Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We are involved in claims-related legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. We accrue amounts resulting from claims-related legal actions in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses during the period that we determine an unfavorable outcome becomes probable and we can estimate the amounts. Management makes revisions to our estimates based on its analysis of subsequent information that we receive regarding various factors, including: (i) per claim information; (ii) company and industry historical loss experience; (iii) judicial decisions and legal developments in the awarding of damages, and (iv) trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation.

On August 5, 2010, Synovus Bank (Synovus), a Georgia banking corporation filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida against several defendants, including UIHC and UIH.  With respect to UIHC and UIH, the complaint: (1) sought to foreclose on a security interest in membership units of UIH owned by a UIH shareholder named as a defendant, including the proceeds thereof (the United Collateral), (2) sought a declaratory judgment requiring UIHC and UIH to deliver proceeds of the United Collateral to Synovus (including shares of UIHC and warrants to purchase shares of UIHC or the equivalent value thereof in cash, and a cash distribution), (3) alleged tortious interference with a contract between the UIH shareholder named as a defendant and Synovus relating to the United Collateral, (4) sought conversion of the United Collateral, and (5) alleged negligence in connection with the delivery of the United Collateral.  Synovus sought unspecified damages and other relief in connection with the foregoing.

On January 3, 2011, Synovus Bank voluntarily dismissed its case without prejudice against UIH and UIHC. We did not establish any reserves regarding this action because we were not able to predict the probable outcome of the action. 

See Note 8 for information regarding commitments related to long-term debt, and Note 10 for commitments related to regulatory actions.