-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Glr+2lqE3LFOt5vTsBW9t33X/9YjM4rYEYLuH5UTpdyiiM41VIODS/hFohbMaWrH dqjw3KuQbx7xfTezsQLQrw== 0001193125-09-061984.txt : 20090324 0001193125-09-061984.hdr.sgml : 20090324 20090324164935 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-09-061984 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20081231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090324 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090324 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001271245 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331] IRS NUMBER: 421609947 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-50926 FILM NUMBER: 09701834 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 933 E. MAIN ST CITY: FREMONT STATE: MI ZIP: 49412 BUSINESS PHONE: 231 924 0300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 933 E. MAIN ST CITY: FREMONT STATE: MI ZIP: 49412 10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

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

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2008

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: 000-50926

 

 

FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Michigan   42-1609947

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

933 E. Main St., Fremont, Michigan 49412

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (231) 924-0300

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, no par value

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

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  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

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

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨

   Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

   Smaller reporting company  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the registrants voting common stock held by non-affiliates was $32,951,349 based on the closing sales price of $18.50 per share on June 30, 2008 as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, was 1,754,485 shares as of March 16, 2009.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 14, 2009, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.

 

 

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   3

PART I

    

ITEM 1.

 

BUSINESS

   4

ITEM 1A.

 

RISK FACTORS

   22

ITEM 2.

 

PROPERTIES

   31

ITEM 3.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   31

ITEM 4.

 

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   31

PART II

    

ITEM 5.

 

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

   32

ITEM 6.

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   33

ITEM 7.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

   35

ITEM 7A.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK

   53

ITEM 8.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

   54
 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   54
 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007

   55
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

   56
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

   57
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

   58
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   59

ITEM 9.

 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   84

ITEM 9A(T).

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   84

ITEM 9B.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

   84

PART III

    

ITEM 10.

 

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   85

ITEM 11.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   85

ITEM 12.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

   85

ITEM 13.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

   86

ITEM 14.

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

   86

PART IV

    

ITEM 15.

 

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

   87

SIGNATURES

   88

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   90

SCHEDULE  I—SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS—OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008

   91

SCHEDULE II—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

   92

SCHEDULE III—SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION

   95

SCHEDULE IV—REINSURANCE

   96

SCHEDULE V—ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE PREMIUMS

   97

EXHIBIT INDEX

   98

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

  

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

  

CERTIFICATIONS OF PERIODIC REPORTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

  

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

  

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (the “Holding Company”) and Fremont Insurance Company (the “Insurance Company”) may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements,” including statements contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the exhibits), in its reports to shareholders and in other communications by the Holding Company, which are made in good faith by the Holding Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” or similar expressions in this report. Determination of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and amounts due from reinsurers are based substantially on estimates and the amounts so determined are inherently forward-looking.

The forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. We have identified several important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any results discussed, contemplated, projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted in the forward-looking information. These factors, which are listed below, are difficult to predict and many are beyond our control:

 

   

future economic conditions and the legal and regulatory environment in Michigan;

 

   

the effects of weather-related and other catastrophic events;

 

   

financial market conditions, including, but not limited to, changes in fiscal, monetary and tax policies, interest rates and values of investments;

 

   

the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war on investment and reinsurance markets;

 

   

inflation;

 

   

the cost, availability and collectibility of reinsurance;

 

   

estimates and adequacy of loss reserves and trends in losses and loss adjustment expenses;

 

   

heightened competition, including specifically the intensification of price competition, the entry of new competitors and the development of new products by new and existing competitors;

 

   

our inability to obtain regulatory approval of, or to implement, premium rate increases;

 

   

inability to carry out marketing and sales plans, including, among others, development of new products or changes to existing products and acceptance of the new or revised products in the market;

 

   

unanticipated changes in industry trends and ratings assigned by nationally recognized rating organizations;

 

   

adverse litigation or arbitration results;

 

   

technological change;

 

   

the ability to carry out our business plans;

 

   

adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations or rules governing insurance holding companies and insurance companies, and changes that affect the cost of, or demand for, our products;

 

   

the effect of Federal legislative or regulatory matters; and

 

   

the effect of Federal or state judicial rulings.

Because forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date of this filing.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information attributable to the Holding Company or the Insurance Company or any person acting on our behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this filing.

 

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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS

The Insurance Company is a property and casualty insurance company that provides insurance products to individuals, farms and small businesses in Michigan. We were founded in 1876 and have served Michigan policyholders for over 132 years. We have 64 employees. We market our policies through approximately 175 independent insurance agencies. We have four business segments: personal, commercial, farm and marine. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately 66,000 policies in force and assets of $93.0 million.

The Company’s executive offices are located at 933 E. Main Street, Fremont, Michigan 49412-9753, and the telephone number is (231) 924-0300. Our website address is www.fmic.com. Information on the Company’s website is not a part of this Form 10-K. The Company makes available free of charge on its website, or provides a link to, the Company’s Forms 3, 4, 5, 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed and any amendments to these Forms, that have been filed with the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to the SEC. To access these filings, go to the Company’s website, “www.fmic.com” and click on “Our Company/Investor Relations”, then click on “SEC Filings.”

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

Our principal strategies for the future include:

Ensuring Rate Adequacy

Never before has pricing been so critical to the Company. We are committed to ensuring that all of our products are appropriately priced for the risk assumed. As we continue to grow so does our database of information which allows us to drill further down to a more granular level to determine the appropriate rate to charge. This level of information allows us to charge the appropriate rate based on the underwriting data for each policy and the associated level of risk assumed.

Increasing our Commercial Business

We are committed to increasing the amount of commercial business that we write. We believe there is opportunity to increase our volume of commercial business which is targeted to small to medium sized, main street businesses in Michigan. Commercial products are less susceptible to weather related property losses. By writing more commercial business we are also able to reduce the level of property exposure associated with personal lines as a percentage of our total exposure.

A key to success in writing additional commercial business will be providing our agencies the technology platform that will allow them to efficiently quote, bind and issue commercial policies. We have had excellent success with our Fremont Complete platform which is our web-based rating platform. As of the end of 2008, agents are able to quote, bind and issue the following commercial products: business owners, commercial auto and workers compensation. We plan to continue to leverage our success with Fremont Complete by expanding the commercial products that can be quoted, bound and issued by our agents.

Retaining and Attracting Agencies Committed to Profitable Growth

We are committed to our independent agency distribution system. The agents with whom we partner with are an extension of the Company. Therefore, we are very selective in appointing and retaining agencies that represent Fremont Insurance Company. In order for the Company to be successful we must ensure that the interests of the agency are aligned with the interest of the Company.

 

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We are committed to retaining agencies that produce long term profitable growth. Each year we perform a review of our agency force to determine if changes are needed or if there are geographic regions that we feel warrant representation by a new or existing agency.

Reducing our Ratio of Expenses to Net Premiums Earned

We are committed to improving profitability and our competitiveness by reducing expenses. We will accomplish this by continuing to grow net premiums earned, weeding out operational inefficiencies through expanded use of technology, and ensuring that all products are appropriately priced.

Maintaining our Focus on Customer Service

While the statement, “Maintaining our Focus on Customer Service” has become a cliché, we feel that it has been and will continue to be a key component of our growth and profitability. Insurance is a service business and customer service is one of the basic ‘blocking and tackling’ strategies that we have to get right in order to be successful. While we service many ‘customers’, we work very hard to make sure that our policyholders and our agents receive the best customer service possible. We want our customers to have a pleasant experience when dealing with Fremont Insurance Company. This ‘experience’ can be enhanced through technology by making information easily accessible through the web and by simply making sure that when our customers call they can expect to speak to a ‘live’ person, whether it is a customer service representative, a claim associate or an underwriter. We compete with many larger insurance companies in Michigan. What sets us apart from them is the relationship we have with our agents and the service we provide to our policyholders. We will continue to seek out ways to exceed our customer’s expectations.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company defines its operations as property and casualty insurance operations. The Company writes four major insurance lines exclusively in the State of Michigan: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Farm and Marine. All revenues are generated from external customers and the Company does not have a significant reliance on any single major customer or agency.

The Company evaluates product line profitability based on underwriting gain (loss). Certain expenses are allocated based on net premiums earned and net losses incurred. Underwriting gain (loss) by product line would change if different methods were applied. The Company does not allocate assets, net investment income, net realized gains (losses) on investments, other income (expense), or interest expense to its product lines.

Segment data for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is included in the footnotes to the financial statements which are included herein under Part II, Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

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PRODUCTS

We offer a variety of property and casualty insurance products primarily designed to meet the insurance needs of property owners and small businesses located in Michigan. The four primary segments of our business are personal, commercial, farm and marine. The following table presents the direct written premiums by major product line within each segment for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2006
     (In thousands)

Direct premiums written:

        

Personal lines:

        

Homeowners

   $ 18,224    $ 16,828    $ 15,976

Mobilowners

     1,514      1,477      1,482

Personal auto

     22,255      17,972      14,066

Dwelling

     1,486      1,387      1,427

Other

     3      4      4
                    
     43,482      37,668      32,955

Commercial lines:

        

Business owners

     2,611      2,655      2,710

Commercial package

     4,537      4,260      4,312

Commercial auto

     1,021      817      680

Workers compensation

     1,623      1,257      1,160

Other

     259      180      137
                    
     10,051      9,169      8,999

Farm

     5,257      5,103      5,014

Marine

     2,092      2,016      1,901
                    

Total

   $ 60,882    $ 53,956    $ 48,869
                    

Personal Lines. Personal lines policies include homeowners, mobilowners, dwelling fire, personal auto and personal umbrella.

 

   

Homeowners. The policy is a multiple line insurance contract providing protection for both property and liability exposures for homeowners, condominium owners and renters on a replacement cost or actual cash value basis. Target areas in this line include home values between $100,000 and $500,000.

 

   

Mobilowners. This is a similar product to homeowners providing coverage for mobile home owners. Units are insured for replacement cost, actual cash value or stated amount depending on the age of the mobile home.

 

   

Personal Auto. This is our fastest premium growth line and provides individuals with protection for their personal auto(s). For liability protection, coverage options include Residual Bodily Injury, Property Damage, Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists. For physical damage, coverage options include Comprehensive and Collision. For Personal Injury Protection, losses above certain thresholds are automatically reinsured by the Michigan Catastrophic Claim Association (MCCA).

 

   

Dwelling. This is a fire and wind coverage for owner occupied residences that do not qualify for a Homeowner policy or for residences that are non-owner occupied and rented to others. To be written, a residence must have no more than four units and be owned by individuals. Liability coverage for the owner is not included but may be added by endorsement.

 

   

Other. Other includes primarily the personal umbrella product. Personal umbrella is a form of excess liability insurance available to individuals protecting them against claims in excess of their limits on

 

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their primary policies or for claims not covered by their underlying policies. In order to be eligible, both an individual’s personal auto and home must be written with Fremont.

Commercial Lines. Commercial lines consist of products designed to serve primarily small to medium business operations. They are:

 

   

Business Owners (BOP). The policy is a multiple line insurance contract providing protection for both property and liability exposures for business owners. BOP risks are classified by the five categories listed below with each class having its own eligibility criteria primarily based on sales volume and property values.

 

   

Bed & Breakfast/Condominiums. As the category name implies, insurance is provided for Bed & Breakfast owners and for condominium owner associations.

 

   

Mercantile. This applies for buildings principally occupied for retail mercantile purposes (buying and selling of merchandise) and the contents of these operations.

 

   

Offices. This applies to office buildings, building owners personal property or tenant personal property.

 

   

Service. This applies to buildings occupied principally for service operations and the contents of these operations including mini storage businesses.

 

   

Wholesale. As the category name implies, this covers wholesalers.

 

   

Commercial Package (CPP). The CPP policy is designed to insure a broader range of commercial operations with more specialized business coverage needs than the BOP provides. Examples of these types of businesses are manufacturing risks, contractors and restaurants. The policies are usually larger and generate higher premiums.

 

   

Commercial Auto (CA). CA covers vehicles owned by a business or used in businesses and owned by individuals. This includes vehicles ranging from passenger cars to tractor-trailer rigs and earth moving equipment. Our targeted market is passenger cars, service vehicles (usually a pickup truck owned by a contractor and driven to the job site) and light, local delivery vehicles. Long haul truckers are ineligible.

 

   

Workers Compensation. Workers compensation provides coverage to a worker if he or she is injured while at work for an employer, whether or not the employer has been negligent and is governed by state law. This product complements our Farm and Commercial offerings and affords us the ability to write all of the customer’s insurance needs.

 

   

Other Commercial Products. Other commercial products include equipment breakdown, employment practices liability, inland marine and umbrella liability coverage that must be written in conjunction with a BOP, CPP or CA policy.

Farm Line. The Insurance Company originated as a “farm fire” insurance provider and continues to be a strong provider of coverage for the agricultural industry in Michigan. This segment’s products include: farmowners for fully operating farms, country estate for the hobby or part time farmer, and farm for non-owner occupied farms. Farmowners and country estate policies are comprehensive policies offering protection similar to our homeowner’s policy but also offer the option to cover the insured’s farm buildings, farm personal property (livestock, machinery, etc.), and provide farm liability protection. The farm policy is primarily a fire, wind and liability product designed for non-owner-occupied farms.

Marine. This line is composed of the boat owner’s program (usually smaller and less expensive boats) and the yacht program. The boat owner’s policy is designed for boats 32 feet long or less with values of $125,000 or less. Boats that exceed the length or value criteria for the boat owner’s policy are insured under the yacht program.

 

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Rate Development. Development of rates for all lines is done by the Vice President of Product Management. Rate needs are analyzed on both an accident and calendar year basis and take into consideration the Company’s competitive position, catastrophe loads, large loss impacts in addition to actual loss, expense and premium numbers. All rates are reviewed with senior management prior to implementation.

MARKETING

We market our property and casualty insurance products exclusively in Michigan through approximately 175 independent agencies. The company has maintained it strategic plans to expand in the northern and western regions of the state, but maintains a respectable presence in other areas. Our agency force has been selected from over 1,200 independent agencies within the State of Michigan. One of our keys to success is our selectivity of our agents. Our company standards are clearly communicated to our agents; they include a strong commitment to ethics, professionalism, honesty and accountability. The company is fortunate to have a top rated agency force. Each year the Company receives in excess of 50 appointment requests from agencies in Michigan and less than 10% are provided contracts. Our team work philosophy has produced relationships focused on the common good of the Company, agency and policyholder. This commitment, in addition to product enhancements and pricing adjustments should solidify our position in the Michigan market.

Another key to the Company’s success is identifying and procuring profitable business. Profitable business is a direct result of exercising discipline in the underwriting process. The Company continues to focus on underwriting discipline, even when it means declining new business. This commitment to maintaining our discipline has provided stability and profitability, which is evident in our results. These underwriting responsibilities are shared with the Company and agent.

The Company remains committed to the independent agency force which is our source for future growth and is geographically spread across the state of Michigan. Our objective is to be ranked among the top four insurers within each agency. Our independent agencies represent other insurance companies and are established businesses in the communities in which they operate. Our agencies generally market and write the full range of our products. We believe our relationships with our agencies are very good.

We depend upon our agency force to produce new business and to provide customer service. Policy retention is also an important component of agency relations. Our network of independent agencies also serves as an important source of information about the needs of our policyholders. This information is used to develop new products and new product features. Semi-annually the Company holds an agency council meeting. Agency council is comprised of the Company’s top performing agents from communities throughout the State of Michigan. During these meetings information is received and distributed on new products and business strategies that are being planned by the Company. Agency council serves as a sounding board for management and our agents.

We compensate agencies through a fixed base commission with an opportunity for profit sharing, depending on the profitability of the business we receive from the agency. Our agencies are monitored and supported by the Vice President of Marketing and three experienced marketing representatives. Three personal lines underwriters and two commercial lines underwriters also support agency relations with direct calling efforts. Claim representatives also make direct contact with agencies while handling claims. The Company is very focused on developing strong relationships with our agency force and agency visits are an integral component of agency relations. Each agency visit is documented within a proprietary Agency Visit Log which serves as a customer relationship management tool used by all employees.

UNDERWRITING

We underwrite each policy application by evaluating each risk with consistently applied standards. We maintain information on all aspects of our business that is regularly reviewed to determine product line

 

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profitability. We employ seven underwriters who specialize in personal lines, commercial lines, marine, and farm. The underwriters are supported by an experienced group of underwriting assistants and processors. This group handles initial screening of applications, running of reports, and policy issuance.

We have, in the past, relied heavily on underwriting information gathered from outside sources. Motor Vehicle Reports are obtained from the state of Michigan on all auto and marine applications. An exchange of claims information is available through two independent firms or through inquiry to the prior insurer and is accessed for all applicable applications. We believe the financial stability and responsibility of the insured has emerged as a reliable indicator of future loss potential. Extensive independent analysis has been done to support this correlation in the industry. In the commercial lines, financial stability has always been an acceptable underwriting criteria and the Insurance Company obtains either a Dun & Bradstreet report or other financial information on every policy application. In personal lines, an Insurance Score is obtained on every submission and insureds are tiered to receive the appropriate premium for their score. An Insurance Score is a numerical score from 200 to 900, with higher number being a better score, which is based on information in a person’s credit report maintained by one of the several national credit reporting firms. The Insurance Company’s pricing is targeted to attract policyholders with above average Insurance Scores. Insured’s with an Insurance Score of 700 or more or a strong Dun & Bradstreet report are part of the Insurance Company’s target market in all lines. Although we target insureds with Insurance Scores of 700 and above, we have policies in effect where the relevant Insurance Scores are less than our target. The Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation has adopted a ban on the use of a credit based insurance score, but the implementation has been stayed due to pending litigation. A further discussion on the use of credit based insurance scores is included under the heading “Insurance Scoring” in the “Regulation” section of Part 1, Item 1.

We also rely on photographs, inspections, and engineering reports. Agents are required to obtain photos on all new property business. The underwriter decides if additional engineering is necessary. A follow-up inspection may be made by us or subcontracted to an outside firm. If a loss occurs, the adjuster completes a risk evaluation form and sends it to underwriting for review. The Insurance Company’s agents have rating software available to them for use as pricing indicators. This software is a useful tool, but the ultimate underwriting decision is made by the Insurance Company.

CLAIMS

As of December 31, 2008, the Insurance Company’s claims department included the Senior Vice President of Administration, one manager, an attorney, eleven adjuster and two support staff. Claims are normally received from our independent agencies. Typically, claims are assigned to an in-house adjuster who investigates and settles the claim. To a lesser extent, we assign claims to independent adjusters if, as in the case of a catastrophe, our in-house adjusters cannot promptly adjust such a large volume of claims, or if because of the location of the claim it is more economical to use an independent adjuster. Remote and independent adjusters report all information to the home office electronically. The majority of paper claim files are imaged and maintained electronically at the home office.

Claims settlement authority levels are established for each claims adjuster based upon his or her level of experience. We have multi-line teams to handle all claims. The claims department is responsible for investigating all claims, obtaining necessary documentation, estimating the loss reserves, and resolving the claims. The Company takes a proactive approach to liability and defense cost management. The Company’s in-house counsel is responsible for subrogation recovery, coverage-related issues and litigation, supervision of outside defense counsel and special projects. With the assistance of in-house counsel, the Insurance Company’s expeditious claims investigation creates the opportunity for exploration of an early negotiated resolution, where warranted, thereby avoiding protracted litigation and unnecessary legal expense. Additionally, in-house counsel provides valuable instruction for claims adjusters, as well as legal advice in connection with the drafting and revision of our policy and application forms.

 

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The Company’s claims department completed several technology initiatives during 2007 and 2008. First, the Company implemented an electronic first notice of loss so that agents can submit a notice of loss to the Company and inquire about the status of a claim electronically from their agency management system. This new feature allows the agent to notify the Company quicker in the event of a loss and allows our adjusters to get in touch with the policyholder in a shorter time frame. The Company also enhanced and added other time saving features to its claims processing system, including the ability to receive email assignments while in the field. Recurring and indemnity payments have also been automated saving processing time. The Company continues to focus on eliminating paper and enhancing inquiry capabilities which are expected to yield increased operating efficiency for the Company and it agency force. The Claims department instituted a policy to contact the insured on the same day we are notified of a loss. This is a customer service enhancement.

REINSURANCE

General. A reinsurance transaction occurs when an insurance company transfers (cedes) a portion of its exposure on business written by it to a reinsurer which assumes that risk for a premium. Consistent with insurance industry practice, we reinsure a portion of our exposure and pay to reinsurers a portion of the premiums received on all policies reinsured. Insurance is ceded principally to reduce net liability on individual risks, to mitigate the effect of individual loss occurrences (including catastrophe losses), to stabilize underwriting results, and to increase our underwriting capacity.

Reinsurance can be facultative reinsurance or treaty reinsurance. Under facultative reinsurance, each risk or portion of a risk is reinsured individually. Under treaty reinsurance, an agreed-upon portion of business written is automatically reinsured. Treaty reinsurance can also be classified as quota share reinsurance, pro-rata insurance or excess of loss reinsurance. Under quota share reinsurance and pro-rata insurance, the ceding company cedes a percentage of its insurance liability to the reinsurer in exchange for a like percentage of premiums, less a ceding commission, and, in turn, will recover from the reinsurer the reinsurer’s share of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred on those risks. Under excess of loss reinsurance, an insurer limits its liability to all or a particular portion of the amount in excess of a predetermined deductible or retention. Regardless of type, reinsurance does not legally discharge the ceding insurer from primary liability for the full amount due under the reinsured policies. However, the assuming reinsurer is obligated to reimburse the ceding company to the extent of the coverage ceded.

Our Reinsurance Coverage. We have utilized three primary categories of treaty reinsurance coverage to reduce the impact of major losses. These include multi-lines excess of loss coverage, catastrophe excess of loss coverage, and quota share coverage. We determine the amount and scope of reinsurance coverage to purchase each year based on our evaluation of the risks accepted, consultation with reinsurance professionals and a review of market conditions, including availability and cost. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 we ceded to reinsurers $10.7 million, $10.0 million and $8.7 million of earned premiums, respectively.

Multi-Lines Excess of Loss Coverage. The multi-lines excess of loss program is the Company’s primary reinsurance coverage. The excess of loss program is designed to help stabilize financial results, limit exposure on larger risks, and increase capacity. The largest exposure retained by us on any one risk in 2008 was $150,000. The 2008 property coverage for this program provided up to $2,850,000 over the $150,000 retention per risk. The 2008 casualty coverage for this program provided up to $4,850,000 over the $150,000 retention. Our 2008 workers compensation reinsurance provided up to $9,850,000 coverage above the $150,000 retention.

Catastrophic Excess of Loss Coverage. Catastrophic reinsurance protects us from significant aggregate loss exposure arising from a single event such as windstorm, hail, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, blizzard, freezing temperatures, and other extraordinary events. The contract is designed to help stabilize underwriting results and to mitigate the effect of individual loss occurrences. In 2008, we had three layers of catastrophic excess of loss reinsurance providing coverage for up to $24,750,000 above the $1,250,000 retention. We had an automatic reinstatement provision after the first loss for each layer to provide coverage in the event of subsequent

 

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catastrophes during the year. Coverage would lapse after the second event, in which case we would evaluate the need for a new contract for the remainder of the year. The 2008 reinstatement fees were 100% of the initial premium.

Quota Share Coverage. The Company utilizes quota share reinsurance for its boiler and machinery coverage which is primarily an equipment breakdown endorsement to commercial and farm policies. The contracts are 100% quota share and the Company receives a ceding commission ranging from 32% to 35% on the premiums ceded. The agreements also include profit sharing provisions based on the profitability of the underlying underwriting performance of the business ceded. In 2008, the Company entered into a quota share agreement which covers employment practices liability coverage. The agreement is 100% quota share and the Company receives ceding commission of 35% on the premiums ceded.

Facultative. We utilize facultative reinsurance to provide additional underwriting capacity, to mitigate the effect of individual losses and to reduce net liability on individual risks. Coverage is determined on each individual risk. In 2008, the Company obtained coverage ranging from $100,000 up to $18,900,000 for certain commercial properties it insured. The Company also purchased facultative reinsurance on certain casualty risks ranging from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 for certain commercial umbrella policies.

Michigan Catastrophic Claim Association. The Insurance Company is a member of the Michigan Catastrophic Claim Association, or MCCA, a statutorily created non-profit association which provides mandatory reinsurance to its members. Michigan is the only state that offers unlimited personal injury protection benefits which are offered through no-fault auto insurance policies. The reinsurance provided by the MCCA indemnifies its members for 100% of the losses sustained under personal injury protection policies issued by the members in excess of specified amounts. The MCCA must provide this reinsurance and the Insurance Company, like all insurance companies that write automobile insurance in Michigan, must accept and pay for the reinsurance.

2009 Reinsurance Coverage. For 2009, the retention under the Multi-Line Excess of Loss program increased to $175,000.

Our Reinsurers. The financial stability of our reinsurers is an important consideration. The insolvency or inability of any reinsurer to meet its obligations to us could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. As of December 31, 2008, our largest reinsurers based on a percentage of ceded written premiums are set forth in the following table. Except for the reinsurers listed below, no other individual reinsurer accounted for more than 5% of total ceded premiums written.

 

Reinsurer

   Ceded
Premiums
Written
   Percentage
of Total
    A.M. Best
Rating
     (000's)           

Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association

   $ 4,238    38.8 %   (1)

QBE Reinsurance Corp

     1,416    12.9 %   A

TOA Re Insurance Company of America

     1,131    10.3 %   A

Motors Insurance Corporation

     1,018    9.3 %   A-

Hartford Steam Boiler

     721    6.6 %   A

Hannover Ruckversicherungs—AG

     566    5.2 %   A

Other

     1,844    16.9 %   A- or better
               

Total

   $ 10,934    100.0 %  
               

 

(1) The MCCA does not receive an A.M. Best rating.

 

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The following table sets forth individual balances of loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable from reinsurers on both paid and unpaid claims as of December 31, 2008. Except for the reinsurers listed below, no other individual reinsurer accounted for more than 5% of total loss and LAE recoverable from reinsurers.

 

Reinsurer

   Loss and
loss
adjustment
expenses
recoverable
   Percentage
of Total
Recoverable
    A.M. Best
Rating
     (000's)           

Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association

   $ 1,742    25.5 %   (1)

QBE Reinsurance Corp

     1,175    17.2 %   A

TOA Re Insurance Company of America

     1,042    15.2 %   A

Motors Insurance Corporation

     910    13.3 %   A-

Hannover Ruckversicherungs—AG

     560    8.2 %   A

Dorinco Reinsurance Co.

     509    7.4 %   A-

Swiss Re America Corporation

     475    6.9 %     A+

Other

     431    6.3 %   A- or better
               

Total

   $ 6,844    100.0 %  
               

 

(1) The MCCA does not receive an A.M. Best rating.

INVESTMENTS

All of our investments are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair market value. Our return on invested assets is an important component of our operating results. Our investment objectives are to:

 

   

Maximize current yield;

 

   

Maintain adequate liquidity for insurance operations;

 

   

Maintain safety of principal through a balance of high quality and diversified investments;

 

   

Maintain daily oversight to minimize risk;

 

   

Minimize fluctuations in market valuations due to increasing interest rates by monitoring duration;

 

   

Meet regulatory requirements; and

 

   

Increase surplus through appreciation.

The investment committee, appointed by the Insurance Company’s board of directors, sets our investment policy. The investment committee meets twice each year to review the investment portfolio, asset allocation, performance, and liquidity. The Company utilizes an outside professional investment management firm for its fixed maturity securities. The firm specializes in management of insurance company investment portfolios. Professional asset management was deemed practical to allow for constant review of the portfolio and specialized focus.

See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a description of the Company’s fair value measurement approach to its investment portfolio.

 

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The following table sets forth information concerning the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio at December 31:

 

     December 31, 2008  
     Amortized Cost    Fair Value    Carrying Value    Percent of
Carrying Value
 

Fixed maturities:

           

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

   $ 9,088,700    $ 9,381,827    $ 9,381,827    16.0 %

States and political subdivisions

     23,010,088      22,512,803      22,512,803    38.5 %

Corporate securities

     5,116,362      5,093,674      5,093,674    8.7 %

Mortgage-backed securities

     17,378,907      16,970,479      16,970,479    29.0 %
                           

Total fixed maturities

     54,594,057      53,958,783      53,958,783    92.2 %

Equity securities—mutual funds:

     7,704,834      4,560,368      4,560,368    7.8 %
                           

Total investments

   $ 62,298,891    $ 58,519,151    $ 58,519,151    100.0 %
                           

At December 31, 2008, our fixed maturity portfolio had a fair value of approximately $54.0 million. All of the fixed maturity investments are rated by Moody’s as investment grade with an average credit quality rating of AA+ and an average duration of 4.1 years. As a result, the market value of our investments may fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. In addition, we may experience investment losses to the extent our liquidity needs require the disposition of fixed maturity securities in unfavorable interest rate environments. At December 31, 2008, our equity portfolio, which consists entirely of mutual funds, was spread among the following mutual fund types: large-cap—29%, mid-cap—24%, small-cap—26%, specialty—3% and international 18%.

 

     December 31, 2007  
     Amortized Cost    Fair Value    Carrying Value    Percent of
Carrying Value
 

Fixed maturities:

           

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

   $ 3,172,509      3,198,181    $ 3,198,181    5.4 %

States and political subdivisions

     25,421,294      25,761,183      25,761,183    43.8 %

Corporate securities

     6,928,699      6,833,902      6,833,902    11.6 %

Mortgage-backed securities

     14,710,728      14,735,608      14,735,608    25.1 %
                           

Total fixed maturities

     50,233,230      50,528,874      50,528,874    85.9 %

Equity securities—mutual funds:

     7,485,046      8,305,133      8,305,133    14.1 %
                           

Total investments

   $ 57,718,276    $ 58,834,007    $ 58,834,007    100.0 %
                           

At December 31, 2007, our fixed maturity portfolio had a fair value of approximately $50.5 million. All of the fixed maturity investments are rated by Moody’s as investment grade with an average credit quality rating of AA+ and an average duration of 5.1 years. As a result, the market value of our investments may fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. In addition, we may experience investment losses to the extent our liquidity needs require the disposition of fixed maturity securities in unfavorable interest rate environments. At December 31, 2007, our equity portfolio, which consists entirely of mutual funds, was spread among the following mutual fund types: large-cap—30%, mid-cap—21%, small-cap—25%, specialty—4% and international 20%.

 

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The following table shows the ratings distribution of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio by rating as a percentage of fair value as of December 31, 2008:

 

     As of December 31, 2008  

Rating

   Fair Value    Percent of
Fair Value
 

“AAA”

   $ 29,697,646    55.0 %

“AA”

     15,105,838    28.0 %

“A”

     9,117,299    16.9 %

No Rating

     38,000    0.1 %
             

Total Fixed maturities

   $ 53,958,783    100.0 %
             

The Company reviews the status and market value changes of its investment portfolio on at least a quarterly basis during the year, and any provisions for other-than-temporary impairments in the portfolio’s value are evaluated and established at each quarterly balance sheet date. In reviewing its fixed maturity securities for other than temporary impairment, the Company takes into consideration the security’s market price history, the length of time that the security’s fair value has been below cost, the issuer’s operating results, financial condition and liquidity, its ability to access capital markets, credit rating trends, most current audit opinion, industry and securities market conditions, and analyst expectations, to reach its conclusions. In reviewing its equity securities, which currently consist of mutual funds, the Company takes into consideration the mutual fund’s market price history, the length of time that the fund’s fair value has been below cost, the individual investments held within the mutual fund, most current audit opinion, industry and securities market conditions, and analyst expectations to reach its conclusions. In addition to analyzing each individual security that has a fair value below cost, the Company also considers its intent and ability to hold a security until its maturity, in the case of a fixed maturity security, or until its fair value is equal to or greater than its cost.

The following two tables show the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual investments have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

    December 31, 2008
    Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total
    Estimated
Fair

Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair

Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair

Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fixed maturities:

           

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

  $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  

States and political subdivisions

    8,377,480     383,576     3,115,265     338,190     11,492,745     721,766

Corporate securities

    1,396,720     43,584     571,754     28,246     1,968,474     71,830

Mortgage-backed securities

    4,578,839     637,609     937,578     75,759     5,516,417     713,368
                                   
    14,353,039     1,064,769     4,624,597     442,195     18,977,636     1,506,964
                                   

Equity securities—mutual funds

    2,804,128     1,617,854     1,756,240     1,526,612     4,560,368     3,144,466
                                   

Total

  $ 17,157,167   $ 2,682,623   $ 6,380,837   $ 1,968,807   $ 23,538,004   $ 4,651,430
                                   

 

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As of December 31, 2008, the portfolio included 26 fixed maturity securities and 10 equity securities in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 12 fixed maturity securities and 5 equity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. Of the fixed maturity securities, five were trading between 73% and 84% of amortized cost, twelve were trading between 85% and 94% of amortized cost and the remaining twenty-one were trading at or above 95% of amortized cost. All of the fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position and assigned a rating by a commercial credit rating agency are rated investment grade securities. During 2008, the Company wrote down a corporate bond as it deemed the security to be other than temporarily impaired. The impairment loss was $362,000 and is included in net realized investment losses on investment in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Of the fifteen equity securities in an unrealized loss position, the range of market value to cost was from 37% up to 83%. While all of these securities are monitored for potential impairment, the Company’s experience indicates that they generally do not present as great a risk of impairment, as fair value often recovers over time. These securities have generally been adversely affected by the downturn in the financial markets and overall economic conditions. Management believes that the analysis of each of these securities in addition to the fact that the Company has both the intent and ability to hold these securities until their recovery supports our view that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

    December 31, 2007
    Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total
    Estimated
Fair

Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair

Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair

Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fixed maturities:

           

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

  $ 363,659   $ 27   $ 318,447   $ 1,799   $ 682,106   $ 1,826

States and political subdivisions

    2,894,945     30,825     1,829,980     9,086     4,724,925     39,911

Corporate securities

    —       —       5,925,361     100,328     5,925,361     100,328

Mortgage-backed securities

    —       —       6,381,930     94,824     6,381,930     94,824
                                   
    3,258,604     30,852     14,455,718     206,037     17,714,322     236,889
                                   

Equity securities—mutual funds

    2,081,160     203,544     —       —       2,081,160     203,544
                                   

Total

  $ 5,339,764   $ 234,396   $ 14,455,718   $ 206,037   $ 19,795,482   $ 440,433
                                   

As of December 31, 2007, the portfolio included 6 fixed maturity securities and 4 equity securities in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 45 fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. None of the fixed maturity securities were trading below 90% of cost or amortized cost. All of the fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position and assigned a rating by commercial credit rating companies are rated investment grade securities. Of the 4 equity securities in an unrealized loss position, 1 was trading at 85% of cost while the remaining 3 were trading at or above 90% of cost. While all of these securities are monitored for potential impairment, the Company’s experience indicates that they generally do not present as great a risk of impairment, as fair value often recovers over time. These securities have generally been adversely affected by the downturn in the financial markets and overall economic conditions. Management believes that the analysis of each of these securities supports the view that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

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The following table presents the maturity profile of our fixed maturity investments as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. As noted above the average duration of the portfolio at December 31, 2008 was 4.1 years compared to 5.1 years at December 31, 2007. Actual maturities of mortgaged-backed securities differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Prepayment rates are influenced by a number of factors that cannot be predicted with certainty, including: the relative sensitivity of the underlying mortgages or other collateral to changes in interest rates; a variety of economic, geographic and other factors; and the repayment priority of the securities in the overall securitization structures. These securities are presented separately in the maturity schedule due to the inherent risk associated with prepayment.

 

     December 31, 2008  
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Percent of
Fair Value
 

Due in one year or less

   $ 3,666,953    $ 3,689,678    6.8 %

Due after one year through five years

     12,326,591      12,642,551    23.4 %

Due after five years through 10 years

     18,597,139      18,327,983    34.0 %

Due after 10 years

     2,624,467      2,328,091    4.3 %

Mortgage-backed securities

     17,378,907      16,970,480    31.5 %
                    

Total

   $ 54,594,057    $ 53,958,783    100.0 %
                    
     December 31, 2007  
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Percent of
Fair Value
 

Due in one year or less

   $ 2,921,943    $ 2,916,466    5.8 %

Due after one year through five years

     8,165,030      8,194,183    16.2 %

Due after five years through 10 years

     19,025,889      19,276,699    38.1 %

Due after 10 years

     5,409,641      5,405,918    10.7 %

Mortgage-backed securities

     14,710,727      14,735,608    29.2 %
                    

Total

   $ 50,233,230    $ 50,528,874    100.0 %
                    

Management of Market Risk. We are subject to various market risk exposures, including interest rate risk and equity price risk. Our primary risk exposure is to changes in interest rates. We manage market risk through our investment committee and through the use of an outside professional investment management firm. We are vulnerable to interest rate changes because, like other insurance companies, we invest primarily in fixed maturity securities, which are interest-sensitive assets. Mortgage-backed securities, which make up approximately 29% of our investment portfolio, are particularly susceptible to interest rate changes. We invest primarily in classes of mortgage-backed securities that are less vulnerable to prepayment risk and, as a result, somewhat less sensitive to interest rate risk than other mortgage-backed securities.

The value of our equity investments is dependent upon general conditions in the securities markets and the business and financial performance of the individual companies in the portfolio. Values are typically based on future economic prospects as perceived by investors in the equity markets.

 

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Effect of Interest Rate Changes. Interest rate risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. Our exposure to interest rate changes primarily results from our significant holdings of fixed rate investments. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these securities. Therefore, an adverse change in market prices of these securities would result in losses reflected in the balance sheet. The following table shows the effects of a change in interest rates on the fair value of our fixed maturity investment portfolio. We have assumed an immediate increase or decrease of 1% or 2% in interest rates. You should not consider this assumption or the values shown in the table to be a prediction of actual future results. The other financial instruments, which include cash, premiums due from reinsurers and accrued investment income, do not produce a significant difference in fair value when included in the market risk due to their short-term nature.

 

Change in Rate

   Portfolio
Value
   Change in
Value
 
     (In thousands)  

2%

   $ 49,309    $ (4,650 )

1%

     51,613      (2,346 )

0

     53,959      —    

-1%

     56,346      2,387  

-2%

     58,775      4,816  

A.M. BEST RATING

In January 2009, A.M. Best, which rates insurance companies based on factors of concern to policyholders, reaffirmed Fremont Insurance Company’s financial strength rating (FSR) of “B++” (Good) rating and changed the outlook from stable to positive. A.M. Best assigns “B++” ratings to companies that, in its opinion, have demonstrated very good overall performance when compared to the standards established by A.M. Best. In evaluating our financial and operating performance, A.M. Best reviews our profitability, leverage and liquidity, as well as our book of business, the adequacy and soundness of our reinsurance, the quality and estimated market value of our assets, the adequacy of our loss reserves, the adequacy of our surplus, our capital structure, the experience and competency of our management, and our market presence. We have no assurance that A.M. Best will not reduce our current rating in the future. A.M. Best ratings are not directed toward the protection of investors. As such, our A.M. Best rating should not be relied upon as a basis for an investment decision to buy our common stock.

COMPETITION

The property and casualty insurance market is highly competitive. We compete against other Michigan-based insurance carriers as well as major regional and national carriers. The national carriers we compete with on a regular basis are Citizens Insurance Company of America, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and the Allstate Corporation. Regional companies that are important competitors include Auto Owners Insurance Group, Allied Insurance, Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan, Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company and Hastings Mutual Insurance Company. Smaller state competitors would include Michigan Insurance Company, Pioneer State Mutual Insurance Company and Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company. Some of these competitors are larger and have much greater financial, technical and operating resources than we have. Our ability to compete successfully depends upon a number of factors, many of which are out of our control, such as market conditions, our A.M. Best rating, and regulatory conditions. We compete primarily based upon the following factors:

 

   

the price and quality of our insurance products;

 

   

the quality and speed of our service and claims response;

 

   

our financial strength;

 

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our A.M. Best rating;

 

   

our sales and marketing capability; and

 

   

our technical expertise.

REGULATION

General. Insurance companies are subject to supervision and regulation in the states in which they transact business relating to numerous aspects of their business and financial condition. The primary purpose of this supervision and regulation is the protection of policyholders. The extent of the regulation varies, but generally derives from state statutes that delegate regulatory, supervisory and administrative authority to state insurance departments.

We are licensed to write insurance only in Michigan and are subject to supervision and regulation by the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (“OFIR”). OFIR requires the filing of annual, quarterly and other reports relating to the financial condition of insurance companies doing business in Michigan. The authority of the OFIR includes, among other things:

 

   

establishing standards of solvency which must be met and maintained by insurers;

 

   

requiring certain methods of accounting;

 

   

classifying assets as admissible for purposes of determining statutory surplus;

 

   

licensing of insurers and their agents to do business;

 

   

establishing guidelines for the nature of and limitations on investments by insurers;

 

   

reviewing premium rates for various lines of insurance;

 

   

approval of policy forms;

 

   

reviewing the provisions which insurers must make for current losses and future liabilities;

 

   

reviewing transactions involving a change in control;

 

   

restrictions on payments of dividends to shareholders;

 

   

restrictions on transactions between insurers and their affiliates; and

 

   

reviewing claims, advertising and marketing practices.

Examinations. Examinations are regularly conducted by the OFIR every three to five years. In April 2008, OFIR completed an examination of the Insurance Company as of December 31, 2006. The examination did not result in any material adjustments to the Insurance Company’s financial position. In addition, there have been no substantive qualitative matters indicated that would have had an adverse impact on the Insurance Company’s operations.

NAIC Risk-Based Capital Requirements. In addition to state-imposed insurance laws and regulations, the OFIR administers the risk based capital standards adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) that require insurance companies to calculate and report information under a risk-based formula that attempts to measure statutory capital and surplus needs based on the risks in a company’s mix of products and investment portfolio. Under the formula, we first determine our risk-based capital level by taking into account risks with respect to our assets and underwriting risks relating to our liabilities and obligations. We then compare our “total adjusted capital” to the base level. Our “total adjusted capital” is determined by subtracting our liabilities from our assets in accordance with rules established by the OFIR.

 

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The following table highlights the ramifications of the various ranges of non-compliance. The ratios represent the relationship of a company’s total adjusted capital to its risk-based capital base level.

 

Ratio and Category

  

Action

2.0 or more

   None-in compliance

1.5-1.99: Company Action

   Company must submit a comprehensive plan to the regulatory authority discussing proposed corrective actions to improve its capital position

1.0-1.49: Regulatory Action

   Regulatory authority will perform a special examination of the company and issue an order specifying corrective actions that must be taken

0.7-0.99: Authorized Control

   Regulatory authority may take any action it deems necessary, including placing the company under regulatory control

Less than 0.7: Mandatory Control

   Regulatory authority is required to place the company under regulatory control

The Insurance Company has always exceeded the required levels of capital for compliance and has always been in compliance. There can be no assurance, however, that the capital requirements applicable to our business will not increase in the future. As of December 31, 2008, our risk-based capital authorized control level was $2,914,308 and our total adjusted capital was $33,169,079, yielding a ratio of 11.4.

IRIS Requirements. The NAIC has also developed a set of financial ratios, referred to as the Insurance Regulatory Information System (“IRIS”) for use by state insurance regulators in monitoring the financial condition of insurance companies. The NAIC has established an acceptable range of values for each of the IRIS financial ratios. Generally, an insurance company will become the subject of increased scrutiny when four or more of its IRIS ratio results fall outside the range deemed acceptable by the NAIC. The nature of increased regulatory scrutiny resulting from IRIS ratio results that are outside the acceptable range is subject to the judgment of the applicable state insurance department, but generally will result in accelerated review of annual and quarterly filings. Depending on the nature and severity of the underlying cause of the IRIS ratio results being outside the acceptable range, increased regulatory scrutiny could range from increased but informal regulatory oversight to placing a company under regulatory control.

NAIC values

 

          IRIS Ratios     Our Results  
          Over    Under     2008  
1    Gross Premiums Written to Surplus    900    —       184  
2    Net Premiums Written to Surplus    300    —       151  
3    Change in Net Premiums Written    33    (33 )   14  
4    Surplus Aid to Surplus    15    —       0  
5    Two-Year Overall Operating Ratio    100    —       87  
6    Investment Yield    6.5    3     3.2  
7    Gross Change in Surplus    50    (10 )   (2 )
8    Net Change in Adjusted Surplus    25    (10 )   (2 )
9    Liabilities to Liquid Assets    105    —       58  
10    Gross Agents’ Balances to Surplus    40    —       2  
11    One-Year Reserve Development to Surplus    20    —       (8 )
12    Two-Year Reserve Development to Surplus    20    —       (15 )
13    Estimated Current Reserve Deficiency to Surplus    25    —       (15 )

 

 

(1) “*” denotes results outside of the usual range
(2) “—” denotes no lower limit on the range

As of December 31, 2008, all of the Company’s ratios were within the acceptable range.

 

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Guaranty Fund. We participate in the Property and Casualty Guaranty Association of the State of Michigan (“PCGA”), which protects policyholders and claimants against losses due to insolvency of insurers. When an insolvency occurs, the Association is authorized to assess member companies up to the amount of the shortfall of funds, including expenses. Member companies are assessed based on the type and amount of insurance written during the previous calendar year. We recognize a liability for insurance related assessments when an assessment has been imposed or information available indicates it is probable that an assessment will be imposed, or an event obligating us to pay an imposed or probable assessment has occurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated. We incurred approximately $15,000, $12,000 and $11,000 in assessments related to the PCGA in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Michigan Catastrophic Claim Association. Michigan’s no-fault law requires insurers to provide unlimited medical coverage to automobile accident victims. The cost of providing the unlimited medical coverage has somewhat offset the savings typically associated with a non-monetary threshold. In response, the Michigan Catastrophic Claim Association (“MCCA”), which is an unincorporated nonprofit association created by Michigan law, was established to spread the costs of medical coverage to all policyholders. The MCCA essentially acts as a reinsurer for all Michigan automobile insurers, reimbursing them for amounts paid on personal injury protection claims above a retention level. The current MCCA retention is $420,000. This limit will increase incrementally to $500,000 by July 1, 2011. Every insurer engaged in writing automobile personal injury protection insurance coverage in Michigan is required to be a member of MCCA. Personal injury protection is included in automobile insurance. Member companies cede premiums which are based on the number of vehicles for which coverage is written, to cover the losses reported by all member companies. Although the MCCA acts in the same manner as a reinsurer, it is not an insurance company and is not rated by A.M. Best.

Michigan Basic Property Insurance Association. The Michigan Basic Property Insurance Association (“MBPIA”) provides basic insurance to property-owners who cannot obtain insurance through insurance carriers in the normal course of business due to a high-risk exposure. The MBPIA assesses insurance carriers in Michigan a fee for continuation of the association based on the amount of losses incurred by the association and the amount of net written premium of the carrier related to property insurance. The assessment was approximately $77,000 and $107,000 in 2008 and 2007, respectively. There was no assessment in 2006.

Michigan No-Fault Automobile Insurance. Under a pure no-fault automobile insurance system, responsibility for an automobile accident is not at issue. Each policyholder’s own insurance company pays for his or her medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident, and the individuals relinquish the right to sue to recover damages. The objective of such a system is to eliminate the delays and costs of court disputes associated with the tort system, encourage prompt payment of compensation, and return a larger percentage of insurance premium dollars to accident victims. Michigan has a modified no-fault system that limits lawsuits relating to automobile accidents. For example, a suit for damages is permitted under Michigan’s no-fault law when an injured person has suffered death, permanent serious disfigurement, or serious impairment of a body function. Damages are assessed on the basis of comparative fault, except that damages will not be assessed in favor of a party who is more than 50% at fault.

The Michigan Essential Insurance Act. The Michigan Essential Insurance Act (“MEIA”) requires an insurer to insure every applicant for automobile and homeowner insurance that meets the minimum requirements and the insurer’s underwriting rules. The underwriting rules must be applied uniformly to all applicants and policyholders. Each insurer must file its underwriting rules with the Insurance Commissioner. In addition, the MEIA limits rating criteria that insurers may employ, requires insurers to develop a “secondary” or merit rating plan under which premium surcharges are levied on poor drivers, establishes a joint underwriting association to provide insurance to individuals who cannot obtain coverage in the insurance market, and regulates other types of coverage and informational requirements.

Insurance Scoring. The financial stability of an insured, in all lines of business, has always been a strong consideration in underwriting and pricing. The Company currently uses insurance scoring (similar to a credit

 

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score) as a pricing tool in its homeowners, mobilowners, personal auto, marine and farm lines of business. Numerous studies have verified the validity of insurance scoring as a predictor of future losses.

On January 12, 2005, the Governor of Michigan and the Commissioner of the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (“OFIR”) issued proposed rules to reduce base insurance rates and ban the use of insurance credit scores as a rating factor or as a basis to refuse to insure or limit coverage on personal insurance. Personal insurance includes private passenger automobile, homeowners, motorcycle, boat, personal watercraft, snowmobile, recreational vehicle, mobile-homeowners and non-commercial dwelling fire lines. The proposed ban was to be effective on July 1, 2005. The Insurance Institute of Michigan (“IIM”), of which the Company is a member, mounted a legal challenge to the ban and filed a suit on March 25, 2005 in Barry County Circuit Court seeking relief from the proposed ban. On April 25, 2005 the Circuit Court issued a final order in the matter of IIM et al v. OFIR, pertaining to insurers’ use of insurance credit scores to provide discounts on personal lines of insurance. In the final order the Circuit Court ruled in favor of IIM, ordering that Plaintiff’s request for declaratory relief is granted, and the OFIR rules, R 500.2151-2155 were declared illegal, invalid and unenforceable. It was further ordered that Defendant was permanently enjoined from enforcing these rules.

The Commissioner of the OFIR filed an appeal to this ruling in the Michigan Court of Appeals. The appeal was heard before the appellate court on October 10, 2006. In a 2-1 decision, the Michigan Court of Appeals on September 22, 2008 vacated the Barry County Circuit Court and ruled that the administrative rules to ban the use of credit-based insurance scoring were valid. The industry had been prepared in the event of an unfavorable ruling and on October 2, 2008 IIM has sought leave to appeal that decision to the Michigan Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is under no timetable to determine if they will take up the case. Until such time that they decide whether or not to take up the appeal, which could be up to a year, the stay remains in effect and we will continue to utilize insurance scoring as a pricing tool.

Holding Company Regulation. Most states, including Michigan, have enacted legislation that regulates insurance holding company systems. Each insurance company in a holding company system is required to register with the insurance supervisory agency of its state of domicile and furnish information concerning the operations of companies within the holding company system that may materially affect the operations, management or financial condition of the insurers within the system. These laws permit the OFIR and any other relevant insurance departments to examine the Insurance Company and the Holding Company at any time, to require disclosure of material transactions between them and to require prior approval of transactions, such as extraordinary dividends from the Insurance Company to the Holding Company. All transactions between companies within a holding company system must be fair and equitable to the insurance company. Under Michigan law, the maximum amount of dividends that may be paid by an insurer to its stockholders during any twelve-month period without approval of the OFIR is the greater of 10% of the insurer’s surplus as reported on the most recent annual statement filed with the OFIR or the net income, excluding realized capital gains, of the insurer for the twelve-month period covered by such annual statement.

Change in Control. The Michigan Insurance Code requires that the Insurance Commissioner receive prior notice and approve of a change of control in either the Insurance Company or the Holding Company. The Insurance Code contains a complete definition of “control.” In simplified terms, a person, corporation or other entity would obtain “control” of the Insurance Company or the Holding Company if they possessed, had a right to acquire possession or had the power to direct any other person acquiring possession, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting securities of either company. To obtain approval for a change of control, the proposed acquirer must file an application with the Insurance Commissioner containing detailed information such as the identity and background of the acquirer and its affiliates, the sources and amount of funds to be used to effect the acquisition, and financial information regarding the proposed acquirer.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. On July 30, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the SOA. The stated goals of the SOA are to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies, and to protect investors by

 

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improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws. The SOA generally applies to all companies, both U.S. and non-U.S., that file or are required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act).

The SOA includes very specific additional disclosure requirements and new corporate governance rules, requires the SEC and securities exchanges to adopt extensive additional disclosure, corporate governance and other related rules, and mandates further studies of specified issues by the SEC and the Comptroller General. The SOA represents significant federal involvement in matters traditionally left to state regulatory systems, such as the regulation of the accounting profession, and to state corporate law, such as the relationship between a board of directors and management and between a board of directors and its committees. The SOA addresses, among other matters:

 

   

audit committees, including the independence of members, communications with auditors and selection and oversight of auditors;

 

   

certification of financial statements by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer;

 

   

disclosure of off-balance sheet transactions;

 

   

a prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers;

 

   

expedited filing requirements for Form 4 statements of changes of beneficial ownership of securities required to be filed by officers, directors and 10% shareholders;

 

   

disclosure of whether or not a company has adopted a code of ethics;

 

   

various increased criminal penalties for violations of securities laws.

Under the current rules we are subject to the provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that require an annual management assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we will be subject to both the management assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting as well as the related attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company’s financial performance is dependent upon its own specific business characteristics, however, risk factors do exist which could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition and a corresponding decline in the market price of our common stock. Risk factors include, but may not be limited to, the following:

Our financial results could be affected by the cyclical patterns of the soft and hard market in the property and casualty industry.

The financial performance of the property and casualty industry tends to fluctuate in patterns of soft markets followed by hard markets. The Company’s strategy is to focus on disciplined underwriting and avoid riding the cycle of soft and hard markets. However, if the marketplace puts pressure on pricing we may not be able to implement rate increases which could have a negative effect on our financial performance.

Because we concentrate all of our business in Michigan, its weather will affect our results.

All insurance policies we write are generated in Michigan, with a significant portion in four counties: Kent, Newaygo, Van Buren and Muskegon. Companies with a more diversified geographic portfolio would not be as exposed to Michigan weather as we are.

 

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Catastrophe and natural peril losses may hurt our financial condition.

By their nature, catastrophe losses are unpredictable in their number and severity. They can be caused by various severe weather events, including snow storms, ice storms, freezing temperatures, tornadoes, wild fires, wind and hail. The extent of net losses from catastrophes depends upon three factors:

 

   

the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected by the event,

 

   

the severity of the event, and

 

   

the amount and structure of our reinsurance coverage.

We obtain reinsurance to aid in paying catastrophe loss claims, but we may experience operating losses in years when catastrophe claims are higher than expected. Natural perils such as freezing rain, snow storms, wind storms and tornadoes, which may occur frequently but not rise to the level of a catastrophe, may cause us to lose money because they are not classified as a catastrophe under our reinsurance program. If our reinsurance pays catastrophe loss claims, we may still incur substantial expense to reinstate the coverage used.

If we underestimated the amount of our required loss reserves, our results may suffer.

We maintain reserves to cover our estimated liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) with respect to reported and unreported claims incurred. Reserves are estimates involving actuarial and statistical projections at a given point in time of what we expect to be the cost of the ultimate settlement and administration of claims based on facts and circumstances then known, actual and historical information, predictions of future events, estimates of future trends in claims severity and judicial theories of liability, legislative activity and other variable factors, such as inflation, investment returns, and price increases because of local shortages. The Company’s overall reserving practice provides for ongoing claims evaluation and adjustment (if necessary) based on the development of related data and other relevant information pertaining to such claims. Loss and LAE reserves, including reserves for claims that have been incurred but not yet reported, are analyzed regularly and we adjust our reserves based on such reviews. We believe our reserves are adequate. However, establishing appropriate reserves is an uncertain process. There is no guarantee that our ultimate losses will not exceed our reserves. To the extent that reserves prove to be inadequate in the future, we would have to increase reserves, which would reduce our earnings and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

We face strong competition from large companies, which may reduce our earnings and profits.

We principally insure against property and casualty losses. This segment of the market is highly competitive. We compete against other Michigan-based insurance carriers as well as major regional and national carriers. The national carriers we compete with on a regular basis are Citizens Insurance Company of America, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and the Allstate Corporation. Regional companies that are important competitors include Auto Owners Insurance Group, Allied Insurance, Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan, Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company and Hastings Mutual Insurance Company. Smaller state competitors would include Michigan Insurance Company, Pioneer State Mutual Insurance Company and Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company. Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and operating resources than we do. As a result, many of our lines of insurance are subject to strong price competition and heavy advertising by larger companies, which could result in loss of business and adversely affect our earnings.

Our reliance on independent insurance agencies to sell our products as well as their ability to sell products of our competitors could adversely affect the sale of our products.

We market our property and casualty insurance products exclusively in Michigan through approximately 175 independent agencies. Our independent insurance agencies represent other insurance companies, including

 

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our competitors, which also compete for the service and allegiance of these agencies. If a significant number of the independent agencies shift profitable accounts from us to our competitors, it could adversely affect our business.

A downgrade in our A.M. Best rating could hurt our premium volume.

Ratings assigned by A.M. Best Company, Inc. influence the competitive position of insurance companies. Their ratings are based upon factors of concern to policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Our current rating is “B++” (Good). Our business is sensitive to those ratings. If we were to experience a rating downgrade, our independent agents could be inclined to place their customers with higher-rated insurance carriers, which could result in a loss of premium volume and could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, a downgrade in our A.M. Best rating could make it more difficult or costly to obtain reinsurance.

If we are unable to obtain adequate reinsurance coverage at reasonable rates in the future, we may be unable to manage our underwriting risks and operate our business profitably.

Reinsurance is the practice of transferring part of the liabilities and the premiums under an insurance policy to another insurance company. Like other insurance companies, we use reinsurance arrangements to limit and manage the amount of risk we retain and to stabilize our underwriting results. Reinsurance can be facultative reinsurance or treaty reinsurance. Under facultative reinsurance, each risk or portion of a risk is reinsured individually. Under treaty reinsurance, an agreed-upon portion of business written is automatically reinsured. Treaty reinsurance can also be classified as quota share reinsurance, pro-rata insurance or excess of loss reinsurance. Under quota share reinsurance and pro-rata insurance, the ceding company cedes a percentage of its insurance liability to the reinsurer in exchange for a like percentage of premiums, less a ceding commission, and, in turn, will recover from the reinsurer the reinsurer’s share of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred on those risks. Under excess of loss reinsurance, an insurer limits its liability to all or a particular portion of the amount in excess of a predetermined deductible or retention. Regardless of type, reinsurance does not legally discharge the ceding insurer from primary liability for the full amount due under the reinsured policies. However, the assuming reinsurer is obligated to reimburse the ceding company to the extent of the coverage ceded. The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions and may vary significantly over time. Reinsurance rates are not regulated and reinsurers are able to quickly raise their rates in response to changing market conditions. On the other hand, the Insurance Company’s rates are regulated, and it could take us years to obtain regulatory approval and collect rate increases based on the rising costs of reinsurance. There is no assurance that regulators would approve a rate increase based on these costs. Reinsurance may not be available to us in the future at commercially reasonable rates. If it is not available at reasonable rates, we may be unable to manage our underwriting risks and operate our business profitably.

If our reinsurers do not fulfill their financial obligations to us it may jeopardize our earnings and financial condition.

We are subject to loss and credit risk relating to the reinsurers we deal with because buying reinsurance does not relieve us of our liability to policyholders. The insolvency or inability of any reinsurer to meet its obligations may have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations and financial condition of the Insurance Company.

If we do not have adequate reinsurance coverage, our earnings and financial condition would be in jeopardy.

It is possible that the losses we experience on risks we have reinsured will exceed the coverage limits on the reinsurance. If the amount of our reinsurance is not sufficient, our insurance losses would increase which could jeopardize our earnings and financial condition

 

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Changes in prevailing interest rates may reduce our revenues, cash flows and shareholders’ equity.

We have invested a significant portion of our investment portfolio in fixed maturity securities. In recent years, we have earned our investment income primarily from interest income on this portfolio. Lower interest rates could reduce the return on our portfolio and the amount of this income if we must reinvest at rates below those we have on securities currently in the portfolio. The reduced investment income could also reduce our cash flows. In addition, in a declining interest rate environment, we may lower our credit quality standards in order to maintain yield on the investment portfolio, which would negatively impact the quality of our investment portfolio. A decline in the quality of our portfolio could result in realized losses on securities, creating additional volatility in our statement of operations. Higher interest rates could reduce the market value of our fixed income investments resulting in a reduction to stockholders’ equity.

We could be forced to sell investments to meet our liquidity requirements.

We believe that we maintain adequate amounts of cash and short-term investments to pay claims, and do not expect to sell securities prematurely for such purposes. We may, however, decide to sell securities as a result of changes in interest rates, credit quality, the rate of repayment or other similar factors. A significant increase in market interest rates could result in a situation in which we are required to sell securities at depressed prices to fund payments to our insureds. Since we carry debt securities at fair value, we expect that these securities would be sold with no material impact on our net equity. However, if these securities are sold, future net investment income may be reduced if we are unable to reinvest in securities with similar or better yields.

Declining debt and equity markets could adversely affect our investment portfolio.

A declining market could stress the values of investments of all firms and could cause the investment ratings of the issuers of debt or equity to decline. Therefore, a declining market could negatively impact the credit quality of our investment portfolio as adverse equity markets also affect issuers of securities held by us. Declines in the quality of the portfolio could cause additional realized losses on securities, thus causing volatility in our statement of operations.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 may have a material adverse effect on our business.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires new corporate governance standards, increased disclosures, expanded insider accountability, broadened sanctions and increased oversight by the Board and its committees. It also requires higher standards for the composition of the audit committee, heightens auditor independence, and limits non-audit services we can obtain from our outside auditor. In addition, the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will increase our audit-related costs as we and our independent auditors have elevated their standards and procedures. Our costs for legal compliance will also increase.

Regulatory changes could adversely affect our business.

The Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (“OFIR”) regulates numerous aspects of our business and financial condition, which include:

 

   

approving premium rates;

 

   

establishing standards of solvency;

 

   

licensing our agents and us;

 

   

regulating the types and amounts of our investments;

 

   

regulating the reserves we must establish for our current losses and future liabilities; and

 

   

approving our policy forms.

 

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The regulation and supervision are primarily for the protection of policyholders and not for the benefit of shareholders.

The insurance regulatory structure has been subject to increased scrutiny in recent years by federal and state legislative bodies and state regulatory authorities. Future legislation or regulatory changes could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Adverse legislative and regulatory activity, which increases our costs, adversely affects our capital or constrains our ability to adequately price insurance coverage, may occur in the future. In recent years, insurers have been under pressure from state insurance regulators, legislatures and special interest groups to reduce, freeze or set rates at levels that may not correspond with current underlying costs.

Regulators may limit our use of credit-based insurance scoring, adversely affecting our ability to effectively price our products.

We use credit-based insurance scoring as one means to price our products. Insurance companies have been criticized for using credit-based insurance scoring as a means to improve underwriting results. There are many variations of credit-based insurance scoring formulas and projections used by insurance companies. We use a form of credit- based insurance scoring which projects a numerical score ranging from 200 to 900 (“Insurance Score”), with the higher number indicating a better score, based on information in a person’s credit report maintained by one of the several national credit reporting firms. An Insurance Score, like a credit score, is based on various factors such as payment history, collections, credit utilization and bankruptcies. The score is used to predict how often you are likely to file claims, and how expensive those claims will be.

On January 12, 2005, the Governor of Michigan and the Commissioner of the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (“OFIR”) issued proposed rules to reduce base insurance rates and ban the use of insurance credit scores as a rating factor or as a basis to refuse to insure or limit coverage on personal insurance. Personal insurance includes private passenger automobile, homeowners, motorcycle, boat, personal watercraft, snowmobile, recreational vehicle, mobile-homeowners and non-commercial dwelling fire lines. The proposed ban was to be effective on July 1, 2005. The Insurance Institute of Michigan (“IIM”), of which the Company is a member, mounted a legal challenge to the ban and filed a suit on March 25, 2005 in Barry County Circuit Court seeking relief from the proposed ban. On April 25, 2005 the Circuit Court issued a final order in the matter of IIM et al v. OFIR, pertaining to insurers’ use of insurance credit scores to provide discounts on personal lines of insurance. In the final order the Circuit Court ruled in favor of IIM, ordering that Plaintiff’s request for declaratory relief is granted, and the OFIR rules, R 500.2151-2155 were declared illegal, invalid and unenforceable. It was further ordered that Defendant was permanently enjoined from enforcing these rules.

The Commissioner of the OFIR filed an appeal to this ruling in the Michigan Court of Appeals. The appeal was heard before the appellate court on October 10, 2006. In a 2-1 decision, the Michigan Court of Appeals on September 22, 2008 vacated the Barry County Circuit Court and ruled that the administrative rules to ban the use of credit-based insurance scoring were valid. The industry had been prepared in the event of an unfavorable ruling and on October 2, 2008 IIM has sought leave to appeal that decision to the Michigan Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is under no timetable to determine if they will take up the case. Until such time that they decide whether or not to take up the appeal, which could be up to a year, the stay remains in effect and we will continue to utilize insurance scoring as a pricing tool.

Even if successful on appeal, other reform legislation or regulatory action by OFIR could limit the effective use of this underwriting measure.

We believe that a higher Insurance Score indicates a lower expected risk of loss. If regulators were to restrict or prohibit our use of insurance scoring, it could impede us from effectively pricing our products.

 

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Assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds, second-injury funds and other mandatory pooling arrangements may reduce our profitability.

We participate in the Michigan Property and Casualty Guaranty Association (“MPCGA”), which protects policyholders and claimants against losses due to insolvency of insurers. When an insolvency occurs, the MPCGA is authorized to assess member companies up to the amount of the shortfalls of funds, including expenses. Member companies are assessed based on the type and amount of insurance written during the previous calendar year. We recognize a liability for insurance related assessments when an assessment has been imposed or information available indicates it is probable that an assessment will be imposed, or an event obligating us to pay an imposed or probable assessment has occurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated.

The Michigan Basic Property Insurance Association (“MBPIA”) provides basic insurance to property-owners who cannot obtain insurance through insurance carriers in the normal course of business due to a high-risk exposure. The MBPIA assesses insurance carriers in Michigan a fee for continuation of the association based on the amount of losses incurred by the association and the amount of net written premium of the carrier related to property insurance.

We cannot predict with certainty the amount of future assessments for these programs. Significant assessments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and mandatory shared-market mechanisms or changes in them could reduce our profitability in any given period or limit our ability to grow our business.

Michigan’s regulatory environment restricts our ability to exclude potentially unprofitable risks.

Michigan’s laws and regulations, specifically the Michigan Essential Insurance Act (“MEIA”), limit our ability to cancel or refuse to renew personal automobile and homeowner policies and subject program withdrawals to prior approval by OFIS. The MEIA requires an insurer to insure every applicant for insurance that meets the minimum requirements and the insurer’s underwriting rules. The underwriting rules must be applied uniformly to all applicants and policyholders. Each insurer must file its underwriting rules with OFIR. In addition, MEIA limits rating criteria that insurers may employ, requires insurers to develop a “secondary” or merit rating plan under which premium surcharges are levied on poor drivers, establishes a joint underwriting association to provide insurance to individuals who cannot obtain coverage in the insurance market, and regulates other types of coverage and informational requirements.

Inflation could increase the cost of claims resolutions and hurt our profitability.

Changes in the severity of claims have an impact on the profitability of our business. Changes in bodily injury claim severity are driven primarily by inflation in the medical sector of the economy. Changes in auto physical damage claim severity are driven primarily by inflation in auto repair costs, auto parts prices and used car prices. Changes in homeowners insurance claims severity are driven by inflation in the construction industry, in building materials and in home furnishings and other economic and environmental factors. However, changes in the level of the severity of claims that we pay do not necessarily match or track with changes in the rate of inflation in these various sectors of the economy.

Acts of terrorism may adversely impact our financial results.

We are continuing to examine the potential exposure of our operations to acts of terrorism. In the event that a terrorist act occurs, we do not anticipate material direct losses from claims by our insureds, but our reinsurers may suffer significant losses that could adversely affect our reinsurers’ ability to provide adequate reinsurance coverage and our ability to obtain cost effective reinsurance coverage.

 

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Federal regulation of insurers may have a material effect on our operations.

In recent years, the state insurance regulatory framework has come under increased federal scrutiny. Legislation that would provide for optional federal chartering of insurance companies has been introduced in Congress. We cannot predict whether any federal measures will be adopted to change the nature or scope of the regulation of the insurance business or what effect any such measures would have on us.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 allows banks to affiliate with insurers, which may increase the number and financial strength of our competitors.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 permits mergers that combine commercial banks, insurers and securities firms under one holding company. Until passage of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, the Glass Steagall Act of 1933 had limited the ability of banks to engage in securities-related businesses and the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 had restricted banks from being affiliated with insurers. With the passage of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, bank holding companies may acquire insurers and insurance holding companies may acquire banks. In addition, grandfathered unitary thrift holding companies may engage in activities that are not financial in nature. The ability of banks to affiliate with insurers may materially and adversely affect our product lines by substantially increasing the number, size and financial strength of potential competitors.

Anti-takeover provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws may discourage takeover attempts and prevent or frustrate attempts to replace or remove our management, which could limit your opportunity to receive a high value for your stock if another company seeks to acquire us.

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that have the effect of discouraging or preventing takeover attempts not supported by our board of directors. In addition, these provisions may also prevent or frustrate attempts to replace or remove our management. Management entrenchment may also have the effect of discouraging potential purchasers from making takeover offers. Examples of these provisions include, among other things:

 

   

Staggered three-year terms for the members of the board of directors;

 

   

Super-majority provisions for amendment of our articles of incorporation or bylaws;

 

   

Restrictions on voting of common stock by any individual, entity or group owning more than 10% of the common stock;

 

   

Provisions allowing the directors to issue preferred stock with voting rights;

 

   

Provisions that require the board of directors, before it approves, adopts or recommends any offer of any person to make a tender or exchange offer for any Fremont Common Stock, to merge or consolidate Fremont with any other entity, or to purchase or acquire all or substantially all of Fremont's assets, to evaluate the offer and determined that it would be in compliance with all applicable laws and that the offer is in the best interests of Fremont and its shareholders; and

 

   

The shareholder rights plan.

In addition, the Michigan Insurance Code provides that no person may acquire 10% or more of our voting stock, or more than 5% of our voting stock within 5 years of the conversion, without approval of the Commissioner of Michigan’s Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (“Insurance Commissioner”).

Takeover attempts generally include offering shareholders a premium for their stock. Therefore, preventing a takeover attempt may cause you to lose an opportunity to sell your shares at a premium.

 

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The current financial crisis has resulted in unprecedented levels of market volatility. Governmental initiatives intended to alleviate the crisis that have been adopted may not be effective and, in any event, may be accompanied by other initiatives, including new capital requirements or other regulations, that could materially affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity in ways that we cannot predict.

Markets in the United States and elsewhere have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption for more than 12 months, due in part to the financial stresses affecting the liquidity of the banking system and the financial markets generally. In recent weeks, this volatility and disruption has reached unprecedented levels. These circumstances have also exerted downward pressure on stock prices and reduced access to the debt markets. This unprecedented market volatility and general decline in the equity markets has directly and materially affected our results of operations and our investment portfolio.

Legislation has been passed in an attempt to stabilize the financial markets. This legislation includes a provision to grant the U.S. Treasury Department the authority to, among other things, purchase up to $700 billion of mortgage-backed and other securities from financial institutions. This legislation or similar proposals, as well as companion actions such as monetary or fiscal actions of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board or comparable authorities in other countries, may fail to stabilize the financial markets. This legislation and other proposals or actions may also have other consequences, including material effects on interest rates and foreign exchange rates, which could materially affect our investments, results of operations and liquidity in ways that we cannot predict. The failure to effectively implement this legislation and related proposals or actions could also result in material adverse effects, notably increased constraints on the liquidity available in the banking system and financial markets and increased pressure on stock prices, any of which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. In the event of future material deterioration in business conditions, we may need to raise additional capital or consider other transactions to manage our capital position or our liquidity.

In addition, we are subject to extensive laws and regulations that are administered and enforced by a number of different governmental authorities and non-governmental self-regulatory agencies, including state insurance regulators, state securities administrators, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice and state attorneys general. In light of the current financial crisis, some of these authorities are or may in the future consider enhanced or new regulatory requirements intended to prevent future crises or otherwise assure the stability of institutions under their supervision. These authorities may also seek to exercise their supervisory or enforcement authority in new or more robust ways. All of these possibilities, if they occurred, could affect the way we conduct our business and manage our capital, and may require us to satisfy increased capital requirements, any of which in turn could materially affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

The markets in the United States and elsewhere have been experiencing extreme and unprecedented volatility and disruption. We are exposed to significant financial and capital markets risk, including changes in interest rates and equity prices which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

The markets in the United States and elsewhere have been experiencing extreme and unprecedented volatility and disruption. We are exposed to significant financial and capital markets risk, including changes in interest rates and equity prices. Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in interest rates. A rise in interest rates, in the absence of other countervailing changes, will increase the net unrealized loss position of our investment portfolio. If significant, declines in equity prices and changes in U.S. interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. In addition, in the conduct of our business, there could be scenarios where in order to fulfill our obligations and to raise incremental liquidity, we would

 

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need to sell assets at a loss due to the unrealized loss position in our overall investment portfolio and the lack of liquidity in the credit markets.

Losses due to defaults by others, including issuers of investment securities or reinsurance and derivative instrument counterparties, could adversely affect the value of our investments, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Issuers or borrowers whose securities or loans we hold, customers, reinsurers, clearing agents, exchanges, clearing houses and other financial intermediaries and guarantors may default on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, insolvency, lack of liquidity, adverse economic conditions, operational failure, fraud or other reasons. Such defaults could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our investment portfolio includes investment securities in the financial services sector that have experienced defaults recently. Further defaults could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The Company is not exposed to any credit concentration risk of a single issuer greater than 10% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity other than U.S. government and U.S. government agencies backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. However, if issuers or borrowers, whose securities or loans we hold, are acquired, merge or otherwise consolidate with other issuers or borrowers whose securities or loans we hold, the Company’s credit concentration risk could increase above the 10% threshold, for a period of time, until the Company is able to sell securities to get back in compliance with the established investment credit policies.

The amount of statutory capital that we have and the amount of statutory capital that we must hold to maintain our financial strength and credit ratings and meet other requirements can vary significantly from time to time and is sensitive to a number of factors outside of our control, including equity market and credit market conditions and changes in rating agency models.

We conduct our business through our licensed insurance company subsidiary. Accounting standards and statutory capital and reserve requirements for this entity are prescribed by the applicable insurance regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). The NAIC has established regulations that provide minimum capitalization requirements based on risk-based capital (“RBC”) formulas for property and casualty companies. The RBC formula for property and casualty companies adjusts statutory surplus levels for certain underwriting, asset, credit and off-balance sheet risks.

In any particular year, statutory surplus amounts and RBC ratios may increase or decrease depending on a variety of factors – the amount of statutory income or losses generated by our insurance subsidiary (which itself is sensitive to equity market and credit market conditions), the amount of additional capital our insurance subsidiary must hold to support business growth, changes in equity market levels, the value of certain fixed-income and equity securities in our investment portfolio, the value of certain derivative instruments that do not get hedge accounting, changes in interest rates and changes to the NAIC RBC formulas. Most of these factors are outside of the Company’s control. The Company’s financial strength and credit ratings are significantly influenced by the statutory surplus amounts and RBC ratios of our insurance company subsidiary. In addition, rating agencies may implement changes to their internal models that have the effect of increasing or decreasing the amount of statutory capital we must hold in order to maintain our current rating.

To the extent that our statutory surplus is deemed to be insufficient to maintain a particular rating by one or more rating agencies, we may seek to raise additional capital through public or private equity or debt financing. Alternatively, if we were not to raise additional capital in such a scenario, either at our discretion or because we were unable to do so, our financial strength and credit ratings might be downgraded by one or more rating agencies.

 

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We may experience a downgrade in our financial strength or credit ratings, which may make our products less attractive, which would have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

Financial strength and credit ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Rating agencies assign ratings based upon several factors. While most of the factors relate to the rated company, some of the factors relate to the views of the rating agency, general economic conditions, and circumstances outside the rated company’s control. In addition, rating agencies may employ different models and formulas to assess the financial strength of a rated company, and from time to time rating agencies have, in their discretion, altered these models. Changes to the models, general economic conditions, or circumstances outside our control could impact a rating agency’s judgment of its rating and the rating it assigns us. We cannot predict what actions rating agencies may take, or what actions we may be required to take in response to the actions of rating agencies, which may adversely affect us.

Our financial strength ratings, which are intended to measure our ability to meet policyholder obligations, are an important factor affecting public confidence in most of our products and, as a result, our competitiveness. A downgrade, or an announced potential downgrade in the rating of our financial strength or of our insurance subsidiary could affect our competitive position in the insurance industry and make it more difficult for us to market our products, as potential customers may select companies with higher financial strength ratings.

Other factors not currently anticipated by management may also materially and adversely affect our financial position and results of operations. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update or alter our statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We own our office, located at 933 E. Main Street, Fremont, Michigan, which is a 30,000 square foot brick veneer building constructed in 1981. There is no mortgage indebtedness on the building. Management believes that the building is sufficient for the needs of the Company, both now and in the foreseeable future.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is party to litigation in the normal course of business. Based upon information presently available to us, we do not consider any litigation to be material. However, given the uncertainties attendant to litigation, we cannot be sure that our results of operations and financial condition will not be materially adversely affected by any litigation.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

 

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

We consider our common stock to be thinly traded, therefore, any reported bid or ask price may not reflect a true market-based valuation. Quotes on our common stock are published on the OTC Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) under the symbol “FMMH”. The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices of our common stock during the periods indicated as reported on the OTCBB. These bid quotations are inter-dealer prices without retail mark-up or mark-down or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

 

     High    Low

December 31, 2008

     

First Quarter

   $ 20.85    $ 17.50

Second Quarter

   $ 20.75    $ 17.50

Third Quarter

   $ 19.71    $ 16.05

Fourth Quarter

   $ 19.00    $ 14.50

December 31, 2007

     

First Quarter

   $ 28.40    $ 21.84

Second Quarter

   $ 27.57    $ 23.35

Third Quarter

   $ 23.79    $ 18.69

Fourth Quarter

   $ 22.33    $ 17.14

As of March 16, 2009, the Company had 43 shareholders of record. For purposes of this determination, Cede & Co., the nominee for the Depositary Trust Company which holds all but 11,020 of the Company’s outstanding shares, is treated as one holder.

During the third quarter of 2008, the Holding Company began paying a quarterly cash dividend. The Holding Company paid a quarterly dividend of $.03 per share in both the third and fourth quarter of 2008. Each dividend totaled approximately $53,000. Any payment of dividends in the future on the common stock is subject to determination and declaration by the Company’s Board of Directors, who will take into consideration the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and future prospects. The Holding Company’s principal source of cash available for payment of dividends is dividends from the Insurance Company. The payment of dividends by the Insurance Company is subject to limitations imposed by the Michigan Insurance Code. Information regarding restrictions and limitations on the payment of cash dividends can be found in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” section.

Information relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is set forth under Part III, Item 12 of this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

The following table sets forth the repurchases of common stock for the quarter ended December 31, 2008:

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period

  Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
  Average Price
Paid per Share
  Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans (1)
  Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans

October 1, 2008—October 31, 2008

  11,000   $ 17.48   11,000   69,000

November 1, 2008—November 30, 2008

  10,000   $ 16.70   10,000   59,000

December 1, 2008—December 31, 2008

  —     $ —     —     59,000

Total

  21,000   $ 17.11   21,000   —  

 

(1) On May 8, 2008, the Company announced a share repurchase plan for up to 100,000 shares of common stock.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

The following table sets forth selected financial data for the Company. The financial data for 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 reflects the consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Holding Company and the Insurance Company including the effects of the Conversion which occurred on October 15, 2004. You should read this data in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other financial information included elsewhere in this report.

 

     For the years ended December 31,
     2008     2007    2006    2005     2004
     (In thousands)

Income Statement Data:

            

Direct premium written

   $ 60,882     $ 53,956    $ 48,869    $ 45,516     $ 41,971

Net premium written

     50,025       44,004      40,263      39,512       36,504

Net premium earned

     47,503       42,774      39,249      38,756       27,196

Net investment income

     2,213       2,165      1,888      1,689       1,176

Net realized investment gain (loss)

     (127 )     1,978      520      609       276

Other income, net

     615       471      417      397       386
                                    

Total revenue

     50,204       47,388      42,074      41,451       29,034
                                    

Net loss and loss adjustment expense

     29,019       24,424      17,565      20,704       17,039

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expense

     15,847       15,897      13,600      12,508       9,615

Interest expense

     —         146      228      309       487

Demutualization expenses

     —         —        —        —         302
                                    

Total expenses

     44,866       40,467      31,393      33,521       27,443
                                    

Income (loss) before federal income tax expense (benefit)

     5,338       6,921      10,681      7,930       1,591

Federal income tax expense (benefit) (1)

     1,577       2,037      3,466      (1,152 )     78
                                    

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,761     $ 4,884    $ 7,215    $ 9,082     $ 1,513
                                    

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

            

Total investments

   $ 58,766     $ 59,088    $ 56,910    $ 51,415     $ 42,414

Total assets

   $ 92,960     $ 87,155    $ 85,877    $ 75,961     $ 68,661

Total liabilities

   $ 53,645     $ 47,729    $ 51,447    $ 50,125     $ 51,356

Stockholders’ equity

   $ 39,315     $ 39,426    $ 34,430    $ 25,836     $ 17,305

Other Data:

            

Net loss and LAE ratio (2)

     61.1       57.1      44.8      53.4       62.7

Expense ratio (3)

     33.4       37.2      34.6      32.3       35.4

GAAP combined ratio (4)

     94.5       94.3      79.4      85.7       98.1

Statutory surplus

   $ 33,169     $ 33,777    $ 33,670    $ 25,994     $ 20,270

Statutory premiums to surplus ratio (5)

     1.51       1.30      1.20      1.52       1.80

Per Share Data: (6)

            

Basic earnings per share

   $ 2.12     $ 2.75    $ 4.06    $ 5.12       0.50

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 2.08     $ 2.69    $ 3.98    $ 5.09       0.50

 

(1) In 2005, the Company recorded a federal income tax benefit of $1,152,000 despite having pre-tax income of $7,930,000. The federal income tax benefit was due to the Company recognizing a $3,855,000 reduction in its deferred tax valuation allowance in 2005. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere in this report, for further information regarding federal income taxes.
(2) The net loss and loss adjustment expense (LAE) ratio is the net loss and LAE in relation to net premium earned.
(3) The expense ratio is the policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses in relation to net premium earned.

 

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(4) The sum of net losses, loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned. A combined ratio of less than 100% means a company is making an underwriting profit.
(5) The ratio of net premiums written divided by ending statutory surplus.
(6) Earnings per share data for 2004 reflects only net income for the period from October 16, 2004 through December 31, 2004, the period after the Conversion.  Net income during this period was $902,711.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following presents management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations as of the dates and for the periods indicated. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this report, and the narrative under the “Business” heading contained in Item 1 of this report. The following discussion contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements”.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

General. Our discussion and analysis of financial condition, results of operations and liquidity and capital resources is based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. We generally base our estimates on historical experience or other appropriate assumptions that we believe are reasonable and relevant under the circumstances and evaluate them on an ongoing basis. The results of these estimation processes form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below reflect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. These may be further commented upon in applicable sections on Results of Operations and Liquidity and Capital Resources that follow. Information about the significant accounting policies we use in the preparation of our financial statements is included in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Liabilities for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses. The liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses represents estimates of the ultimate unpaid cost of all losses incurred, including losses for claims that have not yet been reported. The amount of loss reserves for reported claims is based primarily upon a case-by-case evaluation of the type of risk involved, knowledge of the circumstances surrounding each claim and the insurance policy provisions relating to the type of loss. The amounts of loss reserves for unreported claims and loss adjustment expenses are determined using historical information by line of insurance as adjusted to current conditions. Inflation is ordinarily implicitly provided for in the reserving function through analysis of costs, trends and reviews of historical reserving results over multiple years.

Reserves are closely monitored and are recomputed periodically using the most recent information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques. Specifically, on a quarterly basis, we review existing reserves, new claims, changes to existing case reserves, and paid losses with respect to the current and prior accident years. We use historical paid and incurred losses and accident year data to derive expected ultimate loss and loss adjustment expense ratios by line of business. We then apply these expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratios to earned premium to derive a reserve level for each line of business. In connection with the determination of the reserves, we also consider other specific factors such as recent weather-related losses, trends in historical paid losses, and legal and judicial trends with respect to theories of liability. Some of our business relates to coverage for short-term risks, and for these risks loss development is comparatively rapid and historical paid losses, adjusted for known variables, have been a reliable predictive measure of future losses for purposes of our reserving. Some of our business relates to longer-term risks, where the claims are slower to emerge and the estimate of damage is more difficult to predict. For these lines of business, more sophisticated actuarial methods, such as the Bornhuetter-Ferguson loss development methods (see “Methods” below) must be employed to project an ultimate loss expectation, and then the related loss history must be regularly evaluated and loss expectations updated, with the possibility of variability from the initial estimate of ultimate losses.

 

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When a claim is reported to us, our claims representatives establish a “case reserve” for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment. This estimate reflects an informed judgment based upon general insurance reserving practices and on the experience and knowledge of the estimator. The individual estimating the reserve considers the nature and value of the specific claim, the severity of injury or damage, and the policy provisions relating to the type of loss. Case reserves are adjusted by our claims staff as more information becomes available. It is our policy to settle each claim as expeditiously as possible.

We maintain incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves to provide for already incurred claims that have not yet been reported and developments on reported claims. The IBNR reserve is determined by estimating our ultimate net liability for both reported and IBNR claims and then subtracting the case reserves and payments made to date for reported claims.

Methods Used to Estimate Loss & Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves. We applied the following general methods in projecting loss and loss adjustment expense reserves:

 

   

Incurred loss development

 

   

Paid loss development

 

   

Bornhuetter-Ferguson incurred loss development

 

   

Bornhuetter-Ferguson paid loss development

Description of Ultimate Loss Estimation Methods. The incurred loss development method relies on the assumption that, at any given state of maturity, ultimate losses can be predicted by multiplying cumulative reported losses (paid losses plus case reserves) by a cumulative development factor. The validity of the results of this method depends on the stability of claim reporting and settlement rates, as well as the consistency of case reserve levels. Case reserves do not have to be adequately stated for this method to be effective; they only need to have a fairly consistent level of adequacy at all stages of maturity. Historical “age-to-age” loss development factors were calculated to measure the relative development of an accident year from one maturity point to the next. We then selected appropriate age-to-age loss development factors based on these historical factors and used the selected factors to project the ultimate losses.

The paid loss development method is mechanically identical to the incurred loss development method described above. The paid method does not rely on case reserves or claim reporting patterns in making projections.

The validity of the results from using a loss development approach can be affected by many conditions, such as internal claim department processing changes, a shift between single and multiple claim payments, legal changes, or variations in a company’s mix of business from year to year. Also, since the percentage of losses paid for immature years is often low, development factors are volatile. A small variation in the number of claims paid can have a leveraging effect that can lead to significant changes in estimated ultimates. Therefore, ultimate values for immature accident years are often based on alternative estimation techniques.

The Bornhuetter-Ferguson expected loss projection method based on incurred loss data relies on the assumption that remaining unreported losses are a function of the total expected losses rather than a function of currently reported losses. The expected losses used in this analysis were selected judgmentally. The expected losses are multiplied by the unreported percentage to produce expected unreported losses. The unreported percentage is calculated as one minus the reciprocal of the selected incurred loss development factors. Finally, the expected unreported losses are added to the current reported losses to produce ultimate losses.

The calculations underlying the Bornhuetter-Ferguson expected loss projection method based on paid loss data are similar to the incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson calculations with the exception that paid losses and unpaid percentages replace reported losses and unreported percentages.

 

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The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method is most useful as an alternative to other models for immature accident years. For these immature years, the amounts reported or paid may be small and unstable and therefore not predictive of future development. Therefore, future development is assumed to follow an expected pattern that is supported by more stable historical data or by emerging trends. This method is also useful when changing reporting patterns or payment patterns distort the historical development of losses. As noted below, the Company tends to rely more heavily on the incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson method for its most recent accident years due to the smaller size of each line of business and the instability in incurred and paid amounts.

In estimating our loss reserves for the multi-peril lines of business (homeowners, farmowners and commercial) and the general liability line of business we relied on the incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson method for accident years 2005 to 2008 and the incurred loss development for accident years prior to 2005.

For the property lines of business including special property and personal and commercial auto physical damage as well as the personal and commercial auto liability lines of business we relied on the incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson method for accident years 2006 to 2008 while the incurred loss development method was used for accident years prior to 2006.

For the workers’ compensation line of business we relied on the incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson method for accident years 2003 to 2008 and the incurred loss development method for all prior years. Given the longer tail development of workers’ compensation claims and the fact that the Company’s workers’ compensation book of business is relatively small we placed more reliance on the incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson method.

Each quarter, we review our loss reviews to ascertain whether new developments have occurred which would require adjustment to our ultimate loss estimates. The quarterly review involves roundtable discussion involving the claims and accounting departments. Discussion is generally focused on claims involving liability and those claims that involve significant judgment. Because the establishment of loss reserves is an inherently uncertain process, we cannot be certain that ultimate losses will not exceed the established loss reserves and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Changes in estimates, or differences between estimates and amounts ultimately paid, are reflected in the operating results of the period during which such adjustments are made.

Reserves are estimates because there are uncertainties inherent in the determination of ultimate losses. Court decisions, regulatory changes and economic conditions can affect the ultimate cost of claims that occurred in the past as well as create uncertainties regarding future loss cost trends. Accordingly, the ultimate liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses will likely differ from the amount recorded at December 31, 2008.

 

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The following table shows the breakdown of our gross loss reserves between reported losses and IBNR losses by segment (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
     2008    2007

Reported losses

     

Personal

   $ 9,043    $ 6,211

Commercial

     2,538      2,690

Farm

     1,228      656

Marine

     603      883
             
     13,412      10,440
             

IBNR losses

     

Personal

     4,538      3,830

Commercial

     2,644      3,121

Farm

     447      329

Marine

     329      339
             
     7,958      7,619
             

Total

     

Personal

     13,581      10,041

Commercial

     5,182      5,811

Farm

     1,675      985

Marine

     932      1,222
             
   $ 21,370    $ 18,059
             

The following table shows the activity in the loss and LAE reserve balances of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  
     (In thousands)  

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 18,059     $ 20,177     $ 18,867  

Less reinsurance balance recoverable

     5,601       7,030       5,934  
                        

Net balance, beginning of year

     12,458       13,147       12,933  

Incurred related to:

      

Current year

     31,741       28,556       22,790  

Prior years

     (2,722 )     (4,132 )     (5,224 )
                        

Total incurred

     29,019       24,424       17,566  

Paid related to:

      

Current year

     21,111       20,968       14,463  

Prior years

     5,114       4,145       2,889  
                        

Total paid

     26,225       25,113       17,352  
                        

Net balance, end of year

     15,252       12,458       13,147  

Plus reinsurance balance recoverable

     6,118       5,601       7,030  
                        

Balance, end of year

   $ 21,370     $ 18,059     $ 20,177  
                        

In 2008, the Company experienced favorable development on losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $2,722,000. The redundant development included $814,000 related to homeowners, $864,000

 

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related to commercial multi-peril, $336,000 related to workers compensation, $179,000 related to farm, $204,000 relating to general liability while the remaining lines of business had redundant development of $325,000. The favorable development was concentrated in accident years 2005 through 2007 and is a result of downward development on both case and incurred but not reported reserves and loss adjusting expense reserves. There were no significant changes in the key assumptions utilized in the analysis and calculations of the Company’s reserves during 2008.

In 2007, the Company experienced favorable development on losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $4,132,000. The redundant development included $1,334,000 related to homeowners, $939,000 related to personal auto, $873,000 related to commercial multi-peril, $280,000 related to workers compensation, $281,000 related to farm while the remaining lines of business had redundant development of $425,000. The favorable development was concentrated in accident years 2004 through 2006 and is a result of downward development on both case and incurred but not reported reserves and loss adjusting expense reserves. There were no significant changes in the key assumptions utilized in the analysis and calculations of the Company’s reserves during 2007.

In 2006, the Company experienced favorable development on losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $5,224,000. During 2006, all product lines experienced favorable development as follows: homeowners—$1,340,000, personal auto—$1,329,000, commercial multi-peril—$1,247,000, workers compensation—$715,000, farm—$379,000 while the remaining product lines had redundant development of $214,000. There were no significant changes in the key assumptions utilized in the analysis and calculations of the Company’s reserves during 2006. The favorable development was concentrated in accident years 2003 through 2005 and is a result of downward development on both case and incurred but not reported reserves and loss adjusting expense reserves.

The following table shows the development of our reserves for unpaid losses and LAE on a GAAP basis for each of the years ended December 31, from 1998 to 2008. The line in the table titled “Net liability for loss and LAE,” shows the initial reserves at the balance sheet date, including losses and LAE incurred but not reported. The portion of the table titled “Cumulative net paid as of,” shows the cumulative amounts subsequently paid as of successive years with respect to the reserve shown at the top of the table. The portion of the table titled “Re-estimated net liability as of:” shows the re-estimated amount of the previously reported liability for loss and LAE based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year. The estimates of liability for loss and LAE change as more information becomes available about the frequency and severity of claims for individual years. A redundancy (or deficiency) exists when the re-estimated amount of liability at each December 31 is less (or greater) than the prior liability estimate. The “Net cumulative redundancy (deficiency)” depicted in the table, for any particular calendar year, represents the aggregate change in the initial estimates over all subsequent calendar years and does not present accident year loss development. The portion of the table titled “Gross liability end of year” shows the impact of reinsurance for the years shown, reconciling the net reserves in the upper portion of the table to gross reserves. In evaluating the re-estimated liability and cumulative redundancy (deficiency), it should be noted that each data point includes the effects of changes in amounts for prior periods. Conditions and trends that have affected development of the liability in the past may not necessarily exist in the future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based on this table.

 

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    1998     1999     2000     2001     2002     2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008

Gross liability for loss & LAE—end of year

  $ 7,606     $ 8,942     $ 7,830     $ 11,061     $ 8,677     $ 13,878   $ 18,973   $ 18,867   $ 20,177   $ 18,059   $ 21,369

Reinsurance recoverables

    3,256       5,175       3,611       5,434       4,302       7,742     9,187     5,934     7,030     5,600     6,118
                                                                           

Net liability for loss & LAE—end of year

  $ 4,350     $ 3,767     $ 4,219     $ 5,627     $ 4,375     $ 6,136   $ 9,786   $ 12,933   $ 13,147   $ 12,459   $ 15,251
                                                                           

Net liability for loss & LAE

  $ 4,350     $ 3,767     $ 4,219     $ 5,627     $ 4,375     $ 6,136   $ 9,786   $ 12,933   $ 13,147   $ 12,459   $ 15,251

Cumulative net paid as of:

                     

One year later

    2,191       2,085       3,798       3,815       3,000       1,996     3,722     2,889     4,145     5,114  

Two years later

    2,309       3,068       4,973       5,156       3,807       3,007     2,905     3,895     5,448    

Three years later

    2,847       3,419       5,778       5,552       4,415       2,617     3,295     4,368      

Four years later

    3,012       3,862       5,928       5,570       4,373       2,796     3,339        

Five years later

    3,234       3,867       5,884       5,484       4,595       2,810          

Six years later

    3,219       3,889       5,819       5,705       4,597              

Seven years later

    3,241       3,912       5,860       5,704                

Eight years later

    3,261       3,952       5,860                  

Nine years later

    3,261       3,952                    

Ten years later

    3,261                      

Re-estimated net liability as of:

                     

One year later

    3,758       3,372       5,384       5,315       5,462       5,470     7,431     7,709     9,015     9,737  

Two years later

    3,099       3,610       5,747       6,083       5,547       4,786     4,910     6,349     7,270    

Three years later

    3,161       3,835       6,191       6,318       5,385       3,538     4,189     5,374      

Four years later

    3,296       4,114       6,245       6,233       4,917       3,371     3,951        

Five years later

    3,450       4,125       6,159       5,909       4,852       3,263          

Six years later

    3,459       4,135       6,099       5,883       4,843              

Seven years later

    3,485       4,210       6,062       5,880                

Eight years later

    3,483       4,174       6,061                  

Nine years later

    3,484       4,171                    

Ten years later

    3,484                      
                                                                           

Net cumulative redundancy (deficiency)

  $ 866     $ (404 )   $ (1,842 )   $ (253 )   $ (468 )   $ 2,873   $ 5,835   $ 7,559     5,877     2,722  
                                                                           

Gross re-estimated liability—latest

  $ 8,637     $ 8,956     $ 13,457     $ 11,660     $ 10,985     $ 10,162   $ 10,088   $ 10,013   $ 11,666   $ 13,653  

Re-estimated reinsurance recoverables

    5,153       4,785       7,396       5,780       6,142       6,899     6,137     4,639     4,396     3,916  
                                                                           

Net re-estimated liability—latest

  $ 3,484     $ 4,171     $ 6,061     $ 5,880     $ 4,843     $ 3,263   $ 3,951   $ 5,374   $ 7,270     9,737  
                                                                           

Gross cumulative (deficiency) redundancy

  $ (1,031 )   $ (14 )   $ (5,627 )   $ (599 )   $ (2,308 )   $ 3,716   $ 8,885   $ 8,854   $ 8,511   $ 4,406  
                                                                           

 

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Investments. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, all of the Company’s investments are classified as available-for-sale and are those investments that would be available to be sold in response to the Company’s liquidity needs, changes in market interest rates and asset-liability management strategies, among others. Available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair value, with the corresponding unrealized appreciation or depreciation, net of deferred income taxes and any corresponding deferred tax asset valuation allowance, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss until realized.

The Company reviews the status and market value changes of its investment portfolio on at least a quarterly basis during the year, and any provisions for other-than-temporary impairments in the portfolio’s value are evaluated and established at each quarterly balance sheet date. In reviewing investments for other than temporary impairment, the Company, in addition to an investment’s market price history and its intent and ability to hold fixed maturity investments until maturity, considers the issuer’s operating results, financial condition and liquidity, its ability to access capital markets, credit rating trends, most current audit opinion, industry and securities markets conditions, and analyst expectations, in their totality to reach its conclusions. When a security in the Company’s investment portfolio has an unrealized loss in value that is deemed to be other than temporary, the Company reduces the book value of such security to its current market value, recognizing the decline as a realized loss in the statement of operations. Any future increases in the market value of investments written down are reflected as changes in unrealized gains as part of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity.

Reinsurance. The Company accounts for reinsurance contracts under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”), No. 113, “Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance on Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts.” Net premiums earned, losses and LAE and policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses are reported net of the amounts related to reinsurance ceded to other companies. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers related to the portions of the liability for losses and LAE and unearned premiums ceded to them are reported as assets. Reinsurance assumed from other companies, including assumed premiums written and earned and losses and LAE, is accounted for in the same manner as direct insurance written.

Reinsurance recoverables include balances due from reinsurance companies for paid and unpaid losses and LAE that will be recovered from reinsurers, based on contracts in force. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its primary obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk with respect to the individual reinsurer that participates in its ceded programs to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. When necessary the Company holds collateral in the form of letters of credit or trust accounts for amounts recoverable from reinsurers that are not considered authorized insurers by the State of Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation.

Federal Income Taxes. Deferred federal income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. 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. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Results of Operations—Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007

Consolidated Results of Operations. The following table shows the underwriting gain or loss as well as other revenue and expense items included in our consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. The Company’s underwriting gain or loss consists of net premiums earned less

 

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loss and LAE and policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses. The Company’s underwriting performance is the most important factor in evaluating the overall results of operations given the fluctuations which can occur in loss and LAE due to weather related events as well as the uncertainties involved in the process of estimating reserves for losses and LAE. The underwriting results and the fluctuations in other revenue and expense items are discussed in greater detail below.

 

                 Change  
     2008     2007     Dollar     Percentage  

Underwriting gain

        

Personal

   $ (806,725 )   $ 2,687     $ (809,412 )   (30123.3 %)

Commercial

     2,744,138       1,278,883       1,465,255     114.6 %

Farm

     560,365       816,289       (255,924 )   (31.4 %)

Marine

     138,659       354,690       (216,031 )   (60.9 %)
                              

Total underwriting gain

     2,636,437       2,452,549       183,888     7.5 %

Other revenue (expense) items

        

Net investment income

     2,212,972       2,165,070       47,902     2.2 %

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     (126,735 )     1,977,742       (2,104,477 )   (106.4 %)

Other income

     614,828       471,601       143,227     30.4 %

Interest expense

     —         (146,170 )     146,170     100.0 %
                              

Total other revenue (expense) items

     2,701,065       4,468,243       (1,767,178 )   (39.5 %)
                              

Income before federal income taxes

     5,337,502       6,920,792       (1,583,290 )   (22.9 %)

Federal income tax expense

     (1,576,914 )     (2,036,434 )     459,520     (22.6 %)
                              

Net income

   $ 3,760,588     $ 4,884,358     $ (1,123,770 )   (23.0 %)
                              

Underwriting Results. The following table shows the components of the Company’s underwriting gain or loss for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

     2008     2007     Change     % Change  

Direct premiums written

   $ 60,882,499     $ 53,956,318     $ 6,926,181     12.8 %
                              

Net premiums written

   $ 50,025,098     $ 44,003,623     $ 6,021,475     13.7 %
                              

Net premiums earned

   $ 47,503,121     $ 42,773,737     $ 4,729,384     11.1 %

Loss and LAE

     29,019,298       24,424,346       4,594,952     18.8 %

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses

     15,847,386       15,896,842       (49,456 )   (0.3 %)
                              

Underwriting gain (loss)

   $ 2,636,437     $ 2,452,549     $ 183,888     7.5 %
                              

Loss and LAE ratio

     61.1 %     57.1 %     4.0 %  

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expense ratio

     33.4 %     37.2 %     (3.8 %)  

Combined ratio

     94.5 %     94.3 %     0.2 %  

Premiums. Direct premiums written by major business segment for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

 

     2008    2007    $ Change    % Change  

Personal

   $ 43,482,202    $ 37,666,972    5,815,230    15.4 %

Commercial

     10,050,862      9,169,369    881,493    9.6 %

Farm

     5,257,007      5,103,479    153,528    3.0 %

Marine

     2,092,428      2,016,498    75,930    3.8 %
                         
   $ 60,882,499    $ 53,956,318    6,926,181    12.8 %
                         

 

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While the Michigan market remained soft and very competitive in 2008 the Company continued to capitalize on the relationships that it has developed with its independent agents. Fremont’s ability to provide its agency force with a consistent, competitive and stable market for their preferred business led to our continued strong growth in 2008. Direct premiums written increased 12.8% in 2008 compared to 2007, with new business up 17.2% and renewal business up 13.0%. The personal segment experienced an increase of 15.4% in direct premiums written in 2008 driven by continued growth in personal auto and homeowners. The in-force policy count increased 11.5% during 2008 compared to 2007 for the personal segment.

Direct premiums written for personal auto increased 25.2% in 2008 with new business up 18.6% and renewal business up 26.5%. Personal auto’s in-force policy count increased 25.0% during 2008 compared to 2007. Personal auto growth continues to be driven by the ease of doing business with Fremont that agents experience via our proprietary web-based rating platform, coupled with several book of business transfers, account rounding of current Fremont homeowner business and a renewal retention ratio in the low 90’s. Homeowners direct premiums written grew by 8.6% in 2008. Homeowners new business increased 7.5% and renewals increased 8.8%. Homeowners in-force policy count increased 6.7% during 2008 compared to 2007. As with personal auto, results were driven by the ease of doing business, book transfers and retention in the low 90’s.

While the commercial segment, especially property driven accounts, has been hit hardest by the soft market, Fremont was able to gain market share and increase its commercial direct premiums written by 9.6%. All commercial product lines showed positive growth with commercial auto up 24.9%, business owners (BOP) up 3.2%, commercial package (CPP) up 2.5% and workers compensation up 29.1%. Our agents have begun to look to Fremont for their commercial business and we were able to write several larger commercial accounts which accounted for upwards of over $325,000 in new business premium. Commercial policy count was up 7.4%.

Farm direct premiums written were up 3.0% driven by renewal premiums which were up 4.8% as new business was down 5.2%. Direct premiums written for the marine business increased 3.8% driven by renewal premiums which were up 5.8%. New business premium was down 1.1% as competition for Michigan boat business remained very strong even with the poor economic factors facing Michigan. The in-force policy count for farm was up slightly, at 0.1% while marine was up 2.6%.

Net premiums written by business segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

 

     2008    2007    $ Change    % Change  

Personal

   $ 35,486,111    $ 30,260,447    5,225,664    17.3 %

Commercial

     8,109,475      7,559,621    549,854    7.3 %

Farm

     4,592,638      4,414,615    178,023    4.0 %

Marine

     1,836,874      1,768,940    67,934    3.8 %
                         
   $ 50,025,098    $ 44,003,623    6,021,475    13.7 %
                         

The increase in net premiums written is due to the overall increase in direct premiums written of $6,926,000 offset by an increase of $905,000 in ceded premiums written under the Company’s reinsurance agreements.

Net premiums earned by major business segment for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

 

     2008    2007    $ Change    % Change  

Personal

   $ 33,452,206    $ 29,225,270    4,226,936    14.5 %

Commercial

     7,711,397      7,497,696    213,701    2.9 %

Farm

     4,541,837      4,337,542    204,295    4.7 %

Marine

     1,797,681      1,713,229    84,452    4.9 %
                         
   $ 47,503,121    $ 42,773,737    4,729,384    11.1 %
                         

 

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The increase in net premiums earned is due to the overall increase in direct premiums earned of $5,462,000 offset by an increase of $733,000 in ceded premiums earned under the Company’s reinsurance agreements.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (LAE). The Company’s net loss and LAE by major business segment as well as the loss and LAE ratio’s are shown in the tables below:

 

     2008     2007     $ Change     % Change  

Loss and LAE:

        

Personal

   $ 23,099,032     $ 18,361,023     $ 4,738,009     25.8 %

Commercial

     2,394,681       3,432,297       (1,037,616 )   (30.2 %)

Farm

     2,466,282       1,909,207       557,075     29.2 %

Marine

     1,059,303       721,819       337,484     46.8 %
                              
   $ 29,019,298     $ 24,424,346     $ 4,594,952     18.8 %
                              

Incurred Claim Count:

        

Personal

     7,413       6,326       1,087     17.2 %

Commercial

     580       527       53     10.1 %

Farm

     443       341       102     29.9 %

Marine

     213       194       19     9.8 %
                              
     8,649       7,388       1,261     17.1 %
                              

Average Loss and LAE per Claim:

        

Personal

   $ 3,116     $ 2,902     $ 214     7.4 %

Commercial

     4,129       6,513       (2,384 )   (36.6 %)

Farm

     5,567       5,599       (32 )   (0.6 %)

Marine

     4,973       3,721       1,252     33.6 %
                              
   $ 3,355     $ 3,306     $ 49     1.5 %
                              

Loss and LAE Ratio:

        

Personal

     69.1 %     62.8 %    

Commercial

     31.1 %     45.8 %    

Farm

     54.3 %     44.0 %    

Marine

     58.9 %     42.1 %    
                    
     61.1 %     57.1 %    
                    

In 2008, the personal segment experienced an increase in incurred loss and LAE as well as the loss and LAE ratio driven primarily by the personal auto product line and, to a lesser extent, the homeowner’s line. Incurred loss and LAE from personal auto increased $3,759,000 or 45.7% while homeowners increased $1,366,000 or 14.6%. Other personal segment products experienced a decline in incurred loss and LAE of $387,000. The increased incurred loss and LAE in personal auto is driven by exposure and premium growth (up 25.2% in 2008) coupled with increased severity and frequency, particularly in liability coverages. In 2008, incurred loss and LAE from personal auto liability increased $1,588,000 or 84.6%. The increase in incurred loss and LAE in the homeowners line was driven by increased weather related losses experienced primarily during the fourth quarter.

The commercial segment experienced a decrease in incurred loss and LAE of $1,038,000 in 2008. The decreases came from the following product lines: BOP ($150,000), CPP ($756,000), workers compensation ($85,000) and all others ($47,000). BOP and CPP were positively impacted by fewer fire related losses in 2008 coupled with redundant loss development on prior year claims. Workers compensation was also positively impacted by redundant development on prior years claims.

The farm segment experienced higher loss and LAE during 2008 as compared to 2007 due to an increase in losses attributable to weather conditions as well as fire related losses. The increase in loss and LAE in the marine segment is due to an increase in both frequency and severity experienced in 2008 compared to 2007.

 

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Policy Acquisition and Other Underwriting Expenses. Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

 

     2008     2007     Change     %
Change
 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

   $ 7,822,850     $ 7,323,488     $ 499,362     6.8 %

Other underwriting expenses

     8,024,536       8,573,354       (548,818 )   (6.4 %)
                          

Total policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses

   $ 15,847,386     $ 15,896,842     $ (49,456 )   (0.3 %)
                          

Net premiums earned

   $ 47,503,121     $ 42,773,737     $ 4,729,384     11.1 %
                          

Expense ratio

     33.4 %     37.2 %     (3.8 %)  
                          

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) increased in 2008 as compared to 2007 as a result of increased earned premium volume. However, as a percentage of net premiums earned DAC amortization decreased from 17.2% to 16.5% as a result of the increased volume of personal automobile premium which pays a lower commission than other products as well as increased ceding commission. Other underwriting expenses decreased $549,000 or 6.4% in 2008 compared to 2007. The major item contributing to the decrease from 2007 to 2008 was higher non-recurring assessments from state mandated pools and associations in 2007. This decrease was offset by higher depreciation expense and surveys and inspections costs in 2008. Depreciation was up in 2008 due to continued investment in Fremont Complete while surveys and inspections were up due to the continued growth experienced in the personal auto and homeowners product lines.

Investment Income. The Company’s net investment income excluding realized gains and losses, average invested assets including cash and cash equivalents and the rate of return for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

     2008     2007     Change     % Change  

Fixed maturities

   $ 2,345,680     $ 2,067,273     $ 278,407     13.5 %

Equity securities

     65,137       102,722       (37,585 )   (36.6 %)

Cash and cash equivalents

     132,028       309,333       (177,305 )   (57.3 %)
                          

Gross investment income

     2,542,845       2,479,328       63,517     2.6 %

Less: Investment expenses

     (329,873 )     (314,258 )     15,615     5.0 %
                          

Net investment income

   $ 2,212,972     $ 2,165,070     $ 47,902     2.2 %
                          

Average invested assets (amortized cost basis)

   $ 65,563,774     $ 61,159,390     $ 4,404,384     7.2 %
                          

Rate of return on average invested assets

     3.4 %     3.5 %     (0.1 %)  
                          

In 2008, gross investment income from fixed maturities was nearly $280,000 which is 13.5% higher than in 2007. The majority of the increase came from the steady growth in the book value of the portfolio which is up 5.5%. The tax-equivalent portfolio yield on fixed maturities ended 2008 at 4.72%, versus 5.33% at the end of 2007. Up until the fourth quarter of 2008 the tax-equivalent book yield ranged from 5.14% to 5.33%. During the fourth quarter of 2008 the portfolio duration was decreased which resulted in a corresponding decline in the tax-equivalent yield. At December 31, 2008, the portfolio duration was 4.1 years compared to 5.1 years as of December 31, 2007. The moderate duration of the fixed income portfolio should allow for a predictable income stream from these maturities, since the yields are locked in for a number of years even as interest rates in the current market have dropped significantly. If yields remain low for an extended period of time, however, the income from the portfolio may begin to decrease as principal from maturing securities is reinvested into lower rates.

 

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The decrease in investment income from equity securities is due to a decrease in ordinary dividend distributions received from the mutual funds held by the Company as compared to the prior year period. Investment income from cash and cash equivalents was higher during 2007 due to the fact that the Company held a higher level of cash equivalents in contemplation of paying off its surplus notes which took place in September 2007. Investment expenses are up as a result of an increase in general expenses associated with investment activities.

Net realized gains from the portfolio for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

     2008     2007     Change     % Change  

Net realized gains (losses)—fixed maturities

   $ (279,656 )   $ (233,220 )   $ (46,436 )   (19.9 %)

Net realized gains (losses)—equity securities

     152,921       2,210,962       (2,058,041 )   (93.1 %)
                          

Total net realized gains (losses)

   $ (126,735 )   $ 1,977,742     $ (2,104,477 )   (106.4 %)
                          

In 2008, the Company generated net realized gains on the sale of fixed maturity securities of approximately $82,000 and a net realized loss of $362,000 as a result of a write-down of a fixed maturity security determined to be other than temporarily impaired. Selling activity and net realized gains in the equity portfolio declined in 2008 as a result of the depressed market valuations. During 2007, the Company generated approximately $2,211,000 in equity realized gains as a result of rebalancing the equity portfolio and taking advantage of the unrealized market value appreciation.

Other Income, Net. Other income, net which includes premium installment charges, fees for non-sufficient fund checks, late payment fees and other miscellaneous income and expense items increased 30.4% to $615,000 in 2008 compared to $471,000 in 2007. The increase was driven by premium volume growth in 2008.

Interest Expense. The Company did not incur interest expense in 2008 as a result of paying off its surplus notes in September 2007. 2007 interest expense was approximately $146,000.

Federal Income Tax. During the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 the Company recorded income tax expense of approximately $1,577,000 and $2,036,000 respectively. The decrease is due to a decline in pre-tax income in 2008 compared to 2007. The effective tax rate for 2008 was 29.5 % compared to 29.4% for 2007.

 

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Results Of Operations—Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006

Consolidated Results of Operations. The following table shows the underwriting gain or loss as well as other revenue and expense items included in our consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The Company’s underwriting gain or loss consists of net premiums earned less loss and LAE and policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses. The Company’s underwriting performance is the most important factor in evaluating the overall results of operations given the fluctuations which can occur in loss and LAE due to weather related events as well as the uncertainties involved in the process of estimating reserves for losses and LAE. The underwriting results and the fluctuations in other revenue and expense items are discussed in greater detail below.

 

                 Change  
     2007     2006     Dollar     Percentage  

Underwriting gain

        

Personal

   $ 2,687     $ 4,129,003     $ (4,126,316 )   (99.9 %)

Commercial

     1,278,883       2,659,237       (1,380,354 )   (51.9 %)

Farm

     816,289       1,011,147       (194,858 )   (19.3 %)

Marine

     354,690       285,404       69,286     24.3 %
                              

Total underwriting gain

     2,452,549       8,084,791       (5,632,242 )   (69.7 %)

Other revenue (expense) items

        

Net investment income

     2,165,070       1,887,719       277,351     14.7 %

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     1,977,742       519,835       1,457,907     280.5 %

Other income

     471,601       417,392       54,209     13.0 %

Interest expense

     (146,170 )     (228,403 )     82,233     (36.0 %)
                              

Total other revenue (expense) items

     4,468,243       2,596,543       1,871,700     72.1 %
                              

Income before federal income taxes

     6,920,792       10,681,334       (3,760,542 )   (35.2 %)

Federal income tax benefit (expense)

     (2,036,434 )     (3,466,001 )     1,429,567     (41.2 %)
                              

Net income

   $ 4,884,358     $ 7,215,333     $ (2,330,975 )   (32.3 %)
                              

Underwriting Results. The following table shows the components of the Company’s underwriting gain or loss for the years ended December 31:

 

     2007     2006     Change     % Change  

Direct premiums written

   $ 53,956,318     $ 48,869,232     $ 5,087,086     10.4 %
                              

Net premiums written

   $ 44,003,623     $ 40,263,135     $ 3,740,488     9.3 %
                              

Net premiums earned

   $ 42,773,737     $ 39,249,248     $ 3,524,489     9.0 %

Loss and LAE

     24,424,346       17,564,611       6,859,735     39.1 %

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses

     15,896,842       13,599,846       2,296,996     16.9 %
                              

Underwriting gain (loss)

   $ 2,452,549     $ 8,084,791     $ (5,632,242 )   (69.7 %)
                              

Loss and LAE ratio

     57.1 %     44.8 %     12.3 %  

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expense ratio

     37.2 %     34.6 %     2.6 %  

Combined ratio

     94.3 %     79.4 %     14.9 %  

 

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Premiums. Direct premiums written by major business segment for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

 

     2007    2006    $ Change    % Change  

Personal

   $ 37,666,972    $ 32,954,734    4,712,238    14.3 %

Commercial

     9,169,369      8,999,194    170,175    1.9 %

Farm

     5,103,479      5,013,733    89,746    1.8 %

Marine

     2,016,498      1,901,571    114,927    6.0 %
                         
   $ 53,956,318    $ 48,869,232    5,087,086    10.4 %
                         

While the market remained soft and very competitive in 2007, the relationships we have cultivated with our independent agents coupled with our ability to provide them a consistent, competitive and stable market for their preferred business led to the solid growth in direct premiums written during 2007. Direct premiums written grew 10.4%, with new business up 17.9% and renewal business up 8.5%. Personal auto continues to lead the growth in personal lines. Direct premiums written for personal auto increased 26.3% with new business up 15.2% and renewal business up 28.8%. Results were driven by the ease of placing personal auto business with Fremont through Fremont Complete—our web based rating system, several book of business transfers, a renewal retention ratio in the low nineties and an emphasis on agent cross-selling to current Fremont homeowner policyholders. Homeowners, which is the other major personal line of business, was up 5.0% with new business increasing 18.9% and renewal business increasing 2.9%. In 2007, the homeowner’s product line was added to Fremont Complete which made it easier to quote and issue new business for our agents. Overall, personal lines direct premium written was up 14.3%, with new business up 16.0% and renewals up 13.1%. In-force policy count increased 11.4% for the personal lines segment.

Despite soft market conditions in the industry, Fremont was able to generate growth of 1.9% in its commercial segment. The commercial growth was driven by commercial auto and workers compensation. New business grew 26.5%, with renewals down 4.3%, which is consistent with soft market conditions as companies look to retain profitable renewal business which in many instances means lower premiums on renewals. Commercial auto was up 20.2% while workers compensation was up 8.4%. Growth in these two lines was mitigated by a reduction in business owners of 2.0% and a decrease in commercial package of 2.7%. Commercial in-force policy count was up 6.8%. The growth in commercial auto and workers compensation was due to a concerted effort by the commercial department to encourage agents to round out commercial accounts by adding commercial auto and workers compensation coverages. Furthermore, the commercial department focused on expanding it writings of low hazard mono-line workers compensation policies.

Farm direct premiums written were up 1.8% with both new and renewal premiums up 19.6% and 1.6% respectively. Direct premiums written for the marine business increased 6.0% driven by renewal premiums which were up 6.5%. New business premium was down 0.9% driven by increased competition for Michigan boat business as well as the Michigan economy. In-force count for farm was flat while marine was up 4.3%.

Net premiums written by business segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

 

     2007    2006    $ Change    % Change  

Personal

   $ 30,260,447    $ 26,715,542    3,544,905    13.3 %

Commercial

     7,559,621      7,537,315    22,306    0.3 %

Farm

     4,414,615      4,339,772    74,843    1.7 %

Marine

     1,768,940      1,670,506    98,434    5.9 %
                         
   $ 44,003,623    $ 40,263,135    3,740,488    9.3 %
                         

The increase in net premiums written is due to the overall increase in direct premiums written of $5,087,000 offset by an increase of $1,347,000 in ceded premiums written under the Company’s reinsurance agreements.

 

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Net premiums earned by major business segment for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

 

     2007    2006    $ Change     % Change  

Personal

   $ 29,225,270    $ 25,752,956    3,472,314     13.5 %

Commercial

     7,497,696      7,666,666    (168,970 )   (2.2 %)

Farm

     4,337,542      4,222,485    115,057     2.7 %

Marine

     1,713,229      1,607,141    106,088     6.6 %
                          
   $ 42,773,737    $ 39,249,248    3,524,489     9.0 %
                          

The increase in net premiums earned is due to the overall increase in direct premiums earned of $4,860,000 offset by an increase of $1,336,000 in ceded premiums earned under the Company’s reinsurance agreements.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (LAE). The Company’s net loss and LAE by major business segment as well as the loss and LAE ratio’s are shown in the tables below:

 

     2007     2006     $ Change     % Change  

Loss and LAE:

        

Personal

   $ 18,361,023     $ 12,700,566     $ 5,660,457     44.6 %

Commercial

     3,432,297       2,350,933       1,081,364     46.0 %

Farm

     1,909,207       1,748,249       160,958     9.2 %

Marine

     721,819       764,863       (43,044 )   (5.6 %)
                              
   $ 24,424,346     $ 17,564,611     $ 6,859,735     39.1 %
                              

Incurred Claim Count:

        

Personal

     6,326       4,880       1,446     29.6 %

Commercial

     527       454       73     16.1 %

Farm

     341       361       (20 )   (5.5 %)

Marine

     194       165       29     17.6 %
                              
     7,388       5,860       1,528     26.1 %
                              

Average Loss and LAE per Claim:

        

Personal

   $ 2,902     $ 2,603     $ 299     11.5 %

Commercial

     6,513       5,178       1,335     25.8 %

Farm

     5,599       4,843       756     15.6 %

Marine

     3,721       4,636       (915 )   (19.7 %)
                              
   $ 3,306     $ 2,997     $ 309     10.3 %
                              

Loss and LAE Ratio:

        

Personal

     62.8 %     49.3 %    

Commercial

     45.8 %     30.7 %    

Farm

     44.0 %     41.4 %    

Marine

     42.1 %     47.6 %    
                    
     57.1 %     44.8 %    
                    

The personal segment experienced an increase in incurred loss and loss adjusting expense as well as the loss and LAE ratio driven by increased severity in the homeowner product line coupled with increased claim frequency in the personal auto line. Incurred losses for homeowners and personal auto increased $3,169,000 and $2,017,000, respectively, during 2007 compared to 2006. The homeowner line experienced increased loss severity as a result of snow, ice and water damage losses caused by the colder winter weather experienced during the first quarter 2007 and wind, hail and lightening damages sustained during the second and third quarters. Weather related losses increased approximately $2,245,000 during 2007 as compared to 2006. During the first quarter of 2007 Michigan experienced a more normalized winter weather pattern evidenced by consistent below-freezing temperatures and significant snow accumulation. During the first quarter of 2006 Michigan did not

 

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experience the consistent below freezing temperatures as those experienced in 2007 which resulted in lower claim severity in 2006. Weather patterns experienced during 2007 reflected more traditional weather activity typically experienced in Michigan. Although the Company did experience summer storm activity in 2006 it was not near the extent of storm activity experienced in 2007. Loss and LAE from personal auto increased due to increased claim frequency driven by volume growth in this line. The personal auto line’s direct premiums written increased 26.3% in 2007 compared to 2006. Furthermore, the majority of the increase in the incurred claim count for the personal segment was from increased personal auto claims particularly auto physical damage.

The increase in the commercial segment incurred loss and LAE and the related ratio was focused in the following product lines: business owners ($647,000), workers compensation ($329,000) and commercial auto ($82,000). The increase in losses for the business owners line was driven by weather related losses sustained during the first three quarters of 2007, several larger fire losses in 2007 as well as favorable development recorded in 2006. The increase in incurred losses and LAE in the workers compensation line was driven by favorable reserve development recorded in 2006.

The farm segment experienced higher loss and LAE during 2007 as compared to 2006 due to an increase in losses attributable to the previously mentioned weather conditions as well as fire related losses. The marine segment experienced a slight drop in loss and LAE as well as the loss and LAE ratio. Despite an increase in the number of marine claims incurred during 2007 the severity of the claims reported actually declined in 2007.

Policy Acquisition and Other Underwriting Expenses. Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

 

     2007     2006     Change     % Change  

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

   $ 7,323,488     $ 6,842,734     $ 480,754     7.0 %

Other underwriting expenses

     8,573,354       6,757,112       1,816,242     26.9 %
                          

Total policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses

   $ 15,896,842     $ 13,599,846     $ 2,296,996     16.9 %
                          

Net premiums earned

   $ 42,773,737     $ 39,249,248     $ 3,524,489     9.0 %
                          

Expense ratio

     37.2 %     34.6 %     2.6 %  
                          

The expense ratio increased 2.6 percentage points in 2007 compared to 2006. The significant items and the related impact on the expense ratio include: non-recurring assessments from state mandated pools and associations in which the Company is required to participate (1.6 percentage points), increased depreciation (0.3 percentage points) and premium tax refunds received in 2006 (which reduced the 2006 expense ratio by 0.7 percentage points).

Investment Income. The Company’s net investment income excluding realized gains and losses, average invested assets including cash and cash equivalents and the rate of return for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

     2007     2006     Change     % Change  

Fixed maturities

   $ 2,067,273     $ 1,895,827     $ 171,446     9.0 %

Equity securities

     102,722       136,503       (33,781 )   (24.7 %)

Cash and cash equivalents

     309,333       171,428       137,905     80.4 %
                          

Gross investment income

     2,479,328       2,203,758       275,570     12.5 %

Less: Investment expenses

     (314,258 )     (316,039 )     (1,781 )   (0.6 %)
                          

Net investment income

   $ 2,165,070     $ 1,887,719     $ 277,351     14.7 %
                          

Average invested assets (amortized cost basis)

   $ 61,159,390     $ 56,642,910     $ 4,516,480     8.0 %
                          

Rate of return on average invested assets

     3.5 %     3.3 %     0.2 %  
                          

 

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Gross investment income from fixed maturities increased 9.0% over 2006, while income from cash and cash equivalents increased 80.4%. The increase in income from cash and cash equivalents was due to the fact that the Company had a larger portion of its invested assets placed in short-term securities over this time period compared to 2006 in contemplation of the surplus note repayment which occurred in September 2007. When income from cash and cash equivalents are combined with fixed maturities, gross investment income was 15.0% higher in 2007 compared to 2006. Growth in invested assets, along with higher investment yields, were the main reasons for the increase in gross investment income.

To accurately compare between time periods with different tax-exempt allocations, yields on the portfolio need to be calculated on a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent portfolio yield on fixed maturities ended 2007 at 5.33%, versus 4.87% at the end of 2006. Over the course of the year, a greater portion of the fixed maturity portfolio was invested into tax-exempt municipal securities carrying higher tax-equivalent yields than similar taxable securities. The portfolio duration was also increased from 3.96 at December 31, 2006 to 5.06 at December 31, 2007. These factors led to the significant increase in tax-equivalent yield.

Gross investment income from the equity portfolio decreased due to a decline in dividend paying securities in the portfolio. During 2006, the Company received approximately $23,000 in dividends on common and preferred stocks held by the Company. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had liquidated its holdings in common and preferred stocks and shifted those investments into mutual funds. As a result of this shift the dividend income went down as the mutual funds held by the Company do not pay the regular dividends that had been traditionally paid by the common and preferred stocks historically held by the Company. The decline in investment income from the equity portfolio was also affected by a decrease in funds invested in equity securities during 2007.

Net realized gains from the portfolio for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

     2007     2006     Change     % Change  

Net realized gains (losses)—fixed maturities

   $ (233,220 )   $ (39,670 )   $ (193,550 )   (487.9 %)

Net realized gains (losses)—equity securities

     2,210,962       559,505       1,651,457     295.2 %
                          

Total net realized gains (losses)

   $ 1,977,742     $ 519,835     $ 1,457,907     280.5 %
                          

During 2007, the Company increased its holdings in tax exempt municipals in order to take advantage of the higher tax equivalent yields in that sector. This was accomplished by selling both corporate securities and other tax exempt municipals which had lower yields. The shift resulted in net realized losses of $233,000.

During 2007, the Company sold approximately $8.4 million in equity securities which generated $2,211,000 in realized gains. The sales were generated in order to reduce the level of equity risk in the portfolio, rebalance the equity portfolio and take advantage of the unrealized market value appreciation in the equity portfolio. The cash generated from the equity sales was placed into the fixed portfolio.

Other Income, Net. Other income, net which includes premium installment charges, fees for non-sufficient fund checks, late payment fees and other miscellaneous income and expense items increased 13.0% to $471,000 in 2007 compared to $417,000 in 2006. The increase was driven by premium volume growth in 2007 and a decline in miscellaneous expenses experienced during 2007.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased approximately $82,000 to $146,000 in 2007 from $228,000 in 2006. The decrease is due to the September 2007 payoff of the surplus notes.

Federal Income Tax. During the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 the Company recorded income tax expense of approximately $2,036,000 and $3,466,000 respectively. The decrease is due to a decline in pre-tax income in 2007 compared to 2006. The effective tax rate for 2007 was 29.4% compared to 32.4% for 2006. The

 

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decrease in the effective tax rate is due to increased tax-exempt interest income received during 2007 compared to 2006 coupled with an increase in the provision to return variance recorded in 2007.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The principal sources of funds for the Insurance Company are insurance premiums, investment income and proceeds from the maturity and sale of invested assets. Funds are primarily used for the payment of claims, commissions, salaries and employee benefits, other operating expenses and dividends paid to the Holding Company.

Liquidity is a measure of the ability to generate sufficient cash to meet cash obligations as they come due. In addition to the need for cash flow to meet operating expenses, our liquidity requirements relate primarily to the payment of losses and loss adjustment expenses. Our short and long term liquidity requirements vary because of the uncertainties regarding the settlement dates for liabilities for unpaid claims and because of the potential for large losses, either individually or in the aggregate.

We maintain investment and reinsurance programs that are intended to provide sufficient funds to meet our obligations without forced sales of investments. A portion of our investment portfolio is maintained in relatively short term and highly liquid assets, including mortgage-backed securities, which have shorter estimated durations, to ensure the availability of funds.

Cash flow provided by operations was $9,452,000 in 2008 compared to $4,303,000 in 2007, an increase of $5,149,000. During the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007 premiums collected increased $4,878,000 as a result of increased premium writings, net loss and LAE paid increased $716,000 while policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses paid decreased $592,000. Cash paid for income taxes increased $215,000 during 2008 compared to 2007. Other cash provided by operational activities increased $610,000 during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007.

Cash used in investing activities was $6,087,000 and $2,000,000 during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, an increase of $4,087,000. During 2008, net cash invested into the Company’s investment portfolio was $4,945,000 compared to $494,000 in 2007, an increase of $4,451,000. The increase in cash placed into the investment portfolio was due to the increase in cash provided by operations. During 2008, there was a decrease in capital expenditures of $367,000. The majority of the Company’s capital expenditures were related to Fremont Complete. Cash used in financing activities of $821,000 consisted primarily of share repurchase of common stock of $732,000 and dividends paid to shareholders of $105,000.

Cash flow provided by operations was $4,303,000 in 2007 compared to $8,303,000 in 2006, a decrease of $4,000,000. During the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006 premiums collected increased $4,264,000 as a result of increased premium writings, net loss and LAE paid increased $7,315,000 while policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses paid increased $1,705,000. Cash paid for income taxes decreased $550,000 during 2007 compared to 2006 due to lower pretax income generated in 2007. Other cash provided by operational activities increased $206,000 during the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006.

Cash used in investing activities was $2,000,000 and $5,258,000 during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, a decrease of $3,258,000. During 2007, net cash invested into the Company’s investment portfolio was $494,000 compared to $3,972,000 in 2006, a decrease of $3,478,000. The decrease in cash placed into the investment portfolio was due to the repayment of the surplus notes in September 2007. Offsetting the reduction in cash placed into the investment portfolio was an increase in capital expenditures of $228,000 in 2007. The majority of the Company’s capital expenditures were related to Fremont Complete. Cash used in financing activities of $2,868,000 consisted primarily of the repayment of the surplus notes.

We believe that our existing cash and funds generated from operations will be sufficient to satisfy our financial requirements during the foreseeable future.

 

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During the third quarter of 2008, the Holding Company began paying a quarterly cash dividend. The Holding Company paid a quarterly dividend of $.03 per share in both the third and fourth quarters. Each dividend totaled approximately $53,000. The Company cannot assure our stockholders that dividends will continue to be paid in the future. The Holding Company’s principal source of cash available for payment of dividends is dividends from the Insurance Company. The annual future cash requirements of the Holding Company are not foreseen to be significant. They include dividends paid to shareholders and other administrative expenses related to annual filings such as income tax returns and other compliance type filings. During 2008, the Board of Directors of the Insurance Company declared and paid ordinary dividends totaling $700,000 to the Holding Company, its sole shareholder. As of December 31, 2008, the Holding Company had a cash balance of approximately $67,000.

The payment of dividends by the Insurance Company is subject to limitations imposed by the Michigan Insurance Code. The Insurance Company may not pay an extraordinary dividend unless it notifies the Insurance Commissioner and he does not disapprove the payment. An extraordinary dividend includes any dividend which, when taken together with other dividends paid within the preceding 12 months, exceeds the greater of 10% of the Insurance Company’s statutory policyholders’ surplus as of December 31 of the immediately preceding year or its statutory net income, excluding realized capital gains, for the 12-month period ending December 31 of the immediately preceding year. During the year ending December 31, 2009, the Insurance Company can pay a non-extraordinary dividend of up to $2,688,000 without prior approval from the Insurance Commissioner. In order to pay any dividends, the Insurance Company must be in a position to satisfy the requirement that the company continue to be safe, reliable and entitled to public confidence. Also, in the absence of approval of the Insurance Commissioner, dividends may only be paid from statutory earned surplus. Also, dividends may not exceed the amount of the Insurance Company’s statutory capital stock account in any one-year unless it meets certain other requirements.

Income Taxes

In accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, we may recognize certain tax assets whose realization depends upon generating future taxable income. These tax assets can only be realized through the generation of future taxable income and thereby utilizing the net operating loss (NOL) and Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) credit carry-forwards we have available. At December 31, 2008, the Company has NOL carryforwards of approximately $6,948,000 and an AMT credit carryforward of approximately $358,000. The AMT credit carryforward can be carried forward indefinitely. The NOL carryforward expires as follows:

 

2010

   $ 1,166,000

2011

     1,641,000

2012

     1,764,000

2018

     13,000

2019

     898,000

2021

     1,466,000
      
   $ 6,948,000
      

As a result of the Holding Company’s acquisition of the stock of the Insurance Company a limitation on the ability to fully utilize the NOL occurred. The amount of annual taxable income that can be offset each year by the NOL carryforward is approximately $400,000. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere in this report, for further information regarding federal income taxes. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not Applicable.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc.

Fremont, MI

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and schedules. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006, to adopt Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit pension and Other Postretirement Plans.

/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan

March 24, 2009

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

      2008     2007
Assets     

Investments:

    

Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value

   $ 53,958,783     $ 50,528,874

Equity securities available for sale, at fair value

     4,560,368       8,305,133

Mortgage loans on real estate from related parties

     247,000       253,656
              

Total investments

     58,766,151       59,087,663

Cash and cash equivalents

     6,576,564       4,033,158

Premiums due from policyholders, net

     8,888,334       7,852,730

Amounts due from reinsurers

     6,844,407       6,588,847

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     465,006       258,875

Accrued investment income

     594,776       533,843

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     3,596,147       3,334,001

Deferred federal income taxes

     4,741,726       2,920,648

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

     2,455,766       2,500,988

Other assets

     30,670       43,905
              
   $ 92,959,547     $ 87,154,658
              
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity     

Liabilities:

    

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 21,369,524     $ 18,058,919

Unearned premiums

     25,455,624       22,727,515

Reinsurance funds withheld and premiums ceded payable

     161,845       199,463

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     6,657,625       6,742,803
              

Total liabilities

     53,644,618       47,728,700
              

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ Equity

    

Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 4,500,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding

     —         —  

Class A common stock, no par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares,

    

1,740,154 and 1,779,321 shares issued and outstanding at

    

December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively

     —         —  

Class B common stock, no par value, authorized 500,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding

     —         —  

Additional paid-in capital

     8,653,443       7,722,424

Retained earnings

     32,507,143       30,395,771

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (1,845,657 )     1,307,763
              

Total stockholders’ equity

     39,314,929       39,425,958
              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 92,959,547     $ 87,154,658
              

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 

     2008     2007    2006

Revenues:

       

Net premiums earned

   $ 47,503,121     $ 42,773,737    $ 39,249,248

Net investment income

     2,212,972       2,165,070      1,887,719

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     (126,735 )     1,977,742      519,835

Other income, net

     614,828       471,601      417,392
                     

Total revenues

     50,204,186       47,388,150      42,074,194
                     

Expenses:

       

Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net

     29,019,298       24,424,346      17,564,611

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses

     15,847,386       15,896,842      13,599,846

Interest expense

     —         146,170      228,403
                     

Total expenses

     44,866,684       40,467,358      31,392,860
                     

Income before federal income tax expense

     5,337,502       6,920,792      10,681,334

Federal income tax expense

     1,576,914       2,036,434      3,466,001
                     

Net income

   $ 3,760,588     $ 4,884,358    $ 7,215,333
                     

Earnings per share:

       

Basic

   $ 2.12     $ 2.75    $ 4.06

Diluted

   $ 2.08     $ 2.69    $ 3.98

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income

For the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 

     Common Stock
Class A
(Number of
Shares)
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Retained
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income (Loss)
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2005

   1,776,025     $ 7,550,304     $ 18,296,080     $ (10,324 )   $ 25,836,060  

Comprehensive income:

          

Net income

         7,215,333         7,215,333  

Net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes

           799,014       799,014  
                

Total comprehensive income

             8,014,347  

Adjustment to initially apply FASB No. 158, net of taxes

           524,978       524,978  

Stock-based compensation

       43,867           43,867  

Stock options exercised

   1,236       6,000           6,000  

Tax benefit from stock options exercised

       4,925           4,925  
                                      

Balance, December 31, 2006

   1,777,261       7,605,096       25,511,413       1,313,668       34,430,177  
                                      

Comprehensive income:

          

Net income

         4,884,358         4,884,358  

Net unrealized losses on investments, net of taxes

           (52,309 )     (52,309 )

Amortization of prior service credit, net of tax

           (56,550 )     (56,550 )

Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax

           102,954       102,954  
                

Total comprehensive income

             4,878,453  

Stock-based compensation

       95,772           95,772  

Stock options exercised

   2,060       10,000           10,000  

Tax benefit from stock options exercised

       11,556           11,556  
                                      

Balance, December 31, 2007

   1,779,321       7,722,424       30,395,771       1,307,763       39,425,958  
                                      

Comprehensive income:

          

Net income

         3,760,588         3,760,588  

Net unrealized losses on investments, net of taxes

           (3,231,010 )     (3,231,010 )

Amortization of prior service credit, net of tax

           (56,550 )     (56,550 )

Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax

           134,140       134,140  
                

Total comprehensive income

             607,168  

Issued 51,918 shares in payment of 3% stock dividend

       1,008,117       (1,008,117 )       —    

Share repurchases of common stock

   (41,000 )     (196,390 )     (535,760 )       (732,150 )

Cash dividend

         (105,339 )       (105,339 )

Stock-based compensation

       103,228           103,228  

Stock options exercised

   1,833       9,383           9,383  

Tax benefit from stock options exercised

       6,681           6,681  
                                      

Balance, December 31, 2008

   1,740,154     $ 8,653,443     $ 32,507,143     $ (1,845,657 )   $ 39,314,929  
                                      

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

For the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 3,760,588     $ 4,884,358     $ 7,215,333  

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

      

Depreciation

     1,194,211       769,161       602,687  

Deferred income taxes

     (196,589 )     153,106       21,675  

Stock based compensation expense

     103,228       95,772       43,867  

Net realized (gains) losses on investments

     126,735       (1,977,742 )     (519,835 )

(Loss) gain on sale of property and equipment

     —         13,324       (3,543 )

Net amortization of premiums on investments

     237,529       208,244       205,764  

Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised

     (6,681 )     (11,556 )     (4,925 )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Premiums due from policyholders

     (1,035,604 )     (324,047 )     (385,146 )

Amounts due from reinsurers

     (255,560 )     1,294,306       (596,217 )

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     (206,131 )     145,141       (191,725 )

Accrued investment income

     (60,933 )     (86,432 )     (44,474 )

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     (262,146 )     (98,618 )     (142,765 )

Other assets

     13,235       (15,827 )     (20,251 )

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     3,310,605       (2,117,636 )     1,309,741  

Unearned premiums

     2,728,109       1,264,496       1,025,862  

Reinsurance funds withheld and premiums ceded payable

     (37,618 )     149,150       (976,027 )

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     39,063       (42,412 )     763,459  
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     9,452,041       4,302,788       8,303,480  
                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturity investments

     18,149,032       17,593,034       13,130,310  

Proceeds from sales of equity investments

     596,555       8,357,144       3,308,845  

Purchases of fixed maturity investments

     (23,027,043 )     (22,754,300 )     (16,527,319 )

Purchases of equity investments

     (663,421 )     (3,690,621 )     (3,883,545 )

Issuance of note receivable from related party

     —         —         (5,200 )

Repayment of mortgage loans from related party

     6,656       7,152       6,686  

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

     —         3,697       —    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (1,148,989 )     (1,515,847 )     (1,287,920 )
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (6,087,210 )     (1,999,741 )     (5,258,143 )
                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from exercised stock options

     9,383       10,000       6,000  

Tax benefit from exercised stock options

     6,681       11,556       4,925  

Share repurchases of common stock

     (732,150 )     —         —    

Dividends paid to stockholders

     (105,339 )     —         —    

Repayment of surplus notes

     —         (2,890,288 )     —    
                        

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (821,425 )     (2,868,732 )     10,925  
                        

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     2,543,406       (565,685 )     3,056,262  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     4,033,158       4,598,843       1,542,581  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 6,576,564     $ 4,033,158     $ 4,598,843  
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

      

Federal income taxes paid

   $ 2,690,000     $ 2,475,000     $ 3,025,000  
                        

Interest paid

   $ —       $ 348,490     $ 202,320  
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of operations

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. and subsidiary (collectively, the “Company”) includes Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (“FMIC”) and its wholly owned subsidiary Fremont Insurance Company (“FIC”). FIC is a Michigan licensed property and casualty insurance carrier operating exclusively in the State of Michigan and writing principally personal lines, commercial lines, farm and marine insurance policies through independent agents.

Principles of consolidation and presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements which include the accounts of FMIC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, FIC, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which vary in certain respects from statutory accounting practices followed in reporting to insurance regulatory authorities. See Note 12—Statutory Insurance Accounting Practices for additional information regarding statutory accounting practices. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Stock Splits and Dividends

The fair value of shares issued for stock dividends of 25% or less is transferred from retained earnings to additional paid-in capital, to the extent of available retained earnings. No transfer is recorded for stock dividends or splits in excess of 25%. All share and per share amounts are retroactively adjusted for stock dividends and stock splits. On October 17, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split on its common stock which was accomplished through a stock dividend paid on November 17, 2006. On May 8, 2008, the Board of Directors declared a 3% stock dividend, which was paid on June 5, 2008.

Investments

At December 31, 2008 and 2007, all of the Company’s investments are classified as available-for-sale and are those investments that would be available to be sold in response to the Company’s liquidity needs, changes in market interest rates and asset-liability management strategies, among others. Available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair value, with the corresponding unrealized appreciation or depreciation, net of deferred income taxes and any corresponding deferred tax asset valuation allowance, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss until realized.

The Company reviews the status and market value changes of its investment portfolio on at least a quarterly basis during the year, and any provisions for other-than-temporary impairments in the portfolio’s value are evaluated and established at each quarterly balance sheet date. In reviewing its fixed maturity securities for other than temporary impairment, the Company takes into consideration the security’s market price history, the length of time that the security’s fair value has been below cost, the issuer’s operating results, financial condition and liquidity, its ability to access capital markets, credit rating trends, most current audit opinion, industry and securities market conditions, and analyst expectations, to reach its conclusions. In reviewing its equity securities, which currently consist of mutual funds, the Company takes into consideration the mutual fund’s market price history, the length of time that the fund’s fair value has been below cost, the individual investments held within the mutual fund, most current audit opinion, industry and securities market conditions, and analyst expectations to reach its conclusions. In addition to analyzing each individual security that has a fair value below cost, the Company also considers its intent and ability to hold a security until its maturity, in the case of a fixed maturity security, or until its fair value is equal to or greater than its cost.

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

When a security in the Company’s investment portfolio has an unrealized loss in value that is deemed to be other than temporary, the Company reduces the book value of such security to its current market value, recognizing the decline as a realized loss in the statement of operations. Any future increases in the market value of investments written down are reflected as changes in unrealized gains as part of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity.

Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are computed based on a specific identification basis and include write downs on available-for-sale investments considered to have other than temporary declines in market value.

Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Discount or premium on fixed maturities purchased at other than par value is amortized using the effective interest method.

Discount or premium on loan-backed investments is amortized using anticipated prepayments with significant changes in anticipated prepayments accounted for retrospectively. Prepayment assumptions for loan-backed investments were obtained from broker dealer survey values or internal estimates. These assumptions are consistent with the current interest rate environment.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid short-term investments. The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Revenue recognition

Insurance premium revenue is recognized on a pro rata basis over the respective terms of the policies in-force and unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of the policies in-force. Generally, premiums are collected in advance of providing risk coverage, minimizing the Company’s exposure to credit risk. Premiums due from policyholders are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $58,678 and $39,029 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Other income consists primarily of premium installment charges which are recognized when earned and other miscellaneous income.

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Other comprehensive income or loss

The Company presents other comprehensive income or loss as a component of stockholders’ equity on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 the components of other comprehensive income consisted of the following:

 

     Before-Tax
Amount
    Tax
(Expense)
or Benefit
    Net-of-tax
Amount
 

Year ended December 31, 2006

      

Unrealized gains on investments:

      

Unrealized holding gains arising during the period

   $ 1,730,463     $ (588,357 )   $ 1,142,106  

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income

     (519,835 )     176,743       (343,092 )
                        

Net unrealized gains—other comprehensive income

   $ 1,210,628     $ (411,614 )   $ 799,014  
                        

Year ended December 31, 2007

      

Unrealized gains on investments:

      

Unrealized holding gains arising during the period

   $ 1,898,487     $ (645,486 )   $ 1,253,001  

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income

     (1,977,742 )     672,432       (1,305,310 )
                        

Net unrealized losses

     (79,255 )     26,946       (52,309 )

Amortization of prior service credit

     (85,682 )     29,132       (56,550 )

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     155,992       (53,038 )     102,954  
                        

Other comprehensive loss

   $ (8,945 )   $ 3,040     $ (5,905 )
                        

Year ended December 31, 2008

      

Unrealized losses on investments:

      

Unrealized holding losses arising during the period

   $ (5,022,204 )   $ 1,707,549     $ (3,314,655 )

Less: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income

     126,735       (43,090 )     83,645  
                        

Net unrealized losses

     (4,895,469 )     1,664,459       (3,231,010 )

Amortization of prior service credit

     (85,682 )     29,132       (56,550 )

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     203,242       (69,102 )     134,140  
                        

Other comprehensive loss

   $ (4,777,909 )   $ 1,624,489     $ (3,153,420 )
                        

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

The components of and changes to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:

 

     Net
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses) on
Investments
    Unrecognized
Prior Service
Credit
    Unrecognized
Net Actuarial
Loss
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 

Balance, December 31, 2005

     (10,324 )   $ —       $ —       $ (10,324 )

Period Change

     799,014       —         —         799,014  

Cumulative Adjustment to Initially Apply FAS 158

     —         888,138       (363,160 )     524,978  
                                

Balance, December 31, 2006

     788,690       888,138       (363,160 )     1,313,668  

Period Change

     (52,309 )     (56,550 )     102,954       (5,905 )
                                

Balance, December 31, 2007

     736,381       831,588       (260,206 )     1,307,763  

Period Change

     (3,231,010 )     (56,550 )     134,140       (3,153,420 )
                                

Balance, December 31, 2008

   $ (2,494,629 )   $ 775,038     $ (126,066 )   $ (1,845,657 )
                                

Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves

Losses and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves represent the estimated liability for reported losses and loss adjustment expenses and actuarial estimates for incurred but not reported losses and loss adjustment expenses based upon the Company’s actual experience, assumptions and projections as to claims frequency, severity, inflationary trends and settlement payments. The reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses is intended to cover the ultimate net cost of all losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred but unsettled through the balance sheet date. The reserves are reported gross of any amounts recoverable from reinsurers and are reduced for anticipated salvage and subrogation. The methods of making estimates and establishing these reserves are reviewed regularly, and resulting adjustments are reflected in income currently. The liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses is necessarily an estimate and while it is believed to be adequate, the ultimate liability could exceed or be less than such estimate. The anticipated recoverable salvage and subrogation at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $131,000 and $344,000, respectively.

Reinsurance

The Company accounts for reinsurance contracts under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”), No. 113, “Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance on Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts.” Net premiums earned, losses and LAE and policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses are reported net of the amounts related to reinsurance ceded to other companies. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers related to the portions of the liability for losses and LAE and unearned premiums ceded to them are reported as assets. Reinsurance assumed from other companies, including assumed premiums written and earned and losses and LAE, is accounted for in the same manner as direct insurance written.

Reinsurance recoverables include balances due from reinsurance companies for paid and unpaid losses and LAE that will be recovered from reinsurers, based on contracts in force. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its primary obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk with respect to the individual reinsurer that participates in its

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

ceded programs to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. When necessary the Company holds collateral in the form of letters of credit or trust accounts for amounts recoverable from reinsurers that are not considered authorized insurers by the State of Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation.

Property, equipment and depreciation

Property and equipment is recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are: building—35 years, computer equipment including software—3 to 5 years and furniture, fixtures and equipment—5 to 7 years. Software is capitalized in accordance with Statement of Position 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use” and amortized on a straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, generally not exceeding 3 years. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation expense was $1,194,211, $769,161 and $602,687 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Upon sale or retirement, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets disposed of are removed from the accounts; any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income.

Deferred policy acquisition costs

Policy acquisition costs, which consist of commissions net of ceding commissions and premium taxes, that vary with and are primarily related to the production of new and renewal business are deferred, subject to ultimate recoverability from future income, including investment income, and amortized to expense over the period in which the related premiums are earned.

Other Postretirement Benefits

The Company provides certain postretirement health care benefits for retired employees. In December 2004, the Company’s board of directors approved an amendment to the plan, effective December 31, 2004, which significantly reduced the number of eligible participants in the plan, discontinued future eligibility for all other employees and reduced the level of health care benefits for future retirees determined to be eligible as of December 31, 2004. The Company accrues service cost as incurred. The Company’s measurement date for plan assets and obligations is its fiscal year-end.

The Company accounts for its postretirement benefit plan in accordance with SFAS No. 106 “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” as amended by SFAS No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.” SFAS 158, effective at the end of fiscal year 2006, requires companies to recognize the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans on the balance sheet and recognize changes in the funded status of the plan in the year in which the changes occur. See Note 10—Employee Benefits for additional information.

Stock-based compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”. The Company values stock options issued based upon an option-pricing model and recognizes the fair value as an expense over the period in which the options vest.

 

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Federal income taxes

Income tax expense is computed under the liability method, whereby deferred income taxes reflect the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and those for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. 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. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company evaluated all tax positions taken on its U.S. federal income tax return. No material uncertainties exist for any tax positions taken by the Company.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction. The Company is subject to U.S federal income tax examinations for all tax years from 1994 to the current year (with the exception of the 2002 tax year) due to the utilization of its net operating losses in current open tax years. The Company has not recently been examined by the Internal Revenue Service for any open tax year. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Commitments and contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated.

Preparation of financial statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, and establishes a framework to make the measurement of fair value more consistent and comparable. In determining fair value, we primarily use prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets (“market approach”). We have determined that our fair value measurements are in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 157, therefore, the implementation of SFAS No. 157 which was effective on January 1, 2008 did not have any impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The implementation of SFAS No. 157 resulted in expanded disclosures about securities measured at fair value, as discussed below.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP FAS 157-2”), which permits a one-year deferral of the application of FAS 157 for all non-financial assets and

 

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non-financial liabilities. Accordingly, the provisions of FAS 157 were not applied to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities within the scope of FSP FAS 157-2.

SFAS No. 157 established a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements that distinguishes between market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (“observable inputs”) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (“unobservable inputs”). The hierarchy level assigned to each security in our available-for-sale portfolio is based on our assessment of the transparency and reliability of the inputs used in the valuation of such instrument at the measurement date. The three hierarchy levels are defined as follows:

Level 1

Valuations based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities. The fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities (mutual funds) included in the Level 1 category were based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market. The Level 1 category includes publicly traded equity securities (mutual funds) and U.S. Government Treasury and Agency securities.

Level 2

Valuations based on observable inputs (other than Level 1 prices), such as quoted prices for similar assets at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. The fair value of fixed maturity securities in the Level 2 category were based on the market values obtained from an independent pricing service that were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. The independent pricing service also monitors market indicators, industry and economic events. For broker-quoted only securities, quotes are obtained from market makers or broker-dealers that it recognizes to be market participants. The Level 2 category includes corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and mortgage-backed securities.

Level 3

Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement, and involve management judgment. The Company did not hold any available-for-sale investments on the measurement date that are classified in the Level 3 category.

If the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, a financial security’s hierarchy level is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following table presents our available-for-sale investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2008 classified by the SFAS No. 157 valuation hierarchy (as discussed above):

 

          Fair Value Measurements Using
     Total    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

Available-for-Sale Investments:

           

Fixed Maturity Securities

   $ 53,958,783    $ 1,669,252    $ 52,289,531    $ —  

Equity Securities-Mutual Funds

     4,560,368      4,560,368      —        —  
                           

Total

   $ 58,519,151    $ 6,229,620    $ 52,289,531    $ —  
                           

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

In 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”). Under this standard, we are permitted to elect to measure financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, with the change in fair value recorded in earnings. We implemented SFAS No. 159 effective January 1, 2008 and elected not to measure any eligible items using the fair value option in accordance with SFAS No. 159. We believe the current accounting is appropriate for our investments as we have the ability to hold our investments for the long-term, therefore, SFAS No. 159 did not have any impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141(R)). The Standard will significantly change the financial accounting and reporting of business combination transactions. SFAS 141(R) establishes principles for how an acquirer recognizes and measures the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective for acquisition dates on or after the beginning of an entity’s first year that begins after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the implementation of SFAS 141(R) to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest, changes in a parent’s ownership interest and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS No. 160 also establishes disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the implementation of SFAS 160 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 158-1, “Conforming Amendments to the Illustrations in FASB Statements No. 87, No. 88 and No. 106 and to the Related Staff Implementation Guides.” This FSP provides conforming amendments to the illustrations in SFAS 87, 88, and 106 and to related staff implementation guides as a result of the issuance of SFAS 158. The conforming amendments made by this FSP are effective as of the effective dates of SFAS 158. The unaffected guidance that this FSP codifies into SFAS 87, 88, and 106 does not contain new requirements and therefore does not require a separate effective date or transition method. The implementation of FSP No. FAS 158-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110, “Use of a Simplified Method in Developing Expected Term of Share Options” (SAB 110). SAB 110 expresses the current view of the staff that it will accept a company’s election to use the simplified method discussed in SAB 107 for estimating the expected term of “plain vanilla” share options regardless of whether the company has sufficient information to make more refined estimates. The staff noted that it understands that detailed information about employee exercise patterns may not be widely available by December 31, 2007. Accordingly, the staff will continue to accept, under certain circumstances, the use of the simplified method beyond December 31, 2007. The implementation of SAB 110 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS

 

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No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 will not affect our consolidated financial condition and results of operations, but may require additional disclosures if we enter into derivative and hedging activities.

2. Investments

The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of investments at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     2008
     Cost or
Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Fair Value

Fixed maturities:

           

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

   $ 9,088,700    $ 293,127    $ —      $ 9,381,827

States and political subdivisions

     23,010,088      224,481      721,766      22,512,803

Corporate securities

     5,116,362      49,142      71,830      5,093,674

Mortgage-backed securities

     17,378,907      304,940      713,368      16,970,479
                           
     54,594,057      871,690      1,506,964      53,958,783
                           

Equity securities—mutual funds

     7,704,834      —        3,144,466      4,560,368
                           

Total

   $ 62,298,891    $ 871,690    $ 4,651,430    $ 58,519,151
                           
     2007
     Cost or
Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Fair Value

Fixed maturities:

           

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

   $ 3,172,509    $ 27,498    $ 1,826    $ 3,198,181

States and political subdivisions

     25,421,294      379,800      39,911      25,761,183

Corporate securities

     6,928,699      5,531      100,328      6,833,902

Mortgage-backed securities

     14,710,728      119,704      94,824      14,735,608
                           
     50,233,230      532,533      236,889      50,528,874
                           

Equity securities—mutual funds

     7,485,046      1,023,631      203,544      8,305,133
                           

Total

   $ 57,718,276    $ 1,556,164    $ 440,433    $ 58,834,007
                           

 

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The cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at December 31, 2008, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities on certain corporate and mortgage-backed investments may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     Cost or
Amortized
Cost
   Estimated
Fair Value

Due in one year or less

   $ 3,666,953    $ 3,689,678

Due after one year through five years

     12,326,591      12,642,551

Due after five years through ten years

     18,597,139      18,327,983

Due after ten years

     2,624,467      2,328,091

Mortgage-backed securities

     17,378,907      16,970,480
             
   $ 54,594,057    $ 53,958,783
             

Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is summarized as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Fixed maturities

   $ 2,345,680     $ 2,067,273     $ 1,895,827  

Equity securities

     65,137       102,722       136,503  

Cash and cash equivalents

     132,028       309,333       171,428  
                        

Gross investment income

     2,542,845       2,479,328       2,203,758  

Less: Investment expenses

     (329,873 )     (314,258 )     (316,039 )
                        

Net investment income

   $ 2,212,972     $ 2,165,070     $ 1,887,719  
                        

Net realized gains (losses) on investments for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are summarized as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Gross realized investment gains:

      

Fixed maturities

   $ 134,192     $ 1,768     $ 20,682  

Equity securities

     152,921       2,212,185       597,808  
                        
     287,113       2,213,953       618,490  
                        

Gross realized investment losses:

      

Fixed maturities

     (413,848 )     (234,988 )     (60,352 )

Equity securities

     —         (1,223 )     (38,303 )
                        
     (413,848 )     (236,211 )     (98,655 )
                        

Net realized gains on investments

   $ (126,735 )   $ 1,977,742     $ 519,835  
                        

During the year ended December 31, 2008, other-than-temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity investments amounted to $362,000 and are included in net realized investment gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of operations. There were no other-than-temporary impairment losses in 2007 or 2006.

 

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Sales of available-for-sale fixed maturities resulted in the following during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:

 

     2008    2007    2006

Proceeds

   $ 11,955,068    $ 9,639,200    $ 7,450,369
                    

Gross gains

   $ 134,192    $ 1,768    $ 20,682
                    

Gross losses

   $ 51,848    $ 234,988    $ 60,352
                    

The following tables show the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual investments have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

    December 31, 2008
    Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total
    Estimated
Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fixed maturities:

           

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

  $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  

States and political subdivisions

    8,377,480     383,576     3,115,265     338,190     11,492,745     721,766

Corporate securities

    1,396,720     43,584     571,754     28,246     1,968,474     71,830

Mortgage-backed securities

    4,578,839     637,609     937,578     75,759     5,516,417     713,368
                                   
    14,353,039     1,064,769     4,624,597     442,195     18,977,636     1,506,964
                                   

Equity securities—mutual funds

    2,804,128     1,617,854     1,756,240     1,526,612     4,560,368     3,144,466
                                   

Total

  $ 17,157,167   $ 2,682,623   $ 6,380,837   $ 1,968,807   $ 23,538,004   $ 4,651,430
                                   

As of December 31, 2008, the portfolio included 26 fixed maturity securities and 10 equity securities in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 12 fixed maturity securities and 5 equity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. Of the fixed maturity securities, five were trading between 73% and 84% of amortized cost, twelve were trading between 85% and 94% of amortized cost and the remaining twenty-one were trading at or above 95% of amortized cost. All of the fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position and assigned a rating by a commercial credit rating agency are rated investment grade securities.

Of the fifteen equity securities in an unrealized loss position, the range of market value to cost was from 37% up to 83%. While all of these securities are monitored for potential impairment, the Company’s experience indicates that they generally do not present as great a risk of impairment, as fair value often recovers over time. These securities have generally been adversely affected by the downturn in the financial markets and overall economic conditions. Management believes that the analysis of each of these securities in addition to the fact that the Company has both the intent and ability to hold these securities until their recovery supports our view that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

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     December 31, 2007
     Less than 12 Months    12 Months or More    Total
     Estimated
Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fixed maturities:

                 

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

   $ 363,659    $ 27    $ 318,447    $ 1,799    $ 682,106    $ 1,826

States and political subdivisions

     2,894,945      30,825      1,829,980      9,086      4,724,925      39,911

Corporate securities

     —        —        5,925,361      100,328      5,925,361      100,328

Mortgage-backed securities

     —        —        6,381,930      94,824      6,381,930      94,824
                                         
     3,258,604      30,852      14,455,718      206,037      17,714,322      236,889
                                         

Equity securities—mutual funds

     2,081,160      203,544      —        —        2,081,160      203,544
                                         

Total

   $ 5,339,764    $ 234,396    $ 14,455,718    $ 206,037    $ 19,795,482    $ 440,433
                                         

As of December 31, 2007, the portfolio included 6 fixed maturity securities and 4 equity securities in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 45 fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. None of the fixed maturity securities were trading below 90% of cost or amortized cost. All of the fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position and assigned a rating by commercial credit rating companies are rated investment grade securities. Of the 4 equity securities in an unrealized loss position, 1 was trading at 85% of cost while the remaining 3 were trading at or above 90% of cost. While all of these securities are monitored for potential impairment, the Company’s experience indicates that they generally do not present as great a risk of impairment, as fair value often recovers over time. These securities have generally been adversely affected by the downturn in the financial markets and overall economic conditions. Management believes that the analysis of each of these securities as well as the Company’s intent and ability to hold fixed maturity investments until maturity supports the view that these securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired.

At December 31, 2008, fixed maturities with a carrying value approximating $447,000 were on deposit with regulatory authorities, as required by law.

3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Fixed maturities and equity securities

The fair values of available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities are based on quoted market prices, when available. If not available, fair values are based on values obtained from independent pricing services.

Cash and cash equivalents

The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

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Mortgage receivables

The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the restrictive nature and limited marketability of the mortgage notes.

 

     2008    2007
     Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value

Financial assets:

           

Fixed maturities

   $ 53,958,783    $ 53,958,783    $ 50,528,874    $ 50,528,874

Equity securities

     4,560,368      4,560,368      8,305,133      8,305,133

Mortgage loans

     247,000      247,000      253,656      253,656

Cash and cash equivalents

     6,576,564      6,576,564      4,033,158      4,033,158

4. Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce the loss that may arise from events that cause unfavorable underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with other insurance enterprises or reinsurers. The Company determines the amount and scope of reinsurance coverage to purchase each year based on an evaluation of the risks accepted, consultation with reinsurance professionals and a review of market conditions, including availability and cost. The Company utilizes three primary categories of treaty reinsurance coverage, as well as facultative coverage, to reduce the impact of major losses. The treaty reinsurance includes multi-line excess of loss, catastrophic excess of loss and quota share coverages.

Multi-line excess of loss coverage

The excess of loss program is the Company’s primary reinsurance coverage. For all lines of business covered by this treaty, the Company’s retention on any one risk in 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $150,000.

The property excess of loss layers provided up to $2,850,000 of coverage over the $150,000 retention. The casualty and workers compensation excess of loss layers provided up to $4,850,000 of coverage over the $150,000 retention. An additional workers compensation catastrophe excess of loss layer provided an additional $5,000,000 of coverage to cover a catastrophic event.

Catastrophic coverage

The Company’s catastrophe treaty has three layers which in total provided up to $24,750,000 of coverage above a $1,250,000 retention in 2008, $21,750,000 of coverage above a $1,250,000 retention in 2007 and $22,000,000 of coverage above a $1,000,000 retention in 2006. The Company has an automatic reinstatement provision after the first loss for each layer to provide coverage in the event of subsequent catastrophes during the year. Coverage would have lapsed after the second event, in which case the Company would have evaluated the need for a new contract for the remainder of a particular year. During 2008, 2007 and 2006 the coverage could be reinstated for a fee of 100% of the original premium.

Quota share coverage

The Company’s boiler and machinery quota share agreements are primarily an equipment breakdown endorsement to commercial and farm policies. The agreements are 100% quota share and the Company receives ceding commissions ranging from 32% to 35% on the premiums ceded. In 2008, the Company entered into a quota share agreement which covers employment practices liability. The agreement is 100% quota share and the Company receives ceding commission of 35% on the premiums ceded.

 

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Facultative

The Company utilizes facultative reinsurance to provide additional underwriting capacity, to mitigate the effect of individual losses and to reduce the Company’s net liability on individual risks. Coverage is determined on each individual risk. In 2008, the Company obtained coverage ranging from $100,000 up to $18,900,000 for certain commercial properties it insured. The Company also purchased facultative reinsurance on certain casualty risks ranging from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 for certain commercial umbrella policies. In 2007, the Company obtained coverage ranging from $1,200,000 up to $5,600,000 for certain commercial properties it insured. In 2006, the Company obtained coverage ranging from $850,000 up to $4,000,000 for certain commercial properties it insured.

Although reinsurance agreements contractually obligate the Company’s reinsurers to reimburse the Company for their share of losses, they do not discharge the primary liability of the Company. The Company remains liable for the ceded amount of reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and ceded unearned premiums in the event the assuming insurance organizations are unable to meet their contractual obligations. As a result, the Company is subject to credit risk with respect to the obligations of its reinsurers. In order to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors the economic characteristics of the reinsurers on an ongoing basis. All reinsurers are rated A- or better by A. M. Best Company. The Company has not experienced a collectibility problem with any reinsurer.

The Company receives a ceding commission in conjunction with certain reinsurance activities. These ceding commissions are offset against direct commission expense and were $413,592, $180,158 and $181,749 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, amounts recoverable from reinsurers consisted of the following:

 

     As of December 31,
     2008    2007

Paid losses

   $ 726,618    $ 988,324

Unpaid losses

     6,117,789      5,600,523
             

Total amounts recoverable from reinsurers

   $ 6,844,407    $ 6,588,847
             

The Company holds collateral in the form of letters of credit, trust accounts or funds withheld accounts for amounts recoverable from reinsurers that are not considered authorized insurers by the State of Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation. At December 31, 2008, the Company had 7 reinsurance recoverable amounts from reinsurers whose individual recoverable balance exceeded 5% of the total recoverable amount. The amount due from these 7 reinsurers accounts for 94% of the total recoverable.

The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, are as follows:

 

    2008     2007     2006  
    Written     Earned     Written     Earned     Written     Earned  

Direct

  $ 60,882,499     $ 58,153,600     $ 53,956,318     $ 52,691,693     $ 48,869,232     $ 47,831,449  

Assumed

    76,823       77,614       73,384       73,514       60,809       72,730  

Ceded

    (10,934,224 )     (10,728,093 )     (10,026,079 )     (9,991,470 )     (8,666,906 )     (8,654,931 )
                                               

Net premiums

  $ 50,025,098     $ 47,503,121     $ 44,003,623     $ 42,773,737     $ 40,263,135     $ 39,249,248  
                                               

 

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The effect of reinsurance on incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, are as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 31,831,495     $ 25,931,595     $ 22,299,180  

Reinsurance recoveries

     (2,812,197 )     (1,507,249 )     (4,734,569 )
                        

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 29,019,298     $ 24,424,346     $ 17,564,611  
                        

5. Federal Income Taxes

The provision for federal income taxes consists of the following:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007    2006  

Current

   $ 1,773,502     $ 1,883,328    $ 3,444,326  

Deferred expense (benefit)

     (196,588 )     153,106      64,874  

Change in valuation allowance

     —         —        (43,199 )
                       
   $ 1,576,914     $ 2,036,434    $ 3,466,001  
                       

Actual federal income taxes vary from amounts computed by applying the current federal income tax rate of 34 percent to income before federal income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the reasons for these differences and the tax effects thereof, are as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Expected tax expense

   $ 1,814,751     $ 2,353,069     $ 3,631,654  

Change in valuation allowance

     —         —         (43,199 )

Nontaxable investment income

     (314,677 )     (225,957 )     (120,188 )

Nondeductible expenses, net

     8,110       7,577       4,322  

Provision to return variance

     68,776       (99,139 )     (6,588 )

Other, net

     (46 )     884       —    
                        
   $ 1,576,914     $ 2,036,434     $ 3,466,001  
                        

Deferred federal income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to the difference between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities, and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the Company’s management reviews both positive and negative evidence, including current and historical results of operations, the annual limitation on utilization of net operating loss carryforwards pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (“Section 382”), future income projections and the overall prospects of our business. As of December 31, 2008, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $6,948,000, which begin to expire in 2010 and fully expire in 2021, and alternative minimum tax credits of approximately $358,000, which may be carried forward indefinitely. As a result of the demutualization of FIC in 2004 the aforementioned net operating losses are subject to certain “change in control” limitations under Section 382. The annual limitation on the utilization of the net operating losses is approximately $400,000. In addition to the net operating loss carryforwards, the Company’s alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards are also subject to the

 

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Section 382 limitation however these credit carryforwards have no expiration and can be carried forward indefinitely. Based on the annual Section 382 limitation of the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards management has determined that approximately $2,971,000 of net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized and therefore a valuation allowance of approximately $1,010,000 will be maintained for the deferred tax asset associated with these amounts.

Based upon management’s assessment of all available evidence, including the Company’s cumulative net income for recent fiscal years, estimates of current and future profitability and the overall prospects of our business, it has been determined that as of December 31, 2008 it is more likely than not that sufficient taxable income will exist in the periods of reversal in order to realize the recorded net deferred tax asset.

The following table shows the allocation of the change in the deferred tax valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Valuation allowance balance, January 1

   $ (1,010,037 )   $ (1,010,037 )   $ (1,053,236 )

Change in valuation allowance allocated to:

      

Federal income tax benefit from operations

     —         —         43,199  

Unrealized gains/losses on investments allocated to other comprehensive income

     —         —         —    
                        

Valuation allowance balance, December 31

   $ (1,010,037 )   $ (1,010,037 )   $ (1,010,037 )
                        

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred federal income tax assets and deferred federal income tax liabilities are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2008     2007  

Deferred federal income tax assets arising from:

    

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

   $ 439,895     $ 378,886  

Unearned premium reserves

     1,741,373       1,564,457  

Unrealized losses on investments

     1,285,111       —    

Realized losses on investments

     123,080       —    

Postretirement benefits accrued

     591,157       644,380  

Net operating loss carryforward

     2,362,431       2,498,439  

Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward

     357,697       357,697  

Other deferred tax assets

     207,193       160,995  
                

Total deferred federal income tax assets

     7,107,937       5,604,854  
                

Deferred federal income tax liabilities arising from:

    

Deferred policy acquisition costs

     (1,253,820 )     (1,159,411 )

Unrealized gains on investments

     —         (379,348 )

Property and equipment

     (88,698 )     (94,719 )

Other deferred tax liabilities

     (13,656 )     (40,691 )
                

Total deferred federal income tax liabilities

     (1,356,174 )     (1,674,169 )
                

Net deferred federal income tax asset

     5,751,763       3,930,685  

Valuation allowance

     (1,010,037 )     (1,010,037 )
                

Deferred federal income taxes

   $ 4,741,726     $ 2,920,648  
                

 

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6. Property and Equipment

At December 31, 2008 and 2007, property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2008     2007  

Building and land

   $ 2,133,899     $ 2,123,481  

Computer equipment, including software

     4,240,813       3,437,552  

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

     842,734       932,808  
                
     7,217,446       6,493,841  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (4,761,680 )     (3,992,853 )
                

Total property and equipment, net

   $ 2,455,766     $ 2,500,988  
                

7. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred policy acquisition costs and the related amortization were as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 3,334,001     $ 3,235,383     $ 3,092,618  

Acquisition costs deferred

     8,084,996       7,422,106       6,985,499  

Amortization

     (7,822,850 )     (7,323,488 )     (6,842,734 )
                        

Balance, end of year

   $ 3,596,147     $ 3,334,001     $ 3,235,383  
                        

The Company assesses the recoverability of deferred policy acquisition costs against future expected underwriting income and reduces deferred policy acquisition costs if it appears that a premium deficiency may exist. There were no premium deficiencies at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

8. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Liability

The Company regularly updates its reserve estimates as new information becomes available and further events occur that may impact the resolution of unsettled claims. Changes in prior years’ reserve estimates are reflected in the results of operations in the year such changes are determined. Activity in the liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 18,059     $ 20,177     $ 18,867  

Less reinsurance balance recoverable

     5,601       7,030       5,934  
                        

Net balance, beginning of year

     12,458       13,147       12,933  
                        

Incurred related to:

      

Current year

     31,741       28,556       22,790  

Prior years

     (2,722 )     (4,132 )     (5,224 )
                        

Total incurred

     29,019       24,424       17,566  
                        

Paid related to:

      

Current year

     21,111       20,968       14,463  

Prior years

     5,114       4,145       2,889  
                        

Total paid

     26,225       25,113       17,352  
                        

Net balance, end of year

     15,252       12,458       13,147  

Plus reinsurance balances recoverable

     6,118       5,601       7,030  
                        

Balance, end of year

   $ 21,370     $ 18,059     $ 20,177  
                        

 

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In 2008, the Company experienced favorable development on losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $2,722,000. The redundant development included $814,000 related to homeowners, $864,000 related to commercial multi-peril, $336,000 related to workers compensation, $179,000 related to farm, $204,000 relating to general liability while the remaining lines of business had redundant development of $325,000. The favorable development was concentrated in accident years 2005 through 2007 and is a result of downward development on both case and incurred but not reported reserves and loss adjusting expense reserves. There were no significant changes in the key assumptions utilized in the analysis and calculations of the Company’s reserves during 2008.

In 2007, the Company experienced favorable development on losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $4,132,000. The redundant development included $1,334,000 related to homeowners, $939,000 related to personal auto, $873,000 related to commercial multi-peril, $280,000 related to workers compensation, $281,000 related to farm while the remaining lines of business had redundant development of $425,000. The favorable development was concentrated in accident years 2004 through 2006 and is a result of downward development on both case and incurred but not reported reserves and loss adjusting expense reserves. There were no significant changes in the key assumptions utilized in the analysis and calculations of the Company’s reserves during 2007.

In 2006, the Company experienced favorable development on losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $5,224,000. There were no significant changes in the key assumptions utilized in the analysis and calculations of the Company’s reserves during 2006. The redundant development included $1,340,000 related to homeowners, $1,329,000 related to personal auto, $1,247,000 related to commercial multi-peril, $715,000 related to workers compensation, $379,000 related to farm while the remaining lines of business had redundant development of $214,000. There were no significant changes in the key assumptions utilized in the analysis and calculations of the Company’s reserves during 2006. The favorable development was concentrated in accident years 2003 through 2005 and is a result of downward development on both case and incurred but not reported reserves and loss adjusting expense reserves.

9. Surplus Notes

Up until September 2007, the Company had surplus notes outstanding of approximately $2,890,000 which included approximately $1,955,000 of surplus notes held by related parties consisting of a non-employee director, agents of the Company and an investment broker who provided services to the Company. The notes, which matured and were repaid in September 2007, carried an annual interest rate of 7 percent. Interest expense on the surplus notes for 2007 and 2006 was approximately $146,000 and $202,000, respectively. Interest expense on surplus notes held by related parties was approximately $97,000 in 2007 and $137,000 in 2006.

10. Employee Benefit Plans

Other postretirement plans

The Company provides certain postretirement health care benefits for retired employees. In December 2004 the Company’s board of directors approved an amendment to the plan effective December 31, 2004 which significantly reduced the number of eligible participants in the plan, discontinued future eligibility for all other employees and reduced the level of health care benefits for future retirees determined to be eligible as of December 31, 2004. The plan amendment resulted in a reduction to the accumulated projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2004 of $2,003,943 of which $486,915 reduced the unrecognized transition obligation while the remaining credit balance of $1,517,028 represents the unrecognized reduction to prior service cost as a result of

 

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the plan amendment. The balance of the unrecognized reduction to prior service cost will be amortized over 17.7 years which represents the average future lifetime of retirees and fully eligible active participants at the date of the amendment.

Changes in the accumulated benefit obligation were:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Change in benefit obligation:

      

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

   $ 1,895,238     $ 1,961,826     $ 1,879,466  

Service cost

     11,377       11,578       10,158  

Interest cost

     101,105       104,923       100,385  

Plan participants’ contributions

     16,303       15,434       15,382  

Actuarial (gain) loss

     (212,061 )     (128,950 )     26,106  

Benefits paid

     (73,265 )     (69,573 )     (69,671 )
                        

Benefit obligation, end of year

     1,738,697       1,895,238       1,961,826  
                        

Fair value of plan assets at beginning and end of year

     —         —         —    
                        

Funded status

   $ (1,738,697 )   $ (1,895,238 )   $ (1,961,826 )
                        

At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the funded status of $1,738,697, $1,895,238 and $1,961,826, respectively, is recognized in the accompanying balance sheet as accrued expenses and other liabilities.

Gross amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Prior service cost (credit)

   $ (1,174,300 )   $ (1,259,982 )   $ (1,345,664 )

Net actuarial loss

     191,009       394,251       550,243  
                        
   $ (983,291 )   $ (865,731 )   $ (795,421 )
                        

Components of net periodic benefit cost and the weighted average discount rate are below:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

      

Service cost

   $ 11,377     $ 11,578     $ 10,158  

Interest cost

     101,105       104,923       100,385  

Amortization of prior service credit

     (85,682 )     (85,682 )     (85,682 )

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     12,252       20,293       21,162  
                        

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 39,052     $ 51,112     $ 46,023  
                        

Weighted-average assumptions as of December 31:

      

Discount rate

     6.30 %     5.50 %     5.50 %

The estimated prior service credit and net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year are $85,682 and $1,014, respectively.

 

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The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its other postretirement plan. As this plan is not pre-funded, no contributions other than those necessary to cover benefit payments are anticipated. At December 31, 2008, the Company’s expected future benefit payments are as follows:

 

2009

   $ 70,000

2010

     77,000

2011

     82,000

2012

     95,000

2013

     105,000

2014 - 2018

     635,000
      
   $ 1,064,000
      

For measurement purposes as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits assumed for the subsequent year was 9.0%, 8.0% and 8.5%, respectively. The rate was assumed to decrease to an ultimate rate of 5.0% in 2013. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plan. A one percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

     1-Percentage-Point
Increase
   1-Percentage-Point
Decrease
 

Effect on total service and interest cost components

   $ 16,914    $ (14,133 )

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

   $ 212,431    $ (181,131 )

Defined contribution plan

The Company has a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. The 401(k) plan provides for matching contributions and /or profit sharing contributions as defined by the Board of Directors. Company contributions approximated $150,000 in 2008, $135,000 in 2007 and $117,000 in 2006.

11. Lease Agreements

The Company leases various vehicles under non-cancelable operating lease agreements which expire in 2009. Rental expense was approximately $9,000, $22,000 and $48,000 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments required under the vehicle leases as of December 31, 2008 are as follows:

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009

   $ 4,432

12. Capital and Surplus and Related Restrictions

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, approximately $92,613,000 and $86,806,000, respectively, of consolidated assets represent assets of FIC that are subject to regulation and may not be transferred to FMIC in the form of dividends, loans or advances without the prior approval of the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (“OFIR”). Dividends paid by FIC are subject to limitations imposed by the Michigan Insurance Code (“Code”). Under the Code, FIC may pay dividends only from statutory earnings and capital and surplus. In addition, FIC may not declare an “extraordinary” dividend to its shareholders without the prior

 

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approval of OFIR. An extraordinary dividend or distribution is defined as a dividend or distribution of cash or other property whose fair market value, together with that of other dividends and distributions made within the preceding 12 months, exceeds the greater of 10% of statutory capital and surplus as of December 31, of the preceding year or the statutory net income, excluding net realized investment gains, for the immediately preceding calendar year. Accordingly, FIC may pay dividends of approximately $2,688,000 in 2009 without prior approval. However, the OFIR has the authority to prohibit payment of any dividend.

Certain regulations that affect the insurance industry are promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), which is an association of state insurance commissioners, regulators and support staff that acts as a coordinating body for the state insurance regulatory process. The NAIC has established risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements to assist regulators in monitoring the financial strength and stability of property and casualty insurers. Under the NAIC requirements, each insurer must maintain its total capital and surplus above a calculated minimum threshold or take corrective measures to achieve that threshold. The Company has calculated its RBC level based on these requirements and has determined that it passed the RBC test and has capital and surplus in excess of the minimum threshold.

FIC’s statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2008 and 2007 and statutory net income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,
     2008    2007

Statutory capital and surplus

   $ 33,169,079    $ 33,777,280
             

 

     Years Ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2006

Statutory net income (loss)

   $ 3,388,277    $ 4,817,081    $ 7,071,075
                    

13. Contingencies

The Company participates in the Property and Casualty Guaranty Association (“Association”) of the State of Michigan which protects policyholders and claimants against losses due to insolvency of insurers. When an insolvency occurs, the Association is authorized to assess member companies up to the amount of the shortfall of funds, including expenses. Member companies are assessed based on the type and amount of insurance written during the previous calendar year. Assessments to date have not been significant; however, in the opinion of management, while uncertain, the liability for future assessments will not materially affect the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

14. Related Party Transactions

During 2005, the Company issued a $130,000 mortgage receivable to an agent of the Company. The note requires a monthly payment, including interest at 8%, of $1,097, which is based on a 15 year amortization. The note includes a 5 year balloon payment, which becomes due June 2010. During 2008, 2007 and 2006 the agent earned $70,586, $62,946 and $55,117, respectively, in regular and profit sharing commissions. The terms and conditions of the agency agreement between this agent and the Company are similar in all material respects to agency agreements with other agents of the Company.

During 2003, the Company issued a $140,000 mortgage receivable to an agent of the Company. The note requires a monthly payment, including interest at 6%, of $1,003, which is based on a 20 year amortization. The

 

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note includes a 5 year balloon payment, which becomes due January 2009. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, the agent earned $91,082, $90,422 and $73,292, respectively, in regular and profit sharing commissions. The terms and conditions of the agency agreement between this agent and the Company are similar in all material respects to agency agreements with other agents of the Company.

Three nonemployee directors of the Company are also owners of independent insurance agencies. These individuals are currently appointed as agents with and write insurance for the Company. The terms and conditions of the agency agreements between these agencies and the Company are similar in all material respects to agency agreements with other agents of the Company. The Company pays all agencies commissions on business produced. All agencies are also able to earn profit sharing commissions based on the profit margins of the business produced. Total regular and profit sharing commissions earned by these agencies approximated $545,000, $526,000 and $484,000 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The commission rates, including profit sharing commission opportunity, are the same as other agents of the Company. The agencies are independent agents and also write with regional and national insurers that may be competitors of the Company.

A nonemployee director of the Company is a partner in a law firm. The Company has retained this law firm for certain legal matters in the past and plans to continue to do so in the future. Legal fees paid by the Company to the law firm were approximately $69,000 in 2008, $74,000 in 2007 and $35,000 in 2006.

Various agents of the Company participated in the surplus note offerings and held surplus notes at December 31, 2006. The notes were paid in full in September 2007, as disclosed in Note 9—Surplus Notes. The terms and conditions of the agency agreements between the agencies and the Company are similar in all material respects to agency agreements with other agents of the Company. The Company pays the agencies commissions on business produced. The agencies are also able to earn profit sharing commissions based on the profit margins of the business produced. For the years ending December 31, 2007 and 2006 agents holding surplus notes earned regular and profit sharing commissions of approximately $224,000 and $223,000, respectively.

A non-employee director of the Company also participated in the surplus note offerings and held a surplus note at December 31, 2006. The note was paid in full in September 2007, as disclosed in Note 9—Surplus Notes. For the years ending December 31, 2007 and 2006 the non-employee director holding a surplus note received director fees of $11,350 and $10,875, respectively.

The Company also paid investment commissions to a firm controlled by an individual who held a surplus note at December 31, 2006. The note was paid in full in September 2007. Total investment commissions paid during the years ending December 31, 2007 and 2006 were approximately $40,000 and $30,000, respectively.

15. Segment Information

The Company defines its operations as property and casualty insurance operations. The Company writes four major insurance lines exclusively in the State of Michigan: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Farm and Marine. The separate financial information of these four major insurance lines is consistent with the way results are regularly evaluated by management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. All revenues are generated from external customers and the Company does not have a significant reliance on any single major customer or agent.

The Company evaluates product line profitability based on underwriting gain (loss). Certain expenses are allocated based on net premiums earned and net losses incurred. Underwriting gain (loss) by product line would change if different methods were applied.

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

The Company does not allocate assets, net investment income, net realized gains (losses) on investments, other income (expense), interest expense or demutualization expenses to its product lines. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

Segment data for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Revenues:

      

Net premiums earned:

      

Personal lines

   $ 33,452,206     $ 29,225,270     $ 25,752,956  

Commercial lines

     7,711,397       7,497,696       7,666,666  

Farm

     4,541,837       4,337,542       4,222,485  

Marine

     1,797,681       1,713,229       1,607,141  
                        

Total net premiums earned

     47,503,121       42,773,737       39,249,248  
                        

Expenses:

      

Loss and loss adjustment expenses:

      

Personal lines

     23,099,032       18,361,023       12,700,566  

Commercial lines

     2,394,681       3,432,297       2,350,933  

Farm

     2,466,282       1,909,207       1,748,249  

Marine

     1,059,303       721,819       764,863  
                        

Total loss and loss adjustment expenses

     29,019,298       24,424,346       17,564,611  
                        

Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses:

      

Personal lines

     11,159,899       10,861,560       8,923,387  

Commercial lines

     2,572,578       2,786,516       2,656,496  

Farm

     1,515,190       1,612,046       1,463,089  

Marine

     599,719       636,720       556,874  
                        

Total policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses

     15,847,386       15,896,842       13,599,846  
                        

Underwriting gain (loss):

      

Personal lines

     (806,725 )     2,687       4,129,003  

Commercial lines

     2,744,138       1,278,883       2,659,237  

Farm

     560,365       816,289       1,011,147  

Marine

     138,659       354,690       285,404  
                        

Total underwriting gain

     2,636,437       2,452,549       8,084,791  

Net investment income

     2,212,972       2,165,070       1,887,719  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     (126,735 )     1,977,742       519,835  

Other income

     614,828       471,601       417,392  

Interest expense

     —         (146,170 )     (228,403 )
                        

Income before federal income taxes

   $ 5,337,502     $ 6,920,792     $ 10,681,334  
                        

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

16. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding and the weighted-average dilutive share equivalents outstanding. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2006

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:

        

Net income

   $ 3,760,588    $ 4,884,358    $ 7,215,333
                    

Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted average shares outstanding

     1,770,025      1,779,065      1,776,373

Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation plan

     36,611      34,600      34,351
                    

Denominator for diluted earnings per share

     1,806,636      1,813,665      1,810,724
                    

Basic earnings per share

   $ 2.12    $ 2.75    $ 4.06
                    

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 2.08    $ 2.69    $ 3.98
                    

Number of shares that are anti-dilutive

     31,988      16,686      15,862
                    

17. Stock-based Compensation

The Company has two stock-based compensation plans which are described below. The compensation cost for these plans that has been charged against income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $103,228, $95,772 and $43,867, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the statement of operations for stock-based compensation was $35,098, $32,562 and $14,915 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The Company adopted the Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. Stock-based Compensation Plan (the “2003 Plan”) in November of 2003 and the plan was subsequently approved by shareholders in May 2005. In February 2006 the Company adopted the Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of 2006 (the “2006 Plan”) and the plan was subsequently approved by shareholders in May 2006. Under both plans awards may include, among others, nonqualified stock options (“NQSOs”), restricted stock and stock appreciation rights.

Pursuant to the 2003 Plan, the Company is authorized to grant up to 88,796 shares. Pursuant to the 2006 Plan, the Company is authorized to grant up to 154,500 shares. Option awards under both plans are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant; those option awards vest 20% per year and have a 10 year contractual term. The options may fully vest upon the death or disability of the optionee or a change in control of the Company as defined in the plans. Under both plans if awards should expire, become unexercisable or be forfeited for any reason without having been exercised or without becoming vested in full, the shares of common stock subject to those awards would be available for the grant of additional awards.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2008, 2007 and 2006. The expected volatility in 2008 and 2007 is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected volatilities in 2006 are based on historical volatility of similar publicly traded entities following a comparable period in their

 

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FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

lives subsequent to their initial public offering. The expected term is an estimate based on expected behavior of the group of optionees. The risk free rate for the periods within the contractual life of the option is based on U.S. Treasury Strips in effect at the time of grant.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2008    2007    2006  

Expected volatility

   33.4% - 33.7%    34.0% - 34.4%    35.8 %

Expected dividend yield

   0.77%    0.0%    0.0 %

Expected term (in years)

   1.5 - 6.5       2 - 7       7  

Risk-free rate

   0.57% - 3.48%    3.08% - 4.59%    4.7 %

A summary of option activity under the plans as of December 31, 2008 and changes during the year then ended is presented below:

 

Options

   Number of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Outstanding—beginning of year

   113,564     $ 10.06      

Granted

   16,150     $ 15.57      

Exercised

   (1,833 )   $ 5.11      

Forfeited

   (1,463 )   $ 11.23      
                  

Outstanding—end of year

   126,418     $ 10.82    7.1    $ 834,027
                        

Exercisable at end of year

   72,393     $ 7.87    6.3    $ 654,185
                        

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted in 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $5.20, $8.30 and $11.72, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $24,177, $38,800 and $17,370, respectively.

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested options as of December 31, 2008 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2008 is presented below:

 

Nonvested Options

   Number of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Grant-
Date Fair
Value

Nonvested—beginning of year

   61,451     $ 5.93

Granted

   16,150     $ 5.20

Vested

   (22,566 )   $ 4.69

Forfeited

   (1,010 )   $ 5.30
            

Nonvested—end of year

   54,025     $ 6.22
            

As of December 31, 2008, there was $314,086 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation awards granted under both plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.4 years.

 

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives.

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15, as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this report on Form 10-K. Based upon that evaluation, each of our Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President of Finance concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15(f). The 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. Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls 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 be inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008 under this framework.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. In connection with our evaluation, no change was identified in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

 

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PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

The information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference to the sections of the Registrant’s definitive 2009 Proxy Statement to be filed on or about April 2, 2009 in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 14, 2009 pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended appearing under the headings: “Matter No. 1 Election of Fremont Directors (including biographical information regarding Nominees for Election as Class II Directors, Continuing Directors and Executive Officers Who are not Directors),” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and, “Audit Committee Report”.

The Company’s Code of Ethics, which applies to its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, was filed as Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The Company has posted its Code of Ethics on its website (www.fmic.com) and it is available in print to any stockholder upon request. As of December 31, 2008, no amendments or waivers had been made to our Code of Ethics as previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company intends to post any amendments to or any waivers from a provision of its Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions on its website.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Executive Compensation (including the tables)” and “Director Compensation” of the Registrant’s definitive 2009 Proxy Statement to be filed on or about April 2, 2009 in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 14, 2009 pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Security Ownership of Management” of the Registrant’s definitive 2009 Proxy Statement to be filed on or about April 2, 2009 in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 14, 2009 pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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The Company has two equity compensation plans pursuant to which it has granted stock options to employees and non-employee directors. The Stock-Based Compensation Plan dated November 18, 2003 was approved by the shareholders on May 12, 2005 and the Stock Incentive Plan of 2006 was approved by the shareholders on May 11, 2006. The following table sets forth, with respect to the equity compensation plans, as of December 31, 2008, (a) the number of shares of common stock to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, (b) the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, and (c) the number of shares remaining available for future issuance.

 

     Equity Compensation Plan Information    Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities in column (a))
(c)

Plan category

   Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights

(a)
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(b)
  

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   126,418    $ 10.82    111,749

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   —        —      —  
                

Total

   126,418    $ 0.00    111,749
                

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Corporate Governance—Director Independence” and “Certain Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors” of the Registrant’s definitive 2009 Proxy Statement to be filed on or about April 2, 2009 in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 14, 2009 pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Independent Public Accountants” of the Registrant’s definitive 2009 Proxy Statement to be filed on or about April 2, 2009 in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 14, 2009 pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

 

(a)(1) The following consolidated financial statements are filed as a part of this report in Item 8.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007

Consolidated Statements of Operations for Each of the Years in the Three-year Period Ended
December 31, 2008

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for Each of the Years in the Three-year Period Ended December 31, 2008

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Each of the Years in the Three-year Period Ended
December 31, 2008

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2) The following consolidated financial statement schedules for the years 2008, 2007 and 2006 are submitted herewith:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Financial Statement Schedules:

Schedule I            Summary of Investments—Other Than Investments in Related Parties

Schedule II          Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company

Schedule III         Supplementary Insurance Information

Schedule IV         Reinsurance

Schedule V          Allowance for Uncollectible Premiums and other Receivables

All other schedules under Regulation S-X are not required in accordance with the related instructions and, therefore, have been omitted.

(3) Exhibits:

The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in the Exhibit Index. Documents not accompanying this report are incorporated by reference as indicated on the Exhibit Index.

 

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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.

 

FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC.    
By:   /s/    RICHARD E. DUNNING               March 24, 2009
 

Richard E. Dunning

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

     

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Richard E. Dunning and Kevin G. Kaastra, or either of them acting individually, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each with full power of substitution, for him and in his name and in all capacities, to sign all amendments to this report and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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 date indicated.

 

By:   /s/    RICHARD E. DUNNING               March 24, 2009
 

Richard E. Dunning

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

(principal executive officer)

     
By:   /s/    KEVIN G. KAASTRA               March 24, 2009
 

Kevin G. Kaastra

Vice President of Finance

(principal financial and accounting officer)

     
By:   /s/    DONALD E. BRADFORD               March 24, 2009
 

Donald E. Bradford

Director

     
By:   /s/    MICHAEL A. DEKUIPER               March 24, 2009
 

Michael A. DeKuiper

Director

     
By:   /s/    JACK G. HENDON               March 24, 2009
 

Jack G. Hendon

Director

     
By:   /s/    MONICA C. HOLMES               March 24, 2009
 

Monica C. Holmes

Director

     
By:   /s/    WILLIAM L. JOHNSON               March 24, 2009
 

William L. Johnson

Director

     
By:   /s/    JACK A. SIEBERS               March 24, 2009
 

Jack A. Siebers

Director

     

 

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By:   /s/    KENNETH J. SCHUITEMAN               March 24, 2009
 

Kenneth J. Schuiteman

Director

     
By:   /s/    DONALD VANSINGEL               March 24, 2009
 

Donald VanSingel

Chairman of the Board of Directors

     
By:   /s/    HAROLD L. WIBERG               March 24, 2009
 

Harold L. Wiberg

Director

     
By:   /s/    DONALD C. WILSON               March 24, 2009
 

Donald C. Wilson

Director

     

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Fremont Michigan Insuracorp, Inc.

Fremont, Michigan

The audits referred to in our report dated March 24, 2009 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Fremont Michigan Insuracorp, Inc. and subsidiary for the three years ended December 31, 2008, which is contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K also included the audit of the financial statement schedules listed in the accompanying index. These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statement schedules based on our audits.

In our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan

March 24, 2009

 

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Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc. and Subsidiary

Schedule I—Summary of Investments—Other than

Investments in Related Parties as of December 31, 2008

 

Column A

   Column B    Column C    Column D

Type of Investment

   Cost    Market
Value
   Balance
Sheet

Fixed maturities:

        

Bonds:

        

United States Government and government agencies and authorities

   $ 9,088,700    9,381,827    9,381,827

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     23,010,088    22,512,803    22,512,803

All other

     22,495,269    22,064,153    22,064,153
                

Total fixed maturities

     54,594,057    53,958,783    53,958,783
                

Equity securities:

        

Common stocks:

        

Public utilities

     —      —      —  

Banks, trust and insurance companies

     —      —      —  

Industrial, miscellaneous and all other

     7,704,834    4,560,368    4,560,368

Nonredeemable preferred stock

     —      —      —  
                

Total equity securities

     7,704,834    4,560,368    4,560,368
                

Total investments

   $ 62,298,891    58,519,151    58,519,151
                

 

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Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc.

Schedule II—Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company

Condensed Balance Sheet

 

     December 31,
     2008     2007

Assets

    

Investment in common stock of subsidiary (equity method)

   $ 38,942,854     $ 38,985,639

Cash and cash equivalents

     67,029       175,413

Other assets

     305,046       264,906
              

Total assets

   $ 39,314,929     $ 39,425,958
              

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Liabilities:

   $ —       $ —  
              

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 4,500,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding

   $ —       $ —  

Class A common stock, no par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares, 1,740,154 and 1,779,321 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively

     —         —  

Class B common stock, no par value, authorized 500,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding

     —         —  

Additional paid-in capital

     8,653,443       7,722,424

Retained earnings

     32,507,143       30,395,771

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (1,845,657 )     1,307,763
              

Total stockholders’ equity

     39,314,929       39,425,958
              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 39,314,929     $ 39,425,958
              

 

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Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc.

Schedule II—Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company

Condensed Statement of Earnings

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Revenue—net investment income

   $ 2,612     $ 2,384     $ 4,456  

Expenses:—operating expenses

     78,440       138,946       87,427  
                        

Loss before federal income tax benefit

     (75,828 )     (136,562 )     (82,971 )

Federal income tax benefit

     25,781       46,431       28,210  
                        

Loss before equity in income of subsidiary

     (50,047 )     (90,131 )     (54,761 )

Equity in income of subsidiary

     3,810,635       4,974,489       7,270,094  
                        

Net income

   $ 3,760,588     $ 4,884,358     $ 7,215,333  
                        

 

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Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc.

Schedule II—Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
     2008     2007     2006  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 13,041     $ (127,739 )   $ (80,350 )
                        

Cash flows from investing activities—Dividend received from subsidiary

     700,000       150,000       —    
                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from exercised stock options

     9,383       10,000       6,000  

Tax benefit from exercised stock options

     6,681       11,556       4,925  

Share repurchases of common stock

     (732,150 )     —         —    

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (105,339 )     —         —    
                        

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (821,425 )     21,556       10,925  
                        

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (108,384 )     43,817       (69,425 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     175,413       131,596       201,021  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 67,029     $ 175,413     $ 131,596  
                        

 

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Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc. and Subsidiary

Schedule III—Supplementary Insurance Information

 

Column A

   Column B    Column C    Column D    Column E    Column F

Segment

   Deferred
policy
acquisition
costs
   Future policy
benefits,
losses,
claims, and
loss expenses
   Unearned
premiums
   Other policy
claims and
benefits
payable
   Premium
revenue

December 31, 2008

              

Personal lines

   $ 2,325,411    13,580,773    16,460,621    —      33,452,206

Commercial lines

     745,124    5,181,944    5,274,421    —      7,711,397

Farm

     387,135    1,675,043    2,740,364    —      4,541,837

Marine

     138,477    931,764    980,218    —      1,797,681
                          

Total

   $ 3,596,147    21,369,524    25,455,624    —      47,503,121
                          

December 31, 2007

              

Personal lines

   $ 2,116,320    10,041,035    14,426,717    —      29,225,270

Commercial lines

     685,094    5,811,069    4,670,211    —      7,497,696

Farm

     394,544    985,301    2,689,562    —      4,337,542

Marine

     138,043    1,221,514    941,025    —      1,713,229
                          

Total

   $ 3,334,001    18,058,919    22,727,515    —      42,773,737
                          

December 31, 2006

              

Personal lines

   $ 2,018,671    10,431,711    13,391,538    —      25,752,956

Commercial lines

     689,446    7,044,987    4,573,678    —      7,666,666

Farm

     393,812    1,608,805    2,612,489    —      4,222,485

Marine

     133,454    1,091,052    885,314    —      1,607,141
                          

Total

   $ 3,235,383    20,176,555    21,463,019    —      39,249,248
                          
     Column G    Column H    Column I    Column J    Column K
     Net
investment
income
   Benefits,
claims,
losses and
settlement
expenses
   Amortization
of DPAC
   Other
operating
expenses
   Premiums
written

December 31, 2008

              

Personal lines

      23,099,032    5,508,935    5,650,964    35,486,111

Commercial lines

      2,394,681    1,269,919    1,302,659    8,109,475

Farm

      2,466,282    747,953    767,237    4,592,638

Marine

      1,059,303    296,043    303,676    1,836,874
                          

Total

   $ 2,212,972    29,019,298    7,822,850    8,024,536    50,025,098
                          

December 31, 2007

              

Personal lines

      18,361,023    5,003,793    5,857,766    30,260,447

Commercial lines

      3,432,297    1,283,715    1,502,801    7,559,621

Farm

      1,909,207    742,650    869,396    4,414,615

Marine

      721,819    293,330    343,391    1,768,940
                          

Total

   $ 2,165,070    24,424,346    7,323,488    8,573,354    44,003,623
                          

December 31, 2006

              

Personal lines

      12,700,566    4,489,783    4,433,603    26,715,542

Commercial lines

      2,350,933    1,336,611    1,319,886    7,537,315

Farm

      1,748,249    736,150    726,939    4,339,772

Marine

      764,863    280,190    276,684    1,670,506
                          

Total

   $ 1,887,719    17,564,611    6,842,734    6,757,112    40,263,135
                          

 

95


Table of Contents

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc. and Subsidiary

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Schedule IV—Reinsurance

 

Column A

   Column B    Column C    Column D    Column E    Column F  

Premiums Earned

   Gross amount    Ceded to
other
companies
   Assumed
from
other
companies
   Net amount    Percentage
of amount
assumed
to net
 

For the year ended December 31, 2008

   $ 58,153,600    10,728,093    77,614    47,503,121    0.2 %

For the year ended December 31, 2007

   $ 52,691,693    9,991,470    73,514    42,773,737    0.2 %

For the year ended December 31, 2006

   $ 47,831,449    8,654,931    72,730    39,249,248    0.2 %

 

96


Table of Contents

Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc. and Subsidiary

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

Schedule V—Allowance for Uncollectible Premiums

 

Allowance for Uncollectible Premiums

   2008     2007     2006  

Balance, January 1

   $ 39,029     $ 32,913     $ 79,443  

Additions

     195,465       115,451       134,712  

Deletions

     (175,816 )     (109,335 )     (181,242 )
                        

Balance, December 31

   $ 58,678     $ 39,029     $ 32,913  
                        

 

97


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

NUMBER

  

TITLE

3.1(a)    Articles of Incorporation of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-112414 on Form S-1).
3.1(b)    Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2007).
3.2        Bylaws of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement No. 333-112414 on Form S-1)
4.1        See Articles of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 3.1
4.2        Shareholder Rights Agreement dated November 1, 2004 by and between the Company and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 3, 2004).
4.3        Certificate of Adoption of Resolution Designating and Prescribing Rights, Preferences and Limitations of Junior Participating Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 3, 2004).
10.1          Stock-Based Compensation Plan dated November 18, 2003, as amended and restated effective December 11, 2007.
10.2          Employment Agreement between Richard E. Dunning and Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Registration Statement No. 333-112414 on Form S-1).
10.3          Form of Employment Agreement for other officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Registration Statement No. 333-112414 on Form S-1).
10.4          Agent Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 2008).
10.5          Form of Indemnity Agreement between Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc and its directors and officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Registration Statement No. 333-112414 on Form S-1).
10.6          Form of Agency Agreement and Endorsement to Agency Agreement for Profit Sharing (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Registration Statement No. 333-112414 on Form S-1).
10.7          Investment Management Agreement with Prime Advisors, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Registration Statement No. 333-112414 on Form S-1).
10.8          Stock Incentive Plan of 2006, dated February 24, 2006, as amended and restated effective December 11, 2007.
10.9          Form of Change of Control Severance Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 20, 2006).
14             Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Executives (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).
21             Subsidiaries of the registrant.
23.1          Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP
24             Power of Attorney (see Signatures of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference).
31.1          Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2          Certification of Vice President and Treasurer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32             Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

98

EX-21 2 dex21.htm SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT Subsidiaries of the registrant

EXHIBIT 21

FREMONT MICHIGAN INSURACORP, INC.

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

Fremont Insurance Company

EX-23.1 3 dex231.htm CONSENT OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-128667, 333-128668 and 333-150075) of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. of our reports dated March 24, 2009, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. and subsidiary as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008 which appear in this Form 10-K.

/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan

March 24, 2009

EX-31.1 4 dex311.htm SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CEO Section 302 Certification of CEO

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS OF PERIODIC REPORTS PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Richard E. Dunning, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (the “Company”), certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”) of the Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this Report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this Report;

4. The Company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Report based on such evaluation; and

(c) Disclosed in this Report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Dated: March 24, 2009     /s/    RICHARD E. DUNNING        
   

Richard E. Dunning,

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2 5 dex312.htm SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF VICE-PRESIDENT AND TREASURER Section 302 Certification of Vice-President and Treasurer

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS OF PERIODIC REPORTS PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Kevin G. Kaastra, Vice President of Finance (principal financial officer) of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (the “Company”), certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”) of the Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this Report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this Report;

4. The Company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Report based on such evaluation; and

(c) Disclosed in this Report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Dated: March 24, 2009     /s/    KEVIN G. KAASTRA        
   

Kevin G. Kaastra,

Vice President of Finance (principal financial officer)

EX-32 6 dex32.htm SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION Section 906 Certification

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Solely for the purpose of complying with 18 U.S.C. §1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned in his capacity as an officer of Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

1. The accompanying Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: March 24, 2009     /s/    RICHARD E. DUNNING        
   

Richard E. Dunning,

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 24, 2009     /s/    KEVIN G. KAASTRA        
   

Kevin G. Kaastra,

Vice President of Finance (principal financial officer)

The foregoing certifications are being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

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