Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of AmerInst and its operating wholly owned subsidiaries, AmerInst Mezco, Ltd. (“Mezco”), AMIC Ltd., and Protexure. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The major estimates reflected in the Company’s financial statements include but are not limited to the liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses. Premiums Premiums assumed are earned on a pro rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies to which they relate. Premiums assumed relating to the unexpired portion of policies in force at the balance sheet date are recorded as unearned premiums. Deferred policy acquisition costs Ceding commissions related to assumed reinsurance agreements are deferred and amortized pro rata over the terms of the underlying policies to which they relate. Liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses included case-basis estimates of reported losses plus supplemental amounts for projected losses incurred but not reported (IBNR), calculated based upon loss projections utilizing certain actuarial assumptions and AMIC Ltd.’s historical loss experience supplemented with industry data. The aggregate liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at year end represented management’s best estimate, based upon the available data, of the amount necessary to cover the ultimate cost of loss, based upon an actuarial analysis prepared by independent actuaries. However, because of the volatility inherent in professional liability coverage, actual loss experience may not conform to the assumptions used in determining the estimated amounts for such liability at the balance sheet date. Accordingly, the ultimate liability could be significantly in excess of or less than the amount indicated in the financial statements. As adjustments to these estimates become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in current operations. AMIC Ltd. does not discount its loss reserves for purposes of these financial statements. We review the independent actuaries’ reports for consistency and appropriateness of methodology and assumptions, including assumptions of industry benchmarks and discuss any concerns or changes with them. Our Underwriting Committee then considers the reasonableness of loss reserves recommended by our independent actuaries, in light of actual loss development during the year and approve the loss reserves to be recorded by AMIC Ltd. The anticipated effect of inflation is implicitly considered when estimating liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. Future average severities are projected based on historical trends adjusted for anticipated trends, are monitored based on actual developments and are modified if necessary. Investments AmerInst classified its fixed maturity investments as available-for-sale. Accordingly, AmerInst reported these fixed income securities at their estimated fair values with unrealized holding gains and losses being reported as other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses on sales of fixed maturity investments were accounted for by specifically identifying the cost and are reflected in the income statement in the period of sale. Declines in the fair value of fixed maturity investments below cost were evaluated for other than temporary impairment losses. The evaluation for other than temporary impairment losses is a quantitative and qualitative process which is subject to risks and uncertainties in the determination of whether declines in the fair value of fixed maturity investments are other than temporary. The risks and uncertainties included the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security, changes in general economic conditions, the issuer’s financial condition or near term recovery prospects, and the effects of changes in interest rates. AmerInst’s accounting policy requires that a decline in the value of a fixed maturity security below its cost basis be assessed to determine if the decline is other than temporary. If so, the fixed maturity security is deemed to be impaired and a charge is recorded in net realized losses equal to the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the security. The fair value of the impaired investment becomes its new cost basis. AmerInst had classified its equity securities as available-for-sale. Our equity investments were carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized within net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on the consolidated statement of operations. Cash and cash equivalents Cash equivalents include money market funds. Cash and cash equivalents are recorded at amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term, liquid nature of these securities. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 7 years. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized. Expenditures for normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Developmental costs for internal use software are capitalized in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) topic 350 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”, generally, when the preliminary project stage is completed, management commits to funding and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the functions intended. Capitalized internal use software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally for a period not to exceed 5 years. Income taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences and benefits attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing 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 periods in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management evaluates the reliability of the deferred tax assets and assesses the need for additional valuation allowance annually. Earnings per common share Basic earnings per share is determined as net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the impact of the Company’s stock option plan. New Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2021 No new accounting standards adopted in 2021. **Accounting Standards Not* Yet Adopted*** Financial Instruments Credit Losses-Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which amends the guidance on impairment of financial instruments and significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The ASU will replace the existing “incurred loss” approach, with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost and require entities to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount under the existing other-than temporary-impairment model. The ASU also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. The Company’s insurance premium balances receivables were also more significant financial assets within the scope of ASU 2016-13. The guidance requires financial assets to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The tentative effective date for the ASU is January 1, 2023. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of AmerInst and its operating wholly owned subsidiaries, AmerInst Mezco, Ltd. (“Mezco”), AMIC Ltd., and Protexure. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The major estimates reflected in the Company’s financial statements include but are not limited to the liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses.

Premiums

Premiums assumed are earned on a pro rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies to which they relate. Premiums assumed relating to the unexpired portion of policies in force at the balance sheet date are recorded as unearned premiums.

Deferred policy acquisition costs

Ceding commissions related to assumed reinsurance agreements are deferred and amortized pro rata over the terms of the underlying policies to which they relate.

Liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses

The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses included case-basis estimates of reported losses plus supplemental amounts for projected losses incurred but not reported (IBNR), calculated based upon loss projections utilizing certain actuarial assumptions and AMIC Ltd.’s historical loss experience supplemented with industry data. The aggregate liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at year end represented management’s best estimate, based upon the available data, of the amount necessary to cover the ultimate cost of loss, based upon an actuarial analysis prepared by independent actuaries. However, because of the volatility inherent in professional liability coverage, actual loss experience may not conform to the assumptions used in determining the estimated amounts for such liability at the balance sheet date. Accordingly, the ultimate liability could be significantly in excess of or less than the amount indicated in the financial statements. As adjustments to these estimates become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in current operations. AMIC Ltd. does not discount its loss reserves for purposes of these financial statements.

We review the independent actuaries’ reports for consistency and appropriateness of methodology and assumptions, including assumptions of industry benchmarks and discuss any concerns or changes with them. Our Underwriting Committee then considers the reasonableness of loss reserves recommended by our independent actuaries, in light of actual loss development during the year and approve the loss reserves to be recorded by AMIC Ltd.

The anticipated effect of inflation is implicitly considered when estimating liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. Future average severities are projected based on historical trends adjusted for anticipated trends, are monitored based on actual developments and are modified if necessary.

Investments

AmerInst classified its fixed maturity investments as available-for-sale. Accordingly, AmerInst reported these fixed income securities at their estimated fair values with unrealized holding gains and losses being reported as other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses on sales of fixed maturity investments were accounted for by specifically identifying the cost and are reflected in the income statement in the period of sale.

Declines in the fair value of fixed maturity investments below cost were evaluated for other than temporary impairment losses. The evaluation for other than temporary impairment losses is a quantitative and qualitative process which is subject to risks and uncertainties in the determination of whether declines in the fair value of fixed maturity investments are other than temporary. The risks and uncertainties included the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security, changes in general economic conditions, the issuer’s financial condition or near term recovery prospects, and the effects of changes in interest rates. AmerInst’s accounting policy requires that a decline in the value of a fixed maturity security below its cost basis be assessed to determine if the decline is other than temporary. If so, the fixed maturity security is deemed to be impaired and a charge is recorded in net realized losses equal to the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the security. The fair value of the impaired investment becomes its new cost basis.

AmerInst had classified its equity securities as available-for-sale. Our equity investments were carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized within net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on the consolidated statement of operations.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents include money market funds. Cash and cash equivalents are recorded at amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term, liquid nature of these securities.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 7 years. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized. Expenditures for normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

Developmental costs for internal use software are capitalized in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) topic 350 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”, generally, when the preliminary project stage is completed, management commits to funding and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the functions intended. Capitalized internal use software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally for a period not to exceed 5 years.

Income taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences and benefits attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing 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 periods in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management evaluates the reliability of the deferred tax assets and assesses the need for additional valuation allowance annually.

Earnings per common share

Basic earnings per share is determined as net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the impact of the Company’s stock option plan.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2021

No new accounting standards adopted in 2021.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Financial Instruments Credit Losses-Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which amends the guidance on impairment of financial instruments and significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The ASU will replace the existing “incurred loss” approach, with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost and require entities to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount under the existing other-than temporary-impairment model. The ASU also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. The Company’s insurance premium balances receivables were also more significant financial assets within the scope of ASU 2016-13. The guidance requires financial assets to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The tentative effective date for the ASU is January 1, 2023. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.