Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and its subsidiaries (“Argo Group,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Argo Group is an underwriter of specialty insurance products in the property and casualty market.

The preparation of interim 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 reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The major estimates reflected in our consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses; reinsurance recoverables, including the reinsurance recoverables allowance for expected credit losses; estimates of written and earned premiums; reinsurance premium receivable; fair value of investments and assessment of potential impairment, including the allowance for credit losses on fixed maturity securities; valuation of goodwill and intangibles and our deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement footnotes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") (collectively, “2021 Form 10-K”).

The interim financial information as of, and for, the three months ended, March 31, 2022 and 2021 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim information includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results presented for the interim periods. The operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. All significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassification

Certain reclassifications have been made to financial information presented for prior years to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal (or most advantageous) market that are independent, knowledgeable, able to transact for the asset or liability and willing to transfer the asset or liability.

Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach and/or cost approach are used to measure fair value. The inputs of these valuation techniques are categorized into three levels.

•Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed at the reporting date. We define actively traded as a security that has traded in the past seven days. We receive one quote per instrument for Level 1 inputs.

•Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. We receive one quote per instrument for Level 2 inputs.

•Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect our own judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances.

We receive fair value prices from third-party pricing services and our outside investment managers. These prices are determined using observable market information such as dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things. We have reviewed the processes used by the third-party providers for pricing the securities and have determined that these processes result in fair values consistent with GAAP requirements. In addition, we review these prices for reasonableness, and have not adjusted any prices received from the third-party providers as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. A description of the valuation techniques we use to measure assets at fair value is as follows:

Fixed Maturities (Available-for-Sale) Levels 1 and 2:

•United States Treasury securities are typically valued using Level 1 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from third-party pricing services using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets at the reporting date.

•United States Government agencies, non-U.S. Government securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, credit securities and foreign denominated government and credit securities are reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from third-party pricing services. Observable data may include dealer quotes, market spreads, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things.

•Asset and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations are reported at fair value using Level 2 or Level 3 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from third-party pricing services. Observable data may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things.

Fixed Maturities (Available-for-Sale) Levels 3: We own term loans that are valued using unobservable inputs.

Equity Securities Level 1: Equity securities are principally reported at fair value using Level 1 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from a third-party pricing service using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets at the reporting date.

Equity Securities Level 3: We own certain equity securities that are reported at fair value using Level 3 inputs. The valuation techniques for these securities include the following:

•Fair value measurements for an investment in an equity fund obtained by applying final prices provided by the administrator of the fund, which is based upon certain estimates and assumptions.

•Fair value measurements from brokers and independent valuation services, both based upon estimates, assumptions and other unobservable inputs.

Other Investments Level 2: Foreign regulatory deposits are assets held in trust in jurisdictions where there is a legal and regulatory requirement to maintain funds locally in order to protect policyholders. Lloyd’s is the appointed investment manager for the funds. These assets are invested in short-term government securities, agency securities and corporate bonds and are valued using Level 2 inputs based upon values obtained from Lloyd’s.

Short-term Investments: Short-term investments are principally reported at fair value using Level 1 inputs, with the exception of short-term corporate and governmental bonds reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs as described in the fixed maturities section above. Values for the investments categorized as Level 1 are obtained from various financial institutions as of the reporting date.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Allowance for Credit Losses

For fixed maturities with a decline in the fair value between the amortized cost due to credit-related factors, an allowance is established for the difference between the estimated recoverable value and amortized cost with a corresponding charge to Net realized investment and other gains (losses) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The allowance is limited to the difference between amortized cost and fair value. The estimated recoverable value is the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, as determined by management. The difference between fair value and amortized cost that is not associated with credit-related factors is recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Accrued interest is excluded from the measurement of the allowance for credit losses.

When determining if a credit loss has been incurred, we may consider the historical performance of the security, available market information and security specific considerations such as the priority payment of the security. In addition, inputs used in our analysis include, but are not limited to, credit ratings and downgrades, delinquency rates, missed scheduled interest or principal payments, purchase yields, underlying asset performance, collateral types, modeled default rates, modeled severity rates, call/prepayment rates, expected cash flows, industry concentrations, and potential or filed bankruptcies or restructurings.

We evaluate for credit losses each quarter. If we determine that all or a portion of a fixed maturity is uncollectible, the uncollectible amortized cost is written off with a corresponding reduction to the allowance for credit losses. If we collect cash flows that were previously written off, the recovery is recognized in realized investment gains. We also consider whether we intend to sell an available-for-sale security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost. In these instances, a decline in fair value is recognized in Net realized investment and other gains (losses) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security.

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Cash. The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Investment securities and short-term investments. See Note 3, “Investments,” for additional information.

Premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses. The carrying value of current receivables and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses approximates fair value.

Debt. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair value of our debt instruments is determined using both Level 1 and Level 2 inputs, as previously defined in Note 3, “Investments.”

We receive fair value prices from third-party pricing services for our financial instruments as well as for similar financial instruments. These prices are determined using observable market information such as publicly traded quoted prices, and trading prices for similar financial instruments actively being traded in the current market. We have reviewed the processes used by the third-party providers for pricing the securities and have determined that these processes result in fair values consistent with GAAP requirements. In addition, we review these prices for reasonableness, and have not adjusted any prices received from the third-party providers as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. A description of the valuation techniques we use to measure these liabilities at fair value is as follows:

Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes Level 1:

•Our senior unsecured fixed rate notes are valued using Level 1 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from a third-party pricing service using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets at the reporting date.

Junior Subordinated Debentures and Floating Rate Loan Stock Level 2:

•Our trust preferred debentures, subordinated debentures and floating rate loan stock are typically valued using Level 2 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from a third-party pricing service using quoted prices for similar securities being traded in active markets at the reporting date, as our specific debt instruments are more infrequently traded.