10-Q 1 affm-10q_20150331.htm 10-Q

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

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 000-50795

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

75-2770432

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

4450 Sojourn Drive, Suite 500

Addison, Texas

 

75001

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(972) 728-6300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x  No ¨

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 the definitions 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 Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value, as of May 13, 2015: 16,155,357

 

 


 

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

3

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

5

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

5

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

6

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

20

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

27

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

30

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

31

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

31

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

31

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

31

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

31

SIGNATURES

32

 

 

2


 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

March 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value

 

$

26,724

 

 

$

33,285

 

Other invested assets

 

 

4,560

 

 

 

4,501

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

27,620

 

 

 

23,863

 

Fiduciary and restricted cash

 

 

4,003

 

 

 

4,794

 

Accrued investment income

 

 

284

 

 

 

149

 

Premiums and fees receivable, net

 

 

65,182

 

 

 

53,167

 

Commissions receivable

 

 

1,137

 

 

 

487

 

Receivable from reinsurers

 

 

147,405

 

 

 

182,804

 

Income taxes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

149

 

Investment in real property, net

 

 

9,378

 

 

 

9,558

 

Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $60,377

   for 2015 and $59,127 for 2014)

 

 

7,139

 

 

 

8,389

 

Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $7,765 for 2015

   and 2014)

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

5,915

 

 

 

5,623

 

Other assets (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $576 for 2015

   and 2014)

 

 

11,547

 

 

 

9,420

 

Total assets

 

$

312,394

 

 

$

337,689

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

122,895

 

 

$

132,752

 

Unearned premium

 

 

89,100

 

 

 

84,055

 

Amounts due to reinsurers

 

 

59,895

 

 

 

80,126

 

Due to third-party carriers

 

 

4,804

 

 

 

5,106

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

7,108

 

 

 

6,537

 

Capital lease obligation

 

 

1,688

 

 

 

3,344

 

Debt

 

 

124,512

 

 

 

123,341

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

Deferred acquisition costs, net liability

 

 

673

 

 

 

4,214

 

Other liabilities

 

 

37,757

 

 

 

32,613

 

Total liabilities

 

 

448,471

 

 

 

472,088

 

Stockholders’ deficit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 18,949,220 shares

   issued and 16,155,357 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015

   and December 31, 2014

 

 

190

 

 

 

190

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

167,733

 

 

 

167,623

 

Treasury stock, at cost (2,793,863 shares at March 31, 2015 and

   December 31, 2014)

 

 

(32,910

)

 

 

(32,910

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(1,344

)

 

 

(1,536

)

Retained deficit

 

 

(269,746

)

 

 

(267,766

)

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

 

(136,077

)

 

 

(134,399

)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

 

$

312,394

 

 

$

337,689

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3


 

 

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

40,915

 

 

$

33,364

 

Commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue

 

 

10,896

 

 

 

11,330

 

Net investment income

 

 

586

 

 

 

830

 

Net realized losses

 

 

(74

)

 

 

 

Other income

 

 

107

 

 

 

2

 

Total revenues

 

 

52,430

 

 

 

45,526

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

33,679

 

 

 

27,552

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

16,379

 

 

 

12,792

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,250

 

 

 

1,496

 

Total expenses

 

 

51,308

 

 

 

41,840

 

Operating income

 

 

1,122

 

 

 

3,686

 

Interest expense

 

 

2,958

 

 

 

3,316

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

(1,836

)

 

 

370

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

144

 

 

 

(294

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,980

)

 

$

664

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(0.13

)

 

$

0.04

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(0.13

)

 

$

0.04

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

15,767

 

 

 

15,408

 

Diluted

 

 

15,767

 

 

 

16,282

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

4


 

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,980

)

 

$

664

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investment securities arising during

   period

 

 

118

 

 

 

219

 

Reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net income

 

 

74

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net

 

 

192

 

 

 

219

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(1,788

)

 

$

883

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amounts

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amounts

 

Common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

18,949,220

 

 

$

190

 

 

 

18,202,221

 

 

$

182

 

Issuance of restricted stock awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

472,000

 

 

 

5

 

Balance at end of period

 

 

18,949,220

 

 

 

190

 

 

 

18,674,221

 

 

 

187

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

167,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

167,049

 

Issuance of restricted stock awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Balance at end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

167,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

167,059

 

Treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year and end of period

 

 

2,793,863

 

 

 

(32,910

)

 

 

2,793,863

 

 

 

(32,910

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,536

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,654

)

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment

   securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

219

 

Balance at end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,344

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,435

)

Retained Deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

(267,766

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(235,559

)

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,980

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

664

 

Balance at end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

(269,746

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(234,895

)

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

 

 

 

 

$

(136,077

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

(101,994

)

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

5


 

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,980

)

 

$

664

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating

   activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,430

 

 

 

1,676

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

110

 

 

 

15

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

 

411

 

 

 

502

 

Amortization of debt discount

 

 

99

 

 

 

408

 

Net realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities

 

 

74

 

 

 

 

Fair value gain on investment in hedge fund

 

 

(59

)

 

 

(127

)

Amortization of premiums on investments, net

 

 

97

 

 

 

148

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

Paid-in-kind interest

 

 

1,522

 

 

 

667

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiduciary and restricted cash

 

 

1,991

 

 

 

(407

)

Premiums, fees and commissions receivable, net

 

 

(12,665

)

 

 

(19,631

)

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

(9,857

)

 

 

(8,786

)

Amounts due from reinsurers

 

 

15,168

 

 

 

235

 

Due to third-party carriers

 

 

(302

)

 

 

257

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

571

 

 

 

891

 

Unearned premium

 

 

5,045

 

 

 

18,852

 

Deferred acquisition costs, net

 

 

(3,541

)

 

 

(8,785

)

Income taxes

 

 

188

 

 

 

(1,928

)

Other

 

 

161

 

 

 

1,986

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(1,537

)

 

 

(13,369

)

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiduciary and restricted cash

 

 

(1,200

)

 

 

(4,800

)

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities

 

 

5,734

 

 

 

198

 

Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities

 

 

1,060

 

 

 

11,735

 

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

 

 

(212

)

 

 

(10,000

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

(154

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

5,382

 

 

 

(3,021

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from financing under capital lease obligations

 

 

 

 

 

4,858

 

Principal payments under capital lease obligations

 

 

(1,656

)

 

 

(1,547

)

Principal payments on mortgage security agreement

 

 

(448

)

 

 

(426

)

Debt modification costs paid

 

 

(149

)

 

 

 

Bank overdrafts

 

 

2,165

 

 

 

1,117

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(88

)

 

 

4,002

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

3,757

 

 

 

(12,388

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

23,863

 

 

 

44,569

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

27,620

 

 

$

32,181

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

1,029

 

 

$

1,154

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

 

12

 

 

 

1,634

 

Disclosure of non-cash information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior secured credit facility modification fee capitalized to loan balance

 

$

713

 

 

$

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6


 

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

1.

General

Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in Delaware in June 1998. The Company is a provider of non-standard personal automobile insurance policies for individual consumers in targeted geographic areas. The Company currently distributes insurance policies through approximately 5,000 independent agents or brokers in 7 states (Louisiana, Texas, California, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri).

 

2.

Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. This assumes continuing operations and the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business.

The Company incurred losses from operations over the last six years, including an operating loss of $31.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Losses over this period were primarily due to underwriting losses, significant revenue declines, expenses declining less than the amount of revenue declines, and goodwill impairments. The losses from operations were the result of significant new business written in 2012 and 2013, prior pricing issues in some states in which the Company has taken significant pricing and underwriting actions to address profitability, losses from states that the Company has exited, such as Florida and Michigan, and goodwill impairment charges as a result of such losses.

The senior secured and subordinated credit facilities contain quarterly debt covenants that set forth, among other things, minimum risk-based capital requirements for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries as well as minimum cash flow requirements for the Company’s non-regulated businesses. The credit facilities have been amended to waive compliance with the risk-based capital measurement requirement as of March 31, 2015, and to postpone the principal payment of $3.5 million due March 31, 2015 to June 30, 2015. Except for the minimum risk-based capital requirement for which the Company obtained a waiver, the Company was in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2015. However, it is probable the Company will not meet certain of these covenants in future periods. If the Company is unable to achieve compliance with the covenants or obtain a forbearance or waiver of any non-compliance or amend the agreements to change such covenants, the lenders could declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable. Even if the Company is compliant with the covenants or, if not compliant, obtains additional forbearance or waivers from its lenders, there is still substantial uncertainty that the Company will be able to refinance or extend the maturity of the senior secured facility when it becomes due in March 2016. If the Company’s lenders declare the amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable or if the Company is unable to refinance or extend the maturity of the senior secured credit facility when it becomes due, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and the Company’s creditors and stockholders.

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital standards and other minimum capital and surplus requirements imposed under applicable state laws, including the laws of their state of domicile. The risk-based capital standards, based upon the Risk-Based Capital Model Act adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, require insurance companies to report their results of risk-based capital calculations to state departments of insurance and the NAIC. At December 31, 2014, the risk-based capital level of Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC) triggered a regulatory action level event under the NAIC standard. As a result, AIC was required to submit a plan to the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) in April 2015 detailing corrective actions being taken to return its risk-based capital ratio to an acceptable level. The IDOI may accept the plan, require further amendments to the plan or take additional regulatory action including, but not limited to, placing AIC in receivership. Such additional regulatory action by the Illinois Department of Insurance would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and the interest of its creditors and stockholders. Such additional regulatory action by the Illinois Department of Insurance also would trigger a further event of default under the Company’s senior secured credit facility and subordinated credit facility allowing the Company’s lenders to declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable, and if such amounts were declared immediately due and payable by the lenders, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and the interests of its creditors and stockholders.

The Company has taken and will continue to pursue appropriate actions to improve the underwriting results. The Company is also pursuing various other actions to address these issues. However, there can be no assurance that these actions will be effective.

The Company’s recent history of recurring losses from operations, its failure to comply with certain financial covenants in its senior secured and subordinated credit facilities, its need to meet debt repayment requirements and its failure to comply with the Illinois Department of Insurance minimum risk-based capital requirements raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

7


 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects of this uncertainty on the recoverability or classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts or classification of liabilities.

 

3.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements of the Company. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs issued in April 2015 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard is expected to impact only the presentation and note disclosures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis issued in February 2015 is intended to improve targeted areas of consolidation guidance for legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures (collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations, and mortgage-backed security transactions). The ASU focuses on the consolidation evaluation for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The ASU will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015 for public companies. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The implications of this ASU are currently under review by the Company.

 

 

4.

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities

The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ deficit. No income tax effect of unrealized gains and losses is reflected in other comprehensive income (loss) due to the Company carrying a full deferred tax valuation allowance. Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investment securities are determined on the specific-identification basis and credited or charged to income at the time of disposal.

Amortized Cost and Fair Value

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains (losses), and estimated fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amortized

Cost

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

 

March 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

 

$

8,292

 

 

$

32

 

 

$

(9

)

 

$

8,315

 

States and political subdivisions

 

 

1,478

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,508

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

15,009

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

(13

)

 

 

15,148

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

1,750

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,753

 

Total

 

$

26,529

 

 

$

217

 

 

$

(22

)

 

$

26,724

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

 

$

8,311

 

 

$

33

 

 

$

(30

)

 

$

8,314

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

3,386

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

(92

)

 

 

3,313

 

States and political subdivisions

 

 

1,485

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,519

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

17,340

 

 

 

90

 

 

 

(58

)

 

 

17,372

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

2,760

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

2,767

 

Total

 

$

33,282

 

 

$

184

 

 

$

(181

)

 

$

33,285

 

8


 

For additional disclosures regarding methods and assumptions used in estimating fair values of these securities see Note 13.

Maturities

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. The Company’s amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed-income securities at March 31, 2015 by contractual maturity were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amortized

Cost

 

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

5,646

 

 

$

5,666

 

Due after one year through five years

 

 

20,726

 

 

 

20,901

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

 

157

 

 

 

157

 

Total

 

$

26,529

 

 

$

26,724

 

 

Gross Realized Gains and Losses

Gross realized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments for the three months ended March 31 were as follows (in thousands):

  

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross gains

 

$

24

 

 

$

 

Gross losses

 

 

(98

)

 

 

 

Total

 

$

(74

)

 

$

 

 

Unrealized Losses

The following table summarizes the Company’s available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value and amount of gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2015

 

 

 

Less Than Twelve

Months

 

 

Twelve Months or

Greater

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

 

$

480

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

           2,000

 

 

$

(8

)

 

$

2,480

 

 

$

(9

)

Corporate debt securities

 

 

4,097

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

1,567

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

5,664

 

 

 

(13

)

Total

 

$

4,577

 

 

$

(10

)

 

$

3,567

 

 

$

(12

)

 

$

8,144

 

 

$

(22

)

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

Less Than Twelve

Months

 

 

Twelve Months or

Greater

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

 

$

2,217

 

 

$

(6

)

 

$

1,984

 

 

$

(24

)

 

$

4,201

 

 

$

(30

)

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

1,388

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

1,273

 

 

 

(70

)

 

 

2,661

 

 

 

(92

)

Corporate debt securities

 

 

5,894

 

 

 

(36

)

 

 

3,235

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

9,129

 

 

 

(58

)

Certificates of deposit

 

 

999

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

999

 

 

 

(1

)

Total

 

$

10,498

 

 

$

(65

)

 

$

6,492

 

 

$

(116

)

 

$

16,990

 

 

$

(181

)

 

9


 

The Company’s portfolio contained approximately 35 and 65 individual investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

The unrealized losses at March 31, 2015 were primarily attributable to changes in market interest rates since the securities were purchased. Management systematically evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary. On a quarterly basis, the Company considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence in evaluating potential impairment of its investments. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost. If the fair value of a debt security is less than its amortized cost basis, an other-than-temporary impairment may be triggered in circumstances where (1) an entity has an intent to sell the security, (2) it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or (3) the entity does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security (that is, a credit loss exists). Other-than-temporary impairments are separated into amounts representing credit losses which are recognized in earnings and amounts related to all other factors which are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company also considers potential adverse conditions related to the financial health of the issuer based on rating agency actions. As a result of management’s quarterly analyses for the period ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, no individual securities were considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

Restricted Investments

Certificates of deposit in the amount of $1.8 million and $2.8 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, were pledged as collateral associated with the capital lease related to certain computer software, software licenses, and hardware used in the Company’s insurance operations. See Note 8 for discussion of the associated capital lease obligation.

 

 

5.

Reinsurance

In the ordinary course of business, the Company places reinsurance with other insurance companies in order to provide greater diversification of its business and limit the potential for losses arising from large risks. The Company’s reinsurance agreements provide for recovery of a portion of losses and loss expenses from reinsurers and reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets. The Company is liable if the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements. The Company seeks to cede business to reinsurers generally with a financial strength rating of “A-” or better.

Quota-share agreements

In 2013, the Company entered into a quota-share agreement with a third-party reinsurance company effective March 31, 2013, under which the Company ceded 40% of business produced in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Illinois. This agreement was amended effective June 30, 2013, under which the Company ceded an additional 40% for the same four states for the remainder of 2013. This agreement was further amended to provide a $10.0 million reduction in ceded premiums in the fourth quarter. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $145.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. This agreement terminated on January 1, 2014, resulting in the return of $47.2 million unearned premiums, net of $13.9 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $98.6 million.

Effective December 31, 2013, the Company entered into a new reinsurance agreement with four third-party reinsurance companies. Under this agreement, the Company ceded 20% of premiums and losses in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas, and 60% in California on policies in force on December 31, 2013 or written or renewed on and after that date. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $22.2 million as of December 31, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the quota-share rate increased to 60% for all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business. On June 30, 2014, the reinsurance agreement was terminated, resulting in the return of $51.7 million of unearned premiums, net of $14.5 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $95.9 million as of December 31, 2014. In March 2015, two of the quota share reinsurers commuted their participation on this agreement, effectively reducing the quota share rate to 20.4%.

Effective June 30, 2014, a new reinsurance agreement with five third-party reinsurance companies was put in place to cede 85% of all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business through June 30, 2015. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $230.9 million through March 31, 2015. In March 2015, one of the quota share reinsurers commuted their participation on this agreement, reducing the effective ceding percentage to 70.6%. A return of $27.6 million of unearned ceded premiums, net of $7.7 million of ceding commissions, resulted from the commutation.

 


10


 

The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned was as follows (in thousands):

  

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

 

Written

Premium

 

 

Earned

Premium

 

 

Loss and

Loss

Adjustment

Expenses

 

 

Written

Premium

 

 

Earned

Premium

 

 

Loss and

Loss

Adjustment

Expenses

 

Direct

 

$

84,733

 

 

$

79,970

 

 

$

61,140

 

 

$

99,447

 

 

$

80,321

 

 

$

56,276

 

Reinsurance ceded

 

 

(29,088

)

 

 

(39,055

)

 

 

(27,461

)

 

 

(34,630

)

 

 

(46,957

)

 

 

(28,724

)

Total

 

$

55,645

 

 

$

40,915

 

 

$

33,679

 

 

$

64,817

 

 

$

33,364

 

 

$

27,552

 

 

Under certain of the Company’s reinsurance transactions, the Company has received ceding commissions. The ceding commission rate varies based on loss experience. The estimates of loss experience are continually reviewed and adjusted, and the resulting adjustments to ceding commissions are reflected in current operations. Ceding commissions recognized, reflected as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses, were as follows (in thousands):

  

 

 

Three Months

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

$

(10,894

)

 

$

(15,430

)

 

The amount of loss reserves and unearned premium the Company would remain liable for in the event its reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations were as follows (in thousands):

  

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves

 

$

58,952

 

 

$

86,421

 

Unearned premium reserve

 

 

57,121

 

 

 

67,089

 

Total

 

$

116,073

 

 

$

153,510

 

 

Receivable from reinsurers

The table below presents the total amount of receivables due from reinsurers as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):  

  

 

 

March 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective June 30, 2014

 

$

102,460

 

 

$

130,086

 

Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association

 

 

25,392

 

 

 

27,610

 

Vesta Insurance Group

 

 

9,271

 

 

 

9,270

 

Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective

   December 31, 2013

 

 

4,309

 

 

 

14,096

 

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective January 1, 2011

   and other

 

 

3,158

 

 

 

3,188

 

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective

   September 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013

 

 

1,918

 

 

 

(2,285

)

Excess of loss reinsurers

 

 

897

 

 

 

839

 

Total reinsurance receivable

 

$

147,405

 

 

$

182,804

 

 

The quota-share reinsurers and the excess of loss reinsurers all have at least A- ratings from A.M. Best. Accordingly, the Company believes there is minimal credit risk related to these reinsurance receivables. Under the reinsurance agreement with Vesta Insurance Group (VIG), including primarily Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation (VFIC), AIC had the right, under certain circumstances, to require VFIC to provide a letter of credit or establish a trust account to collateralize gross amounts due from VFIC under the reinsurance agreement. At March 31, 2015, the VFIC Trust held $16.5 million (after cumulative withdrawals of $9.0 million through March 31, 2015), consisting of a U.S. Treasury money market account held in cash and cash equivalents, to collateralize the $9.3 million net recoverable from VFIC. In March 2015, AIC received a notice of determination from the VFIC Special Deputy Receiver on multiple proofs of claim for an aggregate amount of $15.3 million for various reinsurance balances with VFIC. As part of the

11


 

notice of determination, AIC entered into a settlement agreement and release with the VFIC Special Deputy Receiver. AIC expects to receive the $15.3 million in settlement proceeds in May 2015.

 

6.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Policy acquisition costs, consisting of primarily commissions and premium taxes, net of ceding commission income, are deferred and charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. The components of deferred policy acquisition costs and the related amortization were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

Ceded

 

 

Net

 

Balance at January 1, 2015

 

$

14,568

 

 

$

(18,782

)

 

$

(4,214

)

Additions

 

 

14,962

 

 

 

(8,110

)

 

 

6,852

 

Amortization

 

 

(14,210

)

 

 

10,899

 

 

 

(3,311

)

Ending balance at March 31, 2015

 

$

15,320

 

 

$

(15,993

)

 

$

(673

)

Balance at January 1, 2014

 

$

12,587

 

 

$

(20,131

)

 

$

(7,544

)

Additions

 

 

17,892

 

 

 

(8,894

)

 

 

8,998

 

Amortization

 

 

(13,265

)

 

 

13,052

 

 

 

(213

)

Ending balance at March 31, 2014

 

$

17,214

 

 

$

(15,973

)

 

$

1,241

 

 

 

7.

Debt

The Company’s long-term debt instruments and balances outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

Notes payable due 2035

 

$

30,928

 

 

$

30,928

 

Notes payable due 2035

 

 

25,774

 

 

 

25,774

 

Notes payable due 2035

 

 

20,111

 

 

 

20,113

 

Total notes payable

 

 

76,813

 

 

 

76,815

 

Senior secured credit facility effective September 2013,

   net of discount

 

 

28,946

 

 

 

28,135

 

Subordinated secured credit facility

 

 

17,376

 

 

 

16,566

 

Mortgage payable

 

 

1,377

 

 

 

1,825

 

Total long-term debt

 

$

124,512

 

 

$

123,341

 

Notes payable

The $30.9 million notes payable due 2035 are redeemable in whole or in part by the Company. The notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.60%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 3.87%.

The $25.8 million notes payable due 2035 are redeemable in whole or in part by the Company. The notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.55%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 3.82%.

On February 28, 2012, the Company exercised its right to defer interest payments on the two notes payable mentioned above beginning with the scheduled interest payment due in March 2012 and continuing for a period of up to five years. The affected notes are associated with obligations to the Company’s unconsolidated trusts. The outstanding balance of the affected notes was $56.7 million as of March 31, 2015. The Company will continue to accrue interest on the principal during the interest deferral period and the unpaid deferred interest will also accrue interest. Deferred interest will be due and payable at the expiration of the interest deferral period and totaled $7.5 million as of March 31, 2015.

The $20.1 million notes payable due 2035 are redeemable in whole or in part by the Company. The notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.95%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 4.22%.

Senior and subordinated secured facilities

On September 30, 2013, the Company replaced its existing senior credit facility with the proceeds from the sale of the retail business and with proceeds from two new debt arrangements. The Company’s new debt arrangement consisted of a $40.0 million

12


 

senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017.

The pricing under the senior secured credit facility was amended effective September 30, 2014 to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 9.25%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 10.50%. The Company made principal payments of $11.5 million in the aggregate as at March 31, 2015. Fees of $0.7 million were added to the outstanding principal balance on March 31, 2015 in connection with the amended agreement effective December 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2015, the principal balance of the senior secured credit facility was $29.2 million. The senior secured credit facility was issued at a discount of $2.0 million that is amortized as interest expense over the expected term of the loan using the effective interest method. Repayment of the facility is due quarterly with $2.0 million payable for each quarter through September 30, 2014, $3.5 million payable each quarter through September 30, 2015, $4.5 million payable on December 31, 2015 and the remaining balance of $13.5 million due in full on March 30, 2016. Prepayments under this agreement are applied to the earliest payments due. Effective December 31, 2014, the senior secured credit facility was amended to postpone the principal payment of $3.5 million due March 31, 2015. The next payment due is $7.0 million on June 30, 2015.

The pricing under the subordinated secured credit facility is currently subject to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 18.00%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 19.25%. The subordinated secured credit facility included a commitment fee of $3.0 million that was added to the principal balance outstanding. Accrued interest is added to the outstanding principal balance until the senior secured credit facility is paid. Capitalized interest totaling $4.4 million was added to the principal balance through March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the principal balance of the subordinated secured credit facility was $17.4 million.

In March 2015, the Company entered into an amendment to the senior secured and subordinated credit facilities. The amendment included the following significant items:

·

A waiver under both the senior secured and subordinated credit facility of all defaults or events of default arising out of the breach of the Company’s risk-based capital ratio for the quarters ended December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015.

·

The principal payment of $3.5 million due March 31, 2015 under the senior secured facility postponed to June 30, 2015. The next principal payment due is $7.0 million on June 30, 2015.

·

A fee of 2.5% is due to the senior secured facility lenders upon approving the amendment. The fee shall be added to the principal amount of the credit facility as of March 31, 2015. Commencing on July 31, 2015, a fee of 0.50% is due on the last day of each month thereafter, which may, at the Company’s option, be added to the principal amount of the credit facility then outstanding.

In November 2014, the Company entered into an amendment to the senior secured and subordinated credit facilities. The amendment included the following significant items:

·

A waiver under both the senior secured and subordinated credit facility of all defaults or events of default arising out of the breach of the Company’s risk-based capital ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

·

Effective September 30, 2014, the pricing under the senior secured facility changed from adjusted LIBOR rate floor plus 7.25% to the adjusted LIBOR rate floor plus 9.25%. The new interest rate on the senior secured facility beginning September 30, 2014 is 10.50%.

·

A fee of 1% is due to the senior secured facility lenders upon approving the amendment. The Company paid a 0.50% fee to the senior secured facility lenders in November 2014 and March 2015.

 

 

Mortgage payable

In March 2013, the Company, through one of its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a $4.8 million loan secured by commercial real estate to provide liquidity to AIC. The loan is evidenced by a promissory note secured by a mortgage security agreement and assignment of leases and rents on real estate located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is held as investment in real property on the consolidated balance sheet. The mortgage bears interest at a per annum fixed rate of 4.95%. The mortgage requires monthly payments of principal and interest with the final payment due on the maturity date of December 15, 2015. As security for payments, the Company assigned rents due under the lease to a trustee. Pursuant to an escrow and servicing agreement, the trustee will receive rent due under the lease, make required payments due under the mortgage and maintain certain escrow accounts to pay for the necessary expenses of the property until the mortgage is paid in full.

 

 

13


 

8.

Capital Lease Obligation

In December 2013, the Company entered into a capital lease obligation related to certain computer software, software licenses and hardware used in the Company’s insurance operations. The Company received cash proceeds from the financing in the amount of $4.9 million which were pledged as collateral against all the Company’s obligations under the lease. The dollar amount of collateral pledged is set to decline over the term of the lease as the Company makes the scheduled lease payments. At the end of the initial term, the Company will have the right to purchase the software for a nominal fee, after which all rights, title and interest would transfer to the Company.

In May 2010, the Company entered into two capital lease obligations related to certain computer software, software licenses, and hardware used in the Company’s insurance operations. The Company received cash proceeds from the financing in the amount of $28.2 million. As required by the lease agreements, the Company purchased $28.2 million of certificates of deposit held in brokerage accounts and pledged such securities as collateral against all of the Company’s obligations under the lease. The dollar amount of collateral pledged is set to decline over the term of the lease as the Company makes the scheduled lease payments. At the end of the initial term, the Company will have the right to purchase the software for a nominal fee, after which all rights, title and interest would transfer to the Company.

In October 2012, one of the Lessors terminated their capital lease agreement with the Company. In December 2012, the Lessor conveyed all rights and interest in the leased property to the Company.

The remaining lease term for both capital leases is 3 months with monthly rental payments totaling approximately $0.6 million. Cash and securities pledged as collateral and held as available-for-sale securities were $3.0 million and $4.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Property under capital lease consisted of the following as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

Computer software, software licenses and hardware

 

$

34,212

 

 

$

34,212

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(29,175

)

 

 

(28,263

)

Computer software, software licenses and hardware, net

 

$

5,037

 

 

$

5,949

 

 

Estimated future lease payments for the year ending December 31 (in thousands):

 

2015

 

$

1,704

 

Less: Amount representing interest

 

 

(16

)

Present value of future lease payments

 

$

1,688

 

 

9.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following (in thousands):

  

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Current tax expense (benefit)

 

$

144

 

 

$

(294

)

Deferred tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

$

144

 

 

$

(294

)

 

14


 

The Company’s effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate of 35% for the three months ended March 31 as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

(1,836

)

 

$

370

 

Tax provision computed at the federal statutory income

   tax rate

 

 

(643

)

 

 

130

 

Increases (reductions) in tax resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax-exempt interest

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(4

)

State income taxes

 

 

65

 

 

 

349

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

716

 

 

 

(774

)

Other

 

 

8

 

 

 

5

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

$

144

 

 

$

(294

)

Effective tax rate

 

 

(7.8

)%

 

 

(79.5

)%

 

Our gross deferred tax assets prior to recognition of valuation allowance were $99.2  million and $98.5 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we considered whether it was more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized based upon all available evidence, including scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, historical operating results, projected future operating results, tax carry-back availability, and limitations pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, among others. Based on this assessment, we began recording a valuation allowance against deferred taxes in December 2009. The valuation allowance was $97.8 million and $97.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

 

10.

Legal and Regulatory Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are named from time to time as parties in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and arising out of or related to claims made in connection with the Company’s insurance policies and claims handling. There are no material changes with respect to legal and regulatory proceedings previously disclosed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

 

11.

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

Net income (loss) per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares are calculated by adjusting basic weighted average shares outstanding by all potentially dilutive stock options. Restricted stock awards of 314,667 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the value of the award was greater than the average market price of the common stock. Stock options outstanding of 1,250,000 and 323,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price of the common stock or there was a net loss from operations in the period thus the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Diluted earnings per share are calculated using the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of numerators and denominators for the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

  

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,980

)

 

$

664

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

15,767

 

 

 

15,408

 

Weighted average effect of dilutive securities

 

 

 

 

 

874

 

Total diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

15,767

 

 

 

16,282

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

 

$

(0.13

)

 

$

0.04

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share:

 

$

(0.13

)

 

$

0.04

 

 

15


 

 

12.

Disclosures for Items Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), including reclassification adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Beginning balance

 

$

(1,536

)

 

$

(1,654

)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 

 

118

 

 

 

219

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other

   comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

74

 

 

 

 

Net current period other comprehensive income

 

 

192

 

 

 

219

 

Ending balance

 

$

(1,344

)

 

$

(1,435

)

 

Net loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications for previously unrealized net loss on available-for-sale securities was $74,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The loss was not net of any taxes due to the valuation allowance for deferred income taxes.

 

13.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company utilizes a hierarchy of valuation techniques for the disclosure of fair value estimates based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable. In determining the level of hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s significant market assumptions. The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including investment securities classified as available-for-sale, cash equivalents and other invested assets. Following is a brief description of the type of valuation information that qualifies as a financial asset or liability for each level:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets which are accessible by the Company.

Level 2 — Observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities. Prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Directly observable market inputs for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, e.g., interest rates and yield curves at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, default rates, and credit spreads. Market inputs that are not directly observable, but are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own judgment as to assumptions a market participant would use, including inputs derived from extrapolation and interpolation that are not corroborated by observable market data.

The Company evaluates the various types of financial assets and liabilities to determine the appropriate fair value hierarchy based upon trading activity and the observation of market inputs. The Company employs control processes to validate the reasonableness of the fair value estimates of its assets and liabilities, including those estimates based on prices and quotes obtained from independent third-party sources. The Company’s procedures generally include, but are not limited to, initial and ongoing evaluation of methodologies used by independent third-parties and additional pricing services are used as a comparison to determine the reasonableness of fair values used in pricing the investment portfolio.

The Company recognizes transfers between levels at the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

Where possible, the Company utilizes quoted market prices to measure fair value. For assets and liabilities that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in Level 1 of the hierarchy. When quoted market prices in active markets are unavailable, the Company determines fair values based on independent external valuation information obtained from independent pricing services, which utilize various models and valuation techniques based on a range of inputs including pricing models, quoted market prices of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, prepayment speeds, default rates and discounted cash flows. In most cases, these estimates are determined based on independent third-party valuation information, and the amounts are disclosed as Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the level of observable market inputs.

16


 

Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The following table provides information as of March 31, 2015 about the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):  

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Markets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

 

$

8,315

 

 

$

8,315

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

States and political subdivisions

 

 

1,508

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,508

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

15,148

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,148

 

 

 

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

1,753

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,753

 

 

 

 

Total investment securities

 

 

26,724

 

 

 

8,315

 

 

 

18,409

 

 

 

 

Other invested assets

 

 

4,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,560

 

Total assets

 

$

31,284

 

 

$

8,315

 

 

$

18,409

 

 

$

4,560

 

 

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2014 about the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):  

  

 

 

Total

 

 

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Markets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

 

$

8,314

 

 

$

8,314

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

3,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,313

 

 

 

 

States and political subdivisions

 

 

1,519

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,519

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

17,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,372

 

 

 

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

2,767

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,767

 

 

 

 

Total investment securities

 

 

33,285

 

 

 

8,314

 

 

 

24,971

 

 

 

 

Other invested assets

 

 

4,501

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,501

 

Total assets

 

$

37,786

 

 

$

8,314

 

 

$

24,971

 

 

$

4,501

 

 

Level 1 Financial assets

Financial assets classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy include U.S. Treasury and government agencies securities. These securities are actively traded and the Company estimates the fair value of these securities using unadjusted quoted market prices.

Level 2 Financial assets

Financial assets classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy include mortgage-backed securities, tax-exempt securities, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit. The fair value of these securities is determined based on observable market inputs provided by independent third-party pricing services. To date, the Company has not experienced a circumstance where it has determined that an adjustment is required to a quote or price received from independent third-party pricing sources. To the extent the Company determines that a price or quote is inconsistent with actual trading activity observed in that investment or similar investments, the Company would determine a fair value using this observable market information and disclose the occurrence of this circumstance. All of the fair values of securities disclosed in Level 2 are estimated based on independent third-party pricing services.

Level 3 Financial assets

The Company’s Level 3 financial assets include an investment in a hedge fund, which is presented as other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company elected the fair value option for its investment in the hedge fund and measures the fair value of the hedge fund on the basis of the net asset value of the fund as reported by the fund manager. The hedge fund is primarily invested in residential mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities which are recorded at fair value as determined by the fund manager. Such fair value determination is based on quoted marked prices, bid prices, or the fund manager’s proprietary valuation models where quoted prices are unavailable or deemed to be inadequately representative of fair value. Significant decreases

17


 

in the fair value of the underlying securities in the hedge fund would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement of other invested assets as reported in the consolidated balance sheets.

Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the year ended March 31, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

Using Significant

Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

Other Invested Assets

 

Balance at January 1, 2015

 

$

4,501

 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Total gains included in earnings as net investment

   income

 

 

59

 

Settlements

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

 

$

4,560

 

Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the year ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

  

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

Using Significant

Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

Other Invested Assets

 

Balance at January 1, 2014

 

$

4,085

 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Total gains included in earnings as net investment

   income

 

 

127

 

Settlements

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2014

 

$

4,212

 

 

The Company did not have any transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, At Fair Value

Fair values represent the Company’s best estimates and may not be substantiated by comparisons to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments.

The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at March 31, 2015 and the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

  

 

 

Carrying

Value

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

27,620

 

 

$

27,620

 

 

$

27,620

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Fiduciary and restricted cash

 

 

4,003

 

 

 

4,003

 

 

 

4,003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

31,623

 

 

$

31,623

 

 

$

31,623

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

$

76,813

 

 

$

14,233

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

14,233

 

Senior secured credit facility

 

 

28,946

 

 

 

29,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,045

 

Subordinated secured credit facility

 

 

17,376

 

 

 

15,105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,105

 

Mortgage payable

 

 

1,377

 

 

 

1,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,377

 

Total

 

$

124,512

 

 

$

59,760

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

59,760

 

 

18


 

The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at December 31, 2014 and the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

  

 

 

Carrying

Value

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

23,863

 

 

$

23,863

 

 

$

23,863

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Fiduciary and restricted cash

 

 

4,794

 

 

 

4,794

 

 

 

4,794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

28,657

 

 

$

28,657

 

 

$

28,657

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

$

76,815

 

 

$

14,289

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

14,289

 

Senior secured credit facility

 

 

28,135

 

 

 

28,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,254

 

Subordinated secured credit facility

 

 

16,566

 

 

 

14,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,126

 

Mortgage payable

 

 

1,825

 

 

 

1,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,825

 

Total

 

$

123,341

 

 

$

58,494

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

58,494

 

 

The fair values of the notes payable, the senior secured credit facility and the subordinated secured credit facility were estimated using discounted cash flow analyses prepared by a third-party valuation source based on inputs and assumptions, such as credit and default risk associated with the debt. The mortgage payable is reported at par value which approximates its fair value due to its short-term nature.

19


 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

We are a provider of non-standard personal automobile insurance policies for individual consumers in targeted geographic markets. Non-standard personal automobile insurance policies provide coverage to drivers who find it difficult to obtain insurance from standard automobile insurance companies due to their lack of prior insurance, age, driving record, limited financial resources or other factors. Non-standard personal automobile insurance policies generally require higher premiums than standard automobile insurance policies for comparable coverage.

As of March 31, 2015, our subsidiaries included insurance companies licensed to write insurance policies in 39 states, two underwriting agencies and a service company. We currently operate in seven states (Louisiana, Texas, California, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri) and distribute our insurance policies through approximately 5,000 independent agents or brokers, including an unaffiliated underwriting agency that distributes our policies in the state of California. We also distribute and service non-standard insurance policies underwritten by a Texas county mutual insurance company.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. This assumes continuing operations and the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business.

We incurred losses from operations over the last six years, including an operating loss of $31.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Losses over this period were primarily due to underwriting losses, significant revenue declines, expenses declining less than the amount of revenue declines, and goodwill impairments. The losses from operations were the result of significant new business written in 2012 and 2013, prior pricing issues in some states in which the Company has taken significant pricing and underwriting actions to address profitability, losses from states that the Company has exited, such as Florida and Michigan, and goodwill impairment charges as a result of such losses.

The senior secured and subordinated credit facilities contain quarterly debt covenants that set forth, among other things, minimum risk-based capital requirements for our insurance subsidiaries as well as minimum cash flow requirements for our non-regulated businesses. The credit facilities have been amended to waive compliance with the risk-based capital measurement requirement as of March 31, 2015, and to postpone the principal payment of $3.5 million due March 31, 2015 to June 30, 2015. Except for the minimum risk-based capital requirement for which we obtained a waiver, we were in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2015. However, it is probable we will not meet certain of these covenants in future periods. If we are unable to achieve compliance with the covenants or obtain a forbearance or waiver of any non-compliance or amend the agreements to change such covenants, the lenders could declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable. Even if we were compliant with the covenants or, if not compliant, obtain additional forbearance or waivers from our lenders, there is still substantial uncertainty that we will be able to refinance or extend the maturity of the senior secured facility when it becomes due in March 2016. If our lenders declare the amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable or if we were unable to refinance or extend the maturity of the senior secured credit facility when it becomes due, it would have a material adverse effect on our operations and our creditors and stockholders. .

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital standards and other minimum capital and surplus requirements imposed under applicable state laws, including the laws of their state of domicile. The risk-based capital standards, based upon the Risk-Based Capital Model Act adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, require insurance companies to report their results of risk-based capital calculations to state departments of insurance and the NAIC. At December 31, 2014, the risk-based capital level of Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC) triggered a regulatory action level event under the NAIC standard. As a result, AIC was required to submit a plan to the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) in April 2015 detailing corrective actions being taken to return its risk-based capital ratio to an acceptable level. The IDOI may accept the plan, require further amendments to the plan or take additional regulatory action including, but not limited to, placing AIC in receivership. Such additional regulatory action by the Illinois Department of Insurance would have a material adverse effect on our operations and the interest of our creditors and stockholders. Such additional regulatory action by the Illinois Department of Insurance also would trigger a further event of default under our senior secured credit facility and subordinated credit facility allowing our lenders to declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable, and if such amounts were declared immediately due and payable by the lenders, it would have a material adverse effect on our operations and the interests of our creditors and stockholders.

We have taken and will continue to pursue appropriate actions to improve the underwriting result. We are also pursuing various other actions to address these issues.  However, there can be no assurance that these actions will be effective.

Our recent history of recurring losses from operations, our failure to comply with certain financial covenants in our senior secured and subordinated credit facilities, our need to meet debt repayment requirements and our failure to comply with the Illinois Department of Insurance minimum risk-based capital requirements raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

20


 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects of this uncertainty on the recoverability or classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts or classification of liabilities.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs issued in April 2015 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard is expected to impact only the presentation and note disclosures in our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis issued in February 2015 is intended to improve targeted areas of consolidation guidance for legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures (collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations, and mortgage-backed security transactions). The ASU focuses on the consolidation evaluation for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The ASU will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015 for public companies. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The implications of this ASU are currently under review.

MEASUREMENT OF PERFORMANCE

Our ability to develop strong and mutually beneficial relationships with independent agencies is important to the success of our distribution strategy. We believe that strong product positioning and high service standards are key to independent agency loyalty. We foster our independent agency relationships by providing them our agency software applications designed to strengthen and expand their sales and service capabilities for our products. These software applications provide independent agencies with the ability to service their customers’ accounts and access their own commission information. We maintain strict and high standards for call answering and abandonment rate service levels in our customer service call centers. We believe the level and array of services that we offer to independent agencies creates value in their businesses.

Premiums. One measurement of our performance is the level of gross written premiums managed. The following table displays our gross written premiums managed and assumed by state (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Louisiana

 

$

31,062

 

 

$

39,563

 

Texas

 

 

28,374

 

 

 

28,730

 

California

 

 

20,049

 

 

 

22,919

 

Alabama

 

 

8,322

 

 

 

9,047

 

Illinois

 

 

2,396

 

 

 

5,018

 

Indiana

 

 

814

 

 

 

1,624

 

Missouri

 

 

217

 

 

 

1,054

 

Other

 

 

4

 

 

 

10

 

Total written premium managed

 

 

91,238

 

 

 

107,965

 

Less: Texas written premium not underwritten

 

 

6,505

 

 

 

8,518

 

Gross underwritten premiums

 

$

84,733

 

 

$

99,447

 

 

Total gross written premiums managed for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased $16.7 million, or 15.5%, compared with the prior year quarter. This decrease was due to the decline in production in the states of Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, where we suspended writing of new business for all agents other than our former retail agents in Louisiana. Additionally, we took actions to significantly reduce the writing of new business in the state of California.

21


 

The following table reflects the premiums ceded and assumed under reinsurance agreements in our consolidated financial statements (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

84,733

 

 

$

99,447

 

Ceded premiums written

 

 

(29,088

)

 

 

(34,630

)

Net premiums written

 

$

55,645

 

 

$

64,817

 

 

Total net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased $9.2 million, or 14.2%, compared with the prior year quarter. The decrease was due to changes in the amount of quota-share reinsurance and the reduction in gross written premium.

Reinsurance. In 2013, we entered into a new quota-share agreement with a third-party reinsurance company effective March 31, 2013, under which we ceded 40% of business produced in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Illinois. This agreement was amended effective June 30, 2013, under which we ceded an additional 40% for the same four states for the remainder of 2013. This agreement was further amended to provide a $10.0 million reduction in ceded premiums in the fourth quarter. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $145.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. This agreement terminated on January 1, 2014, resulting in the return of $47.2 million unearned premiums, net of $13.9 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $98.6 million.

Effective December 31, 2013, we entered into a reinsurance agreement with four third-party reinsurance companies. Under this agreement, we ceded 20% of premiums and losses in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas, and 60% in California on policies in force on December 31, 2013 or written or renewed on and after that date. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $22.2 million as of December 31, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the quota-share rate increased to 60% for all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business. On June 30, 2014, the reinsurance agreement was terminated, resulting in the return of $51.7 million of unearned premiums, net of $14.5 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $95.9 million as of December 31, 2014. In March 2015, two of the quota share reinsurers commuted their participation on this agreement, effectively reducing the quota share rate to 20.4%.

Effective June 30, 2014, a new reinsurance agreement with five third-party reinsurance companies was put in place to cede 85% of all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business through June 30, 2015. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $230.9 million through March 31, 2015. In March 2015, one of the quota share reinsurers commuted their participation on this agreement, reducing the effective ceding percentage to 70.6%. A return of $27.6 million of unearned ceded premiums, net of $7.7 million of ceding commissions, resulted from the commutation.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We had net loss of $2.0 million and a net income of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 included a negative pretax impact of $3.4 million from adverse prior period development, which consisted of an increase of $2.0 million to loss and loss adjustment expenses and $1.4 million to selling, general and administrative expenses.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased $6.9 million, or 15.2%, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase was due to increases in net premiums earned and other income, partially offset by decreases in commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue, net investment income and net realized losses.

The largest component of revenue is net premiums earned on insurance policies. Net premiums earned for the current quarter increased $7.6 million, or 22.6%, to $40.9 million compared with the prior year quarter of $33.4 million. Since insurance premiums are earned over the service period of the policies, the revenue in the current quarter includes premiums earned on insurance products written through our distribution channels in both current and previous periods. The increase reflects a decrease in quota-share reinsurance during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Commission Income, Fees and Managing General Agent Revenue. Another measurement of our performance is the relative level of production of fee revenue. Policy origination fees and installment fees compensate us for the costs of policy administration and providing installment payment plans. Policy and installment fees are earned for business managed by our general agencies and must be approved by the applicable state’s department of insurance. Managing general agent revenues are earned for business produced for

22


 

a Texas county mutual insurance company beginning January 1, 2013. We receive compensation for underwriting services and providing claims handling on the business.

The following sets forth the components of consolidated commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue earned for the current and the prior year quarter (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Insurance fees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policyholder fees

 

$

9,139

 

 

$

9,531

 

Managing general agent revenue

 

 

1,657

 

 

 

1,733

 

Commissions and fees

 

 

100

 

 

 

66

 

Total commission income, fees and managing general

   agent revenue

 

$

10,896

 

 

$

11,330

 

 

Commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased $0.4 million, or 3.8%, compared with the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the decline in policy fees and managing general agent revenue. Policyholder fees decreased $0.4 million, or 4.1%, due to the lower overall volume of premiums written. Managing general agent revenue decreased $0.1 million, or 4.4%, compared with the prior year quarter. Managing general agent revenue is related to the Texas county mutual book of business that we manage, but no longer assume the underwriting risk beginning January 1, 2013.

Net Investment Income and Other Income.  Net investment income includes income on our portfolio of debt securities and net rental income from our investment in real property. Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased $0.2 million, or 29.4%, compared with the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to a 51.3% decrease in total average invested assets to $27.3 million during the current quarter from $56.0 million during the prior year quarter. The annualized average investment yield was 1.1% in the current quarter, compared with 1.4% in the prior year quarter.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.  Since the largest expenses of an insurance company are the losses and loss adjustment expenses, another measurement of our insurance carriers’ performance is the level of such expenses, specifically as a ratio to earned premiums. Our losses and loss adjustment expenses are a blend of the specific estimated and actual costs of providing the coverage contracted by the purchasers of our insurance policies. We maintain reserves to cover our estimated ultimate liability for losses and related loss adjustment expenses for both reported and unreported claims on the insurance policies issued by our insurance companies. The establishment of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process, involving actuarial and statistical projections of what we expect to be the cost of the ultimate settlement and administration of claims based on historical claims information, estimates of future trends in claims severity and other variable factors such as inflation. To the extent that our reserves prove to be inadequate in the future, we would be required to increase our reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses and incur a charge to earnings in the period during which such reserves are increased. The historic development of our reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses is not necessarily indicative of future trends in the development of these amounts.

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the current quarter increased $6.1million, or 22.2%, compared with the prior year quarter. The percentage of net losses and loss adjustment expense to net premiums earned (the net loss ratio) was 82.3% compared with 82.6% in the prior year quarter. This includes a $2.0 million unfavorable prior period development primarily related to our 2014 accident year business in Louisiana and California. The use of quota-share reinsurance overstates the net loss ratio. Loss adjustment expenses include all of the business subject to the quota-share treaties with ceding commission income booked as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses. Excluding the impact of the quota-share, the net loss ratio for the 2015 accident quarter was 72.1% and 70.1% for the 2014.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Another measurement of our performance that addresses our overall efficiency is the level of selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A). We recognize that our customers are primarily motivated by low prices. As a result, we strive to keep our costs as low as possible to be able to keep our prices affordable and thus to maximize our sales while still maintaining profitability. Our SG&A include not only the cost of acquiring the insurance policies through our insurance carriers (the amortization of the deferred acquisition costs) and managing our insurance carriers, but also the costs of the holding company. The largest component of SG&A is personnel costs, including compensation and benefits. SG&A for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $3.6 million, or 28.0%, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase resulted from a $5.1 million increase in policy acquisition costs primarily driven by the decrease in ceded commission income, partially offset by a $1.5 million decrease in overhead costs due to management actions to reduce expenses.

23


 

Deferred policy acquisition costs represent the deferral of expenses that we incur related to successful contract acquisition of new business or renewal of existing business. Policy acquisition costs, consisting of primarily commission expenses and premium taxes, are initially deferred and then charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies through amortization of the deferred policy acquisition costs. Thus, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs is correlated with earned premium and the ratio of amortization of deferred acquisition costs to earned premium in an accounting period is another measurement of performance.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs is a major component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The following table sets forth the impact that amortization of deferred acquisition costs had on selling, general and administrative expenses and the change in deferred acquisition costs (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net

 

$

3,311

 

 

$

213

 

Other selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

13,068

 

 

 

12,579

 

Total selling, general and administrative expenses

 

$

16,379

 

 

$

12,792

 

Total as a percentage of net premiums earned

 

 

40.0

%

 

 

38.3

%

Beginning deferred acquisition costs, net

 

$

(4,214

)

 

$

(7,544

)

Additions, net of ceding commission

 

 

6,852

 

 

 

8,998

 

Amortization, net of ceding commissions

 

 

(3,311

)

 

 

(213

)

Ending deferred acquisition costs, net

 

$

(673

)

 

$

1,241

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net, as a

   percentage of net premiums earned

 

 

(8.1

)%

 

 

(0.6

)%

 

Interest Expense.  Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased $0.4 million, or 10.8%, compared with the prior year quarter. This decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the average debt outstanding.

Income Taxes.  We had income tax expense of $0.1 million for the current year quarter and income tax benefit of $0.3 million for the prior year quarter.

Our gross deferred tax assets prior to recognition of valuation allowance were $99.2 million and $98.5 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we considered whether it was more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized based upon all available evidence, including scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, historical operating results, projected future operating results, tax carry-back availability, and limitations pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, among others. Based on this assessment, we began recording a valuation allowance against deferred taxes in December 2009. The valuation allowance was $97.8 million and $97.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and uses of funds.   We are a holding company with no business operations of our own. Consequently, our ability to pay dividends to stockholders, meet our debt payment obligations and pay our taxes and administrative expenses is largely dependent on dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries.

There are no restrictions on the payment of dividends by our non-insurance company subsidiaries other than state corporate laws regarding solvency. As a result, our non-insurance company subsidiaries generate revenues, profits and net cash flows that are generally unrestricted as to their availability for the payment of dividends and we have and expect to continue to use those revenues to service our corporate financial obligations, such as debt service and stockholder dividends. As of March 31, 2015, we had $1.7 million of cash and cash equivalents at our holding company and non-insurance company subsidiaries.

State insurance laws restrict the ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to declare stockholder dividends. These subsidiaries may not issue an “extraordinary dividend” until 30 days after the applicable commissioner of insurance has received notice of the intended dividend and has not objected in such time or until the commissioner has approved the payment of the extraordinary dividend within the 30-day period. In most states, an extraordinary dividend is defined as any 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 10.0% of the insurance company’s surplus as of the preceding year-end or the insurance company’s net income for the preceding year, in each case determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices. In addition, dividends may only be paid from unassigned earnings and an insurance company’s remaining surplus must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its financial needs. As of March 31, 2015, our insurance companies could not pay ordinary

24


 

dividends to us without prior regulatory approval due to a negative unassigned surplus position of Affirmative Insurance Company. However, as mentioned previously, our non-insurance company subsidiaries provide adequate cash flow to fund their own operations.

Our insurance company subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital standards and other minimum capital and surplus requirements imposed under applicable state laws, including the laws of their state of domicile. The risk-based capital standards, based upon the Risk-Based Capital Model Act, adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), require our insurance company subsidiaries to report their results of risk-based capital calculations to state departments of insurance and the NAIC. Failure to meet applicable risk-based capital requirements or minimum statutory capital requirements could subject us to further examination or corrective action imposed by state regulators, including limitations on our writing of additional business, state supervision or liquidation. Any changes in existing risk-based capital requirements or minimum statutory capital requirements may require us to increase our statutory capital levels. At December 31, 2014, three of our insurance subsidiaries maintained a risk-based capital level that was in excess of an amount that would require any corrective actions. The risk-based capital level of Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC) triggered a regulatory action level event under the NAIC standard. As a result, AIC was required to submit a plan to the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) in April 2015 detailing corrective actions being taken to return its risk-based capital ratio to an acceptable level. The IDOI may accept the plan, require further amendments to the plan or take additional regulatory action including, but not limited to, placing AIC in receivership.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. This assumes continuing operations and the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business.

We incurred losses from operations over the last six years, including an operating loss of $31.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Losses over this period were primarily due to underwriting losses, significant revenue declines, expenses declining less than the amount of revenue declines, and goodwill impairments. The losses from operations were the result of significant new business written in 2012 and 2013, prior pricing issues in some states in which we have taken significant pricing and underwriting actions to address profitability, losses from states that we have exited, such as Florida and Michigan, and goodwill impairment charges as a result of such losses.

The senior secured and subordinated credit facilities contain quarterly debt covenants that set forth, among other things, minimum risk-based capital requirements for our insurance subsidiaries as well as minimum cash flow requirements for our non-regulated businesses. The credit facilities have been amended to waive compliance with the risk-based capital measurement requirement as of March 31, 2015, and to postpone the principal payment of $3.5 million due March 31, 2015 to June 30, 2015. Except for the minimum risk-based capital requirement for which we obtained a waiver, we were in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2015. However, it is probable we will not meet certain of these covenants in future periods. If we are unable to achieve compliance with the covenants or obtain a forbearance or waiver of any non-compliance or amend the agreements to change such covenants, the lenders could declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable. Even if we were compliant with the covenants or, if not compliant, obtain additional forbearance or waivers from our lenders, there is still substantial uncertainty that we will be able to refinance or extend the maturity of the senior secured facility when it becomes due in March 2016. If our lenders declare the amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable or if we were unable to refinance or extend the maturity of the senior secured credit facility when it becomes due, it would have a material adverse effect on our operations and our creditors and stockholders.

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital standards and other minimum capital and surplus requirements imposed under applicable state laws, including the laws of their state of domicile. The risk-based capital standards, based upon the Risk-Based Capital Model Act adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, require insurance companies to report their results of risk-based capital calculations to state departments of insurance and the NAIC. At December 31, 2014, the risk-based capital level of Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC) triggered a regulatory action level event under the NAIC standard. As a result, AIC was required to submit a plan to the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) in April 2015 detailing corrective actions being taken to return its risk-based capital ratio to an acceptable level. The IDOI may accept the plan, require further amendments to the plan or take additional regulatory action including, but not limited to, placing AIC in receivership. Such additional regulatory action by the Illinois Department of Insurance would have a material adverse effect on our operations and the interest of our creditors and stockholders. Such additional regulatory action by the Illinois Department of Insurance also would trigger a further event of default under our senior secured credit facility and subordinated credit facility allowing our lenders to declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable, and if such amounts were declared immediately due and payable by the lenders, it would have a material adverse effect on our operations and the interests of our creditors and stockholders.

We have taken and will continue to pursue appropriate actions to improve the underwriting result. We are also pursuing various other actions to address these issues. However, there can be no assurance that these actions will be effective.

Our recent history of recurring losses from operations, our failure to comply with certain financial covenants in our senior secured and subordinated credit facilities, our need to meet debt repayment requirements and our failure to comply with the Illinois

25


 

Department of Insurance minimum risk-based capital requirements raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

In December 2013, we entered into a capital lease obligation related to certain computer software, software licenses and hardware used in our insurance operations. We received cash proceeds from the financing in the amount of $4.9 million which were pledged as collateral against all the Company’s obligations under the lease. The dollar amount of collateral pledged is set to decline over the term of the lease as the Company makes the scheduled lease payments. At the end of the initial term, we will have the right to purchase the software for a nominal fee, after which all rights, title and interest would transfer to us.

In May 2010, we entered into two capital lease obligations related to certain computer software, software licenses, and hardware currently used by and on the books of Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC). We received cash proceeds from the financing in the amount of $28.2 million. As required by lease, we purchased $28.2 million of certificates of deposit held in brokerage accounts and pledged such securities as collateral against all of the Company’s obligation under the lease. The dollar amount of collateral pledged is set to decline over the term of the lease as the Company makes the scheduled lease payments. At the end of the initial term, we will have the right to purchase the software for a nominal fee, after which all rights, title and interest would transfer to us

In October 2012, one of the Lessors terminated their capital lease agreement and in December 2012, the Lessor conveyed all rights and interest in the leased property back to the Company. Both capital leases mature in June 2015.

In March 2013, we entered into a $4.8 million loan secured by commercial real estate to provide liquidity to AIC. The loan is evidenced by a promissory note secured by a mortgage security agreement and assignment of leases and rents on real estate located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is held as investment in real property in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The mortgage bears interest at a per annum fixed rate of 4.95%. The mortgage requires monthly payments of principal and interest with the final payment due on the maturity date of December 15, 2015. As security for payments, we assigned rents due under the lease to a trustee. Pursuant to an escrow and servicing agreement, the trustee will receive rent due under the lease, make required payments due under the mortgage and maintain certain escrow accounts to pay for the necessary expenses of the property until the mortgage is paid in full. The principal balance of the mortgage payable was $1.4 million at March 31, 2015.

On February 28, 2012, we exercised our right to defer interest payments on selected Notes Payable beginning with the scheduled interest payment due in March 2012 and continuing for a period of up to five years. The affected notes are associated with obligations to our unconsolidated trusts. The outstanding balance of the affected notes was $56.7 million as of March 31, 2015. We will continue to accrue interest on the principal during the extension period and the unpaid deferred interest will also accrue interest. Deferred interest will be due and payable at the expiration of the extension period.

Our operating subsidiaries’ primary sources of funds are premiums received, commission, fee income and managing general agency revenue, investment income and the proceeds from the sale and maturity of investments. Funds are used to pay claims and operating expenses, to purchase investments and to pay dividends to our holding company.

We believe that existing cash and investment balances, as well as cash flows generated from operations, and other actions taken by the Company will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs, planned capital expenditures and the debt service requirements of the senior secured credit facility and notes payable, during the 12-month period following the date of this report at both the holding company and insurance company levels. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, cash and cash equivalents increased $3.8 million in 2015 as compared with a decrease of $12.4 million in the prior year quarter. Our net cash used in operations was $1.5 million for the current quarter as compared to net cash used in operations of $13.4 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in gross written premiums ceded to reinsurers resulting from the commuted quota share agreements during the period. Net cash provided by investing activities was $5.4 million for the current quarter as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $3.0 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in cash flows was due to the proceeds from the sale and maturities of the available for sale securities during the period. Net cash used in financing activities was $0.1 million for the current quarter as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $4.0 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease resulted from the proceeds from the capital lease of $4.9 million received in the prior year quarter partially offset by the increase in financing from bank overdrafts.

On September 30, 2013, we replaced our existing senior credit facility with the proceeds from the sale of the retail business and with proceeds from two new debt arrangements. Our new debt arrangement consisted of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017.

The pricing under the senior secured credit facility was amended effective September 30, 2014 to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 9.25%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 10.50%. The Company made principal payments of $11.5 million in the aggregate as of March 31, 2015. Fees of $0.7 million were added to the outstanding principal balance on March 31, 2015 in

26


 

connection with the amended agreement effective December 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2015, the principal balance of the senior secured credit facility was $29.2 million. The senior secured credit facility was issued at a discount of $2.0 million that is amortized as interest expense over the expected term of the loan using the effective interest method. Repayment of the facility is due quarterly with $2.0 million payable for each quarter through September 30, 2014, $3.5 million payable each quarter through September 30, 2015, $4.5 million payable on December 31, 2015 and the remaining balance of $13.5 million due in full on March 30, 2016. Prepayments under this agreement are applied to the earliest payments due. Effective December 31, 2014, the senior secured credit facility was amended to postpone the principal payment of $3.5 million due March 31, 2015. The next payment due is $7.0 million on June 30, 2015.

The pricing under the subordinated secured credit facility is currently subject to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 18.00%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 19.25%. The subordinated secured credit facility included a commitment fee of $3.0 million that was added to the principal balance outstanding. Accrued interest is added to the outstanding principal balance until the senior secured credit facility is paid. Capitalized interest totaling $4.4 million was added to the principal balance through March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the principal balance of the subordinated secured credit facility was $17.4 million.

Our obligations under the credit facilities are guaranteed by our material operating subsidiaries (other than the Company’s insurance companies) and are secured by a first lien security interest on all of our assets and the assets of our material operating subsidiaries (other than the Company’s insurance companies), including a pledge of 100% of the stock of AIC.

 

 

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are principally exposed to two types of market risk: interest rate risk and credit risk.

Interest rate risk. Our investment portfolio consists of investment-grade, fixed-income securities classified as available-for-sale investment securities. Accordingly, the primary market risk exposure to our debt securities is interest rate risk. In general, the fair market value of a portfolio of fixed-income securities increases or decreases inversely with changes in market interest rates, while net investment income realized from future investments in fixed-income securities increases or decreases along with interest rates. In addition, some of our fixed-income securities have call or prepayment options. This could subject us to reinvestment risk should interest rates fall and issuers call their securities and we reinvest at lower interest rates. We attempt to mitigate this interest rate risk by investing in securities with varied maturity dates and by managing the duration of our investment portfolio to the duration of our reserves. The fair value of our fixed-income securities as of March 31, 2015 was $26.7 million. The effective average duration of the portfolio as of March 31, 2015 was 2.0 years. If market interest rates increase 1.0%, our fixed-income investment portfolio would be expected to decline in market value by 2.0%, or $0.6 million, representing the effective average duration multiplied by the change in market interest rates. Conversely, a 1.0% decline in interest rates would result in a 2.0%, or $0.6 million, increase in the market value of our fixed-income investment portfolio.

On September 30, 2013, we replaced our existing senior credit facility with the proceeds from the sale of the retail business and with proceeds from two new debt arrangements. Our new debt arrangement consisted of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017.

The pricing under the senior secured credit facility was amended effective September 30, 2014 to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 9.25%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 10.50%. The Company made principal payments of $11.5 million in the aggregate as of March 31, 2015. Fees of $0.7 million were added to the outstanding principal balance on March 31, 2015 in connection with the amended agreement effective December 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2015, the principal balance of the senior secured credit facility was $29.2 million. The senior secured credit facility was issued at a discount of $2.0 million that is amortized as interest expense over the expected term of the loan using the effective interest method. Repayment of the facility is due quarterly with $2.0 million payable for each quarter through September 30, 2014, $3.5 million payable each quarter through September 30, 2015, $4.5 million payable on December 31, 2015 and the remaining balance of $13.5 million due in full on March 30, 2016. Prepayments under this agreement are applied to the earliest payments due. Effective December 31, 2014, the senior secured credit facility was amended to postpone the principal payment of $3.5 million due March 31, 2015. The next payment due is $7.0 million on June 30, 2015.

The pricing under the subordinated secured credit facility is currently subject to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 18.00%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 19.25%. The subordinated secured credit facility included a commitment fee of $3.0 million that was added to the principal balance outstanding. Accrued interest is added to the outstanding principal balance until the senior secured credit facility is paid. Capitalized interest totaling $4.4 million was added to the principal balance through March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the principal balance of the subordinated secured credit facility was $17.4 million.

27


 

Our notes payable are also subject to interest rate risk. The $30.9 million notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.60%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 3.87%. The $25.8 million notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.55%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 3.82%. The $20.1 million notes payable bear an interest rate of the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.82%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2015 was 4.22%.

Credit risk. An additional exposure to our investment portfolio is credit risk. We attempt to manage our credit risk by investing only in investment-grade securities and limiting our exposure to a single issuer. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, our investments were in the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

56.7

%

 

 

52.2

%

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

 

 

31.1

 

 

 

25.0

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

8.3

 

States and political subdivisions

 

 

5.6

 

 

 

4.5

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

10.0

 

Total

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

We invest our insurance portfolio funds in highly-rated, fixed-income securities. Information about our investment portfolio is as follows ($ in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

Total invested assets

 

$

26,724

 

 

$

33,285

 

Tax-equivalent book yield

 

 

1.75

%

 

 

1.59

%

Average duration in years

 

 

2.01

 

 

 

2.49

 

Average S&P rating

 

A-

 

 

A-

 

 

We are subject to credit risk with respect to our reinsurers. Although a reinsurer is liable for losses to the extent of the coverage which it assumes, our reinsurance contracts do not discharge our insurance companies from primary liability to each policyholder for the full amount of the applicable policy, and consequently our insurance companies remain obligated to pay claims in accordance with the terms of the policies regardless of whether a reinsurer fulfills or defaults on its obligations under the related reinsurance agreement. In order to mitigate credit risk to reinsurance companies, we attempt to select financially strong reinsurers with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better and continue to evaluate their financial condition. When appropriate, we obtain irrevocable letters of credit or require the reinsurer to establish trust funds to secure their obligations to us.

Our hedge fund investment of $4.5 million at March 31, 2015 is also subject to credit and counterparty risk, in the event that issuers of any of the underlying commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities should default. However, this investment is not material to our overall investment portfolio or consolidated assets and we have established investment policy guidelines to limit the amount of investments other than high quality fixed-income securities.

The table below presents the total amount of receivables due from reinsurers as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):  

 

 

 

March 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective June 30, 2014

 

$

102,460

 

 

$

130,086

 

Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association

 

 

25,392

 

 

 

27,610

 

Vesta Insurance Group

 

 

9,271

 

 

 

9,270

 

Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective

   December 31, 2013

 

 

4,309

 

 

 

14,096

 

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective January 1, 2011

   and other

 

 

3,158

 

 

 

3,188

 

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective

   September 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013

 

 

1,918

 

 

 

(2,285

)

Excess of loss reinsurers

 

 

897

 

 

 

839

 

Total reinsurance receivable

 

$

147,405

 

 

$

182,804

 

 

28


 

The quota-share reinsurers and excess of loss reinsurers all have at least A- ratings from A.M. Best. Accordingly, we believe there is minimal risk related to these reinsurance receivables.

In 2013, we entered into a quota-share agreement with a third-party reinsurance company effective March 31, 2013, under which we ceded 40% of business produced in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Illinois. This agreement was amended effective June 30, 2013, under which we ceded an additional 40% for the same four states for the remainder of 2013. This agreement was further amended to provide a $10.0 million reduction in ceded premiums in the fourth quarter. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $145.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. This agreement terminated on January 1, 2014, resulting in the return of $47.2 million unearned premiums, net of $13.9 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $98.6 million.

Effective December 31, 2013, we entered into a new reinsurance agreement with four third-party reinsurance companies. Under this agreement, we ceded 20% of premiums and losses in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas, and 60% in California on policies in force on December 31, 2013 or written or renewed on and after that date. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $22.2 million as of December 31, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the quota-share rate increased to 60% for all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business. On June 30, 2014, the reinsurance agreement was terminated, resulting in the return of $51.7 million of unearned premiums, net of $14.5 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $95.9 million as of December 31, 2014. In March 2015, two of the quota share reinsurers commuted their participation on this agreement, effectively reducing the quota share rate to 20.4%.

Effective June 30, 2014, a new reinsurance agreement with five third-party reinsurance companies was put in place to cede 85% of all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business through June 30, 2015. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $230.9 million through March 31, 2015. In March 2015, one of the quota share reinsurers commuted their participation on this agreement, reducing the effective ceding percentage to 70.6%. A return of $27.6 million of unearned ceded premiums, net of $7.7 million of ceding commissions, resulted from the commutation.

The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) is the mandatory reinsurance facility that covers no-fault medical losses above a specific retention amount in Michigan. We discontinued writing business in Michigan in 2011. For policies effective in 2011 and 2010 the retention amount was $0.5 million. When we wrote personal automobile policies in the state of Michigan, we ceded premiums and claims to the MCCA. Funding for MCCA comes from assessments against active automobile insurers based upon their proportionate market share of the state’s automobile liability insurance market. Insurers are allowed to pass along this cost to Michigan automobile policyholders.

Under the reinsurance agreement with Vesta Insurance Group (VIG), including primarily Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation (VFIC), our wholly-owned subsidiaries Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC) had the right, under certain circumstances, to require VFIC to provide a letter of credit or establish a trust account to collateralize the gross amount due AIC from VFIC under the reinsurance agreement. Accordingly, AIC and VFIC entered into a Security Fund Agreement in September 2004. In August 2005, AIC received a letter from VFIC’s President that irrevocably confirmed VFIC’s duty and obligation under the Security Fund Agreement to provide security sufficient to satisfy VFIC’s gross obligations under the reinsurance agreement (the VFIC Trust). At March 31, 2015, the VFIC Trust held $16.5 million (after cumulative withdrawals of $9.0 million through March 31, 2015), consisting of a U.S. Treasury money market account, to collateralize the $9.3 million net recoverable from VFIC. In March 2015, we received a notice of determination from the VFIC Special Deputy Receiver on multiple proofs of claim for an aggregate amount of $15.3 million for various reinsurance balances with VFIC. As part of the notice of determination, we entered into a settlement agreement and release with the VFIC Special Deputy Receiver. We expect to receive the $15.3 million in settlement proceeds in May 2015.

 

 

29


 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, and completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), as adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2015. Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Based on that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

During the Company’s last fiscal quarter there were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are named from time to time as parties in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and arising out of or related to claims made in connection with the Company’s insurance policies and claims handling.  See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Legal and Regulatory Proceedings.”

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

There are no material changes with respect to those risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.1*

 

Commutation and Release Agreement effective April 1, 2015, between Affirmative Insurance Company and Watford Re Ltd., with respect to the Automobile Quota Share Reinsurance contract between Affirmative Insurance Company and Watford Re Ltd. effective June 30, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

 

 

 

10.2*

 

Endorsement No. 4 to the Interests and Liabilities Agreement of Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. with respect to the Automobile Quota Share Reinsurance Contract effective December 31, 2013 issued to Affirmative Insurance Company.

 

 

 

10.3*

 

Endorsement No. 1 to the Interests and Liabilities Agreement of Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. with respect to the Automobile Quota Share Reinsurance Contract effective June 30, 2014 issued to Affirmative Insurance Company.

 

 

 

10.4*

 

Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated and effective as of April 10, 2015, by and among Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

 

 

 

10.5*

 

Fifth Amendment to Second Lien Credit Agreement dated and effective as of April 10, 2015, by and among Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc., the Lenders party thereto, and JCF AFFM Debt Holdings, L.P., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

 

 

 

31.1*

 

Certification of Michael J. McClure, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Certification of Earl R. Fonville, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1*

 

Certification of Michael J. McClure, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2*

 

Certification of Earl R. Fonville, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

101*

 

The following materials from Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (1) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (2) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (3) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (4) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit, (5) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (6) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, including detailed tagging of footnotes and schedules.

 

* Filed herewith

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date: May 15, 2015

 

By:

/s/ Earl R. Fonville

 

 

 

Earl R. Fonville

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(and in his capacity as Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

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