COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	(9) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Management has a responsibility to continually measure and monitor its commitments and its contingencies. The nature of the Company’s commitments and contingencies can be grouped into three major categories: insured claim activity, assessment related activities and operational matters. (A) Insured Claim Activity We are involved in claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The amount of liability for these claims and lawsuits is uncertain. Revisions to our estimates are based on our analysis of subsequent information that we receive regarding various factors, including: (i) per claim information; (ii) company and industry historical loss experience; (iii) legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages; and (iv) trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. Management revises its estimates based on the results of its analysis. This process assumes that experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for estimating the ultimate settlement of all claims. There is no precise method for subsequently evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of the reserves, because the eventual redundancy or deficiency is affected by multiple factors. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters may have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. The Company’s subsidiaries are, from time to time, named as defendants in various lawsuits incidental to their insurance operations. Legal actions relating to claims made in the ordinary course of seeking indemnification for a loss covered by the insurance policy are considered by the Company in establishing loss and LAE reserves. The Company also faces, in the ordinary course of business, lawsuits that seek damages beyond policy limits. The Company continually evaluates potential liabilities and reserves for litigation of these types using the criteria established by FASB issued guidance. Under this guidance, reserves for a loss are recorded if the likelihood of occurrence is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If a loss, while not probable, is judged to be reasonably possible, management will make an estimate of a possible range of loss or state that an estimate cannot be made. Management considers each legal action using this guidance and records reserves for losses as warranted. (B) Assessment Related Activity We operate in a regulatory environment where certain entities and organizations have the authority to require us to participate in assessments. Currently these entities and organizations include, but are not limited to, Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (“FIGA”), Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”), Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”) and Florida Joint Underwriters Insurance Association (“JUA”). As a direct premium writer in the state of Florida, we are required to participate in certain insurer solvency associations under Florida Statutes Section 631.57(3) (a), administered by FIGA. During December 2012, the Company was assessed $0.8 million by FIGA relating to the failures of Florida domestic property and casualty insurance companies. Future assessments are likely, although the impact of these assessments on our balance sheet, results of operations or cash flow are undeterminable at this time. FNIC is also required to participate in an insurance apportionment plan under Florida Statutes Section 627.351, which is referred to as a JUA Plan. The JUA Plan provides for the equitable apportionment of any profits realized, or losses and expenses incurred, among participating automobile insurers. In the event of an underwriting deficit incurred by the JUA Plan which is not recovered through the policyholders in the JUA Plan, such deficit shall be recovered from the companies participating in the JUA Plan in the proportion that the net direct written premiums of each such member during the preceding calendar year bear to the aggregate net direct premiums written in this state by all members of the JUA Plan. FNIC was not assessed by the JUA Plan during 2014, 2013 or 2012. Future assessments by this association are undeterminable at this time. (C) Operational Matters The Company has recorded a net deferred tax liability and asset of $1.3 million and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future periods. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences and as such no valuation allowance has been recorded against deferred tax assets. Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the realizability of deferred tax assets in future years, the Company would record a valuation allowances as deemed appropriate in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or charge to net income. The resolution of tax reserves and changes in valuation allowances could be material to the Company’s results of operations for any period, but is not expected to be material to the Company’s financial position. The Company files a federal income tax return and various state and local tax returns. The Company’s consolidated federal and state income tax returns for 2012 - 2013 are open for review by the IRS and various state taxing authorities. The Company’s 2011 federal tax return was under review by the IRS and in 2014 the audit was closed with a no change report. The Company is not currently involved in any material legal actions arising from the ordinary course of business that are not related to insured claims activity. Included in this year’s reinsurance program is a 30% quota share reinsurance treaty for the Company’s in-force new and renewal homeowners’ insurance program in the State of Florida. This two-year quota share reinsurance treaty provides 30% of $200 million of aggregate catastrophe coverage per year with maximum single event coverage of 30% of $100 million per year. The approximate cost of this quota share is projected to be $6.7 million per year, net of ceding commissions, and it is included in the $117.0 million amount referenced above. The quota share treaty contains commutation provisions for the Company to share profits based on loss experience during the term of the treaty. The 30% quota share reinsurance treaty described above contains profit sharing provisions that will adjust over its two-year term depending on the Company’s loss experience from catastrophic and non-catastrophic events during the term. The frequency and severity of catastrophic events, coupled with non-catastrophic loss experience, will determine the ultimate profit share, if any. In accordance with GAAP, the Company will initially recognize an asset and liability and the resultant net income or loss. For example, deferred quota-share profit sharing totaled $10.5 million as of December 31, 2014. The deferred quota-share profit sharing was originally recorded at $14.0 million at the program’s July 1, 2014 inception and will continue to amortize over the life of the program. Subsequently, the Company will adjust the value of the asset and liability based on information available at the time of valuation. Upward and downward adjustments to the asset’s value will affect the Company’s results of operations by increasing or decreasing net income in the period of the adjustment.

(9) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Management has a responsibility to continually measure and monitor its commitments and its contingencies. The nature of the Company’s commitments and contingencies can be grouped into three major categories: insured claim activity, assessment related activities and operational matters.

(A) Insured Claim Activity

We are involved in claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The amount of liability for these claims and lawsuits is uncertain. Revisions to our estimates are based on our analysis of subsequent information that we receive regarding various factors, including: (i) per claim information; (ii) company and industry historical loss experience; (iii) legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the awarding of damages; and (iv) trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. Management revises its estimates based on the results of its analysis. This process assumes that experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for estimating the ultimate settlement of all claims. There is no precise method for subsequently evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of the reserves, because the eventual redundancy or deficiency is affected by multiple factors. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters may have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

The Company’s subsidiaries are, from time to time, named as defendants in various lawsuits incidental to their insurance operations. Legal actions relating to claims made in the ordinary course of seeking indemnification for a loss covered by the insurance policy are considered by the Company in establishing loss and LAE reserves.

The Company also faces, in the ordinary course of business, lawsuits that seek damages beyond policy limits. The Company continually evaluates potential liabilities and reserves for litigation of these types using the criteria established by FASB issued guidance. Under this guidance, reserves for a loss are recorded if the likelihood of occurrence is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If a loss, while not probable, is judged to be reasonably possible, management will make an estimate of a possible range of loss or state that an estimate cannot be made. Management considers each legal action using this guidance and records reserves for losses as warranted.

(B) Assessment Related Activity

We operate in a regulatory environment where certain entities and organizations have the authority to require us to participate in assessments. Currently these entities and organizations include, but are not limited to, Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (“FIGA”), Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”), Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”) and Florida Joint Underwriters Insurance Association (“JUA”). As a direct premium writer in the state of Florida, we are required to participate in certain insurer solvency associations under Florida Statutes Section 631.57(3) (a), administered by FIGA.

During December 2012, the Company was assessed $0.8 million by FIGA relating to the failures of Florida domestic property and casualty insurance companies. Future assessments are likely, although the impact of these assessments on our balance sheet, results of operations or cash flow are undeterminable at this time.

FNIC is also required to participate in an insurance apportionment plan under Florida Statutes Section 627.351, which is referred to as a JUA Plan. The JUA Plan provides for the equitable apportionment of any profits realized, or losses and expenses incurred, among participating automobile insurers. In the event of an underwriting deficit incurred by the JUA Plan which is not recovered through the policyholders in the JUA Plan, such deficit shall be recovered from the companies participating in the JUA Plan in the proportion that the net direct written premiums of each such member during the preceding calendar year bear to the aggregate net direct premiums written in this state by all members of the JUA Plan. FNIC was not assessed by the JUA Plan during 2014, 2013 or 2012. Future assessments by this association are undeterminable at this time.

The Company has recorded a net deferred tax liability and asset of $1.3 million and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future periods. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences and as such no valuation allowance has been recorded against deferred tax assets. Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the realizability of deferred tax assets in future years, the Company would record a valuation allowances as deemed appropriate in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or charge to net income. The resolution of tax reserves and changes in valuation allowances could be material to the Company’s results of operations for any period, but is not expected to be material to the Company’s financial position.

The Company files a federal income tax return and various state and local tax returns. The Company’s consolidated federal and state income tax returns for 2012 - 2013 are open for review by the IRS and various state taxing authorities. The Company’s 2011 federal tax return was under review by the IRS and in 2014 the audit was closed with a no change report.

The Company is not currently involved in any material legal actions arising from the ordinary course of business that are not related to insured claims activity.

Included in this year’s reinsurance program is a 30% quota share reinsurance treaty for the Company’s in-force new and renewal homeowners’ insurance program in the State of Florida. This two-year quota share reinsurance treaty provides 30% of $200 million of aggregate catastrophe coverage per year with maximum single event coverage of 30% of $100 million per year. The approximate cost of this quota share is projected to be $6.7 million per year, net of ceding commissions, and it is included in the $117.0 million amount referenced above. The quota share treaty contains commutation provisions for the Company to share profits based on loss experience during the term of the treaty.

The 30% quota share reinsurance treaty described above contains profit sharing provisions that will adjust over its two-year term depending on the Company’s loss experience from catastrophic and non-catastrophic events during the term. The frequency and severity of catastrophic events, coupled with non-catastrophic loss experience, will determine the ultimate profit share, if any. In accordance with GAAP, the Company will initially recognize an asset and liability and the resultant net income or loss. For example, deferred quota-share profit sharing totaled $10.5 million as of December 31, 2014. The deferred quota-share profit sharing was originally recorded at $14.0 million at the program’s July 1, 2014 inception and will continue to amortize over the life of the program. Subsequently, the Company will adjust the value of the asset and liability based on information available at the time of valuation. Upward and downward adjustments to the asset’s value will affect the Company’s results of operations by increasing or decreasing net income in the period of the adjustment.