
Additional paid-in-capital increased by $7.4 million primarily from share-based compensation expense of $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This was offset by the common stock value acquired and cancelled through tax withholdings on the intrinsic value of restricted stock vested, performance units vested, and restricted stock units vested for share-based payment transactions of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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 and we expect them to be sufficient to meet our current and long term liquidity requirements. We will continue to monitor liquidity as the economic consequences of COVID-19 continue to unfold. See discussion below regarding the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact. Also see the discussion above under “Overview—Trends—Impact of COVID-19” regarding our response to COVID-19, the financial impact to us in 2020, our general outlook and plans to monitor the economic consequences of COVID-19.
The balance of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020 was $167.2 million, compared to $182.1 million at December 31, 2019. See “Part II—Item 8—Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows” for a reconciliation of the balance of cash and cash equivalents between December 31, 2020 and 2019. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was driven by cash flows used in financing activities in excess of those generated from operating and investing activities. We have not experienced an adverse impact on our liquidity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our cash investment strategy at times includes cash investments where the right of offset against other bank accounts does not exist. A book overdraft occurs when aggregating the book balance of all accounts at a financial institution for accounts which have the right of offset, and if the aggregation results in a net negative book balance, that balance is reclassified from cash and cash equivalents in our Consolidated Balance Sheet to book overdraft. Cash and cash equivalents balances are available to settle book overdrafts, and to pay reinsurance premiums, expenses and claims. Reinsurance premiums are paid in installments during the reinsurance policy period, which runs from
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June 1st to May 31st of the following year. The FHCF reimbursement premiums are paid in three installments on August 1st, October 1st and December 1st, and third-party reinsurance are generally paid in four installments on July 1st, October 1st, January 1st and April 1st, resulting in significant payments at those times. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 15 (Commitments and Contingencies)” and “—Contractual Obligations” for more information.
During 2020, there was one significant hurricane which occurred, Hurricane Sally, where estimated losses benefited from UPCIC’s reinsurance program. During 2019, there was one hurricane which occurred, Hurricane Dorian, where claims were within UPCIC’s retention under its reinsurance program. The Company’s reinsurance program provides sufficient liquidity in the form of cash advances for paid losses ceded to the reinsurers. During 2020, the Company routinely collected amounts ceded to reinsurers and, as in the past did not have to use funds in the Company’s investment portfolio. See “ Results of Operations” for more information.
The balance of restricted cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 represents cash equivalents on deposit with certain regulatory agencies in the various states in which our Insurance Entities do business and, in 2020, restricted cash and cash equivalents also includes collateral held by a reinsurance captive arrangement with one of the Insurance Entities reported as a VIE in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The amount of collateral held was $10.1 million as of December 31, 2020. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 18 (Variable Interest Entities)” for more information.
Liquidity is required at the holding company for us to cover the payment of general operating expenses and contingencies, 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, net of amounts received from affiliates, capital contributions to subsidiaries, if needed, and interest and principal payments on outstanding debt obligations of the holding company, if any. The declaration and payment of future dividends to our shareholders, and any future repurchases of our 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 the holding company include dividends paid by our service entities generated from income earned on fees paid by the Insurance Entities to affiliated companies for general agency, inspections and claims adjusting services. Dividends are also paid from income earned from brokerage commissions earned on reinsurance contracts placed by BARC and policy fees. We also maintain high quality investments in our portfolio as a source of liquidity along with ongoing interest and dividend income from those investments. As discussed in “Item 8—Note 5 (Insurance Operations),” there are limitations on the dividends the Insurance Entities may pay to their immediate parent company, Protection Solutions, Inc. (“PSI”, formerly known as Universal Insurance Holding Company of Florida).
The maximum amount of dividends that can be paid by Florida insurance companies without prior approval of the FLOIR is subject to restrictions as referenced below and in “Item 8—Note 5 (Insurance Operations).” The maximum dividend that may be paid by the Insurance Entities to PSI without prior approval is limited to the lesser of statutory net income from operations of the preceding calendar year or statutory unassigned surplus as of the preceding year end. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 the Insurance Entities did not pay dividends to PSI.
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 premiums earned, net, interest and dividend income from the investment portfolio, the collection of reinsurance recoverable and financing fees.
Our insurance operations provide liquidity as premiums are generally received months or even years before potential losses are paid under the policies written. In the event of catastrophic events, many of our reinsurance agreements provide for “cash advance” whereby reinsurers advance or prepay amounts to us, thereby providing liquidity, which we utilize in the claim settlement process. In addition, the Insurance Entities maintain substantial investments in highly liquid, marketable securities, which would generate funds upon sale. The average credit rating on our available-for-sale securities was A+ as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Credit ratings are a measure of collection risk on invested assets. Credit ratings are provided by third party nationally recognized rating agencies and are periodically updated. Management establishes guidelines for minimum credit rating and overall credit rating for all investments. The duration of our available-for-sale securities was 4.0 years as of December 31, 2020 compared to 3.8 years at December 31, 2019. Duration is a measure of a bond’s sensitivity to interest rate changes and is used by management to limit the potential impact of longer-term investments.
The Insurance Entities are responsible for losses related to catastrophic events in excess of coverage provided by the Insurance Entities’ reinsurance programs and retentions before our reinsurance protection commences. Also, the Insurance Entities are responsible for all other losses that otherwise may not be covered by the reinsurance programs and any amounts arising in the event of a reinsurer default. Losses or a default by reinsurers may have a material adverse effect on either of the Insurance Entities or on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
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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. The following table provides our stockholders’ equity, total long-term debt, total capital resources, debt-to-total capital ratio and debt-to-equity ratio for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | $ | 449,262 | $ | 493,901 | ||||||||||
| Total long-term debt | 8,456 | 9,926 | ||||||||||||
| Total capital | $ | 457,718 | $ | 503,827 | ||||||||||
| Debt-to-total capital ratio | 1.8 | % | 2.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Debt-to-equity ratio | 1.9 | % | 2.0 | % | ||||||||||
The debt-to-total capital ratio is total long-term debt divided by total capital resources, whereas debt-to-equity ratio is total long-term debt divided by stockholders’ equity. These ratios help management measure the amount of financing leverage in place in relation to equity and future leverage capacity.
The Insurance Entities are required annually to comply with the NAIC RBC requirements. RBC requirements prescribe a method of measuring the amount of capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations in light of its size and risk profile. NAIC’s RBC requirements are used by regulators to determine appropriate regulatory actions relating to insurers who show signs of weak or deteriorating condition. As of December 31, 2020, based on calculations using the appropriate NAIC RBC formula, the Insurance Entities reported, and respective total adjusted capital was in excess of the requirements. Failure by the Insurance Entities to maintain the required level of statutory capital and surplus could result in the suspension of their authority to write new or renewal business, other regulatory actions, or ultimately, in the revocation of their certificate of authority by the FLOIR.
In 2006, UPCIC entered into a $25.0 million surplus note with the State Board of Administration of Florida (the “SBA”) under Florida’s Insurance Capital Build-Up Incentive Program (the “ICBUI”). The surplus note has a twenty-year term, with quarterly payments of interest based on the 10-year Constant Maturity Treasury Index. UPCIC is in compliance with each of the loan’s covenants as implemented by rules promulgated by the SBA. An event of default will occur under the surplus note, as amended, if UPCIC: (i) defaults in the payment of the surplus note; (ii) fails to submit quarterly filings to the FLOIR; (iii) fails to maintain at least $50 million of surplus during the term of the surplus note, except for certain situations; (iv) misuses proceeds of the surplus note; (v) makes any misrepresentations in the application for the program; (vi) pays any dividend when principal or interest payments are past due under the surplus note; or (vii) fails to maintain a level of surplus and reinsurance sufficient to cover in excess of UPCIC’s 1-in-100 year probable maximum loss as determined by a hurricane loss model accepted by the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology as certified by the FLOIR annually. To avoid a penalty rate, UPCIC must maintain either a ratio of net written premium to surplus of 2:1 or a ratio of gross written premium of 6:1 according to a calculation method set forth in the surplus note. As of December 31, 2020, UPCIC’s net written premium to surplus ratio and gross written premium to surplus ratio were in excess of the required minimums and, therefore, UPCIC is not subject to increases in interest rates. At December 31, 2020, UPCIC was in compliance with the terms of the surplus note. Total adjusted capital surplus, which includes the surplus note, was in excess of regulatory requirements for both UPCIC and APPCIC.
In addition to the liquidity generally provided from operations, we maintain a conservative, well-diversified investment portfolio, predominantly comprised of fixed income securities with an average credit rating of A+, that focuses on capital preservation and providing an adequate source of liquidity for potential claim payments and other cash needs. The portfolio’s secondary investment objective is to provide a total rate of return with emphasis on investment income. Historically, we have consistently generated funds from operations, allowing our cash and invested assets to grow. We have not had to liquidate investment holdings to fund either operations or financing activities. During March 2020, we initially saw extreme instability and dysfunction in the fixed income market, which settled down as the Federal Reserve provided liquidity to that marketplace in the latter part of March. Subsequent to March 2020, we took advantage of the market recovery and recognized $56.6 million of net realized gains on the sales of our available-for-sale debt securities that were in an unrealized gain position. In addition to monetizing an unrealized gain that was recognized in stockholders’ equity under the United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) on a consolidated basis for available-for-sale debt securities and carried at fair value, the realized gains served to increase surplus for UPCIC since available-for-sale debt securities are generally carried at amortized cost under statutory accounting rules.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
Although volatility in the markets remains a key risk as the world continues to navigate the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been significant recovery in values since the low point on or about March 23, 2020. The proceeds from the sales of available-for-sale debt securities discussed above are in the process of reinvestment which accounts for a temporary increase in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020. The sales took advantage of increased market prices occurring on our available-for-sale debt investment portfolio. As a result of the sales and reinvestment of available-for-sale debt
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securities, it is expected that future portfolio investment income will reflect current market rates which are below the book yield of the securities sold. We remain in regular contact with our advisors to monitor credit actions taken to issuers of our securities and discuss appropriate responses to those actions. We believe these measures, when combined with the inherent liquidity generated by our business model and in our investment portfolio, will allow us to continue to meet our short- and long-term obligations.
We implemented certain premium payment grace periods in Florida and other states to assist policyholders affected by COVID-19. In addition, we have waived late payment fees that otherwise would apply to those policyholders. To date we have not seen significant use of these grace periods. However, the effects of stay-at-home orders are still unfolding and some affected policyholders might not have yet had their next premium payments come due. We are not able at this time to estimate the number of policyholders who might avail themselves of an extended grace period. Generally, a significant number of our policies are subject to payment by mortgage companies, which are likely to continue remitting payments as scheduled. Our collection experience since March 2020 was consistent with our average experience. This reflects on the nature of homeowners’ insurance and the priority that mortgage companies and policyholders place on maintaining coverage for insured properties. We will monitor this as the impact of COVID-19 and its economic consequences are felt by our policyholders.
Looking Forward
We continue to monitor a range of financial metrics related to our business. Although we have not experienced material adverse impacts on our business or liquidity, conditions are subject to change depending on the duration of governmental stay-at-home directives, the extent of the economic downturn, and the pace and extent of an economic recovery. Significant uncertainties exist with the potential long-term impact of COVID-19, including unforeseen newly emerging risks that could affect us. We will continue to monitor the broader economic impacts of COVID-19 and its impact on our operations and financial condition including liquidity and capital resources.
Common Stock Repurchases
We may repurchase shares from time to time at our discretion, based on ongoing assessments of our capital needs, the market price of our common stock and general market conditions. We will fund the share repurchase program with cash from operations.
In total, during the year ended December 31, 2020, we repurchased an aggregate of 1,610,783 shares of our common stock in the open market at an aggregate purchase price of $28.9 million. Also see “Part II—Item 5—Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Registrant Purchases of Equity Securities” for share repurchase activity during 2020 and the three months ended December 31, 2020.
Cash Dividends
The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2020:
| Dividend | Shareholders | Dividend | Cash Dividend | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | Declared Date | Record Date | Payable Date | Per Share Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Quarter | February 11, 2020 | March 12, 2020 | March 19, 2020 | $ | 0.16 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Quarter | April 16, 2020 | May 14, 2020 | May 21, 2020 | $ | 0.16 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Quarter | July 6, 2020 | July 31, 2020 | August 7, 2020 | $ | 0.16 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth Quarter | November 16, 2020 | December 11, 2020 | December 18, 2020 | $ | 0.29 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance Recoverable
The following table provides total unpaid loss and LAE, net of related reinsurance recoverable for the dates presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Unpaid loss and LAE, net | $ | 75,471 | $ | 54,156 | ||||||||||
| IBNR loss and LAE, net | 127,472 | 90,383 | ||||||||||||
| Total unpaid loss and LAE, net | $ | 202,943 | $ | 144,539 | ||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and LAE | $ | 18,957 | $ | 9,119 | ||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable on IBNR loss and LAE | 100,565 | 114,102 | ||||||||||||
| Total reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and LAE | $ | 119,522 | $ | 123,221 | ||||||||||
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Statutory Loss Ratios
Underwriting results of insurance companies are frequently measured by their combined ratios, which is the sum of the loss and expense ratios described in the following paragraph. However, investment income, federal income taxes and other non-underwriting income or expense are not reflected in the combined ratio. The profitability of property and casualty insurance companies depends on income from underwriting, investment and service operations. Underwriting results are considered profitable when the combined ratio is under 100% and unprofitable when the combined ratio is over 100%.
The following table provides the statutory loss ratios, expense ratios and combined ratios for the periods indicated for the Insurance Entities:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Loss and LAE Ratio (1) | ||||||||||||||
| UPCIC | 84 | % | 72 | % | ||||||||||
| APPCIC | 34 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||||
| Expense Ratio (1) | ||||||||||||||
| UPCIC | 36 | % | 36 | % | ||||||||||
| APPCIC | 50 | % | 53 | % | ||||||||||
| Combined Ratio (1) | ||||||||||||||
| UPCIC | 120 | % | 108 | % | ||||||||||
| APPCIC | 84 | % | 79 | % | ||||||||||
(1)The ratios are net of ceded premiums and losses and LAE, including premiums ceded to our catastrophe reinsurers which comprise a significant cost, and losses and LAE ceded to reinsurers. The expense ratio includes management fees and commissions, which are based on market rates, paid to an affiliate of the Insurance Entities in the amount of $118.1 million and $104.6 million for UPCIC for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $0.9 million and $0.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, for APPCIC. The management fees and commissions paid to the affiliate are eliminated in consolidation.
Ratings
The Insurance Entities’ financial strength is rated by a rating agency to measure the Insurance Entities’ ability to meet their financial obligations to its policyholders. The agency maintains a letter scale Financial Stability Rating® system ranging from “A” (A double prime) to “L” (licensed by state regulatory authorities).
In November 2020, Demotech, Inc. affirmed the Financial Stability Rating® of “A” for the Insurance Entities. 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 LAE reserves, and realistic pricing. The ratings of the Insurance Entities 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 a company, including holders of a company’s common stock, and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. See “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations—A downgrade in our Financial Stability Rating® may have an adverse effect on our competitive position, the marketability of our product offerings, and our liquidity, operating results and financial condition.”
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources of the Company, except for multi-year reinsurance contract commitments for future years that will be recorded at the commencement of the coverage period. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 15 (Commitments and Contingencies)” for more information.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table represents our contractual obligations for which cash flows are fixed or determinable as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
| Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | Over 5 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance payable and multi-year commitments (1) | $ | 209,930 | $ | 10,312 | $ | 199,618 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and LAE, direct (2) | 322,465 | 195,413 | 93,515 | 25,475 | 8,062 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 8,623 | 1,523 | 4,510 | 2,590 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 541,018 | $ | 207,248 | $ | 297,643 | $ | 28,065 | $ | 8,062 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)The 1-3 years amount represents the payment of reinsurance premiums payable under multi-year commitments. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 15 (Commitments and Contingencies).”
(2)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 the obligations that will arise under the contracts, but rather only the estimated liability incurred through December 31, 2020. Unpaid losses and LAE are net of estimated subrogation recoveries. In addition, these balances exclude amounts recoverable from our reinsurance program. See “Part II—Item 8—Note 4 (Reinsurance).”
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
The financial statements and related data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. Our primary assets are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on our performance than the effects of the general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or with the same magnitude as the cost of paying losses and LAE.
Insurance premiums are established before we know the amount of loss and LAE and the extent to which inflation may affect such expenses. Consequently, we attempt to anticipate the future impact of inflation when establishing rate levels. While we attempt to charge adequate rates, we may be limited in raising premium levels for competitive and regulatory reasons. Inflation also affects the market value of our investment portfolio and the investment rate of return. Any future economic changes which result in prolonged and increasing levels of inflation could cause increases in the dollar amount of incurred loss and LAE and thereby materially adversely affect future liability requirements.
Arrangements with Variable Interest Entities
We entered into a reinsurance captive arrangement with a VIE in the normal course of business, and consolidated the VIE since we are the primary beneficiary.
For a further discussion of our involvement with the VIE, see “Part II—Item 8—Note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies)” and “Item 8—Note 18 (Variable Interest Entities).”
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.
Liability for Unpaid Losses and LAE
A liability, net of estimated subrogation, is established to provide for the estimated costs of paying losses and LAE under insurance policies the Insurance Entities have issued. Underwriting results are significantly influenced by an estimate of a liability for unpaid losses and LAE. The liability is an estimate of amounts necessary to settle all outstanding claims, including claims that have been incurred, but not yet reported as of the financial statement date. The process of estimating loss reserves requires significant judgment due to a number of variables, such as the type, severity and jurisdiction of loss, economic conditions including inflation, social attitudes, judicial decisions and legislative development and changes in claims handling procedures. These variables will inherently result in an ultimate liability that will differ from initial estimates. See “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations—Actual claims incurred have exceeded, and in the future may exceed, reserves established for claims, adversely affecting our operating results and financial condition.” We revise our reserve for unpaid losses as additional information becomes available, and reflect adjustments, if any, in our earnings in the
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periods in which we determine the adjustments are necessary. We estimate and accrue our right to subrogate reported or estimated claims against other parties. Subrogated claims are recorded at amounts estimated to be received from the subrogated parties, net of expenses and netted against unpaid losses and LAE.
See “Part II—Item 8—Note 17 (Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses)” for a discussion of the Company’s basis and methodologies used to establish its liability for unpaid losses and LAE along with the following quantitative disclosures:
•Five-year accident year table on incurred claim and allocated claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance including columns of:
◦IBNR—Total of Incurred-but-not-reported liabilities plus expected development (redundancy) on reported claims by accident year, and
◦Claim counts—cumulative number of reported claims by accident year.
•Five-year accident year table on cumulative paid claims and allocated claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance,
•Reconciliation of net incurred and paid claims development tables to the liability for unpaid losses and LAE in the consolidated balance sheet,
•Duration—a table of the average historical claims duration for the past five years, and
•Reconciliation of the change in liability for unpaid losses and LAE presented in the consolidated financial statements.
We utilize independent actuaries to help establish liabilities for unpaid losses, anticipated loss recoveries and LAE. We do not discount the liability for unpaid losses and LAE for financial statement purposes. In establishing the liability for unpaid losses and LAE, actuarial judgment is relied upon in order to make appropriate assumptions to estimate a best estimate of ultimate losses. There are inherent uncertainties associated with this estimation process, especially when a company is undergoing changes in its claims settlement practices, when a company has limited experience in a certain area or when behaviors of policyholders are influenced by external factors and/or market dynamics. As an example, a dramatic change occurred during calendar year 2015 when we realigned our adjusting teams as well as launched our Fast Track initiative, reducing settlement costs and strengthening case reserve adequacy for claims reported during the year. These changes have had a meaningful influence on development pattern selections applied to 2013 through 2017 accident year claims in the reserving estimates for each of the methods described in “Item 8—Note 17 (Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses).” More recently, since 2016 there has been a significant increase in efforts to pursue subrogation against third parties responsible for property damage losses to our insureds. As a result, anticipated subrogation recoveries are reviewed and estimated on a stand-alone basis in the Company’s reserve analysis. Market dynamics in Florida include the use of assignments of benefits (“AOB”) and the resulting increase in litigation against the Company. As a result of the use of AOBs, as well as the continued overall increase in represented claims and claims-related abuses in Florida, we have increased our estimates of ultimate losses for the most recent and prior accident years.
Factors Affecting Reserve Estimates
Reserve estimates are developed based on the processes and historical development trends discussed in “Item 8—Note 17 (Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses)” to the consolidated financial statements. These estimates are considered in conjunction with known facts and interpretations of circumstances and factors including our experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, differing payment patterns and pending levels of unpaid claims, loss management programs, product mix and contractual terms, changes in law and regulation, judicial decisions, and economic conditions. When these types of changes are experienced, actuarial judgment is applied in the determination and selection of development factors in order to better reflect new trends or expectations. For example, if a change in law is expected to have a significant impact on the development of claim severity, actuarial judgment is applied to determine appropriate development factors that will most accurately reflect the expected impact on that specific estimate. This example appropriately describes the reserving methodology selection for use in estimating sinkhole liabilities after the passing of legislation, as noted in “Item 8—Note 17 (Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses)” to the consolidated financial statements. Another example would be when a change in economic conditions is expected to affect the cost of repairs to property; actuarial judgment is applied to determine appropriate development factors to use in the reserve estimate that will most accurately reflect the expected impacts on severity development.
Changes in homeowners current year claim severity are generally influenced by inflation in the cost of building materials, the cost of construction and property repair services, the cost of replacing home furnishings and other contents, the types of claims that qualify for coverage, the presence of third party representation, such as legal or repair contractors (which serve to inflate claim expenses) and other economic and environmental factors. We employ various loss management programs to mitigate the effects of these factors.
Key assumptions that may materially affect the estimate of the reserve for loss and LAE relate to the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues. As industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims and coverages may emerge. These issues may adversely affect our business by either extending coverage beyond our underwriting intent, lengthening the time to final settlement, or by increasing the number or size of claims. Key assumptions that are premised on future emergence that are inconsistent with historical loss reserve development patterns include but are not limited to:
•Adverse changes in loss cost trends, including inflationary pressures in home repair costs;
•Judicial expansion of policy coverage and the impact of new theories of liability; and
•Plaintiffs targeting property and casualty insurers in purported class action litigation related to claims-handling and other practices.
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As loss experience for the current year develops for each type of loss, the reserves for loss and LAE are monitored relative to initial assumptions until they are judged to have sufficient statistical credibility. From that point in time and forward, reserves are re-estimated using statistical actuarial processes to reflect the impact loss trends have on development factors incorporated into the actuarial estimation processes.
Causes of Reserve Estimate Uncertainty
Since reserves are estimates of the unpaid portions of claims and claims expenses that have occurred, the establishment of appropriate reserves, including reserves for catastrophes, requires regular reevaluation and refinement of estimates to determine ultimate loss and LAE estimates.
At each reporting date, the highest degree of uncertainty in reserve estimates arises from claims remaining to be settled for the current accident year and the most recent preceding accident year, and claims that have occurred but have not been reported. The estimate for the current accident year contains the greatest degree of uncertainty because it contains the greatest proportion of losses that have not been reported or settled but must be estimated as of the current reporting date. During the first year after the end of an accident year, a large portion of the total losses for that accident year are settled. When accident year losses paid through the end of the first year following the initial accident year are incorporated into updated actuarial estimates, the trends inherent in the settlement of claims emerge more clearly. Consequently, this is the point in time at which the largest re-estimates of losses for an accident year can occur. After the second year, the losses paid for the accident year typically relate to claims that are more difficult to settle, such as those involving litigation.
Reserves for Catastrophe Losses
Loss and LAE reserves also include reserves for catastrophe losses. Catastrophe losses are an inherent risk of the property-casualty insurance industry that have contributed, and will continue to contribute, to potentially material year-to-year fluctuations in results of operations and financial position. A catastrophe is an event that produces significant insured losses before reinsurance and involves multiple first party policyholders, or an event that produces a number of claims in excess of a preset, per-event threshold of average claims in a specific area, occurring within a certain amount of time following the event. Catastrophes are commonly caused by various natural events including high winds, tornadoes, wildfires, winter storms, tropical storms and hurricanes.
The estimation of claims and claims expense reserves for catastrophes also comprises estimates of losses from reported and unreported claims, primarily for damage to property. In general, estimates for catastrophe reserves are based on claim adjuster inspections and the application of historical loss development factors as described previously and in “Item 8—Note 17 (Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses)” to the consolidated financial statements. However, depending on the nature of the catastrophe, as noted above, the estimation process can be further complicated. For example, for hurricanes, complications could include the inability of insureds to be able to promptly report losses, limitations placed on claims adjusting staff affecting their ability to inspect losses, determining whether losses are covered by our homeowners policy (generally for damage caused by wind or wind driven rain) or specifically excluded coverage caused by flood, estimating additional living expenses or assessing the impact of demand surge and exposure to mold damage. The effects of numerous other considerations, include the timing of a catastrophe in relation to other events, such as at or near the end of a financial reporting period, which can affect the availability of information needed to estimate reserves for that reporting period. In these situations, practices are adapted to accommodate these circumstances in order to determine a best estimate of losses from a catastrophe.
Key Actuarial Assumptions That Affect the Loss and LAE Estimate
The aggregation of estimates for reported losses and IBNR forms the reserve liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
At any given point in time, the recorded loss and LAE reserves represent our best estimate of the ultimate settlement and administration cost of insured claims incurred and unpaid. Since the process of estimating loss and LAE reserves requires significant judgment due to a number of variables, such as fluctuations in inflation, judicial decisions, legislative changes and changes in claims handling procedures, ultimate liability may exceed or be less than these estimates. Reserves for losses and LAE are revised as additional information becomes available, and adjustments, if any, are reflected in earnings in the periods in which they are determined.
In selecting development factors and averages described in “Item 8—Note 17 (Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses)” to the consolidated financial statements, due consideration is given to how the historical experience patterns change from one year to the next over the course of several consecutive years of recent history. Predictions surrounding these patterns drive the estimates that are produced by each method, and are based on statistical techniques that follow standard actuarial practices.
In compliance with annual statutory reporting requirements, our appointed independent actuary provides a Statement of Actuarial Opinion (“SAO”) indicating that carried loss and LAE reserves recorded at each annual balance sheet date make a reasonable provision for all of the Insurance Entities’ unpaid loss and LAE obligations under the terms of contracts and agreements with our policyholders. Recorded reserves are compared to the indicated range provided in the actuary’s report accompanying the SAO. At December 31, 2020, the recorded amount for net loss and LAE falls within the range determined by the appointed independent actuaries and approximates their best estimate.
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Potential Reserve Estimate Variability
The methods employed by actuaries include a range of estimated unpaid losses, each reflecting a level of uncertainty. Projections of loss and LAE liabilities are subject to potentially large variability in the estimation process since the ultimate disposition of claims incurred prior to the financial statement date, whether reported or not, is subject to the outcome of events that have not yet occurred. Examples of these events include jury decisions, court interpretations, legislative changes, public attitudes and social/economic conditions such as inflation. Any estimate of future costs is subject to the inherent limitation on one’s ability to predict the aggregate course of future events. It should therefore be expected that the actual emergence of losses and LAE will vary, perhaps materially, from any estimate.
In selecting the range of reasonable estimates, the range of indications produced by the various methods is evaluated, the relative strengths and weaknesses of each method are considered, and from those inputs a range of estimates can be selected. For reasons cited above, this range of estimated ultimate losses is typically smaller for older, more mature accident periods and greater for more recent, less mature accident periods. The greatest level of uncertainty is associated with the most recent accident years, and particularly years during which catastrophe events occurred.
The inherent uncertainty associated with our loss and LAE liability is magnified due to our concentration of property business in catastrophe-exposed and litigious states, primarily Florida. In 2018, for example, loss and expense payments for Hurricane Irma claims exceeded initial liability estimates that were established at year-end 2017, which was shortly after the event occurred. This unexpected development was partially due to the influence of plaintiff attorneys in the claim filing process; both at initial contact prior to coverage validation or damage assessment, and after claims were settled and closed which resulted in a large number of claims being reopened during the year. In 2019, UPCIC continued to experience unanticipated unfavorable development on losses from claims being reopened and new claims being opened due to public adjusters encouraging policyholders to file new claims. Due to the relatively low frequency and inherent uncertainty of catastrophe events, the parameters utilized in loss estimation methodologies are updated whenever new information emerges.
Adequacy of Reserve Estimates
We believe our net loss and LAE reserves are appropriately established based on available methodology, facts, technology, laws and regulations. We calculate and record a single best reserve estimate, in conformance with generally accepted actuarial standards, for reported and unreported losses and LAE losses and as a result we believe no other estimate is better than our recorded amount.
Due to the uncertainties involved, the ultimate cost of losses and LAE may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on our best estimates. The liability for unpaid losses and LAE at December 31, 2020 is $322.5 million.
Reinsurance
In the normal course of business, we seek to reduce the risk of loss that may arise from catastrophes or other events that cause unfavorable underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with other insurance enterprises or reinsurers. While ceding premiums to reinsurers reduces our risk of exposure in the event of catastrophic losses, it also reduces our potential for greater profits in the event that such catastrophic events do not occur. We believe that the extent of our reinsurance level of protection is typical of, or exceeds, that of other insurers actively writing in the Florida homeowners insurance market. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the provisions of the reinsurance agreement and consistent with the establishment of our gross liability. The Insurance Entities’ reinsurance policies do not relieve them from their obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses; consequently, allowances are established for amounts deemed uncollectible from reinsurers. No such allowance was deemed necessary as of December 31, 2020.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) revised U.S. GAAP with the issuance of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740). The amendments in this ASU simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and clarifying certain requirements regarding franchise taxes, goodwill, consolidated tax expenses and annual effective tax rate calculations. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We do not believe this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
| ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | ||||
Market risk is the potential for economic losses due to adverse changes in fair market value of available-for-sale debt securities, equity securities (“Financial Instruments”) and investment real estate. We carry all of our Financial Instruments at fair market value and investment real estate at net book value in our statement of financial condition. Our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2020 is comprised of available-for-sale debt securities and equity securities, carried at fair market value, which expose us to changing market conditions, specifically interest rates and equity price changes.
The primary objectives of the investment portfolio are the preservation of capital and providing adequate liquidity for potential claim payments and other cash needs. The portfolio’s secondary investment objective is to provide a total rate of return with an
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emphasis on investment income. None of our investments in risk-sensitive Financial Instruments were entered into for trading purposes.
See “Part II—Item 8—Note 3 (Investments)” and “Item 1—Business—Investments” for more information about our Financial Instruments.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of the fair market value of a fixed-rate Financial Instrument to changes in interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, the fair value of our fixed-rate Financial Instruments declines.
The following tables provide information about our fixed income Financial Instruments as of December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The tables present the expected cash flows of Financial Instruments based on years to effective maturity using amortized cost compared to fair market value and the related book yield compared to coupon yield (dollars in thousands):
| December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Thereafter | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized cost | $ | 31,333 | $ | 58,790 | $ | 107,735 | $ | 179,872 | $ | 133,872 | $ | 303,880 | $ | 165 | $ | 815,647 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair market value | $ | 31,578 | $ | 58,868 | $ | 108,412 | $ | 180,011 | $ | 134,740 | $ | 306,041 | $ | 211 | $ | 819,861 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupon rate | 2.75 | % | 1.88 | % | 2.15 | % | 3.12 | % | 2.51 | % | 2.41 | % | 7.50 | % | 2.52 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Book yield | 2.12 | % | 0.59 | % | 0.84 | % | 0.71 | % | 1.07 | % | 1.59 | % | 6.31 | % | 1.16 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * Years to effective maturity - 5.4 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized cost | $ | 106,961 | $ | 107,705 | $ | 59,350 | $ | 124,596 | $ | 98,477 | $ | 331,082 | $ | 165 | $ | 828,336 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair market value | $ | 107,259 | $ | 108,516 | $ | 60,105 | $ | 128,599 | $ | 101,345 | $ | 349,259 | $ | 201 | $ | 855,284 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupon rate | 2.46 | % | 2.58 | % | 3.06 | % | 3.52 | % | 3.50 | % | 3.64 | % | 7.50 | % | 3.28 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Book yield | 2.46 | % | 2.44 | % | 2.77 | % | 3.27 | % | 3.03 | % | 3.47 | % | 6.31 | % | 3.08 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * Years to effective maturity - 4.7 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All securities, except those with perpetual maturities, were categorized in the tables above utilizing years to effective maturity. Effective maturity takes into consideration all forms of potential prepayment, such as call features or prepayment schedules, that shorten the lifespan of contractual maturity dates.
Equity Price Risk
Equity price risk is the potential for loss in fair value of Financial Instruments in common stock and mutual funds from adverse changes in the prices of those Financial Instruments.
The following table provides information about the Financial Instruments in our investment portfolio subject to price risk as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Percent | Fair Value | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | $ | 2,435 | 2.9 | % | $ | 2,377 | 5.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds | 82,452 | 97.1 | % | 41,340 | 94.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity securities | $ | 84,887 | 100.0 | % | $ | 43,717 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
A hypothetical decrease of 20% in the market prices of each of the equity securities held at December 31, 2020 and 2019 would have resulted in a decrease of $17.0 million and $8.7 million, respectively, in the fair value of those securities.
The COVID-19 pandemic presents new and emerging uncertainty to the financial markets. See further discussion in “Part II—Item 7— Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
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| ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA | ||||
| PAGE | |||||
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and schedules (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO framework”).
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in the COSO framework.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements and an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current audit period of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
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Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Refer to Notes 1 and 17 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense (LAE) totaled $322.5 million at December 31, 2020. The balance consists of three components: (1) an amount determined from current loss reports for individual cases reported but unpaid based on past experience of similar cases settled, (2) an amount for claims incurred but not reported and development of reported claims based on a range of actuarial methodologies and assumptions and (3) an amount for expenses for investigating and the settlement of reported and unreported claims. Estimating the liability for unpaid losses and LAE requires significant judgment relating to factors such as claim development patterns, severity, type and jurisdiction of loss, economic conditions, legislative developments, and a variety of actuarial assumptions. Management engages an independent actuarial firm to prepare an actuarial analysis of unpaid losses and LAE and provide a statement of actuarial opinion on management’s estimate of unpaid losses and LAE. Estimating the liability for unpaid losses and LAE is inherently uncertain, dependent on management judgement and significantly impacted by claim and actuarial factors and conditions which may change over time. The ultimate settlement of unpaid losses and LAE may vary materially from the recorded liability, and such variance may adversely affect the Company’s financial results. For these reasons, we identified the estimate of unpaid losses and LAE as a critical audit matter as it involved especially subjective auditor judgment.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the liability for unpaid losses and LAE included the following, among others:
•We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of key controls over the process and data used by management to estimate the liability for unpaid losses and LAE including those controls related to the estimation of and management’s review of the estimated liability of unpaid losses and LAE;
•We tested the completeness, integrity and accuracy of the underlying data used by the Company’s actuary such as paid loss data, case reserve data, loss adjustment expense data and loss development tables;
•We verified the consistency of the estimation process between the current year and those used in prior years and assessed the reasonableness of management’s selection of its estimate for unpaid losses and LAE;
•With assistance from our actuarial specialist, we reviewed the reasonableness of the methods and assumptions used by the Company and their engaged actuary to develop their unpaid losses and LAE reserve estimate;
•We evaluated management’s prior year estimate for unpaid losses and LAE and the factors leading to changes in the estimate recognized in the current year. With the assistance of our actuarial specialist, we assessed the reasonableness of management’s revisions to the estimate for unpaid losses and LAE.
/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
Chicago, Illinois
February 26, 2021
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UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value, net of allowance for credit loss of $186 (amortized cost: $815,647 and $828,336) | $ | 819,861 | $ | 855,284 | ||||||||||
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $84,667 and $43,523) | 84,887 | 43,717 | ||||||||||||
| Investment real estate, net | 15,176 | 15,585 | ||||||||||||
| Total invested assets | 919,924 | 914,586 | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 167,156 | 182,109 | ||||||||||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 12,715 | 2,635 | ||||||||||||
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 215,723 | 175,208 | ||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable | 160,417 | 193,236 | ||||||||||||
| Premiums receivable, net | 66,883 | 63,883 | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 53,572 | 41,351 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | 110,614 | 91,882 | ||||||||||||
| Income taxes recoverable | 30,576 | 34,283 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax asset, net | 6,284 | 3,351 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 14,877 | 17,328 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,758,741 | $ | 1,719,852 | ||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 322,465 | $ | 267,760 | ||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | 783,135 | 661,279 | ||||||||||||
| Advance premium | 49,562 | 30,975 | ||||||||||||
| Book overdraft | 59,399 | 90,401 | ||||||||||||
| Reinsurance payable, net | 10,312 | 122,581 | ||||||||||||
| Commission payable | 23,809 | 21,431 | ||||||||||||
| Other liabilities and accrued expenses | 52,341 | 21,598 | ||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 8,456 | 9,926 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,309,479 | 1,225,951 | ||||||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15) | ||||||||||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||||||||||||||
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value | — | — | ||||||||||||
Authorized shares - 1,000 | ||||||||||||||
Issued shares - 10 and 10 | ||||||||||||||
Outstanding shares - 10 and 10 | ||||||||||||||
Minimum liquidation preference - $9.99 and $9.99 per share | ||||||||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value | 468 | 467 | ||||||||||||
Authorized shares - 55,000 | ||||||||||||||
Issued shares - 46,817 and 46,707 | ||||||||||||||
Outstanding shares - 31,137 and 32,638 | ||||||||||||||
Treasury shares, at cost - 15,680 and 14,069 | (225,506) | (196,585) | ||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 103,445 | 96,036 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes | 3,343 | 20,364 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 567,512 | 573,619 | ||||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 449,262 | 493,901 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,758,741 | $ | 1,719,852 | ||||||||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| PREMIUMS EARNED AND OTHER REVENUES | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct premiums written | $ | 1,517,479 | $ | 1,292,721 | $ | 1,190,875 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in unearned premium | (121,856) | (59,600) | (69,235) | |||||||||||||||||
| Direct premium earned | 1,395,623 | 1,233,121 | 1,121,640 | |||||||||||||||||
| Ceded premium earned | (472,060) | (390,619) | (353,258) | |||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned, net | 923,563 | 842,502 | 768,382 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 20,393 | 30,743 | 24,816 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) on investments | 63,352 | (12,715) | (2,089) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities | 25 | 23,188 | (17,169) | |||||||||||||||||
| Commission revenue | 33,163 | 26,101 | 22,438 | |||||||||||||||||
| Policy fees | 23,773 | 21,560 | 20,275 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | 8,501 | 7,972 | 7,163 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total premiums earned and other revenues | 1,072,770 | 939,351 | 823,816 | |||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 758,810 | 603,406 | 414,455 | |||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 289,729 | 272,428 | 256,488 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 1,048,539 | 875,834 | 670,943 | |||||||||||||||||
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 24,231 | 63,517 | 152,873 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 5,126 | 17,003 | 35,822 | |||||||||||||||||
| NET INCOME | $ | 19,105 | $ | 46,514 | $ | 117,051 | ||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.37 | $ | 3.36 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic | 31,884 | 33,893 | 34,856 | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 3.27 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted | 31,972 | 34,233 | 35,786 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividend declared per common share | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.73 | ||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 19,105 | $ | 46,514 | $ | 117,051 | ||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes | (17,618) | 28,374 | (4,748) | |||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 1,487 | $ | 74,888 | $ | 112,303 | ||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(in thousands, except per share data)
| Treasury Shares | Common Shares Issued | Preferred Shares Issued | Common Stock Amount | Preferred Stock Amount | Additional Paid-In Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Treasury Stock | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2017 | (11,043) | 45,778 | 10 | $ | 458 | $ | — | $ | 86,186 | $ | 464,748 | $ | (6,281) | $ | (105,123) | $ | 439,988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | — | — | — | (3,601) | 3,601 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2018 | (11,043) | 45,778 | 10 | 458 | — | 86,186 | 461,147 | (2,680) | (105,123) | 439,988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of performance share units | (43) | (1) | 127 | — | 1 | — | (1) | — | — | (1,273) | (1,273) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grants and vesting of restricted stock | (4) | (1) | 80 | — | 1 | — | (1) | — | — | (154) | (154) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option exercises | (1,314) | (1) | 1,890 | — | 19 | — | 36,568 | — | — | (47,772) | (11,185) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retirement of treasury shares | 1,361 | (1) | (1,361) | — | (14) | — | (49,185) | — | — | 49,199 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of treasury stock | (688) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (25,276) | (25,276) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | 12,786 | — | — | — | 12,786 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | 117,051 | — | — | 117,051 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (4,748) | — | (4,748) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of income taxes upon adoption of ASU 2018-02 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 582 | (582) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Declaration of dividends ($0.73 per common share and $1.00 per preferred share) | — | — | — | — | — | — | (25,556) | — | — | (25,556) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2018 | (11,731) | 46,514 | 10 | 465 | — | 86,353 | 553,224 | (8,010) | (130,399) | 501,633 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of performance share units | (56) | (1) | 148 | — | 2 | — | (2) | — | — | (2,069) | (2,069) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grants and vesting of restricted stock | (41) | (1) | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | — | (1,183) | (1,183) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of restricted stock units | (10) | (1) | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | (259) | (259) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option exercises | (79) | (1) | 151 | — | 2 | — | 2,661 | — | — | (2,622) | 41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued | — | 5 | — | — | — | 147 | — | — | — | 147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retirement of treasury shares | 186 | (1) | (186) | — | (2) | — | (6,131) | — | — | 6,133 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of treasury stock | (2,338) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (66,186) | (66,186) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | 13,008 | — | — | — | 13,008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | 46,514 | — | — | 46,514 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28,374 | — | 28,374 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Declaration of dividends ($0.77 per common share and $1.00 per preferred share) | — | — | — | — | — | — | (26,119) | — | — | (26,119) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | (14,069) | 46,707 | 10 | 467 | — | 96,036 | 573,619 | 20,364 | (196,585) | 493,901 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | — | — | — | (597) | 597 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | (14,069) | 46,707 | 10 | 467 | — | 96,036 | 573,022 | 20,961 | (196,585) | 493,901 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of performance share units | (25) | (1) | 83 | — | 1 | — | (1) | — | — | (646) | (646) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of restricted stock | (4) | (1) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (61) | (61) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grants and issue of stock awards | — | (1) | 1 | — | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of restricted stock units | (35) | (1) | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | — | (608) | (608) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retirement of treasury shares | 64 | (1) | (64) | — | — | — | (1,315) | — | — | 1,315 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of treasury stock | (1,611) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (28,921) | (28,921) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | 8,695 | — | — | — | 8,695 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19,105 | — | — | 19,105 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (17,618) | — | (17,618) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Declaration of dividends ($0.77 per common share and $1.00 per preferred share) | — | — | — | — | — | — | (24,615) | — | — | (24,615) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | (15,680) | 46,817 | 10 | $ | 468 | $ | — | $ | 103,445 | $ | 567,512 | $ | 3,343 | $ | (225,506) | $ | 449,262 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | |||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements. | |||||
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UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 19,105 | $ | 46,514 | $ | 117,051 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bad debt expense | 526 | 453 | 467 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5,107 | 4,957 | 4,820 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of share-based compensation | 8,695 | 13,008 | 12,786 | |||||||||||||||||
| Reversal of provision for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities | (605) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Book overdraft increase (decrease) | (31,002) | (12,442) | 66,128 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net realized (gains) losses sale on investments | (63,352) | 12,715 | 2,089 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities | (25) | (23,188) | 17,169 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of premium/accretion of discount, net | 4,629 | 1,663 | 1,482 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 2,789 | 1,972 | (3,740) | |||||||||||||||||
| Excess tax (benefit) shortfall from share-based compensation | 237 | (641) | (5,427) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | 162 | 411 | 196 | |||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock | 30 | 147 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in assets and liabilities relating to operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | (40,515) | (32,458) | (9,944) | |||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable | 32,819 | 225,367 | (236,198) | |||||||||||||||||
| Premiums receivable, net | (3,525) | (4,475) | (3,823) | |||||||||||||||||
| Accrued investment income | 1,544 | (330) | (1,149) | |||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes recoverable | 3,470 | (22,483) | 3,741 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs, net | (18,732) | (7,196) | (11,627) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | 862 | (2,498) | (968) | |||||||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 54,705 | (205,069) | 224,404 | |||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | 121,856 | 59,600 | 69,235 | |||||||||||||||||
| Commission payable | 2,378 | 1,341 | 8,248 | |||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance payable, net | (112,269) | 29,275 | (17,075) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities and accrued expenses | 21,872 | (6,798) | (7,766) | |||||||||||||||||
| Advance premium | 18,587 | 4,753 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 29,348 | 84,598 | 230,105 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 182 | 38 | 35 | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (17,216) | (11,314) | (6,731) | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of equity securities | (116,265) | (1,351) | (25,803) | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of available-for-sale debt securities | (1,074,629) | (221,647) | (437,635) | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of investment real estate, net | (7) | (883) | (6,375) | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of equity securities | 81,559 | 29,680 | 8,285 | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale debt securities | 1,008,436 | 77,790 | 134,591 | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of investment real estate | — | 10,537 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Maturities of available-for-sale debt securities | 139,982 | 145,476 | 111,347 | |||||||||||||||||
| Maturities of short-term investments | — | — | 10,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 22,042 | 28,326 | (212,286) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividend | (10) | (10) | (10) | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock dividend | (24,547) | (26,106) | (25,508) | |||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for stock option exercises | — | 239 | 102 | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | (28,921) | (66,186) | (25,276) | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation | (1,315) | (3,709) | (12,714) | |||||||||||||||||
| Repayment of debt | (1,470) | (1,471) | (1,471) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (56,263) | (97,243) | (64,877) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) during the period | (4,873) | 15,681 | (47,058) | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | 184,744 | 169,063 | 216,121 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | 179,871 | $ | 184,744 | $ | 169,063 | ||||||||||||||
| Supplemental cash and non-cash flow disclosures: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | 102 | $ | 248 | $ | 346 | ||||||||||||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | 21 | $ | 38,945 | $ | 41,996 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax refund | $ | 1,390 | $ | 789 | $ | 747 | ||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(in thousands)
The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents within the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 167,156 | $ | 182,109 | $ | 166,428 | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1) | 12,715 | 2,635 | 2,635 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ | 179,871 | $ | 184,744 | $ | 169,063 | ||||||||||||||
(1) See “ —Note 5 (Insurance Operations),” for a discussion of the nature of the restrictions for restricted cash and cash equivalents and “—Note 18 (Variable Interest Entities),” for a discussion of restricted cash held in a trust account.
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“UVE”, and together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, “the Company”) is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1990. The Company is a vertically integrated insurance holding company performing all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution and claims. Through its wholly-owned insurance company subsidiaries, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“UPCIC”) and American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“APPCIC”, and together with UPCIC, the “Insurance Entities”), the Company is principally engaged in the property and casualty insurance business offered primarily through its network of independent agents. Risk from catastrophic losses is managed through the use of reinsurance agreements. The Company’s primary product is residential homeowners’ insurance offered in 19 states as of December 31, 2020, including Florida, which comprises the majority of the Company’s policies in force. 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 investment returns on funds invested on cash flows in excess of those retained and used for claims-paying obligations and insurance operations. Other significant sources of revenue include brokerage commissions collected from reinsurers on certain reinsurance programs placed on behalf of the Insurance Entities, policy fees collected from policyholders by the Company’s wholly-owned managing general agent (“MGA”) subsidiary and payment plan fees charged to policyholders who choose to pay their premiums in installments. The Company’s wholly-owned adjusting company receives claims-handling fees from the Insurance Entities. The Insurance Entities are reimbursed for these fees on claims that are subject to recovery under the Insurance Entities’ respective reinsurance programs. These fees, after expenses, are recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements as an adjustment to losses and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”).
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of UVE and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
To conform to the 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.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company’s primary use of estimates is in the recognition of liabilities for unpaid losses, loss adjustment expenses, subrogation recoveries, and reinsurance recoveries. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic ASC 326), which introduces a new process for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new ASU applies to premiums receivable, reinsurance recoverable and available-for-sale debt securities. The ASU replaces the current practice of recording a permanent write down (other than temporary impairment) for probable credit losses with a new requirement that would estimate credit losses and record those estimated losses through a temporary allowance account that can be re-measured as estimates of credit losses change. The ASU further limited estimated credit losses relating to available-for-sale securities to the amount which fair value is below amortized cost. The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable U.S. GAAP. The Company recorded a decrease to retained earnings of $0.6 million as of January 1, 2020 for the cumulative after-tax effect of adopting ASC 326.
Accounting Policies
The significant accounting policies followed by the Company are summarized as follows:
Consolidation Policy: The Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and VIEs in which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. This analysis includes a review of the VIE’s capital structure, related contractual relationships and terms, nature of the VIE’s operations and purpose, nature of the VIE’s interests issued and the Company’s involvement with the entity. When assessing the need to consolidate a VIE, the Company evaluates
63
the design of the VIE as well as the related risks to which the entity was designed to expose the variable interest holders. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. While also considering these factors, the consolidation conclusion depends on the Company’s decision-making ability and its ability to influence activities that significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE.
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 financial institution. These amounts represent outstanding checks or drafts not yet presented to the financial institution and are reclassified to liabilities and presented as book overdraft in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company classifies amounts of cash and cash equivalents that are restricted in terms of their use and withdrawal separately in the face of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See “—Note 5 (Insurance Operations)” and “—Note 18 (Variable Interest Entities)” for discussions on the nature of the restrictions.
Investment, Securities Available for Sale. The Company’s investments in debt securities and short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale with maturities of greater than three months. Available-for-sale debt securities and short-term investments are recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, net of any allowance for credit losses, if any. Unrealized gains and losses, excluding the credit loss portion, on available-for-sale debt securities and short-term investments are excluded from earnings and reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”), net of related deferred taxes until reclassified to earnings upon the consummation of a sales transaction with an unrelated third party. Gains and losses realized on the disposition of available-for-sale debt securities are determined on the first in, first out (“FIFO”) basis and credited or charged to income. Premium and discount on investment securities are amortized and accreted using the interest method and charged or credited to investment income.
Allowance for Credit Losses-Available-For-Sale Securities. For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by rating agencies, market sentiment and trends and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other quantitative and qualitative factors utilized at establishing an estimate for credit losses. If the assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present values of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in OCI.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as a provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense and are reported as general and administrative expenses. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes an available-for-sale debt security is confirmed as uncollected or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.
Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale securities totaled $3.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and is evaluated in the estimate for credit losses. Accrued interest receivable is included under Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Investment, Equity Securities. The Company’s investments in equity securities are recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet with changes in the fair value of equity securities reported in current period earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Income within net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities as they occur.
Investment Real Estate. Investment real estate is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets. Real estate taxes, interest and other costs incurred during development and construction of properties are capitalized. Income and expenses from income producing real estate are reported under net investment income. Investment real estate is evaluated for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Premiums Receivable. Generally, premiums are collected prior to or during the policy period as permitted under the Insurance Entities’ payment plans. Credit risk is minimized through the effective administration of policy payment plans whereby the rules governing policy cancellation minimize circumstances in which the Company extends insurance coverage without having received the corresponding premiums. The Company performs a policy-level evaluation to determine the extent the premiums receivable balance exceeds the unearned premiums balance. Under ASC 326 and given the short-term nature of these receivables, the Company employed the aging method to estimate credit losses by pooling receivables based on the levels of delinquency and evaluating current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded estimated credit losses of $0.6 million and an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.7 million, respectively.
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and is depreciated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets. Estimated useful life of all property and equipment ranges from three years for equipment to twenty-seven-and-one-half years for buildings and improvements. Expenditures for improvements
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are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset. Routine repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Software is capitalized and amortized over three years. The Company reviews its property and equipment for impairment annually and/or whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Recognition of Premium Revenues. Direct and ceded premiums are recognized as revenue on a pro rata basis over the policy term or over the term of the reinsurance agreement. The portion of direct premiums that will be earned in the future is deferred and reported as unearned premiums. The portion of ceded premiums that will be earned in the future is deferred and reported as prepaid reinsurance premiums (ceded unearned premiums).
Recognition of Commission Revenue. Commission revenue generated from reinsurance brokerage commission earned on ceded premium by the Insurance Entities is recognized over the term of the reinsurance agreements.
Policy Fees. Policy fees, which represents fees paid by policyholders to the MGA’s on all new and renewal insurance policies, are generally recognized as income upon policy inception, which coincides with related service obligations.
Other Revenue. The Company offers its policyholders the option of paying their policy premiums in full at inception or in installments. The Company charges fees to its policyholders that elect to pay their premium in installments and records such fees as revenue as the Company bills the fees to the policyholder.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. The Company defers direct commissions and premium taxes relating to the successful acquisition or renewal of insurance policies and defers the costs until recognized as expense over the terms of the policies to which they are related. Deferred policy acquisition costs are recorded at their estimated realizable value.
Goodwill. Goodwill arising from the acquisition of a business is initially measured at cost and not subject to amortization. The Company assesses goodwill for potential impairments at the end of each fiscal year, or during the year if an event or other circumstance indicates that the Company may not be able to recover the carrying amount of the asset. Goodwill is included under Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Insurance Liabilities. Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) are provided for as claims are incurred. The provision for unpaid losses and LAE includes: (1) the accumulation of individual case estimates for claims and claim adjustment expenses reported prior to the close of the accounting period; (2) estimates for unreported claims based on industry data and actuarial analysis and (3) estimates of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims based on the experience of the Company and the industry. The Company estimates and accrues its right to subrogate reported or estimated claims against other parties. Subrogated claims are recorded at amounts estimated to be received from the subrogated parties, net of related costs and netted against unpaid losses and LAE.
Inherent in the estimates of ultimate claims and subrogation are expected trends in claim severity, frequency and other factors that may vary as claims are settled. The amount of uncertainty in the estimates is significantly affected by such factors as the amount of claims experience relative to the development period, knowledge of the actual facts and circumstances and the amount of insurance risk retained. In addition, the Company’s policyholders are subject to adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms and tropical storms. The actuarial methods for making estimates for unpaid losses, LAE and subrogation recoveries and for establishing the resulting net liability are periodically reviewed, and any adjustments are reflected in current earnings.
Provision for Premium Deficiency. It is the Company’s policy to evaluate and recognize losses on insurance contracts when estimated future claims, deferred policy acquisition costs and maintenance costs under a group of existing contracts will exceed anticipated future premiums. No accruals for premium deficiency were considered necessary as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Reinsurance. Ceded written premium is recorded upon the effective date of the reinsurance contracts and earned over the contract period. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the provisions of the reinsurance agreements and consistent with the establishment of the gross insurance liability to the Company. Under ASC 326 and given the short-term nature of these receivables, the Company considered the effects of credit enhancements (i.e. funds withheld liability, letters of credit and trust arrangements) and other qualitative factors that allowed it to conclude there was no material risk exposure. There is no estimated credit loss allowance as of December 31, 2020 established under ASC 326 and the Company did not have an allowance for uncollectible amounts due from reinsurers as of December 31, 2019.
Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, that recognizes the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year and recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the tax rates expected to be in effect during the periods in which the temporary differences reverse. Temporary differences arise when income or expenses are recognized in different periods in the consolidated financial statements than on the tax returns. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of the benefits related to deferred tax assets will not be realized. Income taxes include both estimated federal and state income taxes.
Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing the Company’s net income (loss) available to common stockholders, by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the Company’s net income (loss) available to common stockholders, by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period plus the impact of all potentially dilutive common shares, primarily preferred stock, unvested shares and options. The dilutive impact of
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stock options and unvested shares is determined by applying the treasury stock method and the dilutive impact of the preferred stock is determined by applying the “if converted” method.
Fair Value Measurements. The Company’s policy is to record transfers of assets and liabilities, if any, between Level 1 and Level 2 at their fair values as of the end of each reporting period, consistent with the date of the determination of fair value. There were no transfers during the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019.
Share-based Compensation. The Company accounts for share-based compensation based on the estimated grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes these compensation costs in general and administrative expenses and generally amortizes them on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is the vesting term. Individual tranches of performance-based awards are amortized separately since the vesting of each tranche is either subject to annual measures or time vesting. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the grant-date assumptions discussed in “—Note 9 (Share-Based Compensation).” The fair value of the restricted share grants, performance share units and restricted stock units are determined based on the market price on the date of grant.
Statutory Accounting. UPCIC and APPCIC are highly regulated and prepare and file financial statements in conformity with the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (the “FLOIR”) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), which differ from U.S. GAAP. The FLOIR requires insurance companies domiciled in Florida to prepare their statutory financial statements in accordance with the NAIC Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual (the “Manual”), as modified by the FLOIR. Accordingly, the admitted assets, liabilities and capital and surplus of UPCIC and APPCIC as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the results of operations and cash flows, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, for their regulatory filings have been prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles as promulgated by the FLOIR and the NAIC. The statutory accounting principles are more restrictive than U.S. GAAP and are designed primarily to demonstrate the ability to meet obligations to policyholders and claimants.
NOTE 3 – INVESTMENTS
Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable U.S. GAAP.
Available-for-Sale Securities
The following table provides the amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations and agencies | $ | 59,529 | $ | — | $ | 157 | $ | (55) | $ | 59,631 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 416,758 | (148) | 3,571 | (337) | 419,844 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities | 319,377 | — | 1,175 | (615) | 319,937 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | 11,990 | — | 138 | — | 12,128 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stock | 7,993 | (38) | 424 | (58) | 8,321 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 815,647 | $ | (186) | $ | 5,465 | $ | (1,065) | $ | 819,861 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations and agencies | $ | 53,688 | $ | 864 | $ | (188) | $ | 54,364 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 457,180 | 19,179 | (141) | 476,218 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities | 304,285 | 7,400 | (606) | 311,079 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | 3,397 | 103 | (4) | 3,496 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stock | 9,786 | 427 | (86) | 10,127 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 828,336 | $ | 27,973 | $ | (1,025) | $ | 855,284 | ||||||||||||||||||
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The following table provides the credit quality of available-for-sale debt securities with contractual maturities as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands):
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of Total | % of Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Credit Ratings | Fair Value | Fair Value | Fair Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| AAA | $ | 337,462 | 41.2 | % | $ | 372,442 | 43.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| AA | 89,681 | 10.9 | % | 99,103 | 11.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| A | 230,290 | 28.1 | % | 238,766 | 27.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | 160,662 | 19.6 | % | 143,889 | 16.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| BB and Below | 233 | — | % | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| No Rating Available | 1,533 | 0.2 | % | 1,084 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 819,861 | 100.0 | % | $ | 855,284 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
The table above includes credit quality ratings by Standard and Poor’s Rating Services, Inc. (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Fitch Ratings, Inc. The Company has presented the highest rating of the three rating agencies for each investment position.
The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency | $ | 153,937 | $ | 153,758 | $ | 143,723 | $ | 144,729 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-agency | 54,231 | 54,666 | 71,140 | 75,896 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auto loan receivables | 68,188 | 68,440 | 42,767 | 43,127 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit card receivables | 7,878 | 7,891 | 21,145 | 21,487 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other receivables | 35,143 | 35,182 | 25,510 | 25,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 319,377 | $ | 319,937 | $ | 304,285 | $ | 311,079 | ||||||||||||||||||
The following tables summarize available-for-sale debt securities, aggregated by major security type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, for which no allowance for expected credit losses has been recorded as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less Than 12 Months | 12 Months or Longer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Issues | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Number of Issues | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations and agencies | 8 | $ | 31,729 | $ | (55) | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 27 | 28,791 | (162) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities | 42 | 112,462 | (615) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stock | 2 | 688 | (12) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 79 | $ | 173,670 | $ | (844) | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less Than 12 Months | 12 Months or Longer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Issues | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Number of Issues | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations and agencies | 2 | $ | 3,836 | $ | (108) | 4 | $ | 23,186 | $ | (80) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 18 | 16,808 | (107) | 7 | 5,866 | (34) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities | 42 | 58,023 | (245) | 26 | 34,985 | (361) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | — | — | — | 1 | 276 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stock | 6 | 630 | (8) | 4 | 1,489 | (78) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 68 | $ | 79,297 | $ | (468) | 42 | $ | 65,802 | $ | (557) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities in the above table as of December 31, 2020 have not been recognized into income as credit losses because the issuers are of high credit quality (investment grade securities), management does not intend to sell and it is likely management will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and other market conditions. There were no material factors impacting any one category or specific security requiring an accrual for credit loss. The issuers continue to make principal and interest payments on the bonds. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.
Results for reporting periods occurring before January 1, 2020 continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable U.S. GAAP and not presented under ASC 326, which was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2020.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for expected credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities (in thousands):
| Corporate Bonds | Redeemable Preferred Stock | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect adjustment as of January 1, 2020 | 665 | 126 | 791 | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) | (517) | (88) | (605) | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | 148 | $ | 38 | $ | 186 | ||||||||||||||
See “—Note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements)” for more information about the methodology and significant inputs used to measure the amount related to expected credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities.
The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of investments with maturities as of the date presented (in thousands):
| December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | 31,333 | $ | 31,578 | ||||||||||
| Due after one year through five years | 480,269 | 482,031 | ||||||||||||
| Due after five years through ten years | 270,152 | 272,445 | ||||||||||||
| Due after ten years | 33,728 | 33,596 | ||||||||||||
| Perpetual maturity securities | 165 | 211 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 815,647 | $ | 819,861 | ||||||||||
All securities, except those with perpetual maturities, were categorized in the table above utilizing years to effective maturity. Effective maturity takes into consideration all forms of potential prepayment, such as call features or prepayment schedules, that shorten the lifespan of contractual maturity dates.
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The following table provides certain information related to available-for-sale debt securities, equity securities and investment real estate during the periods presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales and maturities (fair value): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities | $ | 1,148,418 | $ | 223,266 | $ | 255,938 | ||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | $ | 81,559 | $ | 29,680 | $ | 8,285 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross realized gains on sale of securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities | $ | 57,378 | $ | 790 | $ | 326 | ||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | $ | 6,438 | $ | 367 | $ | 714 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross realized losses on sale of securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities | $ | (464) | $ | (298) | $ | (3,129) | ||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | $ | — | $ | (14,787) | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Realized gains on sales of investment real estate | $ | — | $ | 1,213 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
In the third quarter of 2020, the Company took advantage of the market recovery and recognized $53.8 million of net realized gains on the sales of our available-for-sale debt securities that were in an unrealized gain position.
The following table presents the components of net investment income, comprised primarily of interest and dividends for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities | $ | 19,091 | $ | 24,989 | $ | 18,198 | ||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 2,445 | 2,648 | 2,978 | |||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale short-term investments | — | — | 145 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents (1) | 960 | 5,176 | 5,540 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other (2) | 1,050 | 1,008 | 915 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total investment income | 23,546 | 33,821 | 27,776 | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: Investment expenses (3) | (3,153) | (3,078) | (2,960) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 20,393 | $ | 30,743 | $ | 24,816 | ||||||||||||||
| (1) | Includes interest earned on restricted cash and cash equivalents. | ||||
| (2) | Includes investment income earned on real estate investments. | ||||
| (3) | Includes custodial fees, investment accounting and advisory fees, and expenses associated with real estate investments. | ||||
Equity Securities
The following table provides the unrealized gains and losses recognized for the periods presented on equity securities still held at the end of the reported period (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains and (losses) recognized during the reported period on equity securities still held at the end of the reporting period | $ | 25 | $ | 4,163 | $ | (17,169) | ||||||||||||||
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Investment Real Estate
Investment real estate consisted of the following as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Income Producing: | ||||||||||||||
| Investment real estate | $ | 14,685 | $ | 14,679 | ||||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (1,699) | (1,284) | ||||||||||||
| 12,986 | 13,395 | |||||||||||||
| Non-Income Producing: | ||||||||||||||
| Investment real estate | 2,190 | 2,190 | ||||||||||||
| Investment real estate, net | $ | 15,176 | $ | 15,585 | ||||||||||
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company completed the sale of an investment real estate property. The Company received net cash proceeds of approximately $10.5 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $1.2 million that is included in net realized gains (losses) on investments in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Depreciation expense related to investment real estate for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation expense on investment real estate | $ | 415 | $ | 414 | $ | 410 | ||||||||||||||
NOTE 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 1st of each year. The Company’s current reinsurance programs consist principally of catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable agreements. Notwithstanding the purchase of such reinsurance, the Company is responsible for certain retained loss amounts before reinsurance attaches and for insured losses related to catastrophes and other events that exceed coverage provided by the reinsurance programs. The Company remains responsible for the settlement of insured losses irrespective of whether any of the reinsurers fail to make payments otherwise due.
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the provisions of the reinsurance contracts and consistent with the establishment of the gross liability for losses, LAE and other expenses. 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.
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 reinsurers whose aggregate balance exceeded 3% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| Ratings as of December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Standard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AM Best | and Poor’s Rating | Moody’s Investors | Due from as of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurer | Company | Services, Inc. | Service, Inc. | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund “FHCF” (1) | n/a | n/a | n/a | $ | 121,298 | $ | 199,647 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allianz Risk Transfer (Bermuda) Ltd. | A+ | AA- | Aa3 | 96,652 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allianz Risk Transfer | A+ | AA- | Aa3 | 21,087 | 19,269 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd. | A+ | A+ | A1 | 18,285 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (2) | $ | 257,322 | $ | 218,916 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)No rating is available, because the fund is not rated.
(2)Amounts represent prepaid reinsurance premiums and net recoverables for paid and unpaid losses, including incurred but not reported reserves, and loss adjustment expenses.
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The Company’s reinsurance arrangements had the following effect on certain items in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods presented (in thousands):
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||
| Direct | $ | 1,517,479 | $ | 1,395,623 | $ | 1,080,058 | ||||||||||||||
| Ceded | (512,576) | (472,060) | (321,248) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net | $ | 1,004,903 | $ | 923,563 | $ | 758,810 | ||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||
| Direct | $ | 1,292,721 | $ | 1,233,121 | $ | 1,084,604 | ||||||||||||||
| Ceded | (423,076) | (390,619) | (481,198) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net | $ | 869,645 | $ | 842,502 | $ | 603,406 | ||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||
| Direct | $ | 1,190,875 | $ | 1,121,640 | $ | 1,325,323 | ||||||||||||||
| Ceded | (363,201) | (353,258) | (910,868) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net | $ | 827,674 | $ | 768,382 | $ | 414,455 | ||||||||||||||
The following prepaid reinsurance premiums and reinsurance recoverable are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | $ | 215,723 | $ | 175,208 | ||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses and LAE | $ | 40,895 | $ | 70,015 | ||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE | 119,522 | 123,221 | ||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable | $ | 160,417 | $ | 193,236 | ||||||||||
NOTE 5 – INSURANCE OPERATIONS
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
The Company defers certain costs in connection with written premium, called Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”). DPAC is amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies.
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The following table presents the beginning and ending balances and the changes in DPAC for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| DPAC, beginning of year | $ | 91,882 | $ | 84,686 | $ | 73,059 | ||||||||||||||
| Capitalized Costs | 217,886 | 184,039 | 174,814 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of DPAC | (199,154) | (176,843) | (163,187) | |||||||||||||||||
| DPAC, end of year | $ | 110,614 | $ | 91,882 | $ | 84,686 | ||||||||||||||
Regulatory Requirements and Restrictions
The Insurance Entities are subject to regulations and standards of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“FLOIR”). The Insurance Entities are also subject to regulations and standards of regulatory authorities in other states where they are licensed, although as Florida-domiciled insurers, their principal regulatory authority is the FLOIR. These standards and regulations include a requirement that the Insurance Entities maintain specified levels of statutory capital and restrict the timing and amount of dividends and other distributions that may be paid by the Insurance Entities 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 the Insurance Entities to their immediate parent company, Protection Solutions, Inc. (“PSI”, formerly known as Universal Insurance Holding Company of Florida), without prior regulatory approval is limited by the provisions of the Florida Insurance Code. 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.
In accordance with Florida Insurance Code, and based on the calculations performed by the Company as of December 31, 2020, UPCIC has the capacity to pay ordinary dividends of $2.1 million during 2021. APPCIC, based on its accumulated earnings history as of December 31, 2020, is unable to pay any ordinary dividends during 2021. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, no dividends were paid from the Insurance Entities to PSI.
The Florida Insurance Code requires an insurance company to maintain capitalization equivalent to the greater of ten percent of the insurer’s total liabilities or $10.0 million. The following table presents the amount of capital and surplus calculated in accordance with statutory accounting principles, which differ from U.S. GAAP, and an amount representing ten percent of total liabilities for the Insurance Entities as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 (1) | 2019 (2) | |||||||||||||
| Statutory capital and surplus | ||||||||||||||
| UPCIC | $ | 360,707 | $ | 301,120 | ||||||||||
| APPCIC | $ | 12,918 | $ | 16,433 | ||||||||||
| Ten percent of total liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| UPCIC | $ | 98,682 | $ | 99,228 | ||||||||||
| APPCIC | $ | 1,793 | $ | 621 | ||||||||||
| (1) | Statutory capital and surplus for UPCIC at December 31, 2020 includes a $77 million capital contribution funded in February 2021 by UVE through PSI, the Insurance Entities’ parent company, which the FLOIR permitted to be included in the statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2020 under statutory accounting principles. This contribution was not recognized on a U.S. GAAP basis at December 31, 2020. | ||||
| (2) | Statutory capital and surplus for UPCIC at December 31, 2019 includes a $30 million capital contribution funded in February 2020 by UVE through PSI, the Insurance Entities’ parent company, which the FLOIR permitted to be included in the statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2019 under statutory accounting principles. This contribution was not recognized on a U.S. GAAP basis at December 31, 2019. | ||||
As of the dates in the table above, the Insurance Entities each exceeded the minimum statutory capitalization requirement. UPCIC also met the capitalization requirements of the other states in which it is licensed as of December 31, 2020. The Insurance Entities each are also required to adhere to prescribed premium-to-capital surplus ratios and each have met those requirements at such dates.
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Through PSI, UVE recorded contributions for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Contributions - UPCIC | $ | 114,000 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes combined net income (loss) for the Insurance Entities determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Combined net income (loss) | $ | (104,339) | $ | (49,917) | $ | 3,118 | ||||||||||||||
The Insurance Entities each are required annually to comply with the NAIC risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements. RBC requirements prescribe a method of measuring the amount of capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations in light of its size and risk profile. NAIC RBC requirements are used by regulators to determine appropriate regulatory actions relating to insurers who show signs of a weak or deteriorating condition. As of December 31, 2020, based on calculations using the appropriate NAIC RBC formula, the Insurance Entities each reported total adjusted capital in excess of the requirements.
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):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,635 | $ | 2,635 | ||||||||||
| Investments | $ | 3,550 | $ | 3,419 | ||||||||||
NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consisted of the following as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Land | $ | 5,344 | $ | 5,344 | ||||||||||
| Building | 24,091 | 24,091 | ||||||||||||
| Computers | 9,186 | 7,885 | ||||||||||||
| Furniture | 2,012 | 2,002 | ||||||||||||
| Automobiles and other vehicles | 11,544 | 9,481 | ||||||||||||
| Software | 7,166 | 2,835 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 59,343 | 51,638 | ||||||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (20,043) | (17,074) | ||||||||||||
| Net of accumulated depreciation and amortization | 39,300 | 34,564 | ||||||||||||
| Construction in progress | 14,272 | 6,787 | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | 53,572 | $ | 41,351 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense was $4.7 million, $4.5 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
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NOTE 7 – LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Surplus note | $ | 8,456 | $ | 9,926 | ||||||||||
Surplus Note
On November 9, 2006, UPCIC entered into a $25.0 million surplus note with the State Board of Administration of Florida (the “SBA”) under Florida’s Insurance Capital Build-Up Incentive Program (the “ICBUI”). The surplus note has a twenty-year term and accrues interest, adjusted quarterly based on the 10-year Constant Maturity Treasury Index. The carrying amount of the surplus note is included in the statutory capital and surplus of UPCIC of approximately $8.5 million as of December 31, 2020.
The effective interest rate paid on the surplus note was 1.05%, 2.32% and 2.89% for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Any payment of principal or interest by UPCIC on the surplus note must be approved by the Commissioner of the FLOIR. Quarterly principal payments of $368 thousand are due through 2026. Aggregate principal payments of approximately $1.5 million were made during each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
UPCIC is in compliance with each of the loan’s covenants as implemented by rules promulgated by the SBA. An event of default will occur under the surplus note, as amended, if UPCIC: (i) defaults in the payment of the surplus note; (ii) fails to submit quarterly filings to the FLOIR; (iii) fails to maintain at least $50 million of surplus during the term of the surplus note, except for certain situations; (iv) misuses proceeds of the surplus note; (v) makes any misrepresentations in the application for the program; (vi) pays any dividend when principal or interest payments are past due under the surplus note; or (vii) fails to maintain a level of surplus and reinsurance sufficient to cover in excess of UPCIC’s 1-in-100 year probable maximum loss as determined by a hurricane loss model accepted by the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology as certified by the FLOIR annually. To avoid a penalty rate, UPCIC must maintain either a ratio of net written premium to surplus of at least 2:1 or a ratio of gross written premiums to surplus of at least 6:1 according to a calculation method set forth in the surplus note. As of December 31, 2020, UPCIC’s net written premium to surplus ratio and gross written premium to surplus ratio were in excess of the required minimums and, therefore, UPCIC is not subject to the penalty rate.
Maturities
The following table provides an estimate of principal payments to be made for the amounts due on the surplus note as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
| 2021 | $ | 1,471 | |||
| 2022 | 1,471 | ||||
| 2023 | 1,471 | ||||
| 2024 | 1,471 | ||||
| 2025 | 1,471 | ||||
| Thereafter | 1,101 | ||||
| Total | $ | 8,456 | |||
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $0.1 million, $0.2 million, and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
NOTE 8 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had shares outstanding of Series A Preferred Stock. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible by the Company into shares of common stock.
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The following table provides certain information for the convertible Series A preferred stock as of the dates presented (in thousands, except conversion factor):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Shares issued and outstanding | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Conversion factor | 2.50 | 2.50 | ||||||||||||
| Common shares resulting if converted | 25 | 25 | ||||||||||||
The Series A Preferred Stock pays a cumulative dividend of $0.25 per share per quarter. The Company declared and paid aggregate dividends to the holder of record of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock of $10 thousand for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Common Stock
Shares Repurchased
From time to time, the Company’s Board of Directors may authorize share repurchase programs under which the Company may repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market. The following table presents repurchases of the Company’s common stock for the periods presented (in thousands, except total number of shares repurchased and per share data):
| Total Number of Shares | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dollar | Repurchased During the Year | Aggregate | Price per | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expiration | Amount | Ended December 31, | Purchase | Share | Plan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date Authorized | Date | Authorized | 2020 | 2019 | Price | Repurchased | Completed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 3, 2020 | November 3, 2022 | $ | 20,000 | 45,705 | — | $ | 593 | $ | 12.98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 6, 2019 | December 31, 2021 | $ | 40,000 | 1,565,078 | 403,142 | $ | 40,000 | $ | 20.32 | November 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 6, 2019 | December 31, 2020 | $ | 40,000 | — | 1,466,575 | $ | 40,000 | $ | 27.27 | November 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 12, 2018 | May 31, 2020 | $ | 20,000 | — | 468,108 | $ | 14,513 | $ | 31.00 | May 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends Declared
The Company declared dividends on its outstanding shares of common stock to its shareholders of record as follows for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Per Share Amount | Aggregate Amount (1) | Per Share Amount | Aggregate Amount (1) | Per Share Amount | Aggregate Amount (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Quarter | $ | 0.16 | $ | 5,219 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 5,572 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 4,904 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Quarter | $ | 0.16 | $ | 5,164 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 5,545 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 4,920 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Quarter | $ | 0.16 | $ | 5,130 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 5,476 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 5,592 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth Quarter | $ | 0.29 | $ | 9,092 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 9,516 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 10,130 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Includes dividend equivalents due to employees who hold performance share units or restricted share units which are subject to time-vesting conditions.
Applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law may affect the ability of the Company to declare and pay dividends on its Common Stock. In particular, pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, a company may pay dividends out of its surplus, as defined, or out of its net profits, for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding year. Surplus is defined in the Delaware General Corporation Law to be the excess of net assets of the company over capital. Capital is defined to be the aggregate par value of shares issued. Moreover, the ability of the Company to pay dividends, if and when declared by its Board of Directors, may be restricted by regulatory limits on the amount of dividends, which the Insurance Entities are permitted to pay the Company.
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Restrictions limiting the payment of dividends by UVE
UVE pays dividends to shareholders, which are funded by earnings on investments and distributions from the earnings of its consolidated subsidiaries. Generally, other than as disclosed above and in “—Note 7 (Long-Term Debt),” there are no restrictions for UVE limiting the payment of dividends. However, UVE’s ability to pay dividends to shareholders may be affected by restrictions on the ability of the Insurance Entities to pay dividends to UVE through PSI. See “—Note 5 (Insurance Operations),” for a discussion of these restrictions. There are no such restrictions for UVE’s non-insurance consolidated subsidiaries. UVE received distributions from the earnings of its non-insurance consolidated subsidiaries of $151.0 million, $121.3 million and $96.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. UVE made capital contributions of $114.0 million to UPCIC during the year ended December 31, 2020. See “—Note 5 (Insurance Operations),” for details of the capital contributions UVE made to UPCIC and the timing of such contributions. UVE did not make any capital contributions to UPCIC during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. There were no capital contributions by UVE to APPCIC during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018,
The Company prepares and files a consolidated federal tax return for UVE and its consolidated subsidiaries.
NOTE 9 – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Equity Compensation Plan
Under the Company’s 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Incentive Plan”), 927,525 shares remained reserved for issuance and were available for new awards under the Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2020.
Awards under the Incentive Plan may include incentive stock options, non-qualified stock option awards (“Stock Option”), stock appreciation rights, non-vested shares of common stock, restricted stock awards (“Restricted Stock”), performance share units (“PSUs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and other share-based awards and cash-based incentive awards. Awards under the Incentive Plan may be granted to employees, directors, consultants or other persons providing services to the Company or its affiliates.
The following table provides certain information related to Stock Options, Restricted Stock, PSUs and RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share data):
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock Options | Restricted Stock | Performance Share Units | Restricted Stock Units | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Options (2) | Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share (1) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | Weighted Average Remaining Term | Number of Shares (2) | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share (1) | Number of Share Units (2) | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Units (1) | Number of Share Units (2) | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Units (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 | 2,025 | $ | 27.28 | 16 | $ | 30.85 | 149 | $ | 32.13 | 25 | $ | 26.47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | 1,214 | 17.77 | — | — | — | — | 342 | 16.13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | (5) | 31.64 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | — | — | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | n/a | n/a | (16) | 30.85 | (83) | 31.76 | (90) | 19.49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expired | (132) | 22.84 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 | 3,102 | $ | 23.74 | $ | 32 | 7.22 | — | $ | — | 66 | $ | 32.59 | 277 | $ | 15.97 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable as of December 31, 2020 | 1,653 | $ | 26.00 | $ | — | 5.67 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Unless otherwise specified, such as in the case of the exercise of Stock Options, the per share prices were determined using the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as quoted on the exchanges on which the Company was listed. Shares issued upon exercise of options represent original issuances in private transactions pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or issuances under the Company’s Incentive Plan.
(2)All shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020, are expected to vest.
| n/a | Not applicable | ||||
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The following table provides certain information in connection with the Company’s share-based compensation arrangements for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation expense: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options | $ | 4,519 | $ | 6,516 | $ | 7,579 | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock | 514 | 3,104 | 609 | |||||||||||||||||
| Performance share units | 945 | 2,508 | 4,598 | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock units | 2,717 | 880 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 8,695 | $ | 13,008 | $ | 12,786 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax benefits: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options | $ | 719 | $ | 1,522 | $ | 1,877 | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock | — | 47 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Performance share units | 52 | 185 | 945 | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock units | 106 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 877 | $ | 1,754 | $ | 2,830 | ||||||||||||||
| Realized tax benefits: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options | $ | — | $ | 577 | $ | 7,957 | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock | — | 37 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Performance share units | 275 | 1,163 | 920 | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock units | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 275 | $ | 1,777 | $ | 8,877 | ||||||||||||||
| Excess tax benefits (shortfall): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options | $ | (209) | $ | 415 | $ | 5,330 | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock | — | (18) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Performance share units | (28) | 244 | 97 | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock units | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (237) | $ | 641 | $ | 5,427 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average fair value per option or share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock option grants | $ | 3.67 | $ | 9.82 | $ | 11.74 | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock grants | $ | — | $ | 30.73 | $ | 33.64 | ||||||||||||||
| Performance share unit grants | $ | — | $ | 33.47 | $ | 32.51 | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock unit grants | $ | 16.13 | $ | 26.47 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Intrinsic value of options exercised | $ | — | $ | 2,343 | $ | 32,217 | ||||||||||||||
| Fair value of restricted stock vested | $ | 252 | $ | 2,783 | $ | 632 | ||||||||||||||
| Fair value of performance share units vested | $ | 2,151 | $ | 5,520 | $ | 3,726 | ||||||||||||||
| Fair value of restricted stock units vested | $ | 1,559 | $ | 657 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Cash received for strike price and tax withholdings | $ | — | $ | 238 | $ | 120 | ||||||||||||||
| Shares acquired through cashless exercise (1) | 64 | 186 | 1,361 | |||||||||||||||||
| Value of shares acquired through cashless exercise (1) | $ | 1,315 | $ | 6,133 | $ | 49,199 | ||||||||||||||
(1)All shares acquired represent shares tendered to cover the strike price for options and tax withholdings on the intrinsic value of Stock Options exercised, Restricted Stock vested, PSUs vested or RSUs vested. These shares have been canceled by the Company.
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The following table provides the amount of unrecognized compensation expense as of the most recent balance sheet date and the weighted average period over which those expenses will be recorded for Stock Options, Restricted Stock, PSUs and RSUs (dollars in thousands):
| As of December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock Options | Restricted Stock | Performance Share Units | Restricted Stock Units | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrecognized expense | $ | 4,193 | $ | — | $ | 297 | $ | 3,235 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average remaining years | 1.92 | — | 0.98 | 1.32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options
Stock Options granted by the Company generally expire between to ten years from the grant date and generally vest over a - to three-year service period commencing on the grant date.
The Company used the modified Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of employee Stock Options on the date of grant utilizing the assumptions noted below. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury bill yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option. The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of our Common Stock. The dividend yield was based on expected dividends at the time of grant.
The following table provides the assumptions utilized in the Black-Scholes model for Stock Options granted during the periods presented:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average risk-free interest rate | 0.49 | % | 2.44 | % | 2.69 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Expected term of option in years | 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average volatility | 35.8 | % | 38.1 | % | 40.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Dividend yield | 4.3 | % | 2.4 | % | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average grant date fair value per share | $ | 3.67 | $ | 9.82 | $ | 11.74 | ||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock, Performance Share Units and Restricted Stock Units
Restricted Stock, Performance Share Units and Restricted Stock Units are awarded to certain employees in consideration for services rendered pursuant to terms of employment agreements or to provide those employees a continued incentive to share in the success of the Company. Restricted Stock generally vests over a to three-year service period commencing on the grant date. Each performance share unit has a value equal to one share of common stock and generally vests over a three-year service period commencing on the grant date. Each restricted stock unit has a value equal to one share of common stock and generally vests over a to three-year service period commencing on the grant date.
NOTE 10 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted a qualified retirement plan covering substantially all employees. It is designed to help the employees meet their financial needs during their retirement years. Eligibility for participation in the plan is generally based on employee’s date of hire or on completion of a specified period of service. Employer contributions to this plan are made in cash.
The plan titled the “Universal Property & Casualty 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan” (the “401(k) Plan”) is a defined contribution plan that allows employees to defer compensation through contributions to the 401(k) Plan. The contributions are invested on the employees’ behalf, and the benefits paid to employees are based on contributions and any earnings or losses. The 401(k) Plan includes a Company contribution of 100 percent of each eligible participant’s contribution up to a maximum of five percent of the participant’s compensation during the 401(k) Plan year. The Company may make additional profit-sharing contributions. However, no additional profit-sharing contribution was made during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
The Company accrued for aggregate contributions of approximately $2.6 million, $2.2 million and $1.8 million to the 401(k) Plan for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
NOTE 11 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
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NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES
Significant components of the income tax provision are as follows for the periods presented (in thousands):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | 1,988 | $ | 12,328 | $ | 31,981 | ||||||||||||||
| State and local | 349 | 2,703 | 7,581 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current expense | 2,337 | 15,031 | 39,562 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal | 2,403 | 1,622 | (3,487) | |||||||||||||||||
| State and local | 386 | 350 | (253) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total deferred expense (benefit) | 2,789 | 1,972 | (3,740) | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 5,126 | $ | 17,003 | $ | 35,822 | ||||||||||||||
The following table reconciles the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate for the periods presented:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Federal statutory tax rate | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Increases (decreases) resulting from: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| State income tax, net of federal tax benefit | 3.1 | % | 3.7 | % | 3.8 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of change in tax rate | 0.5 | % | 0.3 | % | — | |||||||||||||||
| Disallowed meals & expenses | 0.4 | % | 0.7 | % | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Disallowed compensation | 6.2 | % | 3.2 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Liability adjustment | (9.7) | % | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Excess tax (benefit) shortfall | 0.4 | % | (1.0) | % | (3.5) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other, net | (0.7) | % | (1.1) | % | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 21.2 | % | 26.8 | % | 23.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
The Company recognized excess income tax shortfall of $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 and excess income tax benefit of $0.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 from stock-based compensation awards that vested and/or were exercised. Excess income tax benefits (shortfalls) are reflected in the consolidated statements of income as a component of the provision for income taxes.
Changes in federal tax law have affected the Company’s balances of deferred income tax assets and liabilities. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”) was signed into law. The Tax Act amended the definition of annual rate and the computational rules for loss payment patterns. The Tax Act also provided transitional rules for the application of the amendments in the first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017. Under the transitional rules, the Company is required to revalue discounted loss reserves under the new computational rules of the Tax Act and include in income that adjustment over an eight-year period in gross income of the Company. The effect of this change in tax law resulted in an immaterial adjustment to income tax in 2018 through 2020.
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The Company accounts for income taxes using a balance sheet approach. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the significant components of the Company’s deferred income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | $ | 27,496 | $ | 23,925 | ||||||||||
| Advanced premiums | 2,325 | 1,493 | ||||||||||||
| Unpaid losses and LAE | 2,375 | 1,660 | ||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | 4,065 | 3,837 | ||||||||||||
| Accrued wages | 180 | 189 | ||||||||||||
| Allowance for uncollectible receivables | 203 | 212 | ||||||||||||
| Additional tax basis of securities | — | 33 | ||||||||||||
| Capital loss carryforwards | — | 3,143 | ||||||||||||
| Total deferred income tax assets | 36,644 | 34,492 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs, net | (26,442) | (22,613) | ||||||||||||
| Fixed assets | (2,313) | (959) | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain/loss | (51) | (1,480) | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | (1,052) | (5,197) | ||||||||||||
| Unpaid loss and LAE transition adjustment | (436) | (563) | ||||||||||||
| Other | (66) | (329) | ||||||||||||
| Total deferred income tax liabilities | (30,360) | (31,141) | ||||||||||||
| Net deferred income tax asset | $ | 6,284 | $ | 3,351 | ||||||||||
At each balance sheet date, management assesses the need to establish a valuation allowance that reduces deferred income tax assets when it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance would be based on all available information including the Company’s assessment of uncertain tax positions and projections of future taxable income and capital gain from each tax-paying component in each jurisdiction, principally derived from business plans and available tax planning strategies.
Management has reviewed all available evidence, both positive and negative, in determining the need for a valuation allowance with respect to the gross deferred tax assets. In determining the manner in which available evidence should be weighted, management has determined that the need for a valuation allowance is not warranted at this time.
The Company has adopted Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. ASC 740 provides a threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of an income tax position taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return. The Company’s policy is to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions, if any, in its provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company determined that no uncertain tax liabilities are required.
The Company filed a consolidated federal income tax return for the tax years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and intends to file the same for the tax year ended December 31, 2020. The tax allocation agreement between the Company and the Insurance Entities provides that they will incur income taxes based on a computation of taxes as if they were stand-alone taxpayers. The computations are made utilizing the financial statements of the Insurance Entities prepared on a statutory basis of accounting and prior to consolidating entries which include the conversion of certain balances and transactions of the statutory financial statements to a U.S. GAAP basis.
The Company files its income tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. During the 2018 tax year, the Company’s 2015 tax return was subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service, and the audit subsequently concluded during 2018 with no change to the income tax return. The Company’s 2017 through 2019 tax years are still subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and various tax years remain open to examination in certain state jurisdictions.
NOTE 13 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed 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 performance share units, vesting of restricted stock units, vesting of restricted stock, and conversion of preferred stock.
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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):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator for EPS: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 19,105 | $ | 46,514 | $ | 117,051 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Preferred stock dividends | (10) | (10) | (10) | |||||||||||||||||
| Income available to common stockholders | $ | 19,095 | $ | 46,504 | $ | 117,041 | ||||||||||||||
| Denominator for EPS: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | 31,884 | 33,893 | 34,856 | |||||||||||||||||
| Plus: Assumed conversion of share-based compensation (1) | 63 | 315 | 905 | |||||||||||||||||
| Assumed conversion of preferred stock | 25 | 25 | 25 | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding | 31,972 | 34,233 | 35,786 | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.37 | $ | 3.36 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 3.27 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of antidilutive shares | 2,753 | 773 | 445 | |||||||||||||||||
(1)Represents the dilutive effect of unexercised stock options, unvested performance share units, unvested restricted stock units and unvested restricted stock.
NOTE 14 – 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 periods presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 (1) | 2019 | 2018 (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax | Tax | After-tax | Pre-tax | Tax | After-tax | Pre-tax | Tax | After-tax | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net changes related to available-for-sale securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period | $ | 33,575 | $ | 7,884 | $ | 25,691 | $ | 38,129 | $ | 9,384 | $ | 28,745 | $ | (9,111) | $ | (2,254) | $ | (6,857) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Reclassification adjustments (gains) losses realized in net income | (56,914) | (13,605) | (43,309) | (492) | (121) | (371) | 2,803 | 694 | 2,109 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | (23,339) | (5,721) | (17,618) | 37,637 | 9,263 | 28,374 | (6,308) | (1,560) | (4,748) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments to retained earnings | 791 | 194 | 597 | — | — | — | 5,830 | 2,811 | 3,019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (22,548) | $ | (5,527) | $ | (17,021) | $ | 37,637 | $ | 9,263 | $ | 28,374 | $ | (478) | $ | 1,251 | $ | (1,729) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and this amount represents reclassifications to retained earnings associated with the allowance for expected credit losses within accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) relating to available-for-sale debt security investments. See “—Note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements)” for more information.
(2)Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2018-02 and ASU 2016-01 and this amount represents reclassifications to retained earnings associated with the disproportional income tax effects of the Tax Act on items within AOCI and unrealized losses in AOCI relating to available-for-sale equity security investments, respectively.
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The following table provides the reclassification adjustments for gains and losses out of AOCI for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Details about Accumulated Other | Years Ended December 31, | Affected Line Item in the Statement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive Income Components | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | Where Net Income is Presented | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 56,914 | $ | 492 | $ | (2,803) | Net realized gains (losses) on investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (13,605) | (121) | 694 | Income taxes, current | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total reclassification for the period | $ | 43,309 | $ | 371 | $ | (2,109) | Net of tax | |||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 15 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Obligations under Multi-Year Reinsurance Contracts
The Company purchases reinsurance coverage to protect its capital and to limit its losses when certain major events occur. The Company’s reinsurance commitments run from June 1st of the current year to May 31st of the following year. Certain of the Company’s reinsurance agreements are for periods longer than one year. Amounts payable for coverage during the current June 1st to May 31st contract period are recorded as “Reinsurance Payable, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Multi-year contract commitments for future years will be recorded at the commencement of the coverage period. Amounts payable for future reinsurance contract years that the Company is obligated to pay are: (1) $128.3 million in 2021 and (2) $71.3 million in 2022.
Litigation
Lawsuits are filed against the Company from time to time. Many of these lawsuits involve claims under policies that the Company underwrites and reserves for as an insurer. The Company is also involved in various other legal proceedings and litigation unrelated to claims under the Company’s policies that arise in the ordinary course of business operations. Management believes that any liabilities that may arise as a result of these legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The Company contests liability and/or the amount of damages as appropriate in each pending matter.
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for legal matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable.
Legal proceedings are subject to many uncertain factors that generally cannot be predicted with certainty, and the Company may be exposed to losses in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company currently estimates that the reasonably possible losses for legal proceedings, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, and for which the Company is able to estimate a possible loss, are immaterial. This represents management’s estimate of possible loss with respect to these matters and is based on currently available information. These estimates of possible loss do not represent our maximum loss exposure, and actual results may vary significantly from current estimates.
NOTE 16 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
U.S. 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. U.S. 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. U.S. 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.
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•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.
Summary of Significant Valuation Techniques for Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Level 1
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.
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 debt 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.
Municipal bonds: Comprise debt securities issued by a state, municipality or county. 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.
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.
As required by U.S. 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.
The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| Fair Value Measurements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-For-Sale Debt Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations and agencies | $ | — | $ | 59,631 | $ | — | $ | 59,631 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | — | 419,844 | — | 419,844 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities | — | 319,937 | — | 319,937 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | — | 12,128 | — | 12,128 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stock | — | 8,321 | — | 8,321 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | 2,435 | — | — | 2,435 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds | 82,452 | — | — | 82,452 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets accounted for at fair value | $ | 84,887 | $ | 819,861 | $ | — | $ | 904,748 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Fair Value Measurements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-For-Sale Debt Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations and agencies | $ | — | $ | 54,364 | $ | — | $ | 54,364 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | — | 476,218 | — | 476,218 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities | — | 311,079 | — | 311,079 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal bonds | — | 3,496 | — | 3,496 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redeemable preferred stock | — | 10,127 | — | 10,127 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | 2,377 | — | — | 2,377 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds | 41,340 | — | — | 41,340 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets accounted for at fair value | $ | 43,717 | $ | 855,284 | $ | — | $ | 899,001 | ||||||||||||||||||
The Company utilizes third-party independent pricing services that provide a price quote for each available-for-sale debt security 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 available-for-sale debt security or equity security included in the tables above.
The following table summarizes the carrying value and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value as of the dates presented (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | (Level 3) Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Value | (Level 3) Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities (debt): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surplus note | $ | 8,456 | $ | 8,291 | $ | 9,926 | $ | 9,365 | ||||||||||||||||||
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 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.
NOTE 17 – LIABILITY FOR UNPAID LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
Set forth in the following tables is information about unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2020, net of reinsurance and estimated subrogation, as well as cumulative claim counts and the total of incurred-but-not-reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims included within the liability for unpaid losses and LAE (in thousands).
The liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses includes an amount determined from loss reports and individual cases and an amount, based on past experience, for losses incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). Such liabilities are necessarily based on estimates and, although management believes that the amount is adequate, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the amounts provided. The methods for making such estimates and for establishing the resulting liability are continually reviewed, and any adjustments are reflected in earnings currently. The reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses is reported net of receivables for salvage and subrogation of approximately $71 million and $73 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
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The information about unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31, 2016 to 2019, is presented as supplementary information and is unaudited.
| As of December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total of IBNR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Plus Expected | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incurred Loss and Defense & Cost Containment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance | Development (Redundancy) | Cumulative Number | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | on Reported Claims | of Reported Claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2016 * | 2017 * | 2018 * | 2019 * | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | $ | 269,814 | $ | 286,252 | $ | 324,577 | $ | 351,487 | $ | 362,155 | $ | 628 | 40,568 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 303,944 | 334,734 | 375,123 | 404,673 | 5,128 | 132,576 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 334,368 | 335,946 | 348,792 | (1,444) | 54,185 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 446,419 | 452,029 | (2,589) | 47,437 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 617,795 | 102,141 | 76,800 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,185,444 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative Paid Loss and Defense & Cost Containment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident Year | 2016 * | 2017 * | 2018 * | 2019 * | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | $ | 204,122 | $ | 297,374 | $ | 328,286 | $ | 349,837 | $ | 361,067 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 205,200 | 328,105 | 365,588 | 397,509 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 253,008 | 327,310 | 348,225 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 335,991 | 446,997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 452,560 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,006,358 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities before 2016, net of reinsurance | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance | $ | 179,114 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Presented as unaudited required supplementary information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Set forth is the supplementary information about average historical claims duration as of December 31, 2020:
| Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60.6 | % | 18.9 | % | 10.1 | % | 5.2 | % | 2.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Set forth is the following reconciliation of the net incurred and paid claims development tables to the liability for unpaid losses and LAE in the consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
| December 31, 2020 | |||||
| Liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance | $ | 179,114 | |||
| Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims | 119,522 | ||||
| Liabilities for adjusting and other claim payments | 23,829 | ||||
| Total gross liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expense | $ | 322,465 | |||
Set forth in the following table is the change in liability for unpaid losses and LAE for the periods presented (in thousands):
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| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 267,760 | $ | 472,829 | $ | 248,425 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Reinsurance recoverable | (123,221) | (393,365) | (182,405) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net balance at beginning of period | 144,539 | 79,464 | 66,020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Incurred (recovered) related to: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year | 700,473 | 515,338 | 314,933 | |||||||||||||||||
| Prior years | 58,337 | 88,068 | 99,522 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total incurred | 758,810 | 603,406 | 414,455 | |||||||||||||||||
| Paid related to: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year | 513,308 | 391,161 | 221,708 | |||||||||||||||||
| Prior years | 187,098 | 147,170 | 179,303 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total paid | 700,406 | 538,331 | 401,011 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net balance at end of period | 202,943 | 144,539 | 79,464 | |||||||||||||||||
| Plus: Reinsurance recoverable | 119,522 | 123,221 | 393,365 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of year | $ | 322,465 | $ | 267,760 | $ | 472,829 | ||||||||||||||
During 2020, the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, prior to reinsurance, increased by $54.7 million from $267.8 million as of December 31, 2019 to $322.5 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase in unpaid losses and LAE was the result of significant weather events above plan occurring during 2020, increases in litigated claims, reopened claims and prior years’ reserve development. During the year ended December 31, 2020, there were a significant number of storms including Hurricane Sally, compared to prior years which in the aggregate exceeded core loss ratio expectations. The number of adverse weather events and resulting claims during the fourth quarter of 2020 exceeded weather event claims reported during the first three quarters of 2020. Reported losses from Hurricane Sally significantly benefited from the Company’s catastrophe reinsurance protection. The Company reinsurance program reduced its direct estimate of Hurricane Sally ultimate losses of $133.4 million to $43.0 million on a net basis after estimated reinsurance recoveries. Other weather events resulting in losses with only limited benefit from the Company’s catastrophe reinsurance protection included Hurricanes Isaias, Eta, Delta and Zeta and other unnamed storms tracked by an industry numerically assigned identifier. These weather events totaled direct losses of $123.5 million and $119.0 million net after reinsurance.
The Company identifies two drivers which influence amounts recorded as prior years’ reserve development, namely: (i) changes to prior estimates of direct and net ultimate losses on prior accident years excluding major hurricanes and (ii) changes in prior estimates of direct and net ultimate losses on hurricanes. During the year ended December 31, 2020, prior years’ reserve development totaled $284.3 million of direct losses and $58.3 million of net losses after the benefit of reinsurance.
Prior years’ reserve development, excluding hurricanes described above, was $42.1 million direct and $40.2 million net of reinsurance for the year ended December 31, 2020. This development largely resulted from increased prior-year non-hurricane companion claims in the run up to the expiration of limitations period for Hurricane Irma claims, the emergence of claims associated with AOB litigated claims, and an increase in reopened claims.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, development of direct and net losses on previously reported hurricanes was $242.2 million direct and $18.1 million net after the benefit of reinsurance. This was principally driven by continued adverse development of previous estimated losses and LAE on Hurricanes Irma, Michael, Florence and Matthew. Net development for the year ended December 31, 2020 principally resulted from an increase in our previously estimated losses and LAE on Hurricane Irma for claims which are not eligible for recovery from the FHCF.
In 2020 the Company experienced the highest level of unnamed weather events when compared to the previous three years. The Company recorded adverse development on prior years’ loss estimates as claims from prior years’ continue to be resolved at higher-than-anticipated values notwithstanding prior efforts to review and re-estimate those amounts. The Company continues to experience increased costs for losses and LAE in the Florida market where an industry has developed around the solicitation, filing and litigation of personal residential claims, resulting in a pattern of continued increased year over year levels of represented claims, inflation of purported claim amounts, and increased demands for attorneys’ fees. Active solicitation of personal residential claims in Florida by policyholder representatives, remediation companies and repair companies has led to an increase in the frequency and severity of personal residential claims in Florida exceeding historical levels and levels seen in other jurisdictions. A Florida statute providing a one-way right of attorneys’ fees against insurers, coupled with other adverse statutes and judicial rulings, have further produced a legal environment in Florida that encourages litigation, in many cases without regard to the underlying circumstances of the claims.
Florida law bars new, supplemental or reopened claim for loss caused by the peril of windstorm or hurricane unless notice is provided within three years of the event. In September 2020, the three-year period following Hurricane Irma expired. The
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Company continues to adjust and settle Hurricane Irma claims that were reported prior to the expiration of the three-year period.
Basis for estimating liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses
The Company establishes a liability to provide for the estimated unpaid portion of the costs of paying losses and LAE under insurance policies the Insurance Entities have issued. Predominately all of the Company’s claims relate to the Company’s core product, homeowners insurance and the various policy forms in which it is available. The liability for unpaid losses and LAE consists of the following:
•Case reserves, which are the reserves established by the claims examiner on reported claims.
•Incurred but not reported , which are anticipated losses expected to be reported to the Company and development of reported claims, including anticipated recoveries from either subrogation and ceded reinsurance. Ceded reinsurance for both paid and unpaid claims are reported separately as reinsurance recoverable.
•LAE, which are the estimated expenses associated with the settlement of case reserves, and IBNR.
Underwriting results are significantly influenced by the Company’s practices in establishing its estimated liability for unpaid losses and LAE. The liability is an estimate of amounts necessary to ultimately settle all current and future claims and LAE on losses occurring during the policy coverage period each year as of the financial statement date.
Characteristics of Reserves
The liability for unpaid losses and LAE, also known as reserves, is established based on estimates of the ultimate future amounts needed to settle claims, either known or unknown, less losses and LAE that have been paid to date. Historically, claims are typically reported promptly with relatively little reporting lag between the date of occurrence and the date the loss is reported. Certain number of claims are not known immediately after a loss and insureds are delayed at reporting those losses to us. In the current Florida market, an increased number of claims are reported well after the purported dates of loss. Reporting delays at times are material. In addition, claims which the Insurance Entities believed were settled often are reopened based on newly reported claim demands from our insureds as a result of third party representation. The Company is seeing increased litigation and changes to consumer behavior over the reporting and settlement process especially with Florida-based claims. The Company’s claim settlement data suggests that the Company’s typical insurance claims have an average settlement time of less than one year from the reported date unless delayed by some form of litigation or dispute.
Reserves are estimated for both reported and unreported claims, and include estimates of all expenses associated with processing and settling all incurred claims, including consideration for anticipated subrogation recoveries that will offset loss payments. The Company updates reserve estimates periodically as new information becomes available or as events emerge that may affect the resolution of unsettled claims. Changes in prior year reserve estimates (reserve re-estimates), which may be material, are determined by comparing updated estimates of ultimate losses to prior estimates, and the differences are recorded as losses and LAE in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period such changes are determined. Estimating the ultimate cost of losses and LAE is an inherently uncertain and complex process involving a high degree of subjective judgment and is subject to the interpretation and usage of numerous uncertain variables as discussed further below.
Reserves for losses and LAE are determined in three primary sectors. These sectors are (1) the estimation of reserves for Florida non-catastrophe losses, (2) hurricane losses, and (3) non-Florida non-catastrophe losses and any other losses. Evaluations are performed for gross loss, LAE and subrogation separately, and on a net and direct basis for each sector. The analyses for non-catastrophe losses are further separated into data groupings of like exposure or type of loss. These groups are property damage on homeowner policy forms HO-3 and HO-8 combined, property damage on homeowner policy forms HO-4 and HO-6 combined, property damage on dwelling fire policies, sinkhole claims, and water damage claims. Although these sectors are aggregated into the single tables noted above, analyses are performed in these three sectors, due to the analogous nature of the product and similar claim settlement traits.
As claims are reported, the claims department establishes an estimate of the liability for each individual claim called case reserves. For certain liability claims of sufficient size and complexity, the field adjusting staff establishes case reserve estimates of ultimate cost, based on their assessment of facts and circumstances related to each individual claim. Opportunities for subrogation are also identified for further analysis and collection. For other claims which occur in large volumes and settle in a relatively short time frame, it is not practical or efficient to set case reserves for each claim, and an initial case reserve of $2,500 is set for these claims. In the normal course of business, the Company may also supplement its claims processes by utilizing third party adjusters, appraisers, engineers, inspectors, other professionals and information sources to assess and settle catastrophe and non-catastrophe related claims.
The Actuarial Methods used to Develop Reserve Estimates
Reserve estimates for both unpaid losses and LAE are derived using several different actuarial estimation methods in order to provide the actuary with multiple predictive viewpoints to consider for each of the sectors discussed above. Each of the methods has merit, because they each provide insight into emerging patterns. These methods are each variations on two primary actuarial techniques: “chain ladder development” techniques and “counts and average” techniques. The “chain ladder development” actuarial technique is an estimation process in which historical payment and reserving patterns are applied to actual paid and/or reported amounts (paid losses, recovered subrogation or LAE plus individual case reserves established by claim adjusters) for an accident period to create an estimate of how losses or recoveries are likely to develop over time. The
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“counts and average” technique includes an evaluation of historical and projected costs per claim, and late-reported claim counts, for open claims by accident period. An accident period refers to classification of claims based on the date in which the claims occurred, regardless of the date they were reported to the company. These analyses are used to prepare estimates of required reserves for payments or recoveries to be made in the future. Transactions are organized into half-year accident periods for purposes of the reserve estimates. Key data elements used to determine the Company’s reserve estimates include historical claim counts, loss and LAE payments, subrogation received, case reserves, earned policy exposures, and the related development factors applicable to this data.
The first method for estimating unpaid amounts for each sector is a chain ladder method called the paid development method. This method is based upon the assumption that the relative change in a given accident period’s paid losses from one evaluation point to the next is similar to the relative change in prior periods’ paid losses at similar evaluation points. In utilizing this method, actual 6-month historical loss activity is evaluated. Successive periods can be arranged to form a triangle of data. Paid-to-Paid (“PTP”) development factors are calculated to measure the change in cumulative paid losses, LAE, and subrogation recoveries, from one evaluation point to the next. These historical PTP factors form the basis for selecting the PTP factors used in projecting the current valuation of losses to an ultimate basis. In addition, a tail factor is selected to account for loss development beyond the observed experience. The tail factor is based on trends shown in the data and consideration of industry loss development benchmarks. Utilization of a paid development method has the advantage of avoiding potential distortions in the data due to changes in case reserving methodology. This method’s implicit assumption is that the rate of payment of claims has been relatively consistent over time, and that there have been no material changes in the rate at which claims have been reported or settled. In instances where changes in settlement rates are detected, the PTP factors are adjusted accordingly, utilizing appropriate actuarial techniques. These adjusted techniques each produce additional development method estimates for consideration.
A second method is the reported development method. This method is similar to the paid development method; however, case reserves are considered in the analysis. Successive periods of reported loss estimates (including paid loss, subrogation recoveries, paid LAE and held case reserves) are organized similar to the paid development method in order to evaluate and select Report-to-Report (“RTR”) development factors. This method has the advantage of recognizing the information provided by current case reserves. Its implicit assumption is that the relative adequacy of case reserves is consistent over time, and that there have been no material changes in the rate at which claims have been reported or settled. In cases where significant reserve strengthening or other changes have occurred, RTR factors are adjusted accordingly, utilizing appropriate actuarial techniques.
A third method is the Bornhuetter-Ferguson (“B-F”) method, which is also utilized for estimating unpaid loss and LAE amounts. Each B-F technique is a blend of chain ladder development methods and an expected loss method, whereby the total reserve estimate equals the unpaid portion of a predetermined expected unpaid ultimate loss projection. The unpaid portion is determined based on assumptions underlying the development methods. As an experience year matures and expected unreported (or unpaid) losses become smaller, the initial expected loss assumption becomes gradually less important. This has the advantage of stability, but it is less responsive to actual results that have emerged. Two parameters are needed in each application of the B-F method: an initial assumption of expected losses and the expected reporting or payment pattern. Initial expected losses for each accident period other than the current year is determined using the estimated ultimate loss ratio from the prior analysis. Initial expected losses for the current year’s accident periods are determined based on trends in historical loss ratios, rate changes, and underlying loss trends. The expected reporting pattern is based on the reported or paid loss development method described above. This method is often used in situations where the reported loss experience is relatively immature or lacks sufficient credibility for the application of other methods.
A fourth method, called the counts and averages method, is utilized for estimates of loss, subrogation and LAE for each Florida sector. In this method, an estimate of unpaid losses or expenses is determined by separately projecting ultimate reported claim counts and ultimate claim severities (cost or recoveries per claim) on open and unreported claims for each accident period. Typically, chain ladder development methods are used to project ultimate claim counts and claim severities based on historical data using the same methodology described in the paid and reported development methods above. Estimated ultimate losses are then calculated as the product of the two items. This method is intended to avoid data distortions that may exist with the other methods for the most recent years as a result of changes in case reserve levels, settlement rates and claims handling fees. In addition, it may provide insight into the drivers of loss experience. For example, this method is utilized for sinkhole losses due to unique settlement patterns that have emerged since the passage of legislation that codified claim settlement practices with respect to sinkhole related claims and subsequent policy form changes, the Company implemented. The method is also utilized to evaluate segments impacted by the implementation of the Company’s Fast Track Initiative, which is an initiative to settle claims on an accelerated basis. These claims are expected to be reported and settled at different rates and ultimate values than historically observed, requiring a departure from traditional development methodologies.
The implicit assumption of these techniques is that the selected factors and averages combine to form development patterns or severity trends that are predictive of future loss development of incurred claims. In selecting relevant parameters utilized in each estimation method, due consideration is given to how the patterns of development change from one year to the next over the course of several consecutive years of recent history. Furthermore, the effects of inflation and other anticipated trends are considered in the reserving process in order to generate selections that include adequate provisions to estimate the cost of claims that settle in the future. Finally, in addition to paid loss, reported loss, subrogation recoveries, and LAE development triangles, various diagnostic triangles, such as triangles showing historical patterns in the ratio of paid-to-reported losses and closed-to-reported claim counts are prepared. These diagnostic triangles are utilized in order to monitor the stability of various determinants of loss development, such as consistency in claims settlement and case reserving.
Estimates of unpaid losses for hurricane experience are developed using a combination of company-specific and industry patterns, due to the relatively infrequent nature of storms and the high severity typically associated with them. Development patterns and other benchmarks are based on consideration of all reliable information, such as historical events with similar
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landfall statistics, the range of estimates developed from industry catastrophe models, and claim reporting and handling statistics from our field units. It is common for the company to update its projection of unpaid losses and LAE for a significant hurricane event on a monthly, or even weekly basis, for the first 6-months following an event.
Estimation methods described above each produce estimates of ultimate losses and LAE. Based on the results of these methods, a single estimate (commonly referred to as an actuarial point/central estimate) of the ultimate loss and LAE is selected accordingly for each accident-year claim grouping. Estimated IBNR reserves are determined by subtracting reported losses from the selected ultimate loss, and the paid LAE from the ultimate LAE. The estimated loss IBNR reserves are added to case reserves to determine total estimated unpaid losses. Note that estimated IBNR reserves can be negative for an individual accident-year claim grouping if the selected ultimate loss includes a provision for anticipated subrogation, or if there is a possibility that case reserves are overstated. No case reserves are carried for LAE, therefore the estimated LAE IBNR reserves equal the total estimated unpaid LAE. For each sector, the reserving methods are carried out on both a net and direct basis in order to estimate liabilities accordingly. When selecting a single actuarial point/central estimate on a net basis, careful consideration is given for the reinsurance arrangements that were in place during each accident year, exposure period and segment being reviewed.
How Reserve Estimates are Established and Updated
Reserve estimates are developed for both open claims and unreported claims. The actuarial methods described above are used to derive claim settlement patterns by determining development factors to be applied to specific data elements. Development factors are calculated for data elements such as claim counts reported and settled, paid losses and paid losses combined with case reserves, loss expense payments, and subrogation recoveries. Historical development patterns for these data elements are used as the assumptions to calculate reserve estimates.
Often, different estimates are prepared for each detailed component, incorporating alternative analyses of changing claim settlement patterns and other influences on losses, from which a best estimate is selected for each component, occasionally incorporating additional analyses and actuarial judgment as described above. These estimates are not based on a single set of assumptions. Based on a review of these estimates, the best estimate of required reserves is recorded for each accident year and the required reserves are summed to create the reserve balance carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Reserves are re-estimated periodically by combining historical payment and reserving patterns with current actual results. When actual development of claims reported, paid losses or case reserve changes are different than the historical development pattern used in a prior period reserve estimate, and as actuarial studies validate new trends based on indications of updated development factor calculations, new ultimate loss and LAE predictions are determined. This process incorporates the historic and latest trends, and other underlying changes in the data elements used to calculate reserve estimates. The difference between indicated reserves based on new reserve estimates and the previously recorded estimate of reserves is the amount of reserve re-estimates. The resulting increase or decrease in the reserve re-estimates is recorded and included in “Losses and loss adjustment expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Claim frequency
The methodology used to determine claim counts is based first around the event and then based on coverage. One event could have one or more claims based on the policy coverage, for example an event could have a claim for the first party coverage and a claim for third party liability regardless of the number of third party claimants. If multiple third-party liability claims are reported together, they would be counted as one claim.
NOTE 18 – VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
The Company entered into a reinsurance captive arrangement with a VIE in the normal course of business and consolidated the VIE since the Company is the primary beneficiary. See “—Note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Accounting Policies)” for more information.
On a consolidated basis, the balance sheet classification and exposure is comprised of $10.1 million of restricted cash held in a reinsurance trust account, which can be used only to settle specific reinsurance obligations of that VIE.
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NOTE 19 – QUARTERLY RESULTS FOR 2020 AND 2019 (UNAUDITED)
The following table provides a summary of quarterly results for the periods presented (in thousands except per share data):
| First Quarter | Second Quarter | Third Quarter | Fourth Quarter | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned, net | $ | 220,829 | $ | 226,370 | $ | 234,191 | $ | 242,173 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 6,834 | 6,179 | 4,557 | 2,823 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 235,275 | 252,704 | 311,665 | 273,126 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 207,691 | 225,266 | 315,457 | 300,125 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 20,067 | 19,882 | (3,169) | (17,675) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.62 | $ | (0.10) | $ | (0.57) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.62 | $ | (0.10) | $ | (0.57) | ||||||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned, net | $ | 209,727 | $ | 210,357 | $ | 206,599 | $ | 215,819 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 8,142 | 7,410 | 7,613 | 7,578 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 236,586 | 233,722 | 229,641 | 239,402 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 182,842 | 182,792 | 201,745 | 308,455 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 40,148 | 37,293 | 20,146 | (51,073) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ | 1.16 | $ | 1.09 | $ | 0.60 | $ | (1.55) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | 1.14 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 0.59 | $ | (1.55) | ||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2020 exceeded 2019 driven by an increase in premium rates, organic growth in policy counts in, and outside of Florida partially offset by an increase in ceded earned premium reflecting both an increase in the exposures covered by reinsurance and its pricing. The increase in expenses was due to a higher amount of net losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to 2019 which was due primarily to an increase in volume of policies and a higher loss experience in the 2020 accident year due to increased weather events in the current year offset by a reduction in adverse prior year development.
NOTE 20 – 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 consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020.
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| ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE | ||||
None.
| ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | ||||
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal 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 Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment under the framework in 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
Plante & Moran, PLLC, the independent registered public accounting firm who also audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K, has issued their attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting presented in Part IV, Item 15 of this report under “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
| ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION | ||||
None.
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PART III
| ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | ||||
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, including our principal executive, principal financial and principal accounting officers, or persons performing similar functions. The Code is available on the Company’s website at https://UniversalInsuranceHoldings.com. A copy of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may be obtained free of charge by written request to Frank C. Wilcox, CFO, Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., 1110 West Commercial Boulevard, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics granted to executive officers and directors, on the website within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver.
The information included in the section entitled “Corporate Governance Framework” to be set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2021 Proxy Statement”) is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 10.
| ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | ||||
The information included in the sections entitled “ Compensation, Discussion and Analysis” and “Director Compensation” to be set forth in our 2021 Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 11.
| ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS | ||||
The information included in the section entitled “Beneficial Ownership” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” to be set forth in our 2021 Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 12.
| ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE | ||||
The information included in the sections entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Framework” to be set forth in our 2021 Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 13.
| ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | ||||
The information included in the section entitled “Accounting Fees and Services” to be set forth in our 2021 Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 14.
PART IV
| ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES | ||||
(1)Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and the report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon are filed with this report at Item 8:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)Financial Statement Schedules
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The following additional financial statement schedules are furnished herewith pursuant to the requirements of Form 10-K.
| Page | |||||
| Schedules required to be filed under the provisions of Regulation S-X Article 7: | |||||
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or in notes thereto.
(3)Exhibits
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed on February 24, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference) | |||||||
| 3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference) | |||||||
| 4.1 | Description of the Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed on March 2, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) | |||||||
| 10.1 | Florida Insurance Capital Build-Up Incentive Program Surplus Note (“Surplus Note”) between the Company and the State Board of Administration of Florida (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 10, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference) | |||||||
| 10.2 | Addendum No. 1 to the Surplus Note between the Company and the State Board of Administration of Florida (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 10, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference) | |||||||
| 10.3 | Multiple Line Quota Share Reinsurance Contract between the Company and Everest Reinsurance Company (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 10, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference) | |||||||
| 10.4 | Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended through June 8, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 14, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.5 | Amendment to Second Amended and Restated 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on June 6, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.6 | Form of Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed on March 1, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.7 | Form of Performance Share Award (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed on March 1, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.8 | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed on March 1, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.9 | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed on March 2, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.10 | Form of Non-Employee Director Option Grant (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed on March 1, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.11 | Employment Agreement, dated January 12, 2016, by and between the Company and Sean P. Downes (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 19, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.12 | Employment Agreement, dated February 27, 2019, by and between the Company and Sean P. Downes (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.13 | Employment Agreement, dated February 22, 2018, between Stephen J. Donaghy and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.14 | Employment Agreement, dated February 12, 2020, between Stephen J. Donaghy and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
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| 10.15 | ||||||||
| 10.16 | Employment Agreement, dated April 11, 2018, between Jon W. Springer and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.17 | Employment Agreement, dated December 17, 2018, between Jon W. Springer and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.18 | Employment Agreement, dated May 12, 2020, between Jon W. Springer and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.19 | Employment Agreement, dated February 22, 2018, between Frank C. Wilcox and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.20 | Employment Agreement, dated April 20, 2020, between Frank C. Wilcox and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.21 | Employment Agreement, dated February 22, 2018, between Kimberly D. Cooper and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.22 | ||||||||
| 10.23 | ||||||||
| 10.24 | Director Services Agreement, dated June 6, 2013, by and between the Company and Scott P. Callahan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.25 | Director Services Agreement, dated June 5, 2014, by and between the Company and Ralph J. Palmieri (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.26 | Director Services Agreement, dated June 5, 2014, by and between the Company and Richard D. Peterson (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.27 | Director Services Agreement, dated July 12, 2007, by and between the Company and Ozzie A. Schindler (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.28 | Director Services Agreement, dated July 12, 2007, by and between the Company and Joel M. Wilentz (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.29 | Form of Indemnification Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.30 | Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement, dated August 5, 2019, by and between Stephen J. Donaghy and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 7, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 10.31 | Stock Award Agreement, dated March 18, 2020, between Kimberly Cooper Campos and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 23, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) † | |||||||
| 21 | ||||||||
| 23.1 | ||||||||
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| 31.1 | ||||||||
| 31.2 | ||||||||
| 32 | ||||||||
| 101.1 | The following materials from Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | |||||||
| ------------------ | ||||||||
| † Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | ||||||||
| ITEM 16. | FORM 10-K SUMMARY | ||||
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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: February 26, 2021 | By: | /s/ Stephen J. Donaghy | |||||||||
| Stephen J. Donaghy, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Frank C. Wilcox | ||||||||||
| Frank C. Wilcox, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer | |||||||||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| /s/ Sean P. Downes | Executive Chairman and Director | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Sean P. Downes | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Stephen J. Donaghy | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Stephen J. Donaghy | Director | |||||||||||||
| /s/ Frank C. Wilcox | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Frank C. Wilcox | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Kimberly D. Campos | Chief Information Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Kimberly D. Campos | Director | |||||||||||||
| /s/ Scott P. Callahan | Director | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Scott P. Callahan | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Marlene M. Gordon | Director | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Marlene M. Gordon | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Ralph J. Palmieri | Director | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Ralph J. Palmieri | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Richard D. Peterson | Director | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Richard D. Peterson | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Michael A. Pietrangelo | Director | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Michael A. Pietrangelo | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Ozzie A. Schindler | Director | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Ozzie A. Schindler | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Jon W. Springer | Director | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Jon W. Springer | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Joel M. Wilentz | Director | February 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Joel M. Wilentz | ||||||||||||||
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SCHEDULE II – CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. had no long-term obligations, guarantees or material contingencies as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The following summarizes the major categories of the parent company’s financial statements (in thousands, except per share data):
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 62,934 | $ | 86,508 | ||||||||||
| Investments in subsidiaries and undistributed earnings | 357,375 | 378,906 | ||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value | — | 808 | ||||||||||||
| Income taxes recoverable | 30,545 | 34,253 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax asset, net | 6 | — | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 72 | 149 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 450,932 | $ | 500,624 | ||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 30 | $ | 20 | ||||||||||
| Deferred income tax liability, net | — | 2,602 | ||||||||||||
| Dividends payable | 138 | 80 | ||||||||||||
| Other accrued expenses | 1,085 | 3,587 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,253 | 6,289 | ||||||||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||||||||||||||
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value | — | — | ||||||||||||
Authorized shares - 1,000 | ||||||||||||||
Issued shares - 10 and 10 | ||||||||||||||
Outstanding shares - 10 and 10 | ||||||||||||||
Minimum liquidation preference - $9.99 and $9.99 per share | ||||||||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value | 468 | 467 | ||||||||||||
Authorized shares - 55,000 | ||||||||||||||
Issued shares - 46,817 and 46,707 | ||||||||||||||
Outstanding shares - 31,137 and 32,638 | ||||||||||||||
Treasury shares, at cost - 15,680 and 14,069 | (225,506) | (196,585) | ||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 103,445 | 96,036 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes | 3,343 | 20,364 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 567,929 | 574,053 | ||||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 449,679 | 494,335 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 450,932 | $ | 500,624 | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements
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CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| REVENUES | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 273 | 2,249 | 1,635 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) on investments | 38 | (1,908) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities | — | 3,186 | (2,648) | |||||||||||||||||
| Management fee | 166 | 166 | 157 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | 16 | 10 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 493 | 3,703 | (856) | |||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 15,448 | 21,526 | 32,063 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating cost and expenses | 15,448 | 21,526 | 32,063 | |||||||||||||||||
| LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN NET EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES | (14,955) | (17,823) | (32,919) | |||||||||||||||||
| Benefit from income taxes | (215) | (2,984) | (10,434) | |||||||||||||||||
| LOSS BEFORE EQUITY IN NET EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES | (14,740) | (14,839) | (22,485) | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity in net income of subsidiaries | 33,828 | 61,336 | 139,987 | |||||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME | $ | 19,088 | $ | 46,497 | $ | 117,502 | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements
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CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 149,329 | $ | 84,752 | $ | 87,306 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital contributions to affiliates | (118,897) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of equity securities | — | (107) | (35) | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of available-for-sale debt securities | — | (3,750) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of equity securities | — | 3,481 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale debt securities | 787 | 6,530 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (118,110) | 6,154 | (35) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividend | (10) | (10) | (10) | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock dividend | (24,547) | (26,106) | (25,508) | |||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for stock option exercises | — | 239 | 102 | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | (28,921) | (66,186) | (25,276) | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation | (1,315) | (3,709) | (12,714) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (54,793) | (95,772) | (63,406) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (23,574) | (4,866) | 23,865 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 86,508 | 91,374 | 67,509 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 62,934 | $ | 86,508 | $ | 91,374 | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements
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NOTE 1 – GENERAL
The financial statements of the Registrant should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements in “Item 8.”
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1990. The Company is an insurance holding company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries perform 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”), 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 generates revenues from earnings on investments and management fees. The Company also receives distributions of earnings from its insurance and non-insurance subsidiaries.
Certain amounts in the prior periods’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified in order to conform to current period presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity.
Capital Contributions to Subsidiaries
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company made a capital contribution of $114.0 million to UPCIC to increase UPCIC’s statutory capital and surplus. There were no capital contributions by the Company to UPCIC during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Dividends received from Subsidiaries
The Company received distributions from the earnings of its non-insurance consolidated subsidiaries of $151.0 million, $121.3 million and $96.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There were no dividends paid by UPCIC and APPCIC to the Company during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
NOTE 2 – 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 consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020.
In February 2021, the Company funded a $77.0 million capital contribution to UPCIC to increase UPCIC’s statutory capital and surplus. UPCIC included this contribution in their statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2020 with the permission of the FLOIR under statutory accounting principles.
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SCHEDULE V – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
The following table summarizes activity in the Company’s estimated credit losses and allowance for doubtful accounts for the periods presented (in thousands):
| Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance | Charges to Earnings | Charges to Other Accounts | Deductions | Ending Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated credit losses (1) | $ | 749 | 528 | — | 646 | $ | 631 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 711 | 456 | — | 418 | $ | 749 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 680 | 470 | — | 439 | $ | 711 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) See “Part II—Item 8—Note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies)”. On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic ASC 326), which introduces a new process for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new ASU applies to premiums receivable and results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable U.S. GAAP.
101
SCHEDULE VI – SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING CONSOLIDATED PROPERTY
AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS
The following table provides certain information related to the Company’s property and casualty operations as of, and for the periods presented (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reserves for Unpaid Losses and LAE | Incurred Loss and LAE Current Year | Incurred Loss and LAE Prior Years | Paid Losses and LAE | Net Investment Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | $ | 322,465 | $ | 700,473 | 58,337 | $ | 700,406 | $ | 20,393 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | 267,760 | $ | 515,338 | $ | 88,068 | $ | 538,331 | $ | 30,743 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | $ | 472,829 | $ | 314,933 | $ | 99,522 | $ | 401,011 | $ | 24,816 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost (“DPAC”) | Amortization of DPAC, Net | Net Premiums Written | Net Premiums Earned | Unearned Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | $ | 110,614 | $ | (199,154) | $ | 1,004,903 | $ | 923,563 | $ | 783,135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | 91,882 | $ | (176,843) | $ | 869,645 | $ | 842,502 | $ | 661,279 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | $ | 84,686 | $ | (163,187) | $ | 827,674 | $ | 768,382 | $ | 601,679 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
on Supplemental Information
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
We have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of and for the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and issued our report thereon dated February 26, 2021 which expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and is included at Item 8 in this Form 10-K. The supplemental information contained in the consolidated financial statement schedules of the Company in the accompanying index at Item 15 in this Form 10-K has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements. The supplemental information is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental information reconciles to the consolidated financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental information. In our opinion, the supplemental information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated financial statements as a whole.
/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC
Chicago, Illinois
February 26, 2021
103