424B5

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-274424

This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but the information in this prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell the securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 6, 2023

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated September 28, 2023)

LOGO

HCI Group, Inc.

Shares

Common Stock

We are offering shares of our common stock, no par value per share, as described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to institutional investors, as well as certain members of our board of directors and certain of our executive officers.

Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HCI.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on The New York Stock Exchange on December 5, 2023 was $84.87 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Please read the “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement, as well as in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase our common stock.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


	Per Share	Total
Public offering price
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)
Proceeds, before expenses, to us

(1)	See “Underwriting” beginning on page S-13 of this prospectus supplement for information regarding compensation payable to the underwriters.

Certain of our directors, officers and affiliates have indicated an interest in purchasing up to $ million of shares of our common stock in this offering, based on their preliminary indications of interest, at the public offering price. It also is possible that these investors could indicate an interest in purchasing more shares of our common stock. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, the underwriters may determine to sell more, less or no shares in this offering to any of these persons or entities, or any of these persons or entities may determine to purchase more, less or no shares in this offering.

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

Delivery of the shares of common stock to investors is expected to be made on or about , 2023, subject to customary closing conditions.

JMP Securities

A CITIZENS COMPANY

Truist Securities

The date of this prospectus supplement is , 2023.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT			S-i
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			S-ii
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY			S-1
THE OFFERING			S-4
RISK FACTORS			S-6
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-8
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK			S-9
UNDERWRITING			S-13
LEGAL MATTERS			S-22
EXPERTS			S-22
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			S-23
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE			S-24

Prospectus


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			2
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			3
RISK FACTORS			5
USE OF PROCEEDS			6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			7
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			17
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			21
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS			23
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			24
LEGAL MATTERS			26
EXPERTS			26
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			26

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference herein or therein filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement; provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or in the accompanying prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different from, or in addition to, that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we may have referred you in connection with this offering. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. The information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of its date, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus or of any sale of shares of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since such date.

This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement.

We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, and the underwriters are soliciting offers to buy, these securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. For investors outside of the United States: neither we nor the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus supplement to “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company,” and “HCI” refer, collectively, to HCI Group, Inc., a Florida corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

S-i

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1993 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, including, without limitation, estimates, projections, outlook, guidance, statements relating to our business plans, strategy, objectives, expected operating results and future financial position, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based solely on our current beliefs and are not guarantees of future performance. Therefore, these forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to:

•

the future availability of insurance policy assumptions and acquisitions;

•

the effect of governmental regulation on the insurance industry and other industries in which we operate;

•

any failure of our information technology systems or cybersecurity breach;

•

the frequency and extent of insurance claims;

•

uncertainties inherent in our reserve estimates;

•

the occurrence of catastrophic events, particularly in the state of Florida;

•

our ability to sell insurance products through independent agents;

•

restrictions on our ability to change premium rates;

•

increased rate pressure on premiums due to competition and market conditions;

•

changes in the demand for, pricing of, availability of or collectability of reinsurance;

•

the success and economic viability of the anchor tenants for our real estate investments; and

•

other risks and uncertainties that we identify under “Risk Factors” on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement, in our prospectus dated as of September 28, 2023, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, in any prospectus supplement, in any other offering material, and in any other documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, any prospectus and/or any other offering material.

We caution you that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which reflect our views only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. We assume no obligation, and disclaim any duty, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

S-ii

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. You should read the entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein carefully before making an investment in our common stock. You should carefully consider, among other things, our consolidated financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the sections titled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and such reports and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our most recent Annual Report and Quarterly Reports and other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Overview

HCI Group, Inc. is a Florida-based company that, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in various business activities, including property and casualty insurance, information technology services, insurance management, real estate, and reinsurance.

Our largest subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc. (“Homeowners Choice”), provides property and casualty insurance primarily to residential property owners and tenants in Florida. Homeowners Choice began operations by participating in a “take-out program” through which we assumed insurance policies issued by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”), a Florida state-supported insurer. The take-out program is a legislatively mandated program designed to reduce the State’s risk exposure by encouraging private companies to assume policies from Citizens. Opportunities to acquire large numbers of policies from Citizens meeting our strict underwriting criteria diminished in recent years. However, recently, circumstances within the Florida homeowners insurance industry have changed and we plan to selectively pursue additional assumption transactions with Citizens. On September 1, 2023, we received approval from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to assume up to 75,000 policies from Citizens.

TypTap Insurance Group, Inc. (“TTIG”), our majority-owned InsurTech subsidiary, provides homeowners insurance and produces insurance-related technologies. It currently has four subsidiaries: TypTap Insurance Company (“TypTap”), TypTap Management Company, Exzeo USA, Inc., and Cypress Tech Development Company which also owns Exzeo Software Private Limited, a subsidiary domiciled in India. TypTap is primarily engaged in the property and casualty insurance business, focusing on homeowners multi-peril policies. TypTap utilizes technology developed by Exzeo to receive, analyze, approve and process policy applications and issue resulting policies automatically.

Our general operating and growth strategies are to continually optimize our existing book of insurance business, organically expand our insurance business, manage our costs and expenses, diversify our business operations, develop and deploy new technologies to streamline operational processes, and maintain a strong balance sheet so we can quickly pursue accretive opportunities when they arise. Our growth strategies also include assumption of business from other insurance companies.

We have a Bermuda domiciled wholly owned reinsurance subsidiary, Claddaugh Casualty Insurance Company Ltd. (“Claddaugh”), which provides reinsurance to Homeowners Choice and TypTap. We selectively retain risk in Claddaugh, reducing the cost of third party reinsurance that Homeowners Choice and TypTap would otherwise incur. Claddaugh fully collateralizes its exposure to Homeowners Choice and TypTap by depositing funds into a trust account. Claddaugh may mitigate a portion of its risk through retrocession contracts.

S-1

Currently, Claddaugh does not provide reinsurance to non-affiliates. Other auxiliary operations also include claim adjusting and processing services.

Homeowners Choice and TypTap have provided reinsurance to a non-affiliated insurance company in connection with the transition of business from that insurance company to Homeowners Choice and TypTap pending regulatory approvals.

Our real estate operations consist of multiple properties we own and operate for investment purposes and also properties we own and use for our own operations. Our portfolio of investment properties includes three waterfront properties consisting of a total of 26.1 acres and a five-acre submerged land lease. One waterfront property contains a building structure that we currently lease to the operator of Crabby’s on the Pass restaurant and a marina. Another houses retail space and a marina with high and dry storage. We acquired the restaurant and marina operations in connection with our purchase of two waterfront properties and we continue to operate two marinas to enhance the property values. The remaining waterfront property consists of nine acres of vacant land.

Our real estate used in operations consists of an office building located in the Sabal Palms Industrial Park in Tampa, Florida with gross area of 67,289 square feet, an office building located in the Westshore area of Tampa, Florida with gross area of 72,249 square feet, and an office building with gross area of approximately 16,000 square feet in Ocala, Florida. The Ocala location, in addition to day-to-day operational use, serves as our alternative site in the event we experience any significant disruption at our Tampa offices.

Our information technology operations include a team of experienced software developers with extensive knowledge in designing and creating web-based applications. The operations, which are located in Tampa, Florida and Noida, India, are focused on developing cloud-based, innovative products and services that support in-house operations as well as our third-party relationships with our agency partners and claim vendors. Products created thus far have been solely for use by the Company’s insurance-related subsidiaries.

Recent Developments

Citizens Assumptions

Effective November 21, 2023, our subsidiary, Homeowners Choice assumed approximately 53,750 policies from Citizens. The assumption of the policies, which amount to approximately $196 million of in-force premium, is based upon an approval in September 2023 by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Additionally, our subsidiary, TypTap, has been approved to assume up to 50,000 policies from Citizens between December 2023 and January 2024.

Condo Owners Reciprocal Exchange

On November 30, 2023, the Company received regulatory approval from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to form Condo Owners Reciprocal Exchange (“CORE”), a an HCI sponsored reciprocal insurer, which will focus on writing commercial residential policies for condominium owners in Florida. A reciprocal insurer is an unincorporated aggregation of at least 25 policyholders operating through an attorney in fact to provide insurance among themselves. A reciprocal insurer is essentially owned by its policyholders, but its operations such as underwriting, claims and management services are provided by an attorney-in-fact for a predetermined management fee.

One of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Core Risk Managers, LLC, will act as CORE’s attorney-in-fact and manage CORE’s operations. For that role, Core Risk Managers, LLC will receive a management fee calculated as a percentage of premiums written by CORE.

S-2

CORE plans to commence operations in February 2024 by assuming policies representing approximately $75 million of in-force premium from Citizens. We have capitalized CORE with a $25 million loan evidenced by a surplus note payable in ten years with a 9% interest rate.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida on November 30, 2006. Our principal executive offices are located at 3802 Coconut Palm Drive, Tampa, Florida 33619, and our telephone number is (813) 405-3600. Our website address is https://hcigroup.com. The information contained on our website or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

S-3

THE OFFERING

Common Stock Offered by Us

shares (or shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

Common Stock to be Outstanding After this Offering

shares (or shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

Use of Proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of shares that we are selling in this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock is exercised in full).

We intend to use the net proceeds to us from this offering primarily for general corporate purposes, including the continued assumption of policies from Citizens. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement for more information.

Risk Factors

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement for a discussion of certain factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

Participation in the Offering

The New York Stock Exchange Symbol

“HCI”

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 8,590,824 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2023, and excludes:

•

590,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2023, at a weighted-average exercise price of $51.54 per share;

•

750,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2023, at an exercise price of $54.40 per share;

•

959,565 shares of common stock available for future issuance under our 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended, or the 2012 Plan, as of September 30, 2023; and

S-4

•

up to 2,538,342 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our 4.25% convertible notes and 4.75% convertible notes outstanding as of September 30, 2023, excluding the effect of the related forward purchase agreement for the 4.25% convertible notes that was entered into at the date of such issuance.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock in connection with this offering, no exercise of the outstanding options or warrants and no conversion of the convertible notes described above.

S-5

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks and uncertainties. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. In addition, the risks and uncertainties discussed below are not the only ones we face. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could also be harmed by risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently do not believe are material, and these risks and uncertainties could result in a loss of all or part of your investment. In assessing the risks and uncertainties described below, you should also refer to the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, before making a decision to invest in our common stock.

Risks Related to This Offering

Fluctuations in the price of our common stock, including as a result of actual or anticipated sales of shares by us and/or our directors, officers or shareholders, may make our common stock more difficult to resell.

The market price and trading volume of our common stock have been, and may continue to be, subject to significant fluctuations due not only to general stock market conditions, but also to changes in sentiment in the market regarding the industry in which we operate, our operations, business prospects or liquidity, or this offering. In addition to the risk factors discussed in our periodic reports and in this prospectus supplement, the price and volume volatility of our common stock may be affected by actual or anticipated sales of common stock by us and/or our directors, officers or shareholders, whether in the market, in connection with business acquisitions, in this offering or in subsequent public offerings. Stock markets in general have at times experienced extreme volatility unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, regardless of our operating results. In addition, hedging activity by holders of the 4.25% or 4.75% convertible notes may impact the market price of our common stock, in particular during any redemption conversion period in connection with a redemption of such convertible notes or any observation period for a conversion of such convertible notes.

As a result, these fluctuations in the market price and trading volume of our common stock may make it difficult to predict the market price of our common stock in the future, cause the value of your investment to decline and make it more difficult to resell our common stock.

We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds to us from this offering and may invest or spend the proceeds in ways with which you do not agree and in ways that may not increase the value of your investment.

We will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds to us from this offering, and you will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of these proceeds. You may not agree with our decisions, and our management may not apply the net proceeds to us from this offering in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. We expect to use the net proceeds to us from this offering in the manner described in the “Use of Proceeds” section of this prospectus supplement. Our failure to apply these net proceeds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business or cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Investors in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of our common stock.

The public offering price of our common stock will be substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share. Therefore, if you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will pay a price per share that

S-6

substantially exceeds our net tangible book value per share after this offering. Please refer to the section below entitled “Dilution” for more information.

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

To raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing shareholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors in this offering.

Future sales or issuances of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception of such sales, could depress the trading price of our common stock.

The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We may sell large quantities of our common stock at any time pursuant to this prospectus or in one or more separate offerings. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of common stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our common stock.

S-7

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds to us of $ from the sale of the shares of common stock offered by us in this offering (or approximately $ million if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock is exercised in full), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds to us from this offering primarily for general corporate purposes, including the continued assumption of policies from Citizens.

S-8

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to non-U.S. holders (as defined herein) with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock issued or acquired pursuant to this offering. All prospective non-U.S. holders of our common stock should consult their tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock. In general, a non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of our common stock (other than a partnership or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

•

a corporation, or an entity treated as a corporation, created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

•

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

•

a trust if (1) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of the trust’s substantial decisions or (2) the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

This discussion is based on current provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, existing U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published administrative pronouncements and rulings of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement. These authorities are subject to change and to differing interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. Any change or differing interpretation could alter the tax consequences to non-U.S. holders described in this prospectus supplement.

We assume in this discussion that (a) a non-U.S. holder holds shares of our common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment); and (b) such shares are not effectively connected with the conduct by such non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States (or, if an income tax treaty applies, are not attributed to a U.S. permanent establishment of such non-U.S. holder). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular non-U.S. holder in light of that non-U.S. holder’s individual circumstances, nor does it address any alternative minimum tax, Medicare contribution tax on investment income, estate or gift tax consequences, or any aspects of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. taxes. This discussion also does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a non-U.S. holder and does not address the special tax rules applicable to particular non-U.S. holders, such as holders that own, or are deemed to own, more than 5% of our capital stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below), tax exempt or governmental organizations (including private foundations), persons who have elected to mark securities to market, corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, brokers, dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies, tax-qualified retirement plans (including individual retirement accounts), holders who hold or receive our common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, holders holding our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy, conversion transaction or other integrated investment, “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(1)(2) of the Code, entities in which all of the interests are held by qualified foreign pension funds, or U.S. expatriates , persons subject to special tax accounting under Section 451(b) of the Code, holders deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents.

In addition, this discussion does not address the tax treatment of partnerships (or entities or arrangements that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or persons that hold their common stock through partnerships. If a partnership, including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S.

S-9

federal income tax purposes, holds shares of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such partners and partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

There can be no assurance that a court or the IRS will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a non-U.S. holder of the purchase, ownership, or disposition of our common stock.

Distributions on Our Common Stock

Distributions, if any, on our common stock generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the non-U.S. holder’s investment, up to such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock, subject to the tax treatment described below in “Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Stock.” Any such distribution will also be subject to the discussion below under the heading “Foreign Accounts.”

In general, dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. holder who claims the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty generally will be required to satisfy certain certification and other requirements. Such non-U.S. holders must generally provide us and/or the applicable withholding agent, with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other appropriate form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under an applicable income tax treaty. If tax is withheld in an amount in excess of the amount applicable under an income tax treaty, a refund of the excess amount may generally be obtained by a non-U.S. holder by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Such certificate must be provided before the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty.

Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and foreign accounts, in general, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to any U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon such holder’s sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of our common stock unless:

•

the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the net gain derived from the disposition, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder, if any (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses; or

•

our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest because we are, or have been, at any time during the five-year period preceding such disposition (or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period, if shorter) a “U.S. real property holding corporation.” Generally, a corporation is a U.S. real property holding corporation only if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. Although there can be no assurance, we do not believe that

S-10

we are, or have been, a U.S. real property holding corporation, or that we are likely to become one in the future. However, such determination is factual in nature and subject to change and no assurance can be provided as to whether we would be treated as a U.S. real property holding corporation in the future. Even if we are or become a U.S. real property holding corporation, provided that our common stock is regularly traded, as defined by applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market, our common stock will be treated as a U.S. real property interest only with respect to a non-U.S. holder that holds more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, directly or indirectly, actually or constructively, during the shorter of the 5-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held our common stock. If we are a U.S. real property holding corporation and either our common stock is not regularly traded as described here or a non-U.S. holder holds, or is treated as holding, more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, directly or indirectly, during the applicable testing period, such non-U.S. holder will generally be taxed on any gain at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates, and in addition, a buyer may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. In that event, the non-U.S. holder generally may credit this withholding against its U.S. federal income tax liability on the disposition of the common stock, as reflected on its U.S. federal income tax return. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible consequences to them if we are, or were to become, a U.S. real property holding corporation. No assurance can be provided that our common stock is or will in the future be regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of the rules described above.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

We (or the applicable paying agent) must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the gross amount of the distributions on our common stock paid to such holder and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to such distributions. A non-U.S. holder may have to comply with specific certification procedures to establish that the holder is not a U.S. person (as defined in the Code) in order to avoid backup withholding at the applicable rate (currently at a rate of 24%) with respect to dividends on our common stock. A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends on our common stock if it certifies its non-U.S. status by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or successor form) or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption; provided the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know such non-U.S. holder is a U.S. person, as defined in the Code. Distributions paid to non-U.S. holders subject to the U.S. withholding tax, as described above in “Distributions on Our Common Stock,” generally will be exempt from U.S. backup withholding.

Information reporting and backup withholding will generally apply to the proceeds of a disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder effected by or through the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, unless the holder establishes an exemption by certifying its status as a non-United States person and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds to a non-U.S. holder where the transaction is effected outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, for information reporting purposes, dispositions effected through a non-U.S. office of a broker with substantial U.S. ownership or operations generally will be treated in a manner similar to dispositions effected through a U.S. office of a broker. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

Copies of information returns may be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is incorporated under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement. Any documentation provided to an applicable withholding agent may need to be updated in certain circumstances.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a non-U.S. holder may be allowed as a credit against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal

S-11

income tax liability, if any, and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Accounts

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other administrative guidance issued thereunder (commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA) generally impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends and, subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below, the gross proceeds of a disposition of our common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined for this purpose) and certain other non-U.S. entities unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied, or an exemption applies. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. The U.S. Treasury released proposed Treasury Regulations which, if finalized in their present form, would eliminate the federal withholding tax of 30% applicable to the gross proceeds of a sale or other disposition of our common stock. Taxpayers may generally rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effects of FATCA on their investment in our common stock.

THIS SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED TO BE TAX ADVICE. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAWS.

S-12

UNDERWRITING

The Company is offering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus through the underwriters listed below. Citizens JMP Securities, LLC is acting as the lead bookrunner of this offering. The underwriters named below have agreed to buy, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement, the number of shares of common stock listed opposite their name below from the Company. The underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for all of the shares if any are purchased, other than those shares covered by the option to purchase additional shares of common stock described below.


Underwriters		Number of Shares
Citizens JMP Securities, LLC
Truist Securities, Inc.
Total

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of common stock to the public at a price of $ per share. The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock to certain dealers at the same price, less a concession of not more than $ per share. After the offering, these figures may be changed by the underwriters.

The shares sold in this offering are expected to be ready for delivery on or about , 2023, against payment in immediately available funds. The underwriters may reject all or part of any order.

The Company has granted to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock from the Company at the same price to the public, and with the same underwriting discount, as set forth in the table below. The underwriters may exercise this option at any time and from time to time during the 30-day period after the date of this prospectus supplement. To the extent the underwriters exercise the option, the underwriters will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase the shares for which they exercise the option from the Company.

The table below summarizes the underwriting discounts that the Company will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock.

We have agreed to pay up to $75,000 of the fees and expenses of the underwriters, which may include the fees and expenses of counsel to the underwriters.

Except as disclosed in this prospectus supplement, the underwriters have not received and will not receive from us any other item of compensation or expense in connection with this offering considered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) to be underwriting compensation under FINRA Rule 5110. The underwriting discount and reimbursable expenses the underwriters will receive were determined through arms’ length negotiations between us and the underwriters.

Per
Share

Total
with no
Option
Exercise

Total
with full
Option
Exercise

Underwriting discount to be paid by us

S-13

We estimate that our total expenses of this offering will be approximately $ . This includes $75,000 of fees and expenses of the underwriters in respect of this offering. These expenses are payable by us.

We also have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

We have agreed that we will not, without the prior written consent of Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, during the period ending 30 days after the date of this prospectus (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; other than (a) the sale of the common stock offered herein, (b) the issuance by the Company of any shares of common stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof, or (c) any grants under the Company’s equity or stock plans in accordance with the terms of such plans as described herein.

Our directors and executive officers, and certain of our shareholders (such persons, the “lock-up parties”) have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each lock-up party, with limited exceptions, for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus (such period, the “restricted period”), may not, without the prior written consent of Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), by such lock-up party or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, in its sole discretion, may release the securities subject to any of the lock-up agreements with the underwriters described above, in whole or in part at any time.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions, and Penalty Bids

To facilitate this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of our common stock during and after the offering. Specifically, the underwriters may create a short position in our common stock for their own account by selling more shares of common stock than the Company has sold to the underwriters. The underwriters may close out any short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market.

In addition, the underwriters may stabilize or maintain the price of our common stock by bidding for or purchasing shares in the open market and may impose penalty bids. If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to broker-dealers participating in this offering are reclaimed if shares previously distributed in this offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of our common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid may also affect the price of our common stock to the extent that it discourages resales of our common stock. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. These transactions may be effected on The New York Stock Exchange or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

S-14

In connection with this offering, the underwriters and selling group members may also engage in passive market-making transactions in our common stock on The New York Stock Exchange. Passive market-making consists of displaying bids on The New York Stock Exchange limited by the prices of independent market makers and effecting purchases limited by those prices in response to order flow. Rule 103 of Regulation M promulgated by the SEC limits the amount of net purchases that each passive market maker may make and the displayed size of each bid. Passive market-making may stabilize the market price of our common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that any transaction, if commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

No Sales of Similar Securities

Pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement, we, and our directors and executive officers, have agreed not to offer, sell, agree to sell, directly or indirectly, or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock without the prior written consent of the underwriters for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to limited exceptions and such restrictions may be waived at any time by the underwriters.

Affiliations

The underwriters and their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing, and brokerage activities. The underwriters may in the future engage in investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. The underwriters may in the future receive customary fees and commissions for these transactions.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of us. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of our securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in our securities and instruments.

The underwriters may facilitate the marketing of this offering online directly or through one of their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms and the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus online and place orders online or through their financial advisors.

Electronic Offer, Sale, and Distribution

In connection with this offering, the underwriters or certain of the securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail. In addition, the underwriters may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of their Internet subscription customers. The underwriters may allocate a limited number of securities for sale to their online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus is available on the Internet websites maintained by any such underwriter. Other than the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on the websites of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

S-15

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HCI.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC.

Selling Restrictions

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The shares offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such shares be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area, each, a Relevant State, no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of securities may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation;

(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters; or

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of the securities shall require us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any securities or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the underwriters and the Company that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any securities being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the securities acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a nondiscretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any securities to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to securities in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

S-16

We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of the securities through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the securities in this document. Accordingly, no purchaser of the securities, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the securities on behalf of us or the underwriters.

United Kingdom

In relation to the United Kingdom, no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities that has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that offers of securities may be made to the public in the United Kingdom at any time under the following exemptions under the UK Prospectus Regulation:

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;

(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters; or

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or FSMA,

provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

Each person in the United Kingdom who initially acquires any securities or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with us and the representatives that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

In the case of any securities being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 1(4) of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation, each financial intermediary will also be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the securities acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any securities to the public, other than their offer or resale in the United Kingdom to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any securities in any relevant state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in relation to this offering. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001, or the Corporations Act, and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the securities may only be made to persons, or the Exempt Investors, who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the securities without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

S-17

The securities applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under this offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring securities must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus supplement contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus supplement is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Canada

The securities may be sold only to purchasers purchasing as principal that are both “accredited investors” as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and “permitted clients” as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of our securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from the prospectus requirements and in compliance with the registration requirements of applicable securities laws.

France

This prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or replacement thereto) is not being distributed in the context of a public offering in France within the meaning of Article L. 411-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code monétaire et financier).

This prospectus has not been and will not be submitted to the French Autorité des marchés financiers, or the AMF, for approval in France and accordingly may not and will not be distributed to the public in France.

Pursuant to Article 211-3 of the AMF General Regulation, French residents are hereby informed that:

(a)

the transaction does not require a prospectus to be submitted for approval to the AMF;

(b)

persons or entities referred to in Point 2°, Section II of Article L.411-2 of the Monetary and Financial Code may take part in the transaction solely for their own account, as provided in Articles D. 411-1, D. 734-1, D. 744-1, D. 754-1 and D. 764-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code; and

(c)

the financial instruments thus acquired cannot be distributed directly or indirectly to the public otherwise than in accordance with Articles L. 411-1, L. 411-2, L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 to L. 621-8-3 of the Monetary and Financial Code.

This prospectus is not to be further distributed or reproduced (in whole or in part) in France by the recipients of this prospectus. This prospectus has been distributed on the understanding that such recipients will only participate in the issue or sale of our securities for their own account and undertake not to transfer, directly or indirectly, our securities to the public in France, other than in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and in particular with Articles L. 411-1 and L. 411-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code.

Germany

Each person who is in possession of this prospectus is aware of the fact that no German securities prospectus (wertpapierprospekt) within the meaning of the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapier-prospektgesetz, or the Act) of the Federal Republic of Germany has been or will be published with respect to the

S-18

securities. In particular, the underwriters have represented that they have not engaged and have agreed that they will not engage in a public offering in the Federal Republic of Germany within the meaning of the Act with respect to any of the securities otherwise than in accordance with the Act and all other applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Hong Kong

The securities may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the securities may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Israel

This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968 (the Securities Law) and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the securities is directed only at, (i) a limited number of persons in accordance with the Israeli Securities Law and (ii) investors listed in the first addendum (the Addendum), to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and “qualified individuals,” each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case, purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors are required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.

Singapore

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, the securities were not offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not be offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and this prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the securities, has not been circulated or distributed, nor will it be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time, or the SFA) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

(a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole

S-19

business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

(b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the securities pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

where the transfer is by operation of law;

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investment) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005.

Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification

Solely for the purposes of our obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, we have determined, and hereby notify all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA), that the securities are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Switzerland

The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or the SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or this offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to this offering, our company or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.

S-20

United Arab Emirates

This offering has not been approved or licensed by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, or the UAE, Securities and Commodities Authority of the UAE and/or any other relevant licensing authority in the UAE including any licensing authority incorporated under the laws and regulations of any of the free zones established and operating in the territory of the UAE, in particular the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or the DFSA, a regulatory authority of the Dubai International Financial Centre, or DIFC. This offering does not constitute a public offer of securities in the UAE, DIFC and/or any other free zone in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Law No 8 of 1984 (as amended), DFSA Offered Securities Rules and NASDAQ Dubai Listing Rules, accordingly, or otherwise. The securities may not be offered to the public in the UAE and/or any of the free zones.

The securities may be offered and issued only to a limited number of investors in the UAE or any of its free zones who qualify as sophisticated investors under the relevant laws and regulations of the UAE or the free zone concerned.

S-21

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Foley & Lardner LLP, Tampa, Florida. The underwriters are being represented in connection with this offering by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by FORVIS, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

S-22

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at https://hcigroup.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement and the information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus omit some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and our consolidated subsidiaries and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings and the exhibits attached thereto. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.

S-23

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in documents filed earlier with the SEC or contained in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below:

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (as filed on March 10, 2023);

•

the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (filed on April 28, 2023) that were incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022;

•

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 (as filed on May 10, 2023), our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 (as filed on August 9, 2023) and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (as filed on November 8, 2023);

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2023, June 8, 2023, June 13, 2023, June 14, 2023, July 7, 2023, September 21, 2023, October 2, 2023, November 6, 2023 and November 9, 2023; and

•

the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on October 19, 2012, including any amendments or reports filed for the purposes of updating such description.

In addition, we incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus any future filings that we may make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. These documents may include annual, quarterly and current reports, as well as proxy statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not incorporating any document or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules. You may obtain a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which may have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (excluding certain exhibits to the documents) at no cost to you by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

HCI Group, Inc.

Attention: Andrew Graham

3802 Coconut Palm Drive

Tampa, Florida 33619

(813) 849-9500

S-24

PROSPECTUS

LOGO

HCI Group, Inc.

$150,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Stock Purchase Contracts

Stock Purchase Units

We may offer and sell from time to time securities in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of the offering. We may sell any combination of these securities in one or more offerings with an aggregate offering price of up to $150,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

We may offer and sell the following securities:

•

common stock;

•

preferred stock, which may be convertible into our common stock or other securities;

•

senior or subordinated debt securities, which may be convertible into our common stock or preferred stock;

•

warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; and

•

stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units.

Each time securities are sold using this prospectus, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus and possibly other offering materials containing specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities being sold, including the offering price. The supplement or other offering materials may also add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any other offering materials and the information incorporated by reference carefully before you invest.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to investors, on a continued or a delayed basis. The supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HCI.”

Investment in our securities involves risks, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus. Please read carefully and consider these risk factors, as well as those included in the reports we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), such as our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and those included in any applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is September 28, 2023.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			2
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			3
RISK FACTORS			5
USE OF PROCEEDS			6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			7
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			17
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			21
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS			23
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			24
LEGAL MATTERS			26
EXPERTS			26
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			26

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company,” “the Company,” or “HCI” refer to HCI Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities or combinations of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of those securities. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, this prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. For additional information regarding us and the offered securities, please refer to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Each time we offer securities using this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement and/or other offering material that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. “Incorporate by reference” means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. This information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material may also add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any other offering material together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement and in any other offering material. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

We are not making offers to sell or soliciting offers to buy, nor will we make an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy, securities in any jurisdiction where the offer, sale or solicitation is not permitted.

You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any supplement to this prospectus and/or any other offering material, and the information we file or previously filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, is accurate only as of its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and/or any other offering material, and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and/or any other offering material, contain forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and/or any other offering material, including, without limitation, estimates, projections, outlook, guidance, statements relating to our business plans, strategy, objectives, expected operating results and future financial position, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based solely on our current beliefs and are not guarantees of future performance. Therefore, these forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to:

•

the future availability of insurance policy assumptions and acquisitions;

•

the effect of governmental regulation on the insurance industry and other industries in which we operate;

•

any failure of our information technology systems or cybersecurity breach;

•

the frequency and extent of insurance claims;

•

uncertainties inherent in our reserve estimates;

•

the occurrence of catastrophic events, particularly in the State of Florida;

•

our ability to sell insurance products through independent agents;

•

restrictions on our ability to change premium rates;

•

increased rate pressure on premiums due to competition and market conditions;

•

changes in the demand for, pricing of, availability of or collectability of reinsurance;

•

the success and economic viability of the anchor tenants for our real estate investments; and

•

other risks and uncertainties that we identify under “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, in any prospectus supplement, in any other offering material, and in any other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and/or any other offering material.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We assume no obligation, and disclaim any duty, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus summarizes certain information about our company. It may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand this offering fully, you should read carefully the entire prospectus and the other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Our Business

Our largest subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc. (“HCPCI”), provides property and casualty insurance primarily to residential property owners and tenants in Florida. HCPCI began operations by participating in a “take-out program” through which we assumed insurance policies issued by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”), a Florida state-supported insurer. The take-out program is a legislatively mandated program designed to reduce the State’s risk exposure by encouraging private companies to assume policies from Citizens. Opportunities to acquire large numbers of policies from Citizens meeting our strict underwriting criteria diminished in recent years. However, recently, circumstances within the Florida homeowners insurance industry have changed and we plan to selectively pursue additional assumption transactions with Citizens. On September 1, 2023, we received approval from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to assume up to 75,000 policies from Citizens.

We have a Bermuda domiciled wholly owned reinsurance subsidiary, Claddaugh Casualty Insurance Company Ltd. (“Claddaugh”) which provides reinsurance to HCPCI and TypTap. We selectively retain risk in Claddaugh, reducing the cost of third party reinsurance that HCPCI and TypTap would otherwise incur. Claddaugh fully collateralizes its exposure to HCPCI and TypTap by depositing funds into a trust account. Claddaugh may mitigate a portion of its risk through retrocession contracts. Currently, Claddaugh does not provide reinsurance to non-affiliates. Other auxiliary operations also include claim adjusting and processing services.

HCPCI and TypTap have provided reinsurance to a non-affiliated insurance company in connection with the transition of business from that insurance company to HCPCI and TypTap pending regulatory approvals.

and a marina while the other houses retail space and a marina with high and dry storage. We acquired the restaurant and marina operations in connection with our purchase of two waterfront properties and we continue to operate two marinas to enhance the property values. One of the waterfront properties consists of nine acres of vacant land.

Our real estate used in operations consists of an office building located in the Sabal Palms Industrial Park in Tampa, Florida with gross area of 67,289 square feet, an office building located in the Westshore area of Tampa, Florida with gross area of 72,249 square feet, and our insurance operations site with gross area of approximately 16,000 square feet in Ocala, Florida. The Ocala location, in addition to day-to-day operational use, serves as our alternative site in the event we experience any significant disruption at our Tampa offices.

Recent Development

On September 6, 2023, we announced by press release that both HCPCI and TypTap have received claims from Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall in Keaton Beach, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane on August 30, 2023. Such press release disclosed that we expect the pre-tax gross loss from Hurricane Idalia to be within the reinsurance retention limits for each of HCPCI and TypTap and that the storm is not expected to require the companies to utilize any of the capacity in either of their respective reinsurance towers.

Company Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 3802 Coconut Palm Drive, Tampa, Florida 33619, and our telephone number is (813) 849-9500. Our website address is https://hcigroup.com/. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and such information should not be considered to be part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. In particular, you should consider the risk factors under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be revised or supplemented by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, each of which are on file with the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations. Additional risk factors may be included in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of securities.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Under this prospectus, we may offer and sell from time to time securities in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of the offering. Each time securities are sold using this prospectus, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus and possibly other offering materials containing specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities being sold, including the offering price. We will describe the use of the net proceeds from sales of the securities made using a prospectus supplement in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth general terms that may apply to the debt securities and provisions of the indentures that will govern the debt securities, and is not complete. We will describe the particular terms of any debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities.

The debt securities will be either our senior debt securities or our subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a U.S. banking institution named as trustee in a prospectus supplement, a form of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indenture relating to the senior debt securities, as amended or otherwise supplemented by any supplemental indentures, is referred to in this prospectus as the senior indenture. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a U.S. banking institution named as trustee in a prospectus supplement, a form of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indenture relating to the subordinated debt securities, as amended or otherwise supplemented by any supplemental indentures, is referred to in this prospectus as the subordinated indenture. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are sometimes referred to in this prospectus collectively as the indentures, and each individually, as an indenture.

The following summaries of the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indentures, including the definitions of specified terms used in the indentures, and the debt securities.

General Terms

Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities that we may issue. Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued up to the principal amount authorized by us from time to time. The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will have the same rank as all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated to all senior indebtedness as set forth below. None of our subsidiaries will have any obligations with respect to the debt securities. Therefore, our rights and the rights of our creditors, including holders of senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary will be subject to the prior claims of the creditors of our subsidiaries.

We may issue the debt securities in one or more separate series of senior debt securities and/or subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify the particular amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:

•

the title of the debt securities and the series in which the debt securities will be included;

•

the authorized denominations and aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

•

the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, are payable;

•

the rate or rates per annum at which the debt securities will bear interest, if there is any interest, or the method or methods of calculating interest and the date from which interest will accrue;

•

the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable;

•

the dates on which the interest will be payable and the corresponding record dates;

•

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

•

any obligation to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder;

•

the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities;

•

the person to whom any interest on any debt security will be payable if other than the person in whose name the debt security is registered on the applicable record date;

•

any events of default, covenants or warranties applicable to the debt securities;

•

if applicable, provisions related to the issuance of debt securities in book-entry form;

•

the currency, currencies or composite currency of denomination of the debt securities;

•

the currency, currencies or composite currencies in which payments on the debt securities will be payable and whether the holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency;

•

whether and under what conditions we will pay additional amounts to holders of the debt securities;

•

the terms and conditions of any conversion or exchange provisions in respect of the debt securities;

•

the terms pursuant to which our obligation under the indenture may be terminated through the deposit of money or government obligations;

•

whether the debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to senior indebtedness and the terms of any such subordination; and

•

any other specific terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the applicable indenture.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement specifies otherwise, we will issue the debt securities in fully registered form without coupons. If we issue debt securities of any series in bearer form, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the special restrictions and considerations, including special offering restrictions and special federal income tax considerations, applicable to those debt securities and to payment on and transfer and exchange of those debt securities.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

We may issue the debt securities as original issue discount securities, bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate, which, at the time of issuance, is below market rates, to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. We will describe some special U.S. federal income tax and other considerations applicable to any debt securities that are issued as original issue discount securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We encourage you to consult with your own competent tax and financial advisors on these important matters.

Payment, Registration, Transfer and Exchange

Subject to any applicable laws or regulations, we will make payments on the debt securities at a designated office or agency, unless the applicable prospectus supplement otherwise sets forth. At our option, however, we may also make interest payments on the debt securities in registered form:

•

by checks mailed to the persons entitled to interest payments at their registered addresses; or

•

by wire transfer to an account maintained by the person entitled to interest payments as specified in the security register.

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement otherwise indicates, we will pay any installment of interest on debt securities in registered form to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for that installment of interest. If a holder wishes to receive a payment by wire transfer, the holder should provide the paying agent with written wire transfer instructions at least 15 days prior to the payment date.

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement otherwise sets forth, debt securities issued in registered form will be transferable or exchangeable at the agency we may designate from time to time. Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged without service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale by the Company

Each indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between us and another U.S. corporation. It also permits the sale or transfer by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets and the purchase by us of all or substantially all of the property and assets of another corporation. These transactions are permitted if:

•

the resulting or acquiring corporation, if other than us, assumes all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the covenants in the indenture; and

•

immediately after the transaction, no event of default exists.

Even though each indenture contains the provisions described above, we are not required by either indenture to comply with those provisions if we sell all of our property and assets to another U.S. corporation if, immediately after the sale, that corporation is one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries.

If we consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation or sell all or substantially all of our assets according to the terms and conditions of each indenture, the resulting or acquiring corporation will be substituted for us in the indentures with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indentures. As a result, the successor corporation may exercise our rights and powers under each indenture, in our name or in its own name and we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under each indenture and under the debt securities.

Events of Default, Notice and Certain Rights on Default

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, an “event of default,” when used with respect to any series of debt securities, means any of the following:

•

failure to pay interest on any debt security of that series for 30 days after the payment is due;

•

failure to pay the principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;

•

failure to deposit any sinking fund payment on debt securities of that series when due;

•

failure to perform any other covenant in the applicable indenture that applies to debt securities of that series for 90 days after we have received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the indenture;

•

certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; or

•

any other event of default that may be specified for the debt securities of that series when that series is created.

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series can, subject to certain conditions, rescind the declaration.

The prospectus supplement relating to each series of debt securities which are original issue discount securities will describe the particular provisions that relate to the acceleration of maturity of a portion of the principal amount of that series when an event of default occurs and continues.

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under either indenture.

Each indenture requires us to file an officers’ certificate with the trustee each year that states that certain defaults do not exist under the terms of the indenture. The trustee will transmit by mail to the holders of debt securities of a series notice of any default.

Other than its duties in the case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under an indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee indemnification satisfactory to the trustee. If indemnification satisfactory to the trustee is provided, then, subject to certain other rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, with respect to the debt securities of that series, direct the time, method and place of:

•

conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; or

•

exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee.

The holder of a debt security of any series will have the right to begin any proceeding with respect to the applicable indenture or for any remedy only if:

•

the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

•

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request of, and offered reasonable indemnification to, the trustee to begin the proceeding;

•

the trustee has not started the proceeding within 60 days after receiving the request; and

•

the trustee has not received directions inconsistent with the request from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series during those 60 days.

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities, by notice to the trustee for that series, may waive, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, any past default or event of default with respect to that series and its consequences. A default or event of default in the payment of the principal of, or premium or interest on, any debt security and certain other defaults may not, however, be waived.

Modification of the Indentures

We, as well as the trustee for a series of debt securities, may enter into one or more supplemental indentures, without the consent of the holders of any of the debt securities, in order to:

•

evidence the succession of another corporation to us and the assumption of our covenants by a successor;

•

add to our covenants or surrender any of our rights or powers;

•

add additional events of default for any series;

•

add, change or eliminate any provision affecting debt securities that are not yet issued;

•

secure the debt securities;

•

establish the form or terms of debt securities not yet issued;

•

evidence and provide for successor trustees;

•

add, change or eliminate any provision affecting registration as to principal of debt securities;

•

permit the exchange of debt securities;

•

change or eliminate restrictions on payment in respect of debt securities;

•

change or eliminate provisions or add any other provisions that are required or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act, on the condition that this action does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture in any material respect; or

•

cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake.

In addition, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the supplemental indenture, we and the trustee may execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any of the provisions of the applicable indenture or any supplemental indenture or modifying the rights of the holders of debt securities of that series. No such supplemental indenture may, however, without the consent of the holder of each debt security that is affected:

•

change the time for payment of principal or interest on any debt security;

•

reduce the principal of, or any installment of principal of, or interest on, any debt security;

•

reduce the amount of premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of any debt security;

•

reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of an original issue discount debt security;

•

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or for any debt security;

•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults;

•

modify the provisions relating to waiver of some defaults or any of the foregoing provisions;

•

change the currency of payment;

•

adversely affect the right to repayment of debt securities of any series at the option of the holders of those debt securities; or

•

change the place of payment.

Any supplemental indenture will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to:

•

a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part;

•

an annual report on Form 10-K;

•

a quarterly report on Form 10-Q; or

•

a current report on Form 8-K.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under an indenture. If we deposit with the trustee sufficient cash or government obligations to pay the principal, interest, any premium and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments due to the stated maturity or a redemption date of the debt securities of a particular series, then at our option:

•

we will be discharged from our obligations for the debt securities of that series, the holders of the debt securities of the affected series will no longer be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for

registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities, and those holders may look only to the deposited funds or obligations for payment, which is referred to as “defeasance”; or

•

we will no longer be under any obligation to comply with certain covenants under the applicable indenture as it relates to that series, and some events of default will no longer apply to us, which is referred to as “covenant defeasance.”

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement specifies otherwise and except as described below, the conditions to both defeasance and covenant defeasance are as follows:

•

it must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default or event of default under, the applicable indenture, or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other of our material agreements or instruments;

•

certain bankruptcy-related defaults or events of default with respect to us must not have occurred and be occurring during the period commencing on the date of the deposit of the trust funds to defease the debt securities and ending on the 91st day after that date;

•

we must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel addressing compliance with the conditions of the defeasance or covenant defeasance; and

•

we must comply with any additional conditions to the defeasance or covenant defeasance that the applicable indenture may impose on us.

In the event that government obligations deposited with the trustee for the defeasance of such debt securities decrease in value or default subsequent to their being deposited, we will have no further obligation, and the holders of the debt securities will have no additional recourse against us, for any decrease in value or default. If indicated in the prospectus supplement, in addition to obligations of the U.S. or an agency or instrumentality of the U.S., government obligations may include obligations of the government or an agency or instrumentality of the government issuing the currency in which debt securities of such series are payable.

We may exercise our defeasance option for the debt securities even if we have already exercised our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our defeasance option, payment of the debt securities may not be accelerated because of default or an event of default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the debt securities may not be accelerated because of default or an event of default with respect to the covenants to which the covenant defeasance is applicable. If, however, acceleration occurs, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and government obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal and interest then due on the debt securities, because the required deposit in the defeasance trust is based on scheduled cash flow rather than market value, which will vary depending on interest rates and other factors.

Conversion and Exchange Rights

The debt securities of any series may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities of our company or another issuer or property or cash on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

Regarding the Trustee

We may from time to time maintain lines of credit, and have other customary banking relationships, with the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture.

The indentures and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Trust Indenture Act, that are incorporated by reference therein, contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become one of our creditors, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined under the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Additional Terms Applicable to Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate to the prior payment in full in cash of all senior indebtedness.

The term “senior indebtedness” is defined as:

•

any of our indebtedness, whether outstanding on the issue date of the subordinated debt securities of a series or incurred later;

•

accrued and unpaid interest, including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to us to the extent post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding, in respect of:

•

our indebtedness for money borrowed; and

•

indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which we are responsible or liable;

•

contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued or supported by our working capital lenders for our account; and

•

obligations, liabilities, fees and expenses that we owe to our working capital lenders;

unless the instrument creating or evidencing these obligations provides that these obligations are not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “senior indebtedness” will not include:

•

any of our obligations to our subsidiaries;

•

any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes that we owe;

•

any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees of these obligations or instruments evidencing such liabilities;

•

any of our indebtedness, and any accrued and unpaid interest in respect of our indebtedness, that is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other of our indebtedness or other obligations; or

•

the subordinated debt securities.

There is no limitation on our ability to issue additional senior indebtedness. The senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness under the subordinated indenture.

Under the subordinated indenture, no payment may be made on the subordinated debt securities and no purchase, redemption or retirement of any subordinated debt securities may be made in the event:

•

any senior indebtedness is not paid in full in cash when due; or

•

the maturity of any senior indebtedness is accelerated as a result of a default, unless the default has been cured or waived and the acceleration has been rescinded or that senior indebtedness has been paid in full in cash.

We may, however, pay the subordinated debt securities without regard to the above restriction if the representatives of the holders of the applicable senior indebtedness approve the payment in writing to us and the trustee.

The representatives of the holders of senior indebtedness may notify us and the trustee in writing (a “payment blockage notice”) of a default which can result in the acceleration of that senior indebtedness’ maturity without further notice, except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration, or the expiration of any grace periods. In this event, we may not pay the subordinated debt securities for 179 days after receipt of that notice. The payment blockage period will end earlier if such payment blockage period is terminated:

•

by written notice to the trustee and us from the person or persons who gave such payment blockage notice;

•

because the default giving rise to such payment blockage notice is cured, waived or otherwise no longer continuing; or

•

because such senior debt has been discharged or repaid in full in cash.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives have not accelerated the maturity of the senior indebtedness at the end of the 179-day period, we may resume payments on the subordinated debt securities. Not more than one payment blockage notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to senior indebtedness during that period. No default existing on the beginning date of any payment blockage period initiated by a person or persons may be the basis of a subsequent payment blockage period with respect to the senior indebtedness held by that person unless that default has been cured or waived for a period of not fewer than 90 consecutive days.

If we pay or distribute our assets to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation, dissolution or reorganization of or similar proceeding relating to us or our property, then:

•

the holders of senior indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of the senior indebtedness before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment; and

•

until the senior indebtedness is paid in full in cash, any payment or distribution to which holders of subordinated debt securities would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture will be made to holders of the senior indebtedness, except that holders of subordinated debt securities may receive certain capital stock and subordinated debt.

If a distribution is made to holders of subordinated debt securities that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, those holders of subordinated debt securities are required to hold it in trust for the holders of senior indebtedness, and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

After all senior indebtedness is paid in full and until the subordinated debt securities are paid in full, holders of subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of holders of senior indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to such senior indebtedness.

As a result of the subordination provisions contained in the subordinated indenture, in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are holders of senior indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated debt securities. In addition, our creditors who are not holders of senior indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than holders of senior indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated indebtedness. Furthermore, claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of the subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors, including holders of the subordinated debt securities, even though those obligations may not constitute senior indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to creditors, including trade creditors, of our subsidiaries. It is important to keep this in mind if you decide to hold our subordinated debt securities.

The terms of the subordination provisions described above will not apply to payments from money or the proceeds of government securities held in trust by the trustee for any series of subordinated debt securities for the payment of principal and interest on such subordinated debt securities pursuant to the defeasance procedures described under “Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.”

Book-Entry Delivery and Settlement

We may issue the debt securities in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates or notes, which we refer to as global securities, that we will deposit with a depository or its nominee that we identify in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will describe the specific terms of the depository arrangement covering the debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depository arrangements.

Upon the issuance of the debt securities in the form of one or more global securities, the depository or its custodian will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the number of shares or principal amount of securities of the individual beneficial interests represented by these global securities to the respective accounts of persons who have accounts with the depository. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities will be shown on, and the transfer of this ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depository or its nominee with respect to interests of participants and the records of participants with respect to interests of persons other than participants. These accounts initially will be designated by or on behalf of the underwriters, initial purchasers or agents, or by us if we offer and sell the debt securities directly, and ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities will be limited to participants or persons who hold interests through participants. Qualified institutional buyers may hold their interests in the global securities directly through the depository if they are participants in this system, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in this system. The laws of some states of the U.S. may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive registered form. These limits and the laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge interests in the global securities.

So long as the depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of the debt securities, the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global securities for all purposes. No beneficial owner of an interest in the global securities will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with the depository’s procedures.

We will make dividend payments on, or payments of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the global securities to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global securities. We will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interest.

We expect that the depository or its nominee, upon receipt of any dividend payment on, or payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the global securities, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the debt securities as shown on the records of the depository or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for their customers. These payments will be the responsibility of the participants. Transfers between participants in the depository will be effected in the ordinary way through the depository’s settlement system in accordance with the depository rules and will be settled in same day funds.

We will issue securities in certificated form in exchange for global securities (subject, in the case of the third bullet point, to the procedures of the depository) if:

•

the depository notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depository for the global securities or ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days of the notice;

•

an event of default under the instrument governing the debt securities has occurred and is continuing; or

•

we determine that the debt securities will no longer be represented by global securities.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

We are authorized under our articles of incorporation, as amended (our “articles of incorporation”), to issue up to 40,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value, all of which are undesignated as to series. Under our articles of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority to issue such preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions of such preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation, preferences, sinking fund terms, and the number of shares constituting any series.

Common Stock

As of September 1, 2023, we had 8,591,389 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. We will disclose in an applicable prospectus supplement the number of shares of common stock and preferred stock then outstanding.

The following section summarizes the material terms and provisions of our common stock. This summary is not a complete legal description of our common stock, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation and our bylaws, as amended, because they, rather than this description, define the rights of the holders of our common stock.

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted for a vote. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Generally, all matters to be voted on by shareholders must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of common stock present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class.

Holders of our common stock will share ratably (based on the number of shares of common stock held) if and when any dividend is declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor, subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends by us and subject to any restrictions or preferential rights on the payment of dividends imposed by the terms of any outstanding series of preferred stock.

Shares of our common stock have no preemptive rights, no redemption or sinking fund provisions, and are not liable for further call or assessment. The holders of such common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends.

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets of the Company remaining after the payment of its liabilities, subject to the prior distribution rights of any series of preferred stock then outstanding. Our common stock is not subject to redemption nor do holders of our common stock have any preemptive rights to purchase additional shares of common stock. Holders of shares of our common stock do not have subscription, redemption or conversion rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HCI.”

Preferred Stock

If we offer preferred stock, we will file the terms of the preferred stock with the SEC and the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to that offering will include a description of the specific terms of the offering, including any of the following applicable specific terms:

•

the series, the number of shares offered and the liquidation value of the preferred stock;

•

the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

•

the dividend rate, the dates on which the dividends will be payable and other terms relating to the payment of dividends on the preferred stock;

•

the liquidation preference of the preferred stock;

•

the voting rights of the preferred stock;

•

whether the preferred stock is redeemable or subject to a sinking fund, and the terms of any such redemption or sinking fund;

•

whether the preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable for any other securities, and the terms of any such conversion; and

•

any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the preferred stock.

It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of our common stock until our board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock. However, these effects might include:

•

restricting dividends on the common stock;

•

diluting the voting power of the common stock;

•

impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; and

•

delaying or preventing a change in control of our company.

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability

Our bylaws, as amended, provide for indemnification of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Florida law. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our officers and directors pursuant to which we have agreed to hold harmless and indemnify such officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time. These indemnification agreements also provide for the advancement of expenses by our company and, under certain circumstances, obligate us to pay, in whole or in part, certain amounts paid in judgment or settlement.

There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees or other agents as to which indemnification is being sought, nor are we aware of any pending or threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any director, officer, employee or other agent.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws, each as amended, contain certain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by the board of directors. In addition, certain provisions of Florida law may hinder or delay an attempted takeover of us other than through negotiation with our board of directors. These provisions, each described further below, could have the effect of discouraging certain attempts to acquire us or remove incumbent management even if some or a majority of our shareholders were to deem such an attempt to be in their best interest, including attempts that might result in the shareholders’ receiving a premium over the market price for the shares of our common stock and preferred stock held by shareholders.

Classified Board of Directors

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that our board of directors shall be divided into three classes of directors, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors is elected each year. We believe that the classification of our board of directors facilitates the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies. However, our classified board could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of shareholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

Our articles of incorporation provide our board of directors with the ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock, as well as to classify and reclassify any unissued shares thereof, without the need for shareholder approval, in accordance with the Florida Business Corporation Act (“FBCA”). This authority to issue, classify and/or reclassify shares of preferred stock without shareholder approval makes it possible for our board of directors to issue one or more series of preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Shareholder Nominations and Proposals

Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to shareholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of our board of directors or a committee of the board of directors. These provisions could make the proposal of business by our shareholders, including the nomination of directors to replace incumbent directors, more time consuming and difficult.

Board of Directors Size and Vacancies

Under our bylaws, our board of directors has the power to set the size of the board. Additionally, any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the board of directors, may be filled by vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum. The ability to increase or decrease the size of the board of directors, and to fill any vacancies resulting from any such enlargement, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us.

Provisions of Florida Law

We are governed by two provisions of the FBCA that may deter or frustrate takeovers of Florida corporations. The Florida Control Share Act (FBCA § 607.0902) generally provides that shares acquired in excess of certain specified thresholds, without first obtaining the approval of our board of directors, will not possess any voting rights unless such voting rights are approved by a majority of our disinterested shareholders.

The Florida Affiliated Transactions Act (FBCA § 607.0901) requires that, subject to certain exceptions, any affiliated transaction with a shareholder that owns more than 15% of the voting shares of the corporation, referred to as an “interested shareholder,” receive the approval of either the corporation’s disinterested directors or a supermajority vote of disinterested shareholders, or, absent either such approval, that a statutory “fair price” be paid to the shareholders in the transaction. The shareholder vote requirement is in addition to any shareholder vote required under any other section of the FBCA or our articles of incorporation. For a publicly traded corporation such as us, this supermajority vote may be difficult to obtain because the votes of the shares beneficially owned by the interested shareholder are not counted.

Florida law also authorizes us to indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents under certain circumstances and to limit the personal liability of corporate directors for monetary damages, except where the directors (i) breach their fiduciary duties and (ii) such breach constitutes or includes certain violations of criminal law, a transaction from which the directors derived an improper personal benefit, certain unlawful distributions or certain other reckless, wanton or willful acts or misconduct. Our bylaws provide for the indemnification of our current and former directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Trading

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HCI.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC. The transfer agent’s address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219, and its telephone number is 1-800-937-5449.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

Warrants

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or other securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock offered by any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as will be set forth in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the particular issue of warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants.

The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the warrant agreements.

Reference is made to the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the particular issue of warrants offered pursuant to such prospectus supplement and/or other offering material for the terms of and information relating to such warrants, including, where applicable:

•

the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of warrants to purchase debt securities and the price at which such debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

•

the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock and the price at which such number of shares of common stock may be purchased upon such exercise;

•

the number of shares and series of preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase preferred stock and the price at which such number of shares of such series of preferred stock may be purchased upon such exercise;

•

the designation and number of units of other securities purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase other securities and the price at which such number of units of such other securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

•

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

•

U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to such warrants;

•

the number of warrants outstanding as of the most recent practicable date; and

•

any other terms of such warrants.

Warrants will be issued in registered form only. The exercise price for warrants will be subject to adjustment in accordance with provisions described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such principal amount of debt securities or such number of shares of preferred stock, common stock or other securities at such exercise price as will in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the warrants, which exercise price may be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in such prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. After the close of business on the expiration date, or such later date to which such expiration date may be extended by us, unexercised warrants will become void. The place or places where, and the manner in which, warrants may be exercised shall be specified in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to such warrants.

Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or other securities, holders of such warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or other securities, as the case may be, purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture, or to receive payments of dividends, if any, on the preferred stock, or common stock purchasable upon such exercise, or to exercise any applicable right to vote.

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as “stock purchase contracts.” The terms and conditions for any purchase and sale rights or obligations, as well as the price per share of the underlying securities and the number or value of the underlying securities, may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts.

The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities, warrants, other securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as “stock purchase units.” The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or refunded on some basis.

The stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. The prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to a particular issue of stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units will describe the terms of those stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, including the following:

•

if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

•

any other information we think is important about the stock purchase contracts or the stock purchase units.

If we issue stock purchase units where debt obligations of third parties are used as security for your obligations to purchase or sell shares of common stock or preferred stock or other securities, we will include in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the offering information about the issuer of the debt securities. Specifically, if the issuer has a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act and is either eligible to register its securities on Form S-3 under the Securities Act or meets the listing criteria to be listed on a national securities exchange, we will include a brief description of the business of the issuer, the market price of its securities and how you can obtain more information about the issuer. If the issuer does not meet the criteria described in the previous sentence, we will include substantially all of the information that would be required if the issuer were making a public offering of the debt securities.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell securities in any one or more of the following ways from time to time: (1) through agents; (2) to or through underwriters; (3) through brokers or dealers; (4) directly to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process; (5) in “at the market offerings” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, or a securities exchange or otherwise; or (6) through a combination of any of these methods of sale. The applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering materials will contain the terms of the transaction, the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents and the respective amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by them, the initial public offering price of the securities, and the applicable agent’s commission, dealer’s purchase price or underwriter’s discount. Any dealers and/or agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts.

Any initial offering price, dealer purchase price, discount or commission may be changed from time to time.

The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions, at negotiated prices, at a fixed price or fixed prices (that may be subject to change), at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at various prices determined at the time of sale or at prices related to prevailing market prices.

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us or by agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold.

If underwriters are utilized in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, such securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of securities, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if they purchase any of them.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Transactions through brokers or dealers may include block trades in which brokers or dealers will attempt to sell shares as agent but may position and resell as principal to facilitate the transaction or in cross trades, in which the same broker or dealer acts as agent on both sides of the trade. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold.

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, we may authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. Such delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under relevant agreements with us to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which such agents, underwriters and dealers may be required to make in respect thereof. The terms and conditions of any indemnification or contribution will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

We may also sell shares of our common stock through various arrangements involving mandatorily or optionally exchangeable securities, and this prospectus may be delivered in connection with those sales.

We may enter into derivative, sale or forward sale transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material indicates, in connection with those transactions, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, including in short sale transactions and by issuing securities not covered by this prospectus but convertible into, exchangeable for or representing beneficial interests in securities covered by this prospectus, or the return of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of such securities. The third parties may use securities received under derivative, sale or forward sale transactions or securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those transactions to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment) and/or other offering material.

Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from us. Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers of shares for whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both. Compensation as to a particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent will be in amounts to be negotiated in connection with transactions involving shares and might be in excess of customary commissions. In effecting sales, broker-dealers engaged by us may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in the resales.

Each series of securities offered other than common stock will be a new issue and, other than the common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and in the case of the common stock, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, we will not be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

Agents, underwriters and dealers may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and/or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. An underwriter may carry out these transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

The place and time of delivery for securities will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement and/or other offering material for such securities.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Foley & Lardner LLP. The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The opinions of Foley & Lardner LLP and counsel for any underwriters or agents may be conditioned upon and may be subject to assumptions regarding future action required to be taken by us and any underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the issuance of any securities. The opinions of Foley & Lardner LLP and counsel for any underwriters or agents may be subject to other conditions and assumptions, as indicated in the prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, have been audited by FORVIS, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We also filed a registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement, but does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement or the exhibits. The SEC maintains a web site, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You may review the registration statement and any other document we file on the SEC’s web site. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on our website, https://hcigroup.com/. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

We are “incorporating by reference” specified documents that we file with the SEC, which means:

•

incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus;

•

we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents; and

•

information we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and before the end of the offering of the securities pursuant to this prospectus:

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (as filed on March 10, 2023);

•

the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (filed on April 28, 2023) that were incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022;

•

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 (as filed on May 10, 2023) and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 (as filed on August 9, 2023);

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2023, June 8, 2023, June 13, 2023, June 14, 2023, and July 7, 2023; and

•

Notwithstanding the foregoing, information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits under Item 9.01, is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

You may request a copy of any of these filings, at no cost, by request directed to us at the following address or telephone number:

HCI Group, Inc.

Attn: Andrew Graham

3802 Coconut Palm Drive

Tampa, Florida 33619

(813) 849-9500

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, as well as the information we file or previously filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

LOGO

HCI Group, Inc.

Shares

Common Stock

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

JMP Securities

A CITIZENS COMPANY

Truist Securities

, 2023